Minutes of the 1993 Risk Theory Seminar

The 1993 RTS was held on April 30-May 2 in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania. The program consisted of nine papers presented by 14 people (18 co-authors in total with 4 unable to attend). Ten of the presenters were new (James Barrese, Vasanthakumar Bhat, Robert Dansby, Arthur Hogan, Robert Hoyt, James Ligon, Mike Orszag, Anil Shivdasani, Paul Thistle, and Hong Yang), the remainder being current members (Helen Doerpinghaus, Louis Eeckhoudt, Christian Gollier, and Clifford Smith). The seminar was hosted by Neil Doherty who handled the local arrangements, and chaired by Scott Harrington, President of the 1993 Seminar.

After the 1993 Seminar there are 59 members. The membership increased by ten as indicated above and decreased by seven (Lawrence Berger, Eric Briys, Edna Loehman, Richard MacMinn, Steven Mann, Harris Schlesinger, and Rob Schwebach). Fifteen members must attend the 1994 Seminar in order to retain their membership (Eric Bond, Georges Dionne, Yehuda Kahane, Stuart Klugman, Michael Levasseur, Henri Louberge, David Mayers, Blaine Nye, Gary Patrik, Travis Pritchett, Joan Schmit, Michael Smith, Buddy Steves, James Trieschmann, and Richard Woll). Two members not in attendance are lifetime members (Jim Chastain and Alfred Hofflander). 41 persons attended, 31 continuing members and 10 new members.

The business meeting on May 2 was conducted by Scott Harrington. The 1992 minutes were approved. Treasurer Mike Smith submitted a report that RTS spent $762.97 more than it received last year but continues to have a healthy reserve. Reminders were made to all presenters that travel reimbursement from RTS is possible by sending requests to Mike. Only North American travel is reimbursable, and only one presenter per paper may obtain reimbursement. A copy of the Treasurer's report is attached.

The 1994 RTS will be held in Austin at the University of Texas. Jim Garven will handle the local arrangements. The members voted to have the 1995 Seminar at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Martin Grace will handle local arrangements.

The election of officers produced: President--Cliff Smith; Secretary--Jim Garven; Treasurer--Mike Smith. Scott Harrington becomes Past President and will select the papers for the 1994 RTS along with Smith and Garven.

Colin Ramsay briefly described a new journal, The Journal of Actuarial Practice. Cliff Smith proposed changing the name of the group to the Risk Theory Society, subject to no objection by ARIA. The proposal passed. The question of designating a formal discussant for each paper was raised. It was decided to retain the current format.