FROM THE CEO

Thank you, merci, gracias, danke…
There are many ways to say thank you, but none can express just how much I appreciate all the efforts put forth by the members of this association to share experiential education with the world. 

As I reflect on my first six months as the CEO of AEE, I feel it important to share my experiences and sincere gratitude. First of all, I am grateful and honored to have been selected and to be able to serve in this role with this incredible organization. Pat Hammond, my predecessor, did a tremendous job in getting the organization to this level of professionalism.

Additionally, I am very fortunate to work side by side with the association’s Board of Directors (BoD). Our BoD is committed to AEE and its success, and no one seems to count the hours when it comes to AEE. The BOD is made of talented individuals and led by a strong leader, Laurie Frank. The AEE staff is equally exceptional and dedicated to AEE members and experiential education, and it is exciting to work side by side with them. I am also impressed with the energy and resources found within the various groups of AEE, from the regions, AGs and PGs, to the Accreditation Council, CORE, the CAC and CRC, and all the other volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of AEE. The hundreds of people who selflessly share their expertise with the association are what enable us to fulfill our mission and vision.

That being said, we still have plenty of work to do!  I would like to share my vision and AEE and the potential that I see for AEE as the leading experiential education (EE) association. At the top of the list: It is essential that we expand our international membership so that we are able to truly provide an accurate global representation of EE.  This is only possible by having members from around the world who not only represent AEE around the world but also share their viewpoints about EE with the AEE community. Next on the list: partnerships. These are critical for our success and in order to further the long list of goals we have set for 2009, including supporting research and evaluation initiatives, exchanging best practices and being able to transform education via advocacy and public policy.

In regards to next year’s Annual International Conference in Montreal, we are working on providing workshops in numerous languages in an effort to create an inviting forum that attract more international members, as well as to honor the culture of our host city,  Montreal.

Before we can expand and develop new programs, however, we must focus on improving our business strategies and putting more effort into development, fundraising, PR and marketing to provide better exposure to AEE and its members. This spring, we will be developing a multi-year strategic and operational plan so that we can map out a clear direction for the future of AEE that ensures the association’s health and serves our members’ wants and needs.  Ultimately AEE exists to contribute to making a more just and compassionate world by transforming education. As one host committee member recently reflected in the post conference newsletter, AEE is much more than an association—it’s a community, a philosophy, a movement.

Warmest regards,
Paul Limoges
CEO, AEE
executive@aee.org