The vital SPE technical committee and TIG structure and nomenclature will be generally consistent with the six proposed specialty categories. The Chairperson of each Specialty Directorate would also serve in the new position of SPE Specialty Board member, serving in parallel with the Region Directors in place today. The SPE Board is also proposing to provide an option for an SPE region to create a similar Regional Directorate in the future. Note that a Regional Directorate would be appropriate only if and when it is proposed by that region and if it is approved by the SPE Board. A Regional Directorate would comprise a member from each section in the region, with the possibility of at-large members also.
Some regions already have similar informal groups in existence today.
One could imagine a future situation where a new, growing region might benefit from such an option, or one where a very mature region encouraging mutual support among sections and chapters could find it to be beneficial. As presently proposed, directorates will have nonadministrative authorities and responsibilities within their respective areas. The basic idea is to identify several specialty pilots in 2001, execute through 2002, and evaluate progress and member feedback in 2003. Optional region pilots would be considered if and when they come forward. We recall that our objective is to provide these options to support the overall Long-Range Plan to 2010.