President's Slate
January 2024

Past President’s Message
Happy New Year!  New Year, New You, New President of AAUS!

Unlike some years in the past, my regular job is looking to keep me busy until the very end of the year.  In the last week I’ve met with two new faculty members at Cal who are bringing established diving labs to campus.  It’s exciting to have new (to me) divers to support and I’m looking forward to being able to teach again on a somewhat regular basis.  At the same time I’m trying to prepare for more work-related travel that will kick off early next year, starting to gather year-end statistics, and hopefully finding a full 8 hours to clean up my offices and dive locker….  

And just like with my “real” job, AAUS is keeping me busy until the year ends.  I just finished my last AAUS Board of Directors call as President.  The year end call is usually a chance to check in on projects, anticipate and prioritize what efforts will be needed for the start of the coming year, and touch base one more time before folks go offline for the holidays (as much as any of us can these days).  But this year there was still plenty of work to be done.  We addressed a number of issues and projects that will be presented in the coming weeks and at the Symposium in April (you are coming, aren’t you?).  And we discussed infrastructure topics such as our information technology and insurance needs, new policies and procedures, and more. Much, much, more.  The many exciting prospects for the Academy’s future will require a greater sustained effort by the Board and our committee volunteers, but I’m confident they are up to the challenge.

I’ll close out this final message with the same message I closed the meeting with by sharing a comment from one of our colleagues, Tim White at Pennsylvania State University.  Tim was in my neck of the woods a couple of weeks ago and as we wrapped up dinner we shared our common appreciation for the remarkable and wonderful people we get to work with in our AAUS community.  I cannot think of a professional organization I would rather be a part of, and I’m proud and honored to call so many of you friends.  

I wish you all a spectacular 2024 as I happily hand the reins over to our superbly capable and enthusiastic new President, Jessica Keller.  Please join me in welcoming Jess to her new position!

Cheers!

Jim Hayward
AAUS Past President


President’s Message 
My fellow Americans……..oh wait, wrong type of Presidential message! 
 
It is with great pleasure and a bit of nerves that I write my first President’s message. Jim and Derek have left big shoes to fill with each of their Presidential legacies. I want to thank them for their service to the Academy as we would not be a thriving organization without their leadership, though Jim isn’t entirely off the hook yet with his Past President duties!
 
 2024 is shaping up to be a big year for AAUS. We have a record number of organizations applying to become Organizational Members and we have the largest number of individual members ever recorded. We have all of you to thank for that and as always, if you are interested in becoming more involved with AAUS, we would love for you to volunteer!  
 
We also have a few items that need your input! Comment periods on changes to both standards and bylaws will be opened in mid-January. Based on feedback received during the Standards Townhall and comments gathered throughout 2023, the Standards Committee has put forth the changes for everyone to review and comment within a 60-day timeframe. The Bylaws Ad Hoc committee has also put forth bylaws’ changes for review and comment. Many of the changes are for clarification purposes while others are edits recommended after a legal review to tidy up language and to accurately reflect how business is conducted. This is your chance to be heard!
Spread the word to your divers, the call for papers and abstracts 2024 AAUS Diving for Science Symposium in Fort Pierce, FL. has been released. Heather has been working incredibly hard with our hosts at the Smithsonian and FAU’s Harbor Branch to create a week jam-packed with workshops and training opportunities.
 
One of the workshops that will be conducted during the symposium will focus on the snorkel and freediving guidelines. In an anticipation, we have released an updated version of these guidelines which is now on the website. We will be adding in optional snorkeling and freediving statistics submission for 2025. Fields will be similar to the current dive statistics and include modes, purpose, number of divers logging, number of dives, and depths. Our goal is to make this as streamlined as possible for those interested.
 
Finally, I want to thank everyone who encouraged me throughout my career. Like most, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the incredible people and mentors who shaped and guided my pathway many of which are found within our community. I look forward to working with all of you in continuing the growth and development of the Academy.

Jessica Keller 
AAUS President

 

 

 

 

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