Start: 5:55pm

Present: 36 members.

Apologies: Howell Round, Don Warrington, John Clare, Peter Connor and Rex Farrelly.

Minutes of the 1998 AGM and Matters arising: Wes Sandle proposed that the minutes be accepted. Seconded by Peter Kinsler. Approved without dissent.

Treasurer’s Report: Winton Clitheroe presented the Treasurer’s Report.

He mentioned that the NZIP paid a RSNZ affiliation fee of $1000 +GST ($5 per member) and that this supported Science and Technology in New Zealand.

He said that the Physicist payments were now up to date. The publishers had agreed to accept $7800 for the 1997, 1998 and 1999 issues up to the last Physicist ordered (this is below the budgeted figure of $9000).

President’s Report: Wes Sandle moved that "The President’s report be circulated within one month". This motion was seconded and approved without dissent.

Education Committee Report: Graham Batchelor presented the Education Committee’s Report.

He said that they have established a Physics Teachers’ Net. The charge for this service was $15 per year. They provide a range of services including newsletters, resources on the web site, an email list and a $10 discount on exam papers. Approximately 60 people had joined the Physics Teachers’ Net.

He said that Neat Zippy IV was published late last year and will be put on the web site soon. He mentioned that the Education Committee would soon be moving to Wellington.

Wes Sandle moved that the Education Committee Report be approved. Seconded by Dennis Burchill. Approved without dissent.

Sue Napier presented the Education Committee’s financial reports for 1996/1997 and 1997/1998. The balance in the account is $38000. Sue queried whether the Education Committee was required to pay residents’ withholding tax. Winton said that this was not required owing to the amount involved. There was discussion about the auditor when the Committee moved to Wellington. Winton proposed that the Education Committee financial reports be approved. Seconded by Des Duthie. Approved without dissent.

Branch Reports: No branch reports have been received. Grant Williams mentioned that the Wellington Branch report will be sent at the usual time which is the end of August so as to coincide with the RSNZ Wellington Branch, Physics Section annual report. Wes proposed that "Branch reports are to be done". This was seconded and approved without dissent.

Election of Officers: There was discussion about the election of Officers of the Education Section. It was agreed that this be deferred. Wes Sandle proposed the following Officers of the NZIP.

President: Dr. John Clare. Vice-President: Prof. H. J. Trodahl.

Secretary: Dr. Grant Williams. Treasurer: Mr. Winton Clitheroe.

Auditor: Mr. Simon Barrow.

Seconded by Bart Provo. Approved without dissent.

Winton mentioned that the Auditor would do the NZIP accounts as a public service. Paul Callaghan mentioned that at the last Annual General Meeting a distributed Executive with routine professional help was discussed. Wes noted that it was his suggestion. Derek Chirnside moved that "The incoming Council consider a distributed Executive". This was seconded and approved without dissent.

Motion 1: "That the NZIP Constitution be amended as per the document entitled Proposed Changes to the Constitution of the NZIP". The motion was proposed by John Clare (absent) and seconded by Grant Williams.

Tim Armstrong said that this motion could not be voted upon as only 36 NZIP members were present whereas the rules require that in a vote at a General Meeting at least one fifth of the NZIP membership are required to approve an amendment to the rules (i.e. greater than 52 NZIP members).

It was decided that the motion should be discussed and then put to a postal vote as per the Constitution.

Amendment VII was discussed. Peter Kinsler questioned whether a degree was a prerequisite for a Fellow. Wes said that the NZIP had a statutory role to maintain quality. Des Duthie said that it was important to keep qualifications in. Wes said that the standards should be similar to those overseas. Winton proposed that the amendment be changed to "have a degree or equivalent qualification". This motion was seconded by Paul Callaghan and approved without dissent.

Amendment IV was discussed. Wes proposed that "the alteration to rule 5(h) be deleted from the proposed amendments". Seconded by Stacy Morrison. Approved by 33 members, opposed by 3 members.

Motion 2: "That the NZIP no longer act as an agent for the Physicist magazine". Proposed by Grant Williams. This motion was seconded and approved without dissent.

General Business: Tim Armstrong proposed that the Executive stay in Wellington for the next two years to synchronise the conference with the end of the Council’s term. He mentioned that the timing of the conference in the first year of the new Council’s term made the planning of the conference very difficult especially as advertising and planning was required before the new Council is elected. Wes said that a motion was not required and this should be discussed at the next AGM.

Graham Batchelor and Fay Taylor from the New Zealand Association of Science Educators discussed the advantages of the Education Section becoming a Standing Committee of the NZASE. Graham proposed that the "new Education Section consider formal association with the NZASE". Seconded by Wes and approved without dissent.

Peter Kinsler proposed a motion of thanks to the Conference Organising Committee.

The meeting closed at 7:30pm.

Grant Williams,

Hon. Secretary,

NZIP.