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LETTER FROM GSA’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear friends, colleagues, and all GSA Associated Societies to initiate changes Membership
members: across the geosciences. Demographics
We continue to focus on implementing Membership as of 31 Dec. 2020 = 20,075
I think that President Walker has summa- the Decadal Strategic Plan adopted in 2019.
rized our conflicts, challenges, and suc- Covid-19 response slowed down some of
cesses of the past year very well in his letter. our task implementation and forced us to
I will add some context to some of our re-prioritize other tasks. Fortunately, the
actions. Please take a moment to read plan is flexible enough to accommodate
through the entire report for more detail on those changes. Two areas that had already
our programs and our work this past year, been on our task list but required us to
from geoscience policy to publications. “pivot” in response to the pandemics were
Certainly, one of the primary aspects of (1) increasing our professional develop-
our actions was in response to listening, ment offerings via webinars, and (2) explor-
really listening, to our members and the ing options for more virtual meetings ven-
geoscience community about equity and ues. While we didn’t expect to have to drop
accessibility of our science. You can find everything to make those changes, we did,
GSA’s commitment statements to diversity, and have been very successful. We have
equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our diversity learned and adjusted. These activities are 35% Professional 2% K-12 Teacher
webpage (https://www.geosociety.org/ integral to our Center for Professional
diversity.aspx) as well as multiple Excellence as we work to provide you, 30% Student 2% Affiliate
resources and references for your use. We the GSA members, the information, tools,
are making a sincere and genuine effort to and skills to thrive in your career. 20% Senior <1% Honorary
increase DEI in positive and productive Each year I end my letter with a thank Fellow
ways both internally at GSA and through- you to the amazing GSA staff and I cer- 11% Early Career
out the geoscience community. Here are tainly want to extend kudos again this Professional
two examples: GSA staff assembled a pod year. As with all of you, GSA staff has had
participating in the Unlearning Racism in to deal with adjusting to new work envi- GSA members represent more than
Geoscience (URGE) program to develop ronments, pandemic uncertainties includ- 27 scientific specialties and interests and
recommendations for me that would bol- ing illness and losses, and family crises, have the option to belong to one or more
ster justice, equity, diversity and inclusion but they never lost sight of the mission of of GSA’s 22 scientific Divisions, six regional
(JEDI) into the workplace culture for staff GSA to serve the geosciences and the geo- Sections, and GSA International.
and examined how staff at professional scientists. Please join me in applauding
societies can help counteract the effects of each one of them for their hard work,
racism. GSA is a co-principal investigator innovation, and fortitude.
on a National Science Foundation research
coordination network project: Geosciences Did you know?
Associated Societies Committed to
Embracing and Normalizing Diversity • Lifetime Membership is now an
Research Coordination Network option—Support GSA and receive
(Geosciences ASCEND RCN). This will be membership benefits for life.
an action-based network dedicated to Vicki S. McConnell,
advancing and accelerating cultural GSA Executive Director • Individuals in non–high-income
change in the geosciences to achieve broad countries/territories qualify for
inclusion of diverse identities. This is a reduced membership dues.
four-year project, and we are just begin-
ning. We are working with many of GSA’s • The GSA/GSA Foundation
Membership Assistance Program
and Fund enables those who
cannot afford the cost of
membership—or who experience
difficulty in transferring funds
from their country to the USA—
to become members.

• GSA members can receive 15% off
*
dues if they renew their 2022
membership before 1 November.
* applies to those in high-income country/territories

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