The meeting was called to order by Brenda Oppert, President. Also in attendance were George Potts, James Triplet, Mike Everhart, Pieter Berendsen, Dan Merriam, Larry Skelton, James Taylor, Janice Barton, David Saunders, Calvin Cink, Laurie Robbins, Sam Leung, Stan Roth and Jim Aber.
Stan Roth reported that the fall field trip will be to the Chataqua Hills. The date will be September 21 and will probably originate at Sedan, KS. Rex Buchanan and Pieter Berendsen will be assisting in the planning and organization of the trip.
Karen Hickman and Greg Ligett, organizers for this year's meeting, reported that 161 people had preregistered for the meeting. Of these, 90 had paid for the evening banquet and 115 had paid for the luncheon.
Of the oral presentations, 8 were to be given by undergraduates, 13 by students working toward a masters and 5 by persons working toward a doctorate. There are 15 undergraduates presenting posters and 11 by students working toward a masters.
Dave Saunders moved and Mike Everhart seconded that three awards be given in the categories of oral presentation by a masters degree student and poster presentations by undergraduates and master degree students. Due to a smaller number of papers, only two awards will be granted for oral presentations by an undergraduate and doctoral students. The cash award for this year's Dehner awards will be $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place in each category. All winners must be present at the award ceremony to receive the cash award. Larry Skelton announced that the Kansas Geological Foundation will also be giving a $100 award to the best undergraduate presentation and $200 to the best graduate presentation. Some of the money to fund the Dehner awards will come from FHSU as registration income had exceeded expenses.
Pieter Berendsen reported that KAS membership is approximately 200, which is down almost 60 from last year. It is hoped that the fall newsletter can include a membership list. The need to increase membership is great. George Potts suggested that membership forms be available at the annual KATS camp. A new KAS brochure is needed. Dave Saunders volunteered to prepare a new brochure and bring it to the next council meeting for our comments. The membership committee needs to be reactivated. George Potts, James Taylor and Mike Everhart agreed to serve.
With membership down, Janice Barton reported that the Academy is running in the red. For the year, we should come out about even.
We were reminded that the Junior Academy of Science meeting will be held on May 2 and that additional judges are needed.
Larry Skelton reported that there was no spring newsletter but there will be one for the fall.
Sam Leung reported that use of the KAS website is up significantly from last year. Electronic registration for this year's meeting was quite successful.
Brenda Oppert distributed a list of ideas put together by the Strategic Planning Committee. These suggestions will be discussed in detail at a future meeting.
Pieter Berendsen reported that there are three fifty-year members this year and that a plaque will be presented to those present at the luncheon business meeting.
Jim Aber and Dave Saunders reported that the software needed for preparing the Transactions for electronic transmission to Allen Press has been purchased. A sample paper was distributed to show the quality and a proposed new size and format. Dave Saunders moved and George Potts seconded that the new size and format be adopted. Motion passed.
The Transactions are now available electronically through libraries that subscribe to BioOne. The Gale Group will pay royalties to the KAS periodically but none have been received yet.
George Potts indicated that it would be desirable to get all 105 years of the Transactions on a CD. The initial cost would be about $50,000 but grants may be available to fund the project. He was given an OK to look for funds.
The 2003 annual meeting will be held at Pittsburg State University. April 4th and 5th are the proposed dates. This will be a part of P.S.U.'s 100 year celebration. The 2004 meeting will be a joint meeting with the Missouri Academy of Science and will be held at Rockhurst University in Kansas City.
The Distinguished Lecturer Program did not function this year. It is hoped that it will be operational next year.
The next meeting will be in Emporia. The dates of June 28 or 29 were proposed.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
James Taylor