"The mission of the International Regions Committee is to promote international participation in the AAPG by providing a forum for international members, affiliated societies and Regions to communicate with the Executive Committee (EC) and AAPG-HQ; to provide support and counsel to AAPG committees and international regions and their associated service teams in aspects of international education, conferences, research and membership; and to help identify candidates for AAPG awards and honors."
The International Regions Committee was renamed in 2002 (previously named International Liaison Committee). This report illustrates international membership growth, membership services, and highlights important milestones reached last year.
During the last year, the success trend in international membership growth continued. Both student membership and overall membership grew at excellent rates. International membership at year-end 2003 stands at 10435 as compared to 9172 for year-end 2002 resulting in a growth rate of 14% as compared to last year’s growth of almost 7%. Student membership growth was the major contributing factor as our international student membership now account for 34% of the membership.
Another success contributing factor was the AAPG international conference in Cairo in 2002 that caused the AAPG member count for Africa region to increase from 762 by year-end 2001 to 1079 by year-end 2002 and to 2021 by year-end 2003.
Middle East Region grew by 19% to 516 members. Asia Pacific Region grew by 12% and reached 2196. Canada Region grew by 6% to 1569. Europe region remained almost the same, and the Latin America region understandably decreased by 45 to reach 962 members. Challenges in membership growth are to sustain and improve Africa, Asia Pacific and Middle East Region growth and simultaneously improve Europe and Latin America membership numbers through better services and more conferences (such as the three international conferences spanning three continents - in Abuja, Cancun and Prague this year). The attached graphs show both total incase and percentage increase in membership from year-end 2000 to year-end 2003.
Percentage Membership Growth by Region |
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Region/Year |
Year-end 2002 |
Year-end 2003 |
Africa |
42% |
87% |
Asia/Pacific |
10% |
12% |
Canada |
-1% |
6% |
Europe |
3% |
0% |
Latin America |
1% |
-4% |
Middle East |
0% |
19% |
Participation in regional conferences was a key success factor in increasing the awareness of potential members to what AAPG offers.
International membership services are critical to member benefits and hence increases membership. Internet based services such as balloting and questionnaires helped keep international members in touch with the AAPG headquarters and AAPG services. Other normal online services (mentioned in HQ and other committee services) contributed to the success of IRC. Barcelona conference and regional conferences such as GEO-2004 helped deliver more services (with the direct touch) to our members in two continents last year.
Finally, student sponsorship also played an important role in membership increase and awareness throughout AAPG international membership. It allowed for the creation of several student chapters.
Important milestones achieved in 2003 include:
Ibrahim A. Al-Ghamdi