As your AAPG Executive Committee secretary, I ran for office and committed to doing my part in steering AAPG to be a healthy, thriving, professional organization today and in the future. I am passionate about developing an energized pipeline of future geoscientists, of which AAPG is a key enabler through their technical excellence and people. To see these changes happen, AAPG needs a fundamental shift, which is why I am very excited that we are ready to present the culmination of years of work to do just that through Reimagine AAPG.
We chartered the Reimagine AAPG effort to simplify and streamline AAPG: to take AAPG back to our technical roots and to create a business-focused governance structure to best assure AAPG’s financial well-being. This effort is supported by 80 percent of our living past presidents, the Corporate Advisory Board composed of representatives from the companies who sponsor many of AAPG’s activities, and by a 7:1 vote in the current Executive Committee.
A presidential ad hoc committee composed of past House of Delegates chairs and the incoming chair has written a new set of Bylaws based upon the work of President Steven Goolsby’s ad hoc committee. The new Bylaws will re-direct AAPG’s governance to facilitate nimble business decisions as AAPG and our sister societies face rapid change and major shifts in the business environment. The Bylaws replace the Executive Committee with a business-focused board and all voting members will be given a direct vote on any major changes within AAPG that affect the Bylaws of our Association.
Technical, Membership Components
A member-elected board structure is a best practice for scientific societies and across all business ventures. The AAPG Executive Committee was not designed with a business focus. The proposed board would address the two critical business components: products and customers. The technical side of the board would center on business product – how to provide the best, most applicable geoscience available. The membership side of the board would center on our people – representing our members geographically, giving our members a more direct say in their Association and serving our customers who buy and sponsor our scientific information.
Feedback, Revisions
The proposed Bylaws have been circulated through the membership of the House of Delegates for their feedback. Feedback from the delegates has been integrated into a revised version of the Bylaws.
Concerns were raised and revisions have been made, including:
- To maintain the current membership qualifications of holding a geoscience degree
- To maintain the current sections and regions for representation
As noted above, delegates’ concerns were heard and addressed and the wording in the revised Bylaws has been changed to reflect the results of a straw poll taken from the HoD.
The other important change proposed in the Bylaws is direct representation for voting on major changes for AAPG. Technology now allows you, the voting member, to vote directly and securely to ensure thatdecisions represent the majority view.
Our valued member-volunteers currently serving in the HoD will be invited to further build upon the existing membership side of their roles. HoD members, -- possibly to be renamed “ambassadors” – can further reach outward to their local societies to proactively create technical and networking/fun events under the banner of AAPG. They will also be expected to provide feedback to the board on suggested changes and better ways to serve our members based on their interactions with their sections, regions and local societies.
AAPG will change significantly, regardless of whether the proposed Bylaws are accepted. Difficult business decisions must be made, and a board structure will underpin efficient business practices. The proposed Bylaws will place focus directly on excellent, applicable geoscience products to generate revenue and on empowering our membership. I believe that by Reimagining AAPG we will serve our members and society for many years to come.
If you are curious about the proposed Bylaws, a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found at AAPG.org/Reimagine.