The RMAG Membership Committee

By Holly Lindsey, Anne Steptoe, and Sandra LaBrum

The Membership Committee is committed to the growth, diversification, and preservation of member participation in RMAG. We facilitate mentoring and networking between professionals and students. Brainstorming and executing activities to encourage participation has always been at the core of what we do. We strive to find ways to improve member experiences in creative and unique ways.

The COVID pandemic stretched all of us in unexpected ways. One of the events the membership committee created to replace so many of the things that were not an option in 2020 and 2021 was the GeoHike Challenge. We needed a way to do something together while remaining safely apart and outside – so we came up with the GeoHike Challenge: a scavenger hunt and photo contest. This event spans the warmer months and encourages members to get outside, hike (or whatever mode of transportation is preferred) and take pictures of the scavenger items.

Former RMAG President Cat Campbell setting the bar really high for the ”craziest costume” and ”most unique mode of transport to the outcrop” GeoHike Challenge categories.

We tried to think of a little something for everyone. In 2020 the scavenger hunt was based on Colorado Front Range geology, and in 2021 based on feedback the list was made more general so people could participate from wherever they were living or traveling. Members posted entries from long-awaited family vacations and road trips, gleefully arranging family and friends for scale on the rocks! Contestants also participated in the photo contest, where members shared the joy of being outside, observing the geology, and sharing it with kids, dogs, friends, and family. Photos posted on the RMAG LinkedIn page gave members a chance at winning and shared the joy of others’ travels and adventures with a bit of a geology lesson. Photo categories included “cutest furry family member” and “cutest family member” as well as “wettest hike” and “craziest costume”. Entries came from several continents and solidified our new extended reach to members all over the world, nicely complimenting the luncheon lectures and short courses now available online.

RMAG Membership committee member (and scavenger hunt runner-up) Megan Cornelissen hiking near a geo-hazard on the Pacific coast, summer 2021.

The annual Golf Tournament has long been a great way to combine networking and cutthroat competition on the golf course for RMAG members. A shotgun start sends everyone scurrying off to their first hole, ensuring that they all arrive back at the clubhouse at approximately the same time for a meal, laughs, and awards. Industry sponsorships and special prize holes make for a fun event whether you are a participant or a volunteer.

Arrowhead golf club is the perfect venue for RMAG’s annual golf tournament, combining fantastic geology and a challenging course.

The Mentorship program is also led by the Membership Committee, connecting members just entering the workforce with a seasoned professional. Participants are encouraged to meet as a mentor and mentee pair anywhere from once a quarter to once a month. Several events throughout the year bring all the program participants together as a group, including an ice breaker at the start of the program and a picnic in the summertime. We are excited to kick off the 2022 mentorship program with in-person activities after a couple of years of a modified format. New mentors and mentees are always welcome, so if this program appeals to you, please reach out to us to be included in 2023.

These programs are just a fraction of the work that the RMAG Membership Committee oversees every year. If you have enjoyed activities such as the GeoHike Challenge, the Golf Tournament, or the Mentorship program, and like to volunteer, then consider joining the membership committee. We have a lot of fun planning and hosting these special events and we want to be sure members of RMAG get as much out of these occasions as we do! If you have a knack for coming up with ideas for fostering new member participation, dreaming up new activities, or finding new ways for people to connect at RMAG, then we would love your input. Whatever your skills are, there is a place for you on the membership committee. The value of an RMAG membership is multiplied in the many lifelong friendships and professional connections that have been made around a luncheon table, on the outcrop, or at the golf course. Join us and help RMAG grow!