Letter from the Co-Chair Elect of AEOE Northern

Most of the time AEOE members are quite content to leave organizational matters in the capable hands of the Executive Board. As members they enjoy being a part of the largest group of environmental educators in California and are quite content with the effective transparency of the organizational structure. These members pay their annual dues, attend conferences, and enjoy networking and professional growth opportunities as a benefit of their participation. This is all music to an organization's ears. It describes the very essence of a professional association and for AEOE you are our life blood. Thank you. We are delighted to have the opportunity to serve your needs and we encourage you to continue to renew your membership, join at a higher category, or become a life member.

However, have you ever asked yourself the following questions? "Why doesn't AEOE....? and, Why can't AEOE.... ?" or some variation on these? These "FAMOUS FIRST WORDS" may be an indication of your desire to take a decidedly pro-active approach to your organization. There may be an AEOE Board position in your future. Let's examine the possibilities: Are you an environmental education professional; do you care about kids and the environment; and, would you like to see every child in California receive environmental education as a part of their core curriculum? And, most important, do you have every intention and desire to work with other environmental educational professionals to make it happen? It doesn't matter if you live and work in some remote corner of California. If you have a phone and an answering machine (where you can retrieve messages) you are encouraged to join the AEOE Board. Board members share their talents, creativity and time to work together toward a common goal. In return you will get to see your ideas implemented, receive the use of a corporate phone card to call other AEOE Board members, have access to communication supplies such as stamps and AEOE stationery, and enjoy reduced conference fees.

Interested? Here is a list of Board positions we would like to fill immediately: Web master Yes! AEOE has a web site -under construction- (Welcome, you found us! If you are the first member to locate this site and say "I have been to AEOE.org". You will win a free AEOE"T" shirt or ball cap. E-mail me below. Congratulations!); Historian (AEOE is over 40 years young); Salaries/ Benefits Chair; AEOE By-laws review committee chair; Fall '98 and Spring '99 Conference Chairs. You say that you feel a burning desire, but do not see a position here that suits you. No problem- we will create one.

Of course, the traditional positions of Newsletter, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership, Activities, Elections and Chair-elect are always looking for able assistants. Check out the list of current Board members in this Newsletter and pick someone you might like to work with. You are also invited to join us at the Board meeting and see what it is all about. I also encourage you to seek out your AEOE Northern Board members at the Fall Yosemite conference (they are the ones in the unique AEOE ball caps) and thank them for their hard work. It will make their day.

AEOE - Northern Co-Chair Elect