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Meeting Minutes

Visiting Geologist Program Committee
March 11, 2002 — 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Houston, Texas

1. Call to Order

VG Chair Pat Gratton called the meeting to order at 7:40 a.m.

2. Introductions/Recognition

Committee Members/VGs Present:

Adebayo Akinpelu John Armentrout Jim Bedford George Bole Betsy Campen Rebecca Dodge Marlan Downey Lee Entsminger Lee Gerhard Pat Gratton Will Green Robbie Gries Alfredo Guzman Jean Hamilton Chris Heath Ed Heath Terry Hollrah Naresh Kumar

Susan Landon Dave Larue Steve Laubach Peter Lloyd Allen Lowrie Jack Meyer Roice Nelson Don Oltz Michael Party Doug Patchen Doug Peters Rusty Riese Dan Smith Steve Sonnenberg Dan Tearpock Ray Thomasson Dave Weinberg Doug Wyatt

Also Present:

Pat Gratton, VG Chair
Bob Cowdery, VG Vice Chair
Rich Green, VG Vice Chair
Leslie Seawright, SEG
Ron Denton, Barbara Davis, Cammy McKnight, AAPG Staff
Walter Grün

Recognition of 2001/02 Visits/Visitors

Pat thanked the VGs present for their participation in the Visiting Geologist Program, and thanked in particular Dave Weinberg and Joe Lambiase, who made six and 13 visits respectively.

3. Chair’s Report

Pat Gratton reviewed the handout, which was a report of 2001-02 VGP visits. He informed the group that visits are projected to be up 31% compared to the previous program year, and went over the "cost per person contacted" analysis. Also shared that overall, evaluations from the universities have been very favorable, and that it is very important for the VGs to return their completed evaluations to Headquarters after each visit. Pat also informed the VGs that a requirement to continue participation in the VG Program is to make at least one visit every two years. Pat also mentioned that it is important for VGs to contact universities to offer to make a visit as opposed to waiting for the requests to come in through Headquarters. Susan Landon pointed out that in order for a visit to qualify, it is necessary for the VG to visit with the students after the talk is given <as the essence of the program is that the students have the opportunity to interact with a working geologist>.

4. Geoskill Priorities

Chris Heath gave an overview of his Geoskill Priorities report.

5. Programs and Initiatives

   • AAPG President Robbie Gries commented that the importance of the VGP was stressed at the Technical Training Center directors meeting on Tuesday.

   • It was stated that there needs to be an "early warning system" whereby VGs contact university department chairs and let them know when they can make a visit in conjunction with other business.

6. Coordination With Other AAPG Committees

   • Pat pointed out that there is information regarding other AAPG programs (i.e. student expo, student chapter status, grants-in-aid) provided in the VG packets sent by headquarters before each visit.

   • Betsy Campen stated that she is on the Computer Committee, and if anyone has anything they want her to take to the committee to please pass it along to her.

   • Bob Cowdery stated he feels there should be a Mentoring brochure similar to the VGP brochure for VGs to take to the universities on visits.

7. Other/New Business

8. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

The attached report is part of the meeting minutes.