The Canada Region has a number of initiatives under way and is seeking new volunteers to stand for the House of Delegates and the Region’s Executive Committee in the coming year.
The Region’s main purpose is to support the role and recognition of Canada Region members in the AAPG and promote the AAPG in Canada. The Region also reviews and recommends approval of new AAPG applications in concert with Canadian HoD members.
Canada Region members have had a long-standing volunteer and contribution role in the AAPG. The Region also strives to make itself relevant and vital to its members.
The current membership of the Canada Region includes 1,023 Active, Emeritus, Life and Honorary members; 462 Associate members; and 74 Student members.
An opportunity exists for increased Active membership in the AAPG by Canadian geologists, as there is an increasing number of Canadian-based exploration and production companies with foreign operations. Obviously, AAPG’s international focus provides even more value to these potential Canadian members both in the terms of knowledge and contacts.
Active participation by the AAPG within the Region is demonstrated with AAPG’s support of the continuing education computer laboratory at the University of Calgary with a start-up contribution.
Through the efforts of the Canada Region, and with our local Calgary society the Region has just undertaken the 2005 AAPG Annual Convention with high-profile Region members Bob Dick, Marty Hewitt and John Hogg (general chairman) playing significant roles in bringing AAPG back to Canada for the first time since 1992.
The conference was a success for AAPG, the local society and the Canada Region.
Student outreach is another Region focus, and AAPG has several outreach programs that allow the promotion of careers and knowledge in petroleum geology. The Region plans to continue to spotlight these opportunities to Canadian universities and encourage establishment of new student chapters and membership, especially outside the core of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The “graying” of the ranks of Canadian petroleum geologists represents an ongoing challenge for the replacement of those retiring members to serve our society.
Most recently, the Canada Region hosted the golf tournament affiliated with last June’s AAPG meeting in Calgary. As a result the Region now has funds to promote some independent initiatives, and the Region must work and co-ordinate with the CSPG (Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists) in these initiatives.
(Several ideas are under consideration, but the Region would welcome any suggestions from its members.)
In order for the Region to best represent the members it is important that as many members as are qualified become Active members. The Region has identified that a significant number of AAPG Associate members also are registered as Professional Geologists (P. Geol.) in Alberta. A proposal is being brought before the AAPG Executive Committee by the Canada Region to waive the application process on a one-time basis to allow the change of status to Active for those Associate members who hold the P. Geol. designation.
Currently the executive committee of the Canada Region is Warren Workman, president (403-269- 9550); Michael Clegg, vice president/treasurer; Robert (Bob) Phelps, secretary-foreman; John Hogg, past-president; and Robert (Bob) Mummery, Advisory council representative.
The House of Delegates representatives are Bill Haskett, Katherine Bergman, Syed Hasan, Dave Scott, Dean Potter, Ken Corruthers, Paul English and Marty Hewitt.
Please contact any of the above about opportunities to serve the AAPG community in Canada, or with any suggestions you have.