ABOUT THE SOCIETY
The Geological Society of the Oregon Country is based in Portland, Oregon. The Society was organized in 1935 with Dr. Edwin T. Hodge, geology professor at the University of Oregon, as its first president. Dr. Hodge made special trips to Portland to conduct classes in the fundamentals of geology. Many of these students became charter members of the Society.The Oregon Country includes the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming west of the Continental Divide (see map).
Membership in the Society is open to everyone, ranging from persons who have a professional interest in geology, to those with a casual interest in geology.
The aims and objectives of the Society are:
- To provide facilities and leadership for members of the Society to study geology, particularly the geology of the Oregon Country.
- To establish and maintain a library of geological publications.
- To support and promote geologic study and research, and to designate, preserve, and interpret the important geologic features of the Oregon Country.
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBER BENEFITS
The members of the Society receive a bi-monthly newsletter which contains announcements, geology articles, and background information for the field trips. Guidebooks of the Presidents' Field Trips are also published by the Society, and are available to be purchased.The Society conducts one evening program the second Friday of each month except March, August and September at 7:30 p.m., Room S-17, Cramer Hall, SW Broadway at SW Mill St., Portland State University. These programs are presented by experts in the geologic field. For information on upcoming lectures, refer to the Calendar or newsletter. The Friday night meetings are free of charge and open to the public.
Several field trips are conducted each year, and are announced in and the Calendar. The President's Field Trip, held once per year in the summer or early fall, usually lasts 3 to 7 days. Transportation and accommodation arrangements are announced prior to each trip. You must be a member of GSOC or a guest of a member to participate in the field trips.
The annual banquet is held in March in lieu of the evening program. A fee is charged for attending the banquet. The annual picnic is held in August, and details for each are announced in the monthly newsletter that each member receives. A fee may be charged for attending the picnic.
The Society has established and contributes an annual $800 scholarship to the Portland State University Geology Department for research by a student or students who are geology majors at Portland State University.
Non-members are welcome at most Society functions, including Friday night lectures, the annual banquet, and the annual picnic. You must be a member of GSOC or a guest of a member to participate in the field trips.
A membership application can be obtained by writing to: The Geological Society of the Oregon Country, PO Box 907, Portland, OR 97207. Refer to the Membership page for an online form.
Effective February 1, 2009, yearly membership dues are:
- Individual.....$25.00
- Family.....$35.00
- Student.....$15.00
Review the Bylaws of the Society.