AAPG
has more than 80 committees, including standing, ad hoc and those
of the House of Delegates, the divisions and the Advisory Council.
There are over 800 "slots" for committee members, so our members
literally cover the waterfront and more!
Looking
at the committee structure, it is easy to recognize that many committees
overlap and that their interrelationship has been unattended in
many instances.
One topical
area, student-focused committees, has needed oversight and coordination
for many years. Attempts to make these committees coordinate better
have been made over the last few years with limited success.
Major student-related
committees include Academic Liaison, Grants-In-Aid, Student Chapters,
Youth Educational Activities, Visiting Geologists, Student Expo,
Student Job Fair and Virtual Student Expo. Nearby "cousin" committees
are Future of Earth Sciences and Distinguished Lecture.
In order
to harness the energy of these committees, I've established the
Student Focus Coordinating Ad Hoc Committee, under the leadership
of Denise Cox. This committee will work to deliver to colleges and
other educational venues the full force and effect of AAPGs
substantial educational commitment.
The Student
Focus Coordinating Committee will directly interface with Mike Mlynek,
student affairs coordinator on the AAPG staff.
If you
would like to be part of this refocused and organized effort please
contact Mike at
(918-560-2653) and discuss committee assignment opportunities.
Mike will forward that information to me and I will discuss with
the appropriate chair(s).
The ambassadors
in this program will be the Visiting
Geologists. AAPG has great need for more VGPers. Visiting Geologists
bring the message of what it is like to be a professional geologist
to students. VGPers are not Distinguished Lecturers; they are practicing
folks capable of relating to those learning geology.
You are
wanted. Are you willing?