May 2010
A Look Back (and Forth)
Ah, here it is: flowers blooming, strange water-based objects falling from the sky (I seem to recall from my Geoscience 101 undergraduate course that this stuff is called “rain” or something like that), temperatures are finally staying above 40° (Fahrenheit, of course) in a long delayed and well deserved annual bout of Global Warming, and birds “they are a-singing.” Yes, spring is in the air, signaling the final President’s Letter from the outgoing guy.
In this final note, I would like to remind you of a few salient facts. Work is continuing on a variety of fronts to improve the society or its services to members. You will be in much more competent hands as Ricky Cox takes over the reigns from Raines at the annual meeting (scheduled for May 13th). However, he will have a hard time besting the committee chairmen and board members who helped me this year. As I mentioned last time, the 2010/2011 Board Election provided a win-win situation in each category. So, even though the voting is still open as I write this letter, I am confident that next year will be brilliant as well.
Some of the highlights from this year include: copyright issues with Google Books, improving our own digital library with a few missing items, transitioning into a full color hardcopy Bulletin, a very successful SW Section meeting, a great field trip, exceptional work on the newly combined Youth Education Committee, a flood in the basement that wiped out several cases of hardcopy books (thank goodness for insurance), expanding our Social to become a mixer with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), joining forces with SPE and the Permian Basin Landman’s Association for a “Music-Fest” event, an outstanding Fall Symposium with the very popular new “Discovery Forum” feature, a major donation to the new geology section of the Alpine Public Library, efforts to connect more with area wide university geology departments, the loss of our ability to check out materials from the Petro-Science department in our own Midland County Public Library, the formation of special interest groups (topical special interest groups – not the political kind) within or supported by WTGS, and a whole series of amazing monthly luncheon meeting speakers (as well as a few special event technical speakers and AAPG President John Lorenz).
Some of the challenges for next year include: well, actually, that is for Ricky to decide!
I would like to take another moment to say that all of those good things that happened over this year have come about through the efforts of dedicated members and focused leadership (them, not me), so thank you committee members, executive board members, and general volunteers. Not everything has gone smooth or turned out the way I would like, but many more things went right than wrong! It has been a pleasure serving you as President this year. I hope you feel the society has improved, and I have every confidence that the new Board will move us even more in the right direction. And finally, Paula is the glue that holds each board together and binds them with the corporate memory that passes through the “generations” (for lack of a better word), so a special Thank You to Paula for her dedication to the Society.
As President, I strive to keep you informed because it is, after all, your society. As for myself, I have done what I was able, and am now looking forward to WTGS retirement (ask other former Presidents exactly what THAT means). My only official duties next year will be Scholarship and Nominating Committee Chairman. (No, it is NOT too early for me to call you!) So, you might want to invest in caller ID so that you know before you say “hello” that “it is I” on the line.
In summary, it has been a tremendously exiting and successful year, thanks to you and your efforts, and in spite of my leadership. I am excited to see where we go from here! Good Luck 2010/2011 Board!
It has been my pleasure,
Mike Raines