ADDING RESOURCES PROVIDE MULTIPLICATION OF RESULTS
account for posting events and section updates.
Environmental Organizations & Geology Clubs
Holding joint meetings with local geologist groups have been very success- ful for the Northeast Region Section.
The Northeast Section and the Virginias Section has made a practice of attending and participating in local Geological Society Association (GSA) meetings and giving out free AIPG memberships to students who attend these events; while the South Dakota Section scheduled their annual meeting in conjunction with the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources annual Environmental and Groundwater Quality Conference.
Getting involved in local environ- mental events is working for Florida and Wisconsin Sections. Florida has been coordinating with other geological associations on events and fieldtrips. Wisconsin Section will be a sponsor of a Student Presentation Day event at a local nature center this fall. Both Sections will have an AIPG booth at the environmental events.
Government Entities
This year, the Environmental Directorate of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, headquartered in San Antonio, requested that the Texas Section give a presentation about AIPG and our certification requirements. They were one of several professional orga- nizations giving presentations to their employees about certification/registra- tion.
In Illinois the Professional Geological Licensing Act is about to sun-set. Many regulations have been developed with the support of AIPG and to the benefit of all geologists who practice in the state. Getting involved with this rule mak- ing process provides leadership among the profession and attracts members. It allows the section membership to be aware what is being developed and pro- vides a collective voice.
Website Redesigns
The Northeast Section recently rede- signed their website and hired a hosting firm, both of which were huge improve- ments to their members and visitors. This hosted website is also being used
to announce meetings, registration for meetings, and to manage our mailing lists. Florida Section also finds that an active, up to date website brings more folks to shared meetings and events.
Consultant Demonstration Days
The Georgia Section has been work- ing with several remediation consulting firms to sponsor field demonstration days for AIPG members, students and interested parties. These demonstration days have been very popular and well attended.
Newsletters
Can’t get the resources together to put out your own newsletter? Before sending out their own newsletter, the Wisconsin Section provided their event calen- dar and information in the Wisconsin Groundwater Association’s newsletter. Or give quick email announcements to membership lists a try. Colorado and Oklahoma Sections have been send- ing email blasts out to their members; including geology news, job announce- ments and event details. They have gotten good feedback from that simple effort.
Save the Date To simplify organizing meetings,
the Colorado and Illinois/Indiana Sections have a tried and true tactic: hold meetings at the same location on the same date(s) every year. By holding a consistent meeting time and place, it makes it easier for members with busy calendars to remember when and where meetings are and to better accommodate their schedules.
Close the Geographic Gap - Meetings via Teleconference
The Texas Section has started to meet via teleconference calls, since they are spread out over the entire state. Other states like Wisconsin, Colorado and Alaska have found teleconference/video conference calls to be an effective way to bring spread out sections together. While this may cost a fee, sections that are implementing this technology are finding it easier to gather more section members, more regularly.
Professional Development
Jeffery Frederick, member of the Northeast Region Section and President of Louis Berger Consulting stated “At the very bottom of this issue is the increasing difficultly professionals have balancing work/life. Senior people in the industry need to prioritize professional involve- ment at the most basic level. I intend to build “contribute to the profession” into the pro development plans of all of my employees, and to back it with a set amount of hours of participation each year. If we don’t expect (and facilitate) more involvement from young profes- sionals, we have no excuses.
The Illinois/Indiana Section held a Vapor Intrusion Training program during their Fall section meeting. The program included a field demonstra- tion for sample collection techniques, a comprehensive review and discussion of the equations and a regulatory ques- tion and answer session. This attracted many geologists who are section mem- bers to participate and who in turn brought other geologists/colleagues into our meeting. This short-course was very valuable and engaging to our member- ship and attracted interest to many other geologists whom are currently non-AIPG members. Continuing education credits were offered.
Ask for Assistance
For those sections that want to do more but are either struggling to engage the section membership or are considering changing up the activities in an already active section, consider contacting your fellow section leaders. Conversations between the advisory board represen- tatives and section leaders were easy, casual, and although we are all busy professionals, everyone was willing to take the time to offer their insight and suggestions for success. The advisory board representatives, as well as execu- tive committee and AIPG members and leaders are willing and ready to take any questions or suggestions to share.
Note from AIPG National-Sections, we are here to help you. Please con- tact the national office, if you need anything. Remember to look at the AIPG website for Section Reources,
http://aipg.org/Sections/resources. htm. The staff and Executve Director Bob Stewart are here to help the sec- tions. Email
aipg@aipg.org or call (303) 412-6205.
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