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Minutes of the 1990 Annual General Meeting

1. Call to Order

The First Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences was called to order by Professor G. M. Richards, Principal or The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

Professor Richards welcomed delegates and invited the Interim President Ramsey Saunders to address the Meeting.

2. Address of Interim President

Prof. Saunders welcomed delegates on behalf of the Interim Committee of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences to the First Annual General Meeting of the Academy. In his address he noted that some participants from Jamaica were unable to travel to Trinidad because they could not obtain Trinidad and Tobago visas.

The Interim President extended his sincerest apologies on behalf of the Academy, and expreseed the hope that the Caribbean Academy of Sciences would in future be able to implement the necessary mechanism to avoid a Recurrence of this incident.

3 (1 ) Minutes or the Inaugural Meeting of 16 and 17 May 1988

The Interim Chairman reminded delegates that it was exactly two years ago, May 16th, 1988 that the Caribbean Academy of Sciences was inaugurated. At this auspicious event the Academy was addressed by Senator Michael Williams, who officially opened the proceedings, while the Hon. Mr. Winston Dookeran, Minister of Planning and Mobilisation for Trinidad and Tobago, delivered the official address. Thee Rt. Hon. J.G.M. Compton, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, addressed the Academy on the Realisation of the Inauguration of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.

The Keynote address entitled "Science Communication Development and Society" vas delivered by Professor W.J. Whelan.
On that occasion Prof G.M. Richards moved the Vote of Thanks. In his speech he stressed the importance of Science Technology in the modern world

In the academic session which followed, the assembly heard presentations from; Mandate to the Interim Committee

The Interim President recalled that at its inauguration the interim Executive Committee was elected and mandated as follows:
  1. To invite suitable persons for membership in the Academy.
  2. To prepare and publish the Proceedings of the Inaugural Meeting.
  3. to revise the the Draft Constitution on the basis of reports of working groups
  4. to organise and call the First Annual General Meeting.
3(ii) Matters Arising

Application for Membership to the Caribbean Academy of Sciences
The Interim President reported that at present the Interim Committee had some eighty scientists who have indicated their willingness to become first members of the Academy.

The Chairman noted that the Academy has to be very careful at 'start-up' to put in place individuals who were willing to spend some measure of time and effort at this initial stage.

The meeting was asked to accept the list of persons (See Appendix II) applying for membership in the Caribbean Academy of Sciences

3. (ii) Continued.
The Meeting enquired and was informed that in addition to Ordinary Members, the Annual General Meeting will also choose Executive and Regional Representatives. The Membership list vas accepted.
Preparation and Publication of the Proceedings of the Inaugural Meeting
The Interim President, Prof. Saunders apologised for not having the entire proceedings for the commencement or the First Annual General Meeting, but it was hoped that it would be available as the proceedings progressed.
Revision of the Draft Constitution on the basis of Report of the Working Group
The Working Group on the Draft Constitution provided the final document. The Committee comprised persons from the disciplines of Agriculture, Engineering, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.
The Revised Constitution was tabled for consideration; during this session the following amendments were recommended.
Page l, Article Il Objective
  1. "The advancement of Science in the Region", should become #1, or primary statement of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.
  2. Page 3, line I should read "meetings" not "memetings".
  3. Page 3, line 5 replace "geographical areas" by "regions".
  4. Page 3, 6(b) add Belize.
  5. Page 3 6(d), replace "Curacao, Aruba and Surinam" by "Netherland Antilles".
  6. Page 3 6(e) add "including Barbados"
  7. Page 3 line 14 should read "General Meeting by posted ballot; except for the first Annual General Meeting".
  8. Page 7, line 5 insert Article XI, line 4 "Immediate Past-President" should read Secretary
3(iii) Accounts of Caribbean Academy of Sciences
The Interim President reported that prior to the Annual General Meeting, the CAS had three accounts as follows:

Current Account (Republic U.W.I.) TT $7,326.25
Fixed Deposit TT $13,121.27
Foreign Account US $5,000.00

He further stated that the Executive Committee had to draw down on these funds to offset expenses incurred in preparation of the First Annual General Meeting.

He noted that preparation of the Proceedings would cost some $10,500 and the Committee are in the of raising funds to cover this cost.

The Academy's Banker's are Republic Bank Limited.

4. New Bank Signatories

At present the Academy has four signatories:
1. Dr. W. Suite
2. Dr. D. Ali
3. Dr. H. Ramkissoon
4. Prof. R. Saunders.

The Interim Chairman advised the Annual General Meeting that new Signatories who should be members of the new Executive, would have to be chosen.

This item was deferred.

5. Membership Fees

6. Ratification of Nominations for Membership

The Interim Chairman informed the Meeting that the Interim Committee had received information on the Membership from which they have a slate of Fellows to be approved. (See Appendix Il to these proceedings).

He reminded the Meeting of the need to put in place at least, initially, people who have the time and can contribute to the Academy in its infant stage of Development. With this in mind he requested the meeting to accept this slate of candidates to carry the banner forward, to ensure the Academy's development into an association of which the region can be proud.

Dr. G.V. Taylor requested that Prof. Saunders be added to the slate.
This was unanimously agreed to.

Dr. LL. Moseley noted the exclusion of Prof. Cadogan from the slate of Fellows.
The Chairman reiterated that this method of selection was only to facilitate 'start-up' and that this first group is intended to get the organisation off the ground.

Dr. C.R. McDavid enquired whether the Curriculum Vitae as presented (in Appendix Ill) were to be published in that form. He thought they were too brief.
The Chairman agreed that some were indeed too abridged, and indicated that these would be expanded accordingly.

Dr. H. Ramkissoon's CV should be amended to read "Department of Mathematics" not Physics.

The Meeting was asked to approve the slate of Fellows of the Academy (listed in Appendix Il).
The list of Fellows was approved.

7. Election of President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer

The Interim Committee suggested the Election of Dr. H. Ramkissoon for the position of Secretary of the Academy.
The motion was carried.

In the like method Dr. Compton Seaforth was suggested and accepted for the position of Treasurer to the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.

Dr. C.R. McDavid questioned the constitutionality of the method of election.
The consensus was that while the meeting was sympathetic to the reason given for the procedures, it should have been opened to the floor for suggestions.
This Suggestion was carried.

Prof. Ramsey Saunders was nominated and unanimously elected to the position of President of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.

President Elect

Prof Lalor commented that he believed the influence of The University of the West Indies dominated the membership and suggested that in electing a President Elect, we should look outside the walls of The University of the West Indies.
Moreover. Mr. Hollis Charles noted that, the election of a 'President Elect' in reality limits the tenure of Office of the President to one (l) year, which contravenes Article IV '3' of the Constitution. The consensus was that the meeting should not proceed to elect a 'President Elect'.

8. Election of Divisional Representatives

Members of the Academy were divided into five divisions and the following Divisional Representatives have been elected:

1) Agriculture Prof J. Spence
2) Engineering Prof. H. Phelps
3) Natural Sciences Prof. J.S. Kenny
Prof. Lalor nominated by Dr. J. Duncan. He declined.
4) Social Sciences Dr. A. McIntyre (recommended.
The Chairman suggested to hold this nomination pending
a response from Dr. McIntyre.
5) Medical Sciences Prof. H. Core

9. Election of Regional Representatives

The region was also divided in five geographical areas and a representative had been chosen for each as follows:

1) Prof. Juan Bonnet Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo and Haiti.
2) Dr. G. Van Taylor Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize
3) Dr. F. Rosheuvel Netherland Antilles.
4) Prof. R. Saunders
Prof. C. Cadogan		 Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and the Eastern Caribbean.
The question was raised as to whether the Academy in its initial stages required Regional Representatives.

The consensus was that Regional Representation was indeed necessary to foster growth at this stage.
In the case of Region 4 above it was proposed that when the President is located in a given region, there would be no additional Representative for that given region.

The general view of the meeting was that there was still a need for a Regional Representative in the initial 'start-up' peritod to share the work-load.

It was therefore agreed that Prof. Saunders would preside over the area in question assisted by Prof. Cadogan.

10. Committees Ethics Committee

Prof. Cain was proposed to Chair this Committee.

The Interim President stated that Prof. Cain had indicated her willingness to serve and has asked to be able to co-opt members as she deems fit.
This proposal was carried.
The President Elect declared this session closed.

Installation of New Officers and Addresses

The President Elect of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences invited Prof. Lalor of the Third World Academy of Sciences to install the new Executive and Fellows of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences.

Prof. G. Lalor

Prof. Lalor in his address brought greetings from T. W. A.S. and noted it was the first institution to congratulate the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and offered their support which will not only help the Caribbean Academy of Sciences to achieve its aim in the Caribbean region but in the worrld.
He further stated that the Caribbean Academy of Sciences must not only be a sucess, but must be seen to be a success.

In Closing he wished the Academy Luck in all its endeavours.