What is the relationship between White Papers and the GSAs Vision, Mission, and Goals and Objectives?
White Papers, along with Position Statements and Critical Issues, as listed on the GSA web site, are vehicles through which specific elements of the Society’s Vision and Mission can be applied. The GSA “Vision,” states that the GSA will support “the application of geoscience knowledge and insight to human needs, aspirations, and stewardship of the Earth,” and the Mission Statement calls for the GSA to “promote the geosciences in the service of humankind.” White Papers are used to elaborate on both Position Statements and Critical Issues, and all three support the Society’s Vision and Mission. Likewise, the Society’s Goal 3 is “to promote geoscience in the service of society,” and to “actively foster dialogue with the public and decisionmakers on relevant geoscience issues by developing and advertising GSA position statements on issues of importance to the Society.” Thus, White Papers are a tool that GSA uses to put its Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives into practice.
