Ask-A-Geologist project needs help

Date: Sat, 14 Oct 95 18:44:50 PDT
From: rex@octopus.wr.usgs.gov (Rex Sanders x3054)

Subject: Ask-A-Geologist project needs help
Apparently-To: biglist

  Since October 1994, the USGS Ask-A-Geologist outreach project (email
to: ask-a-geologist@octopus.wr.usgs.gov) has received over 1800 email
messages from the public, with questions about the earth sciences.
We've answered those questions within a few days, using a rotating list
of USGS workers.  Ask-A-Geologist has been written up in newsletters
and newspapers all over the United States, and will receive a
high-level award next week.

  Due to Geologic Division downsizing, Ask-A-Geologist has been shut
down.  We receive several inquiries a week from teachers and others
about when Ask-A-Geologist will start again.  They are disappointed
because we can't help them.

  If you are reading this message, you can help.  We need USGS workers
with email access and a background in the earth sciences.  You can be
an employee, contractor, volunteer, or emeritus, from any discipline,
GS level, or job title.  You would answer some of the questions that
come in, one day per month.  You would get automatic reminders and
instructions by email.

  You are not expected to know or supply the answer to every question
that comes along.  You will be expected to use your judgement, and ask
your colleagues for assistance.  Also, we have an indexed database of
previous answers on the World Wide Web.

  Ask-a-Geologist started as a grass-roots outreach effort, with a "just
do it" attitude.  However, Ask-A-Geologist might evolve into something
bigger and better, as we figure out how to do outreach more
effectively.

  Please reply now.  If you have volunteered before, please volunteer
again - we don't know who is left from the old lists.

  Thanks in advance.

-- Rex Sanders, US Geological Survey
   rex@octopus.wr.usgs.gov
   rsanders@usgs.gov


PS - the email list I'm using to send this message is known to have
many errors, which could not be corrected in advance.  Please accept my
apologies if you receive this message in error.