Letter from the Editor- December 2010

Volunteers are Not Paid Because They are Priceless 
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen, others make it happen.” You might have guessed that my topic this month is volunteering. I hope that by the end of this note you will understand its importance to both HGS and to you. For ten months each year volunteers deliver to the membership of the Houston Geological Society a robust technical program, with up to six technical meetings, as well as a number of social events. Members also receive the Bulletin and access to a continuing education program, through short courses, special topical conferences, and field trips. The delivery of these products is not the result of a large full-time staff, although one might believe that to be the case. The officers and directors, committee chairmen, speakers, and Bulletin contributors are all volunteers who as suggested by Churchill “make a living by what they get and make a life by what they give”.
 
Although the HGS is one of the largest geological societies, the number of volunteers remains proportionally small. At times, the limited number of volunteers results in challenges to deliver the type, diversity, and quality of program that we have all come to expect. As I write this, my fourteenth column, I once again ask all of you to consider volunteering some of that most valuable commodity — your time.
 
In the November issue of the Bulletin we published a call for new officers and board members as well as members of the AAPG House of Delegates. (It has been reprinted this month.) Please consider forwarding your name along to Past HGS President – Gary Colburn. Gary heads the Nominating Committee, which is currently working to assemble the strongest possible slate of candidates available. If you feel that you cannot commit the amount of time required to serve on the Board or as a member of the HOD, consider working on a committee as a chairman or simply as a committee member. If you need something even less time intensive please consider presenting some of your work at one of the many different meeting venues or help to select and secure a speaker. The different meeting organizers are always looking for good talks and help with building their technical programs.
 
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve” (Martin Luther King). By serving HGS you are also serving yourself by helping to build and solidify a professional/technical network. A professional network is more than simply building long list of connections in LinkedIn. True networks require active participation, contact, and exchange. The interaction with other HGS members and meeting attendees is a major step in building a true network where individuals can and do support each other. Presenting at an HGS meeting, or for that matter at any technical meeting, provides an opportunity for peer feedback and discussion, or as Leonard Nimoy said “The miracle is this — the more we share, the more we have”. These sharing opportunities provide an open exchange of ideas and can only strengthen one’s thought process, identifying areas that need technical development and/or additional supporting data. A presentation is a way to share what we have learned and give back to the community. For those new to the field, it is an opportunity to begin your path toward professional recognition. I have found over the years that developing a presentation or writing paper by itself becomes a learning exercise too, tracking down the appropriate references and supporting data and gaining a clear understanding of possible counter-arguments.
 
I can hear some of you saying, I’m busy right now, I need to plan ahead. Well, have I got an opportunity for you! If you are into long-range planning, the HGS will be hosting several major meetings beyond the 2011 AAPG Convention over the next few years: there is the GCAGS meeting in 2013 and the AAPG Annual Conventions in 2014 and 2017. Meetings of such size and scope require significant local support, meaning volunteers, with a diverse suite of skills, ranging from helping in the development of the technical program to securing sponsorships, and the development of a complete social program. Hosting of four major meetings in a seven year period will clearly stretch the available volunteer resource-base of HGS. These meetings also provide a unique opportunity for growth and development. One may learn the “ropes” in a supporting role or step-up into a leadership role depending on your level of confidence. There will be both leadership and supporting positions available at each convention. It is never too early to make your interests known to the HGS leadership. As you might expect, the planning of these meetings begins several years before the actual conference occurs.
 
Although I am writing this column for the Bulletin, there are of course, other opportunities for volunteerism outside of HGS. Over my career I have found that acting as reviewer for manuscripts is a great way to support our science and to learn at the same time. Providing a good technical review requires that you have strong fundamentals, a willingness to be open to new ideas and question established paradigms, and not being afraid to provide constructive criticism. There is a wide-range of peer-reviewed journals always looking for reviewers. Acting as a reviewer has contributed to my personal growth by sharpening my thinking, keeping me open to ideas of others, and pointing me in the direction that the science is heading.
 
For other less demanding opportunities consider signing up to be a docent at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (see the November issue of the Bulletin) or visit a school and talk about geology. You never know you might start someone down the path to be a future geologist or geophysicist. Most people do not volunteer unless asked. Making 3000+ phone calls does not appear to be a viable option, at least for me, so let this be my request to each of you: find a few hours to give something back “Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one's ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them “ (Harriet Naylor).
Until next month…