MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
“Membership Matters” is not just another cliché—membership matters for all the organizations I have been involved in over the years. Membership in an organization brings together people with common interests and goals, such as improving one's 6-wicket croquet strategies, discovering new methods for a hybrid rose care, improving one’s road race running times by meeting runners for Saturday morning “fun runs”, learning about 1929 Hudson Essex antique car maintenance, and, of course, expanding one's geoscience knowledge through networking in several geoscience organizations. I have been a member of these eclectic organizations for many years. These organizations provide support for my hobbies, interests, goals, etc. They helped me gain knowledge and expertise in various subjects. And most importantly, they are a source of companionship and camaraderie. Membership in an organization, though, is not a one-way street. In turn, I have given back to these organizations through mentoring, assisting in social events, working on their organization’s board, and giving financial contributions.
Therefore, “Membership Matters” equally applies to the Houston Geological Society. HGS was founded in 1923 as an organization that promotes geoscience advancement and integrity and, in addition, provides a networking platform for the exchange of technology, ideas, and camaraderie for our geoscience community. Although these two fundamental mission statements of promoting the advancement of geoscience and the exchange of technology sound relatively easy goals to aspire to, they do necessitate individuals in our geoscience community to join and be engaged in HGS’s goals. Easy… right? Well, fundamentally, HGS is an organization of scientists who enjoy expanding their understanding of the geological world that we live in. The method to improve our knowledge is to communicate with fellow scientists. So, as an HGS member, we need you to invite a friend to become a member, and then, we need your friend to invite their friend to become a member, and so on and so forth. We also ask that HGS members who have not had the chance to renew their membership to do so this month! Yes, now! In that way, HGS will increase its membership. Through increasing HGS’s membership, we will be able to broaden our depth of geoscience knowledge, expand our breadth of geoscience expertise, and improve our awareness of our earth.
HGS Membership Benefits
HGS membership brings many benefits to engaging with and growing in diverse geoscience disciplines. If I had to pick my top HGS membership benefit, I would choose both the HGS Bulletin and the HGS website. The HGS Bulletin is a key resource for technical articles and timely information on geoscience events and community activities. The HGS website provides access to HGS’s current and past Bulletins and is the key portal for information and registration for upcoming activities in the Houston area.
HGS membership also provides a networking platform for the exchange of geoscience advancement through informative technical presentations at HGS’s dinner and luncheon meetings. HGS’s Engineering and Environmental Committee and the New Energies Group host monthly meetings with talks focused on their fields. On November 14, 2024, HGS will co-host a one-day seminar with the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) on Lessons from Missed Opportunities and Surprise Successes. This is a “must-attend” event in which attendees will have an opportunity to share their learnings.
In addition, HGS hosts several social events, including the HGS NeoGeos group, which meets every month for fun and networking with peers; the HGS Golf Tournament, which will be held on October 21, 2024; and the HGS Sporting Clays Shoot, which will be held on November 22, 2024. Finally, HGS hosts and supports several educational programs, such as Earth Science Week, which will be held October 13 – 16, 2024, at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences.
So, if someone asks you: What is the Houston Geological Society? Or Why should they be interested in becoming a member of HGS? I highly recommend that you invite them to one of HGS’s many meetings, social events, and networking opportunities and let them “see HGS in action.” Through these many venues, it is readily apparent that HGS is true to its mission statements of promoting the depth and breadth of geoscience knowledge and awareness and supporting (facilitating?) communication and engagement of all in our geoscience community.
HGS Events in September
September started in a flurry, with HGS hosting two exciting networking and informative events.
• The Student Expo, held September 9 – 10, 2024, was an extremely successful recruiting and networking event for our geoscience community. Over 300 graduate students from across the country and recruiters from 22 companies participated at the Expo. Registrations for students and companies exceeded last year’s attendance. This was an outstanding opportunity to engage and connect with our future geoscientists.
• The HGS-GESGB Africa Conference, “Africa 2024: The Future in Energy, Skills, and Diversity”, held on September 24-25, 2024 was an excellent networking opportunity on current activities in Africa with over 20 presentations focused on energy transition, New Techniques and Technologies, and Growing Value.
In closing, let me repeat that “Membership Matters” to the Houston Geological Society. I encourage all our members to bring a friend or two to an HGS meeting and invite them to join HGS to help us grow our geoscience community.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at HGS events!
Penny Patterson
HGS President