Executive Message

Many miles to go before I sleep...

Having spent the past winter and spring wrapping up my obligations with the 2003 convention committee, it’s only now that I’ve begun to wonder about my role and responsibilities as Assistant Director of Communications.

Thinking ahead makes me look backward to the CSEG executive activities over the past few months. It’s a certainty that changes are on the way. In the near term, we, the CSEG members, will experience regulatory, demographic, and technical changes.

For instance, regulatory change is coming for the professional CSEG members. I’ve never really understood APEGGA’s role, but Ken Mitchell’s description of the CSEG as an organization independent of APEGGA was an epiphany. For some reason, I’ve always felt that the CSEG was a subsidiary of APEGGA. Now I understand that they are two different clubs with different purposes. During our recent CSEG retreat (a splendiferous Saturday at the Winter Club in May), it seemed revolutionary to think that my APEGGA angst could be independent of my CSEG membership. Perhaps it was the coffee, but besides a better understanding of the CSEG’s role as a dynamic technical and social organization, I gained an appreciation for APEGGA’s regulatory responsibilities. Contact Ken for more info, or give me a call for less info.

I’m not worried about regulations though. There is a brand new advocate for Calgary geophysicists that I can work with. When APEGGA notices it’s been a long time since my professional practice reports have been audited, I’m calling on Penny Colton. As APEGGA’s new Manager of Geoscience Affairs stationed in Calgary, Penny will be there to help me find my old journals and fill out reports. Penny’s presence is a positive signal for all CSEG and CSPG members.

Speaking of the CSPG, do you think both clubs are really needed in this small town? If the CSEG and CSPG merged into a single organization (ala... EAGE), then we would save a fortune on membership dues. Just imagine, I’d enjoy every single convention, the Ski-Spree would have to last a week, and the Trosch rink might finally win an end at a DoodleSpiel. Seriously, there are lots of reasons for the CSEG and CSPG to work together and something might happen in the future. To share your opinions on the future roles of our two organizations, give Bill Goodway a call. By the way, if you call Bill, you could be writing one of these Executive Messages in the future.

Technically, if we keep reading the CSEG RECORDER we will remain competent geophysicists. Each month the RECORDER seems to produce more and more really interesting articles. Where is all this material coming from? It’s coming from your neighbour down the hall and from the people you meet on the sidewalk at lunch. If you know anyone who’s let their CSEG membership lapse, then tell him or her to re-join the CSEG so they too can read the RECORDER. Did you notice that the Leading Edge recently re-published the CSEG’s interview with Olivier Dubrule? Obviously, everyone is noticing the improved content in our RECORDER.

DoodleTrain-2 will be here in November. Batzle’s fluids class has caught my attention, but there are a lot of other classes I’d like to take too. DoodleTrain classes are good value and first-rate training. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn.

Take a look at the CSEG website, www.cseg.ca. Over the summer it’s been updated and now offers a lot more content. On the website you will find links to pretty much all the CSEG technical and social activities.

As assistant director, I’m walking in Ron Larsen’s shadow until next spring. Call one of us if you have questions or suggestions regarding the role of CSEG’s communications director.

To all of you who cast votes last fall, thanks for giving me this opportunity to serve the CSEG.