I am honored to be nominated for treasurer and have the opportunity to contribute to AAPG’s future. My initial geological development was through formal education while a Student member, followed by the advice and mentoring from experienced geoscientists during early professional work, and eventually from peers in AAPG and other professional groups. We join AAPG for the science and then discover how much we benefit from our colleagues.

AAPG activities where the treasurer can contribute include, but are not limited to, the following:

• There is significant strength in our global geoscience organization. Many of our members’ professional activities grow out of meetings and events sponsored by affiliated Societies, Sections and Regions. The AAPG needs to support these professional groups wherever possible in science, education and professional practice. We must involve our early-career colleagues in local, regional and global geoscience activities during their student and early employment careers. This provides them mentoring and career guidance and the Association benefits from their fresh outlook and enthusiasm.
• We recognize that dues and other payments from some areas around the world are difficult and costly, with funds transfer fees adding considerably to the expense of members’ memberships. Our offices outside North America can help with this, but we need to work on this problem. The corporate group memberships will help here and hopefully can be increasingly tailored to many more members’ needs.
• Although the specific treasurer duties are primarily financial, our most valuable asset is the time that members volunteer for the activities of the Association and for the profession. We must act quickly when we recognize opportunities to use that volunteer time more effectively in communications, improved membership inf