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Annual Meeting Wraps Up A Year Of Changes

The 95th Annual General Meeting of PAPTAC on Feb. 4 was an occasion to acknowledge changes that have streamlined the association, and recognize the contributions of PAPTAC’s dedicated members. An annu…

The 95th Annual General Meeting of PAPTAC on Feb. 4 was an occasion to acknowledge changes that have streamlined the association, and recognize the contributions of PAPTAC’s dedicated members. An annual meeting also looks to the future, and in this case, a vote on the bylaws governing the composition of the executive council opens the doors to some fresh input for the group in 2009.

Marie Dumontier, outgoing chairman of the executive council, gave a brief review of association events in 2008.

“This was a year of transition for the pulp and paper industry, as well as PAPTAC,” she remarked. “There were hard decisions made to ensure a viable future for the association.”

However, there were positive outcomes to the association’s ability to economize and streamline. “We reduced office space by 60% as well as introduced our online bookstore, to provide access to PAPTAC publications 24/7,” Dumontier noted. The Journal of Pulp and Paper Science continues to be published, under a revised budget.

An amendment to PAPTAC’s bylaws that will allow up to two supplier representatives to sit on the association’s nine-member executive council was supported unanimously by all eligible voting members present. Until now, industry suppliers have only been indirectly represented by the voting members on council, although this group makes up about 35% of PAPTAC’s total membership. With this bylaw revision, suppliers will be able to directly communicate with the council, and help in planning PAPTAC’s future activities. Under the amendment, supplier councillors will be able to serve as full members on the executive council, and have the ability to move, second, and vote on council business. Their participation will also be factored in to have quorum during meetings.

Achievements and excellence were acknowledged during the awards portion of the annual meeting.

The Dr. John S. Bates Gold Medal Award was awarded to Dr. Donald B. Mutton. This award is bestowed upon individuals for long-standing contributions to the science and technology of the pulp and paper industry.

“A prestigious award like this isn’t won alone,” Dr. Mutton commented. “This award belongs to all of us.” Dr. Mutton also paid tribute to his wife who passed away last year, attesting that “her support was the wind beneath my wings.”

The Honorary Life Member Award, given to C. Scott Travers, recognizes outstanding service to PAPTAC and to the pulp and paper industry as a whole.

Dr. Dominique Lachenal received the I. H. Weldon Award, accepting it on behalf of his students Christine Chirat and Guillaume Pipon from the cole franaise de papetrie in St-Martin d’Hres, France. The award is granted to the best paper by a member of PAPTAC. Dr. Lachenal and his students won for their paper entitled Final Pulp Bleaching by Ozonation: Chemical Justification and Practical Operating Conditions.

Before Dumontier passed the reins of her two year chairmanship over to Andr Bernier, she praised the efforts of current and retiring councilors, as well as welcomed the newly elected councilors.

“This two-year term as chairman has been rewarding and a great learning experience. Nowhere else could I have gained an experience like this in such a short amount of time,” she stated.

Andr Bernier will be following in the footsteps of Dumontier as the PAPTAC chairman for 2009. Bernier, mill manager at Catalyst Paper -Crofton Division, praised her contribution to PAPTAC. “Marie is a source of inspiration, exceptional leadership, and service as chairman,” he said.

Other awards

Gadget Competition: Steve Pellerin of Kruger Inc., Trois-Rivires, Que., for his cable winder.

Douglas Jones Award: Mike Van Ham, Lesley Dampier, Kerry Morton, and Sophie Mullen, for Pulp and paper sludge as a barrier layer in landfill closure: a new opportunity.

Jasper Mardon Award: X. Hua and M. Laleg, for Impact of machine whitewater on brightness of mechanical grades.

Certificate of Appreciation: Robert Lanouette, Universit de Qubec Trois-Rivires.

Certificate of Appreciation: Natacha Houde, Kruger Wayagamack Inc, Trois-Rivires, Que.

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For more news on EXFOR and the PAPTAC Annual

Meeting, visit pulpandpapercanada.com/exfor.