GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
I. LEGISLATION
Track existing and proposed legislation. Provide information
and recommendations to lawmakers, regulatory agencies, and
the public regarding the application of sound geologic principles
in the arena of economic, environmental, and human impact
issues.
Objectives:
- Compile databases of existing laws, regulations, statutes,
ordinances, codes, and guidelines, and of pending legislation
and initiatives.
- Develop and maintain contacts at state and local levels
to keep members apprised of upcoming legislation, rule making,
and development of guidelines.
- Develop list of pertinent keywords and search all State
Assembly and Senate bills for relevance to geologic aspects
of public health, safety, and welfare.
- Establish letter-writing and fax/phone/e-mail system for
contacting members and California geologists with requests
for action.
- Compile list of volunteers who agree to respond quickly
to calls for action. Undertake research necessary for preparation
of position and background papers.
- Undertake research necessary for preparation of position
and background papers.
- Actively support favorable legislation as well as actively
opposing unfavorable legislation.
- Proactively propose a legislative and regulatory program
of future bills and amendments to existing laws, regulations,
ordinances, statutes, codes, and guidelines.
- Compile evaluative list of legislators analyzing their
compatibility with our legislative program. Identify potential
authors and sponsors.
- Attend and speak at public hearings.
- Develop a respected reputation in the legislative and
regulatory community.
- Coordinate CCGO lobbyist activities.
II. REGULATORY REVIEW
Evaluate the efficiency, fairness, and effectiveness of the
present regulatory review process. Develop and promote recommendations
for the improvement of the process.
Objectives:
- Work with Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists,
State Mining and Geology Board, Seismic Safety Commission,
Office of the State Architect, and other agencies to publicize
existing practice guidelines and to develop more comprehensive,
useful, and enforceable guidelines or practice standards.
- Work with state and local agencies that have review functions
or authority over geologic reports to develop clear concepts
of report reviewer functions and authority, broadly acceptable
guidelines for stages in the report review process, and
the considerations to be made when deciding to refer a report
to the Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists.
Move decision making authority on report referral to the
lowest possible level.
III. GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
Identify, establish good working relationships with, and
seek cooperation with appropriate public entities.
Objectives:
- Disseminate background information to public officials.
- Provide talks (Executive Director) or have a booth at
meetings of associations principally involving government
agencies and their employees who could benefit from sound
geologic knowledge in their work. Examples include California
Organization of Planners, Association of California Water
Agencies, Association of Public Works Directors, Brownfields
or Redevelopment Agencies.
IV. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Work to improve the professional practice of geoscience in
the state of California.
Objectives:
- Monitor and interface with all appropriate licensure and
regulatory boards. Representing CCGO, participate in board
deliberations and present CCGO's positions and contributions.
- Encourage continuing education for professional geologists.
- Develop data and analyses that will support the concept
of practice licensure of geologists for both general use
and for the next sunset hearings.
V. PUBLIC OUTREACH
Publicize the role of geoscience in public health, safety,
and economic prosperity of the state of California.
Objectives:
- Meet with students and professors at "Career Day" seminars
at colleges and universities.
- Give technical seminars at geoscience departments. Spend
last 5-10 minutes on CCGO outreach objectives.
- Invite students and faculty to attend meetings of CCGO
and its member organizations.
- Hold meetings by well-known speakers: John McPhee, USGS
experts, etc.(floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.), and
advertise these events in local papers. Charge nominal admission
$5-$10 for possible fundraising for CCGO. Maintain a list
of speakers available to outside groups.
- Send press releases to many papers (e-mail or fax) on
the importance for the general public to understand the
basics of the risks associated with earthquakes, volcanoes,
erosion, floods, etc. and the importance of geology in California
everyday life and the need for quality geology services.
The frequency of these types of press releases can be, for
example, once a month, not just when the big disaster hits
(earthquake, flood, etc.). Prepare press releases in advance
for release when related to current events.
VI. MEMBER AND CONTRIBUTOR SERVICES
Recruit and retain members and contributors.
Objectives:
- Coordinate (Executive Director function) and focus overlapping
missions and committees of member organizations (AEG, AIPG
both have a legislative affairs committee). Minimize duplication
of work.
- Using a web site, provide information on the member organizations’
meetings, legislation, etc. Provide the service as an electronic
clearinghouse among the members as well as provide important
information to contributors.
- Develop member benefits program to offer discounts on
services or products such as professional insurance, publications,
and travel.
- Continuously provide value to members and contributors.
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