State of the Society: ABSTRACT

The Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists was organized by a small group of specialists in micropaleontology and sedimentary petrology, and was established as a division of The American Association of Petroleum Geologists in 1926. Since then it has attained a membership of more than 2,400, and a reputation as an important international society. The S.E.P.M. publishes two journals and a series of special publications, and performs other useful services to the profession. The membership is composed of a variety of specialists with diverse interests and professional connections, and this makes for a certain amount of unrest and dissatisfaction with the status quo. There is a widely held desire to change the name of the society to something that would express ore accurately its aims and activities. Some members have suggested splitting into two societies, one for sedimentary petrology and one for paleontology; others have suggested that the Paleontological Society and the paleontologists of the S.E.P.M. join in a separate society. Many members and non-members of the S.E.P.M. have expressed disapproval of the status of the society as a subordinate division of the A.A.P.G. In particular, there is a strong feeling on the part of some that the requirement of membership in the A.A.P.G. as a qualification for full (active) membership in S.E.P.M. makes second-class citizens of the associate members of S.E.P.M., many of whom are outstanding members of the profession. Recent councils of the S.E.P.M. have sampled the opinions of the membership, and have arrived at what is believed to be a consensus that can be used for making necessary adjustments in the affairs of the society. The name-change movement distills down to the following. There is no agreement on a possible new name; a change in name would create serious confusion, because the society's publications are indexed in libraries and bibliographies; and it is believed that the society's aims and activities are widely known under its present name. No change is being made. The fractionation sentiment is countered by a majority opinion that paleontology and the study of the physical environment should be kept together in the same society, to provide for continued cross-fertilization and the strengthening of the ecological approach to stratigraphy and paleogeography. The independence movement is faced by the practical consideration that the society is still partly supported and aided by the A.A.P.G., both in the close association in the headquarters office and in the operation of the joint annual meetings. The financial status of the S.E.P.M. is good, but completely independent operation would be a risky endeavor and would limit the vigor of the society's work. With reference to all of the foregoing questions, an appreciable number of members, including both academic and non-academic types, value the economic aspect of the profession and the S.E.P.M.'s association with petroleum geologists. A new constitution has been written, the principal feature of which is the removal of the requirement of membership in the A.A.P.G. as a basis for full status in the S.E.P.M. A large majority of the old associate members can be advanced immediately to full membership and acquire the right to vote and hold office. A new class of associates is established, to include somewhat more junior members of the profession, who would not have voting or candidacy rights but who could advance into the member rank, on gaining further experience, without having to join another society. Other provisions of the new constitution in general merely state more accurately the society's present functions and business procedures. I do not wish to imply that the Council thinks that all of the problems have been solved, or that all factions have been satisfied. I am sure that succeeding End_Page 470------------------------------ councils will listen to the opinions of the entire membership and will take action that will benefit the majority. The present Council believes that the society members generally place a high value on their relationship with the A.A.P.G., and that under the new constitution this feeling will be strengthened and extended. The Council looks forward to a new era of greater vigor in the operations of the S.E.P.M. and of a stable and satisfactory cooperation between the S.E.P.M. and the A.A.P.G. S.E.P.M.'s attitude toward the American Geological Institute is one of loyalty and enthusiastic support. End_of_Article - Last_Page 471------------