By Timothy R. Carr

It is an honor and a joy to have an opportunity to run as a candidate for office in AAPG. I welcome the chance to work with an organization that is uniquely positioned to address critical issues in our industry and society. Our members are science-driven and highly knowledgeable earth scientists who understand and subscribe to maintaining a healthy life environment, but who also understand that the requirement of our civilization is to maintain an adequate energy supply.

As a member of AAPG, I have constantly encouraged younger people working with me -- first while in industry, now in a geological survey and university setting -- to join AAPG, to actively participate, to make technical presentations at national and regional meetings, and to publish in the various outlets of our Association.

These young geoscientists will determine the future of our organization -- but just as importantly, our organization will contribute to their future success as professional geologists, geophysicists and engineers.

I believe we must work together and as individual members to continuously improve our Association. The energy industry is undergoing constant organizational and technical change. Change is always a challenge, and AAPG must work to better serve the needs of the members.

If elected as secretary, I will work with other members to enhance communication and increase member participation. As an Association we need to face straight-on the challenges and opportunities provided by electronic communication and publication. We can use the power of the Internet to better serve our members. Digital communication can improve efficiency and the ability to extend AAPG's reach to all members, regardless of location. We need to provide full access to AAPG services to our members, both from Chanute, Kan., and Muscat, Oman. At the same time, we need to maintain the tradition of high technical quality and personalized service.

Communication outside the Association is another important area that has made great progress. AAPG should be a leader in addressing important technical issues in a public forum. Our primary job as geologists is to supply society with energy and minerals, and to minimize the impact of our actions. However, it is also our role to educate our decision-makers and the general public as to the significance of our natural resources. Effective efforts will require using the distribution power of electronic communication while mobilizing the dedicated involvement of our individual AAPG members.

Having been involved in AAPG in a number of ways, I have the desire to help set the course of the Association in order to meet the future challenges of our profession. I am looking forward to meeting fellow members and listening to their thoughts.

I welcome the opportunity to help maintain AAPG as the largest and best geological association focused on providing the energy needed by the world.