This will be my final President’s letter to the Society.  I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to write about this month, so I reviewed all the letters I wrote to the Society for the last two years.  I guess I have kind of used this “Bully Pulpit” as an opinion page to address some of the philosophical ideas I hold, and I’ve had a ball doing that.  Most of the points I feel strongly about have already been covered, so no more philosophizing. Being President of the East Texas Geological Society has been an honor.  As most of you know, I’m a little rough around the edges and don’t mind poking a little fun at myself (or others for that matter), but I am passionate about our science and our Society and will continue to serve both to the best of my ability.  I encourage each of you to do the same, especially the YPs out there. 

The East Texas Geological Society is your Society!  I have been the President for nearly two years and realized that I have not given you an update on what is going on with the Society, so let me fill you in.  Most of you are aware of the three major activities we hold each year – the golf tournament, the Tech and Prospect Expo, and the skeet shoot – but what you may not know is that the profits from the first two go toward our scholarship fund.  More on that later.  In spite of a tough year for our industry, we still made a little money from the golf tournament – thanks Nick Pollard, for your years of organizing that event.  This year, the Tech and Prospect Expo was pretty well attended – given the economic climate of the industry – and we’re still waiting on all the invoices to see if we are in the black or red, but either way, it will be close. 

For the last 99 years, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) has been the gold standard of societies representing the scientific community of petroleum geologists.  Over the course of time, membership in the society has been subject to the review of local societies through the House of Delegates.  Applications for membership have been reviewed by HOD members from the local society, insuring that the standards for membership are met through this review at the local level.  A recent revision of the AAPG Bylaws has changed the intent of that process of application review for membership and has removed it from local control and given that control, by executive action, to the AAPG Executive Committee.