THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS

The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) is the national organization that certifies the competence and ethical conduct of geologists from all specialties. It presently has more than 4,500 Members in the U.S. and abroad, organized into thirty-seven State Sections. From all branches of the science, AIPG Members are employed in industry, consulting, independent oil production, government and academia.

The Institute's National Headquarters is in Arvada, Colorado. It also maintains an office in Washington, D.C.

AIPG is a non-profit organization whose policies are determined by its Executive Committee. The Institute's Executive Director and staff administer those policies. All AIPG activities are supported by membership dues and at-cost charges for special services.

Since it was felt that none of the other geologic societies were by their nature, Member's desires, or constitutional design, equipped to adequately address the professional function , the founders of AIPG met in Golden, Colorado , and on November 15, 1963, declared:

"WHEREAS, the geological profession has no nationwide structure dedicat~d to the establishment and maintenance of professional standards, and

"WHEREAS, both the public and profession have insufficient protection against unethical and inadequate standards as related to the geological profession, and

"WHEREAS, the profession lacks proper legal status in the eyes of its Members, the public, and the courts;

IT IS THEREFORE prudent that an institute of professional geologists be founded. "

They proposed that institute to strengthen the geological sciences as a profession; to establish professional qualifications for, and to evaluate continuously the conduct of geological scientists; to enhance and to preserve the profession; to establish ethical standards that insure the protection of the public and the profession itself from non-professional practice; and, to monitor governmental and other activity affecting professional geologists .

AI PG Services .. .

AIPG performs four major functions for Member geologists: CERfiFICXI'ION .. . EDUCXI'ION ... INFORMAI'ION .. . and REPRESENW'ION. The following pages describe each of these Institute activities in greater detail.

CERTIFICATION

Unquestionably, the major activity of AIPG is certification of professional geologists. The Institute is the national organization that certifies geologists from all specialties. The process requires a careful and lengthy review of the applicant's educational background, the quality and extent of professional experience, and professional character and reputation based on past ethical conduct and demonstrated professional ability. The Institute has recognized from the outset that those who represent the profession to the public must be of unquestionable competence and good character. Certification by AIPG provides a means by which the public can recognize those geologists who are judged by their peers to be worthy of public trust in the practice of their profession. The letters CPGS (Certified Professional Geological Scientist) or Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) following a name identify a Member of the Institute. Those designations proclaim to the public that that person has been certified by the Institute as possessing proper and necessary qualifications.

Certification by AIPG identifies a geologist who has achieved an unusually high level of expertise and proficiency. It is the mark of the superior geologist. The right to use the Institute's seal and to call oneself a CPGS or CPG is conferred only by AIPG and only upon those men and women who meet the Institute's required standards of excellence.

AIPG certification indicates that the geologist has a superior education, lengthy geologic work experience, a career record of uncompromising adherence to highest professional and ethical standards, continuing membership in a relevant scientific/technical geologic society, and has passed a thorough and rigorous peer review of his or her qualifications in order to earn that coveted designation.

Those geologists certified by the Institute have sworn to adhere to the finest principles of professional responsibility and public service. They are competent and self-disciplined and they can be counted upon to make accurate appraisals and evaluations of the earth's resources .

Certification by AIPG is not the same as registration by states. In the minds of many, certification and registration are nearly synonymous. This is unfortunate and incorrect. Registration is licensing by a governmental authority. The Institute is neither for nor against registration, as a matter of AIPG policy, but rather favors its own certification.

Where the Institute has become involved in registration , it has been to defend the practice of geology from encroachment and restriction by other professions, or to prevent barriers within the profession itself. For example, registration has been necessary in some cases for geologists to "stake a claim" to a traditional area of geological practice claimed by civil engineers . Similarly, the Institute has opposed legislation which would register geologists with certain specialties , but hinder the practice of other geologists.

Recognizing that professional geologists are very mobile , AIPG takes an interest in any state registration act which would insure provision for maximum reciprocity and minimum interference with interstate geological practice.

With the continued public interest in geological problems , and the metamorphosis of these into political rather than scientific problems , there is no doubt that legislation will be introduced again and again in some states calling for some sort of regulation. AIPG will be in the forefront of efforts to protect the legitimate interests of professional geologists and the public.

EDUCATION AIPG provides educational programs and

services designed to bring about improvement in the professional skills and abilities of its Members . Toward this goal, AIPG at both the National and Section level conducts short courses and seminars, holds educational meetings, and produces educational publications and materials. The objective is to help Members do their jobs better now and to prepare them for future changes in the geologic profession.

Short Courses/Seminars/Workshops

The Institute offers a number of short courses, as well as seminars and workshops, on specific single-subject topics . Program presentations are held in major cities at convenient times and locations. Costs are reasonable .

These programs provide a unique educational opportunity to learn from the best and the brightest

instructors and lecturers . Participants gain valuable insights , solutions to problems , and learn about the latest on-the-job skills and techniques as they apply to professional geology.

AIPG educational courses help Members attain and maintain a high degree of professionalism. A key feature is the sharing of experiences: geologists helping fellow geologists .

Section Meetings

The Institute's Sections around the country hold regular meetings, sometimes monthly, often quarterly, featuring educational programs covering important subjects of interest to professional geologists . By their attendance, Members increase their knowledge , not only of their specific branch of the geologic sciences, but of other branches as well. This pays dividends in tenns of greater professionalism.

One of the most worthwhile benefits of AIPG Membership is the opportunity to make personal contacts at the local and State level ; to meet fellow geologists; and , to learn from them.

Annual Meeting

Each year AIPG holds its National Annual Meeting , which includes business sessions, educational activities, and general relaxation for Members , their families and friends. The educational program includes outstanding speakers and seminars to give attendees the latest infonnation on professional geology techniques that they can take back to work and put into profitable practice on the job. In addition to enjoying a stellar social program and good fellowship , those present at AIPG annual meetings exchange ideas and learn things that help them to be more professional .

Publications

The most up-to-date and useful "bible" of professional geology fundamentals and techniques is the Institute-published "Suggested Practices and Guides" Manual. It includes in-depth sections on many topics along with supporting statistical charts and references. It offers advice. and suggestions on the entire spectrum of professional geology. More than seventy recognized experts in their respective geologic fields contributed to this Manual, giving information from their years of experience to help readers better understand and practice the professional (as opposed to scientific-technical) aspects of geology.

INFORMATION As an important part of its service, the Institute

disseminates information to members and the public in a number of ways on a wide variety of matters related to professional geology.

"The Professional Geologist" Newsletter

The Institute 's official newsletter is the monthly "The Professional Geologist" (TPG) . The only publication of its kind for professional geologists , it includes information on all aspects of the profession , not just on or about one geologic specialty. The TPG contains articles , professional news, interesting features and information geared exclusively to the professional geologist. The TPG enjoys wide readership throughout the United States and in over thirty foreign nations . Member professional geologists fmd it to be a most important source for keeping abreast of Institute programs and events , legislation , public attitudes and trends , on-the-job techniques and current professional research and publications .

Annual Directory

AlPG produces a comprehensive Directory each year listing all Members and Associates both alphabetically and geographically. This Directory gives basic information: names, mailing addresses, phone numbers , employment and geologic specialties. It is an extremely useful reference for non-members , the general public and purchasers of geologic services.

The AlPG Directory is widely distributed to fums, government, libraries , colleges and universities and other geologic organizations .

Information Central

For facts , figures , and answers to many questions, Members call Headquarters. The staff answered more than 2 ,500 requests for information from Members last year alone .

AIPG Members use and appreciate the assistance provided by their National office. A simple phone call , letter or visit to Headquarters can be of considerable help .

Lending Library

Part of Information Central , AIPG Headquarters has a library of information on numerous aspects of professional geology. Selected items can be loaned to Members for their use .

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REPRESENTATION AIPG is committed to representing professional

geologists in their relations with government , education , and the general public .

To Government

The Institute represents the best interests of its Members and the general public by maintaining close surveillance of proposed Federal legislation or regulation that may have geologic implications or that may affect the professional activities of geological scientists . In particular it is concerned with national energy, natural resources, education , manpower supply and demand, mineral and petroleum exploration , engineering and environmental issues.

AIPG takes and publicly states non-political positions that represent the views of professional geologists as a body rather than the position of one industry or special interest group . The Institute has great credibility with Federal and State officials.

Through its Legislative Counsel and Washington Representative , AIPG monitors hearings on proposed bills , oversight hearings , regulatory agency actions , Congressional investigations , etc. It arranges for expert testimony by Member geologists and for factual input to the U.S. and State law and rule-making process.

Through its Washington Governmental Affairs Conference the Institute brings its Members together with key Federal elected and appointed officials for meaningful exchanges . And AIPG maintains these valuable contacts throughout the year.

Seminars on the geologic aspects of selected issues pending in Congress are carried out by AIPG in Washington , D .C. Two or three Member geologists expert on the subject meet face-to-face with interested Senators and Representatives and their staffs , Agency officials, White House staff and with Congressional staff members from the many House and Senate Committees dealing directly or indirectly with the subject. AIPG has been able through these seminars to improve the professional application of geology for the good of the general public by making proper geological input.

AIPG Sections, through their Legislative and Regulatory Committees, monitor State legislation and regulation and are actively at work protecting the interests of professional geologists and the public .

To Education

On behalf of the profession AIPG represents its Members in giving assistance to high schools, colleges and universities in geologic career education , curriculum planning , and course development. There is continuing liaison between the Institute and the academic community.

AIPG reviews and publicly reports on matters affecting professional geologists in academia, including employment levels and standards, job qualifications, compensation and working conditions.

If requested , the Institute assists geologic education in secondary schools, colleges and universities in several specific ways:

The Institute now offers Geology degree-granting colleges and universities Departmental Evaluation Data, based upon consensus minimum standards developed by it. This is in addition to AIPG 's renewed Evaluation Program wherein an on-campus visit by a Committee/Task Force of knowledgeable Members can be arranged at the request of a Department.

As a general service to the geological academic community, the Institute feels that its new by-mail Evaluation Program is valuable, beneficial , and appreciated . It gives Geology Departments a chance to compare their own status against both the AIPG guidelines and the national norms. No other source exists that provides solid data like this on items of real concern to academia such as faculty work loads,

library holdings , minimum equipment, etc . Such information is often critical for a Geology Department Chairman to present to show cause for obtaining an additional faculty member or for holding on to others .

AIPG's compilation of information is immensely useful to a Geology Department and provides hard facts to show whether it is actuaJiy lacking in some critical way and has real need for relief. A number of Departments have benefited through procurement of staff and/or facilities and have made curriculum revisions as a result of using the Institute 's data.

To the General Public

Representing its Members to the general public is an important AIPG activity. Through its ongoing public relations program the Institute strives to promote professional geology, explain it and its value and enhance its image. The Institute also seeks to communicate facts about the size, growth, economic importance, significance in providing jobs, and benefits to the nation of the professional practice of geology. AIPG has been effective in drawing the attention of planners, developers, architects ,

engineers , and government to the pertinence of geology to the public.

Regular news releases are made from Headquarters to papers, magazines and radio and television stations around the country about the activities and positions of AIPG .

The Institute publicly responds to misunderstandings, misconceptions or incorrect statements about professional geology by the media, the general public , legislators, etc.

The Institute prepares and publicly distributes a number of outstanding "issue" or "position papers" on current matters of concern to the geologic community. These factual, well documented , unbiased publications are of great value to the public and to law and rule makers . In color, beautifully illustrated , the booklets explain in lay terms key concerns of geologists .

Providing knowledgeable spokespersons through AIPG, particularly through its Sections , is yet another way the Institute works to keep the public properly informed on various aspects and concerns of the geological profession .

CLASSIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Members:

Applicants for AIPG Membership must: (1) be a college graduate having completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geological Engineering or their subdivisions; (2) have a minimum of five year's professional work experience in geology or other geological occupation after a Baccalaureate Degree; (3) provide letters of recommendation from five geological scientists having present knowledge of their professional qualifications, integrity and conduct, three of whom must be AIPG Members; and , (4) be an accepted member (Regular/ Full) of a "qualifying" for AIPG Membership purposes scientific or technical society.

Associate Affiliates:

Applicants for AIPG Associate Affiliate must: (1) be a college graduate having completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geological Engineering or their subdivisions; (2) not have more than five year's professional work experience in geolgoy or other geological occupation after a Baccalaureate Degree; (3) have three geological scientists having present knowledge of their professional qualifications, integrity and conduct, one of whom must be an AIPG Member, sign the back of the application; and, (4) be an accepted member (Regular/Full or Junior) of a "qualifying" for AIPG Membership purposes scientific or technical society.

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