SEPTEMBER 2003

Transitions

by Steve Goolsby

Transition periods can be difficult. They can also be times of innovation and change. This issue of The Delegates' Voice represents the transition from last year's HoD contributors to this year's team. Although some familiar faces are still around, most of the committee members have changed. I think the new members of the team are as anxious as I am to do a good job for the HoD. There is no doubt that it will be a challenge to do as good a job as that performed by last year's team.

I would like to institute a few changes to The Delegates' Voice during this transitional period. I don't think the newsletter needs radical changes, mind you. But a few small changes could add to the usefulness of The Delegates' Voice as a vehicle for the exchange of ideas and opinions on the important topics facing the HoD membership. Other changes could make the newsletter more interesting and enjoyable to read.

As I mentioned during my speech on the floor of the HoD during the Salt Lake City meeting, I want to insure that both sides of important issues are represented in The Delegates' Voice. To this end, I would like to add a Point-Counterpoint column to the newsletter. This column will provide an area in which opinions on major topics can be expressed. If you have an important issue that you feel needs to be addressed by the HoD, or if you have a strong opinion on an old issue that you'd like to express, please contact me about it. The exchange of ideas and opinions drives and invigorates a democracy, and The Delegates' Voice could certainly serve as a vehicle to keep our democratic institution working.

A letter from Clint Moore published in this issue will serve as the first Point-Counterpoint article for The Delegates' Voice. If you'd like to submit an article for consideration, please keep in mind that we do not have unlimited space in The Delegates' Voice. A brief article discussing your views on a subject is appropriate, but we have trouble finding room for multiple charts or other illustrations.

Speaking of illustrations, another change I'd like to make to The Delegates' Voice is to publish more illustrations in the newsletter. Pat Gratton has traditionally written a historical article for The Delegates' Voice that has provided some relief from the serious issues we cover in the newsletter, but he seems to think that he is going to be busy with other AAPG work this year. I'd like to find someone to continue the tradition of writing historical references, and also find some other illustrations for The Delegates' Voice. Pat suggested that if someone could do cartoons for our newsletter, it would be great! If you have anything of interest that you'd like to contribute, or if you know of someone who would do a good job in this respect, please contact me about it.