| From the President’s
Desk It is with much
pleasure and excitement that I take the reins as AADE National Board
President. Former President Rene St.Pierre as well as the Board Members
all did a superb job of guiding this organization of over 4200 members
for the last year. I hope to continue this fine tradition.
At our June, 2003 National Board
meeting, a number of ambitious goals were proposed, a few of which I
would like to share with you:
- This first goal is of the
highest priority. It is our intention to refurbish the look of the
AADE web site, improve it’s functionality and install a system where
each chapter will have access to online registration for their
events and meetings.
- A second goal will be to
conduct a National Board level membership drive/fund raiser to
generate the money necessary to help finance our web site features,
our educational initiatives, as well as our general business
expenses. This event is expected to be similar to the New Orleans
Chapter’s Fur Fin Feather Food Fest and will take place in the
spring of 2004.
- Third on the list of goals is
to expand the number of AADE chapters. An Executive Committee has
been established to search for areas of the United States where a
new AADE chapter could be established and thrive.
- We are also establishing a
National Visitation Committee. The goal is to have various members
of the National Board of Directors make official visits to each
Chapter at least one time, and possibly more, per year. These
visits will include meetings with both the Board of Directors and
the general membership to work with them in any way that we might be
needed, as well as to respond to any questions or concerns they may
have.
- Another very important
committee will be the Future Growth Committee. This committee is
making a study to develop a plan for the long term. This study will
include a wide variety of subjects. It is intended that the plan to
be formulated will become the guidelines that AADE, both National
and Chapters, will operate by in its endeavor to continue in its
future growth and success.
- The Chapters will be encouraged
to continue its work with the many engineering schools in which they
are establishing AADE Student Sections, Scholarships, and helping to
fund various other programs.
- Also, we will encourage our
Chapters to continue their support of the Offshore Energy Center’s
Knowledge Box program. The Knowledge Box is designed for grades
8-12, primarily focusing on fossil fuels and earth science. It
includes interactive technology, hands-on activities, posters and
multimedia presentations showcasing drilling and the petroleum
industry.
These are only a few of
several goals planned for implementation this year. Stay active in your
local chapter and observe. Hopefully you will see an AADE organization
that is more visible, more efficient and better serves both our industry
and our members.
Your President,
Andy Ellis |
