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A Message from AGU's President
(Published in Eos, Vol. 91, No. 27, 6 July 2010)
Change, Growth, and the New AGU
This is an exciting period of change for AGU, and I am honored to be your president at this pivotal time in our history.
I know that many of you have followed our journey of change over the past 2 years, beginning with the strategic planning process and culminating with a historic leadership conference held in early June of this year.
As a result of this process of change and growth, we have a new strategic vision and plan that will guide the development of AGU programs and member services. I am particularly excited about the four outcome-oriented goals for the next 3–5 years. These are:
- Scientific Leadership and Collaboration: AGU is a leader, collaborator, and sought-out partner for scientific innovation, rigor, and interdisciplinary focus on global issues;
- Science and Society: AGU engages members, shapes policy, and informs society about the excitement of Earth and space science and its role in developing solutions for the sustainability of the planet;
- Talent Pool: AGU is a diverse and inclusive organization that uses its position to build the global talent pool in Earth and space science; and
- Organizational Excellence: As a scientific society, AGU operates within a new business model that is sustainable, transparent, and inclusive in ways that are responsive to members and stakeholders.
We have a new governance structure that will help us reach these goals. The reformulated AGU Council represents the broad spectrum of AGU members that will guide our science policy; the new AGU Board of Directors will focus on good governance and best business practices in running AGU.
Over the next 2 years, we will build on AGU's traditional strengths of promoting excellence in Earth and space science. At the same time, we will develop new initiatives consistent with our strategic plan. We are committed to producing publications and meetings of the highest professional standards, to being more responsive to our members, and to expanding our outreach efforts to connect better with societal needs on many critical science-based issues.
The new executive director, Christine McEntee, joins AGU at the end of August. She will contribute her talent, energy, and experience to advancing our science and its relevance. AGU volunteer leaders and staff look forward to working in partnership with her to make the new AGU a more satisfying and rewarding experience for our members.
I want to extend my warmest thanks to the many AGU volunteers who have given generously of their time and expertise to make AGU such an outstanding organization. To those of you just getting started as AGU volunteers, I say, “Welcome!” We look forward to hearing your ideas about how we can make AGU even better.
Here's to the New AGU!