Geological Society of America - Goals & Objectives

Who's Who @ GSA	History	Goals & Objectives
Our Partners	GSA Foundation	Position Statements

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1:	To increase the quality and vitality of meetings and conferences.
	a)	Advance the dissemination of geoscience knowledge by
		i)	Identifying and aggressively acquiring emerging fields and top quality science for GSA meetings through, among other means, GSA's Divisions and Associated and Allied Societies.
		ii)	Expanding the range of geoscience that is considered to be part of GSA.
		iii)	Presenting science in innovative ways. Continually adding diversity, flexibility, and innovations to vary and enhance the presentation of science at GSA meetings.
		iv)	Being proactive in soliciting Penrose Conferences and Field Forums.
		v)	Using Specialty Meetings to expand GSA's scientific scope.
		vi)	Making full use of science presented at GSA meetings through post-meeting publications, electronic postings, or other media.
		vii)	Holding, sponsoring, or co-sponsoring international meetings.
	b)	Catalyze cooperative interactions among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists who investigate natural systems over varying scales by actively developing opportunities to incorporate allied sciences and other disciplines into GSA meetings.
Goal 2:	To increase the quality and vitality of publications.
	a)	Advance the dissemination of geoscience knowledge by
		i)	Identifying and aggressively acquiring top quality science for GSA publications.
		ii)	Looking for non-periodical publications from Specialty meetings.
		iii)	Creating an integrated digital publication system to get everything online.
		iv)	Enhancing GSA hits using "smart" searching tools, such as indexing by Google.
		v)	Investigating providing GSA's "Seal of Approval" to publications by GSA and others, including self-published manuscripts.
		vi)	Increasing the number of Special Papers to 20 per year by 2006.
		vii)	Aggressively marketing Geosphere as an outlet for innovative science presented in exciting new formats.
	b)	Catalyze cooperative interactions among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists who investigate natural systems over varying scales by
		i)	Closely working with GSA Divisions and Associated and Allied Societies and other partners to produce timely publications that fill the needs of the geoscience community.
		ii)	Increasing publication of research from other disciplines, such as branches of physics, applied geology, biogeochemistry, and nanotechnology, and new programs such as EarthScope.
Goal 3:	To promote geoscience in the service of society.
	a)	Actively foster dialogue with the public and decision-makers on relevant geoscience issues by
		i)	Developing and advertising GSA position statements on issues of importance to the Society.
		ii)	Actively participating in coalitions such as the Coalition for National Science Funding and the USGS Coalition.
		iii)	Supporting a second AAAS Science Fellow by 2007 in either the executive or legislative branch, by working with the Associated and Allied Societies to help fund the position.
	b)	Encourage and support member participation in education and societal outreach such as participation in the Science, Engineering, and Technology Working Group Congressional Visits Day.
	c)	Strengthen the role of geoscience in formal and informal education through the following Education and Outreach Program activities:
		i)	GeoCorps AmericaTM will (1) Increase the number of participants. (2) Increase the number of partner organizations. (3) Maintain recruiting efforts to target diverse groups including under-represented and minority groups.
		ii)	Operate and grow mentor programs including: (1) Geology in Government Mentor Program will maintain the number of students of at least 200 and mentors of at least eight. (2) Roy J. Shlemon Mentor Program in Applied Geosciences will maintain the number of students of at least 250 and mentors of at least eight. (3) John Mann Mentors in Applied Hydrogeology Program will achieve student participation level of 10 per Section meeting plus four mentors per Section meeting. (4) Careers Roundtable Discussions will maintain a member participation level of 50 and mentor participation of 10. (5) Actively seek funding for additional mentoring programs.
		iii)	GeoVentures Program will offer an average of 10 trips per year with at least 75 total participants.
		iv)	Professional Development Workshops (including K-16) will increase participation by 25% per year to a goal of 250 participants per year.
		v)	Teacher Resources Program will: (1) Develop four new teacher resources per year. (2) Run four teacher training sessions per year. (3) Distribute 2500 teacher resources per year.
		vi)	Earth Science Week - GSA will have at least one resource included in the AGI Earth Science Week Packages to schools each year.
		vii)	Earthcache Project will establish 15 Earthcaches each year that are visited by 350 groups annually.
Goal 4:	To attract and sustain a dynamic, dedicated, diverse, and viable membership and to be responsive to this membership.
	a)	Increase membership to 21,000 by 2008 by
		i)	Identifying and marketing non-members via direct mail, email and other marketing techniques.
		ii)	Developing and promoting incentives to join through the year.
		iii)	Increasing promotion of GSA membership to non-members at all trade shows and GSA meetings.
		iv)	Investigating GSA's dues and member benefit structure.
		v)	Using electronic journals as a tool to attract and retain members.
		vi)	Strengthen the Campus Representative Program by (1) adding new Campus Representatives to reach 90% of degree granting institutions. (2) using Representatives as one of the foci for increasing membership.
	b)	Increase international membership to 3000 by 2008 by
		i)	Focusing on Mexico, Latin America, South America, and the Caribbean.
		ii)	Opening up the graduate research grant program to international members in the Americas.
		iii)	Extending Section boundaries or creating new Sections as appropriate.
		iv)	Packaging and developing new member benefits attractive to international members.
	c)	Increase both K-12 and 2-year college faculty members to 1,500 by 2008.
	d)	Improve GSA's student retention and increase student benefits including
			(1) Virtual Student Expo. (2) Gateway to Graduate Studies Program.
	e)	Increase professional members' retention to 85%.
	f)	Increase the cultural, disciplinary, professional, and international diversity of the membership by
		i)	Establishing corporate memberships.
		ii)	Providing attractive options for applied geoscientists (e.g., journals, special meetings, and sessions).
		iii)	Actively encouraging the participation of women and minority groups in geoscience including, for example, expanding activities in support of relevant Associated Societies.
Goal 5:	To maintain GSA and the GSAF as financially viable entities.
	a)	Exercise due diligence in management and expenditure of Society assets.
	b)	Maintain an active development program ensuring supplemental financial support for GSA programs and activities.
	c)	Exercise due diligence in management and expenditure of Foundation assets.
Goal 6:	To optimize GSA's governance and organizational structure in fulfillment of GSA's mission.
	a)	Continuously assess and enhance the effectiveness of GSA governance, committees, and headquarters organization through
		i)	Training sessions.
		ii)	Council self-evaluations.
		iii)	Executive Committee and key staff retreats.
		iv)	Council strategic discussions during regular meetings and retreats including periodic evaluation of the Strategic Plan.
		v)	The Executive Director should report annually to Council on the progress of the Strategic Plan.
	b)	Evaluate and strengthen relations among GSA Divisions, Sections, Associated and Allied Societies, and Council.
	c)	Evaluate definitions of Associated and Allied Societies.
	d)	Evaluate and strengthen relations with other societies and organizations including AGI and AGU.
	e)	Expand the number and diversity of Associated and Allied Societies
	f)	Promote globalization of the Society through participation
		i)	in IUGS, IUSS, IUGG, IGU and other appropriate international unions.
		ii)	at various international meetings including the EGU and IGC.
		iii)	with other societies around the world.