| From the President’s
Desk The nine AADE Chapters as well as the governing
AADE National Board seem to be well on their way to a vigorous start for
the new season. All chapters will be conducting technical forums,
monthly meetings, etc. as well as membership and fund raising events.
Not only are these events educational as well as fun for the
participants, they are also necessary for retaining our membership base
and for generating the funds needed for successful AADE business
operations.
However, about three years ago I noticed an oddity and opined about it
then. Unfortunately not much seems to have changed between then and
today. Most all of the AADE meeting and event sponsors come from, for
the most part, the service company sector. It is their money and it is
their hard work that makes each meeting and each event a success.
I know operator personnel benefit from attending AADE technical
conferences and chapter monthly meetings. I also know that operator
personnel participate in and enjoy AADE social events (usually as guests
of a service company). But why aren’t the operators helping furnish at
least some of the effort and money for the operation of the AADE
chapters instead of being “along for a free ride”?
Now, I did not have a universal answer three years ago and unfortunately
I still haven’t one.
I do, on the other hand, know that I’m doing what I can to get my
employer to support AADE functions, and they are responding very
favorably. In fact some of you may have noticed the BP America
Production Company’s name on sponsorship boards as well as more BP
personnel on AADE committees. The method I use is really quite
simple….just politely ask the right person. You might be pleasantly
surprised.
If you are an AADE member in any one of the nine chapters and are an
“operator” employee, you too may want to try this novel, yet practical
approach. It just might work and I assure you that you will feel pride
in seeing your company’s name and logo on the AADE event sponsorship
board.
I know that as the National Board President, I certainly would be very
happy to see a few additional operators pulling the wagon rather than
relying on the service companies to shoulder the load.
On a more positive note and speaking of “AADE events”, please visit the
recently refurbished AADE web page at www.AADE.org
for news about the upcoming AADE National Board sponsored Fin, Feather
and Fur Food Fest. This is a membership drive and fund raising event to
be held at the Farm and Ranch Club in Houston on September 23. This
event holds the promise to be of great benefit to AADE and to provide
much fun and fellowship to our industry personnel. If you can, plan to
be a sponsor or be a cooking team contestant and if you cannot, just go
out and enjoy some good eating and good fellowship.
Oh, operators you are especially encouraged to be an event sponsor
and/or to have a competing team.
I hope to see all of you there.
Your President,
Andy Ellis |
