NAGS meeting report

Unlike other International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) chapters, NAGS is only one of several geosynthetics organizations within North America. NAGS and these other groups have similar objectives and goals, which include geosynthetics education and improving the communication and promotion of the geosynthetics field. NAGS is seeking to combine or coordinate our efforts with these other organizations to minimize duplication and improve the future success all of our mutual goals.

NAGS is revising its bylaws to allow for designated board seats to be filled by members of these other geosynthetics organizations. Current agreements have been reached to allow three organizations to appoint one of their members to the NAGS Board. These organizations are: the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), the Geosynthetic Committee of the Canadian Geotechnical Society, and the Geosynthetic Committee of ASCE’s Geo-Institute. These changes should occur upon approval of the revision to the NAGS bylaws.

NAGS has recently developed a webinar series, designed as quarterly presentations. The series is being developed by Dr. Richard Brachman, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The webinars presented so far are:

• March 19, 2014, Dr. Kerry Rowe, “Recent insights on the performance of GCLs in bottom liners and covers”
• July 9, 2014, Bob Mackey, P.E., “Composite drainage nets”

Other current NAGS activities include:

• NAGS members are assisting conference planners at the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) with the planning and organization of the Geosynthetics 2015 Conference, Feb. 15-18, 2015, Portland, Ore.
• Continued efforts with the organization of the GeoAmericas 2016 Conference, April 11–13, 2016, Miami.
• Forming a committee to help establish NAGS recognition awards, chaired by Jay McKelvey, P.E., Earth Engineering Inc.
• Plans to establish a method for NAGS members to communicate with each other through the NAGS website.
• Continued discussions on a future name change for the chapter. Since Mexico now has its own IGS chapter, many members believe the title “North American” Geosynthetic Society is no longer appropriate. A suitable new name has not yet been accepted by the NAGS Board.

Bob Mackey, principal engineer at S2L Inc. in Maitland, Fla., is the president of the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS). He is also chairman of the ASTM D35 Committee on Geosynthetics and is a member of Geosynthetics magazine’s Editorial Advisory Committee.