AAPG has launched a Membership
Enhancement and Development drive, in which members bringing
in new members can win prizes — including a trip to the AAPG International
Conference and Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain, in 2003.
With a goal of gaining 1,000 net new members, the
theme of "Join AAPG — Explore Your Future" has been chosen, and
awards are set to encourage and reward those who bring colleagues
into the association.
The
top recruiter of new members will receive a trip to the AAPG meeting
in Barcelona, including an airfare voucher for $1,000, hotel lodging
for four nights and professional registration fees. Should the winner
not be able, or choose not to go to Barcelona, only the travel voucher
would be awarded with a choice of destinations.
The grand prize winner will be announced at the 2003
annual meeting May 11-14 in Salt Lake City.
In addition to the Barcelona trip, the list of awards
includes "AAPG Dollars," which are good for any product or service
provided by the association, and milestone awards that will include
desk flags, and lapel pins as well as other recognition.
The top two recruiters in each Section and each region
will receive $250 and $100 "AAPG Dollars," respectively. Additionally,
at AAPG section meetings and the upcoming international conference
in Cairo, Egypt, membership applications received at the AAPG booth
at each meeting will get the recruiter's name placed in a drawing
for $150 worth of AAPG products and services.
If a recruiter brings in 10 applications, that person
has 10 chances for the drawing — plus credit in the overall contest.
Any member bringing in a new member will receive
an AAPG desk flag.
Milestone awards include distinctive AAPG pins for
recruiters sponsoring three and six new members.
The membership drive was kicked off at the AAPG Prospect
& Property Expo held in August in Houston. Award points are
based on new, valid applications for active and associate member
classes and for applications for advancing from Associate to Active
member status.
The contest runs through April 30, 2003. Application
forms include a "recruited by" blank for the recruiter to receive
credit.
Recruiter
kits, which includes membership forms, an inclusive list of AAPG
services, a "recruiter button," contest
rules and regulations, and other items are available through
the AAPG membership department.
Progress reports on the membership drive will appear
monthly in the and regularly on the AAPG Web site.
David G. Campbell, of Earth Hawk Exploration in Oklahoma
City, has been named chairman for the Membership Drive. In accepting
the responsibilities, Campbell said "AAPG provided the early nurturing
in many careers — including mine.
"AAPG was the link to staying technically current
before I was able to find a job," he said. "AAPG provided that safety
net for us. Throughout my career, the networking itself among the
other members has been invaluable.
"And although you can never make it a true quid-pro-quo,
there is always a feeling you want to give back after you so greatly
benefitted," he added. "This is one way for me to do it."
AAPG needs the enthusiastic support of every member
in this grassroots campaign, Campbell said. It is the members who
know who should be a member of AAPG.
Additionally, companies that have many Active AAPG
members still have non-member geologists who may read their or look
at someone else's BULLETIN, but still haven't joined.
"To grow, it is going to take a member talking one-on-one
with a prospective member about what we have to offer them professionally,"
Campbell said. "There are many members of local societies who are
not members of AAPG — and vice-versa. We hope the members see it
as an opportunity to grow their local society as well as increase
the standing of their society and section by encouraging upgrades
from Associate to Active members — those count, too.
"With this concerted effort, we are going to be able
to show the package of tremendous benefits" Campbell continued.
"It's going to be hard not to be a member."
Also, Campbell said, the grassroots effort is another
avenue of keeping contact with the young geoscientists.
"The young ones are our lifeblood for the future,"
he said. "We will give them the opportunity to join if they haven't
already."
Campbell also noted that the special membership drive
is being conducted along with the ongoing activities of the Membership
Committee.
"We will be working with the committee infrastructure
already in place, "Campbell said. "We're going to have some fun
with this."
And, with the prizes, this will be a fun way to contribute.
As of July 30, AAPG had 29,367 members on its rolls.
As AAPG President Daniel Smith noted, the goals of
the drive goes beyond growing AAPG for numbers alone. The drive
is to attract others working in the industry into the professional
association so that their contributions will strengthen the bonds
and voice of the profession, as well as providing a solid financial
base for continuation and furtherance of services to members.
The more involvement and more interaction professionals
share, the stronger and more vibrant the profession — and science
— will be.
For Recruiter Kits, contact the AAPG membership department
or telephone — 1-(800) 364-2274; or fax — (918) 560-2694; or at
P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101.