Officers
Keep AAPG Active!
One of the fun events that I attend as HOD Chair-Elect is the 31st Annual AAPG Leadership Days Conference. This year it was held at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and we greeted each day with a stunning view of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. As we walked into the Benson Geology Building for meetings, we were treated to a beautiful view of the three Flat Irons on the mountain, which is synonymous with Boulder. AAPG President, Paul Weimer, organized an enjoyable and concentrated forum full of stimulating discussions about how AAPG can grow and improve. The introduction of David Curtiss as the new Executive Director was an added attraction, as David now becomes the face of AAPG – one of an enthusiastic, forward-looking and experienced leader.
Perhaps the most fun interaction is with students from around the globe. I visited with over a dozen students from Lebanon to London, Australia to Oklahoma, Texas to Trinidad, and yes, even Wyoming. Talk about foreign places! They expressed their intent to become AAPG members in good standing and many had been involved with the Imperial Barrel Award competition. Surprisingly, they voiced an opinion that they should be paying some small dues as members rather than having the free ride that is afforded them.
Several good ideas emerged from the conference supplied by students as well as longtime delegates, including:
- Get Associate Members upgraded and simplify the membership approval process,
- Use IBA to help recruit more student members around the globe,
- Highlight Search & Discovery for all members’ benefit,
- Encourage Delegate Chairs in each Section and Region to be more active and to keep their delegates better informed of the changes coming forward.
A unique surprise was a concluding poem recited by Stuart Harker - new Regions VP and delegate from the European Region. Stuart composed a sonnet that summarized the events and success of the meeting. It illustrated just how civilized our society is!