Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council

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"To promote and foster social relationships among its members and to assist the Engineering, Geological, Geophysical and Land Societies in their various requests."

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In 2006, Norma Jean Jones, President of Houston Geological Auxiliary, and her Board voted to initiate a study to determine if a merger of the Petroleum Auxiliaries in the Houston Area was a possibility. This action was needed to overcome the loss of membership and the difficulty in filling all offices/committee chairs, as well as continuing to have quality programs and facilities in which to house their socials. Winona LaBrant Smith was asked to begin this investigation. Edie Bishop agreed to co-chair this assignment. After numerous phone calls to Auxiliaries in other cities who had already accomplished this feat, a “Brain Storming” luncheon was held at Junior League. Leaders of Geophysical, Land, Engineering, and Geological were in attendance. Following a very pleasant meeting, a vote was held which passed unanimously in favor of pursuing this idea. A formation meeting was held, the Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council, HPAC, was born. Officers were elected in 2006, for the 2006-'07 term and the movement was underway with Lynn Schoenberger, Geophysical, as the first Chair of HPAC.

The first year a successful trial luncheon/style show was held at Junior League. The second year three (3) joint functions were hosted to determine the feasibility of this venture with all four (4) auxiliaries participating under the leadership of Sheri McQuinn as the 2007-'08 Chair. At the end of the second year a vote was taken by the membership of each of the four (4) auxiliaries, it was determined that HPAC would be officially formed and the Auxiliaries would become one group. In order to maintain a close relationship with each of the four (4) professional Associations, (Engineering, Land, Geological and Geophysical) a member whose husband is affiliated with one of the four (4) professional association will be appointed as liaison, to that association. Liaisons allow HPAC members to continue long established relationships with the four (4) represented professional Societies. The Landwives, Geological and Geophysical voted overwhelmingly to join the movement.

The Engineering Auxiliary had a unique problem. Their Scholarship Fund (which is a very important part of their functions) is written as part of their By-Laws. They cannot disband and join HPAC, as a group, without loosing this fund. They join HPAC on an individual member basis.

A Nominating Committee was formed, by appointment of the HPAC Board, with one member from each of the auxiliaries forming this group. They were Mary Harle, Geological; Linnie Edwards - Chair, Geophysical and June Harrison, Land. The Nominating Committee met and selected members from the various groups to hold the offices the first year. The appointments were approved by the HPAC Board and after operating two years on a "trial basis" HPAC began its first official year with Phyllis Carter at its helm as President. Other officers included Millie Tonn, 1st Vice President; Nan Pye, 2nd Vice President; Paulette Williams, Secretary; Wanda Shaw and Holly Dodds, Co-Treasurers and Lois Matuszak, Editor.

Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council
Houston, Texas
E-Mail: webmaster@hpacauxillary.com