Illinois Chapter of the AIPG

"An advocacy group for all Professional Geologists in the State of Illinois"

Illinois Professional Geologists attending the October 23, 1999 meeting voted to organize an IL Chapter of the Illinois-Indiana Section of AIPG to  represent us as an advocacy group.  The AIPG has offered to fund activities of the IL Chapter to a reasonable extent.  The IL Chapter Executive Committee has currently not asked that there be any dues for membership in the IL Chapter.   Therefore, it is proposed that any funding necessary will come from the Section.   In order for this not to be a one-way street (i.e., the IL Chapter only taking and not giving back) the IL Chapter Executive Committee has proposed what we believe is a reasonable quid pro quo position that involves voting member status and non-voting member status for the IL Chapter.  The proposed membership plan would have anyone who is a PG in Illinois as a member of the IL Chapter.  The membership would then be divided by members who are Certified Professional Geologists or Registered Members of the AIPG as voting members, and any other Illinois PGs that do not choose to become members of the AIPG as non-voting members.  All members will still have the right to comment and have those comments recognized on advocacy issues considered by the IL Chapter.   However, only the voting members will be able elect the Executive Committee and vote on issues brought to the membership by the Executive Committee.  As a result of this membership plan, the IL Chapter voting members will contribute to the Section funding by paying their yearly dues to the AIPG.  For those IL Chapter members who are not members of the AIPG currently, and who want to obtain voting member status, Bill Siok, the Executive Director of the AIPG, has assured me that all Illinois PGs will be able to obtain at least Registered Member status in the AIPG.  The IL Chapter Executive Committee has granted a grace  period to obtain membership in the AIPG and voting member status in the IL Chapter until January 1, 2001.  Until then, all ILPGs will have voting member status in the IL Chapter.  Details regarding the nature of the AIPG membership can be obtained at: http://www.aipg.org.