SPE President's Podcast with Jennifer Miskimins - "Energizing Tomorrow", July 2026

Welcome to the SPE Podcast, powered by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. You're listening to the July 2026 episode of the SPE Presidents Podcast, Energizing Tomorrow with SPE President Jennifer Miss Kimmons. Hi, everyone, and welcome back to Energizing Tomorrow. This is my second to last Presidents column, and I look forward to speaking with you today a little bit about member engagement.

A question I frequently get when visiting SPE sections and student chapters around the world is a simple one. What are other sections and chapters doing to engage their members and help them get the most out of their SP membership? It's a great question, and the answer is there's no single approach that works everywhere. What works for a large section with thousands of members may not work for a smaller section, and what works in one country may not fit the culture or circumstances of another.

This diversity is actually one of SP's greatest strengths. But over the past several months, I've seen some interesting and very effective practices that are helping sections and chapters connect with members, build community, and create value. So today I'd like to share a few of these ideas. My hope is that some of these might spark a new idea for your own section or chapter.

So let's start with communication. SPE provides excellent tools such as SPE Connect, but many sections have found success by meeting members where they already are. LinkedIn remains the most common platform, but many groups are also using Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and other such channels. The reality is that not everyone communicates the same way.

While it can take more effort to maintain multiple platforms, doing so often allows sections to reach a broader audience. We can't always expect members to come to us. Sometimes we need to go to them and where they are located. And while we talking about communication let me make a quick plea If your section or chapter has a website please get it updated There nothing more frustrating than looking for an upcoming event in an area and finding information that's months or even years old.

If maintaining a website isn't realistic, social media may actually be a better option. Whatever platform you use, make it easy to find information, keep it current, and don't overlook simple tools like QR codes that make access quick and convenient. Another area where I've seen sections experiment successfully is meeting times and locations. Many sections have a long-standing schedule with meetings always on the same day of the month at the same time and the same location.

There are good reasons for that. Consistency makes planning easier and members know what to expect, but consistency can also unintentionally exclude people. Maybe a member works a shift schedule and can never attend daytime events. Maybe someone has a long commute.

Maybe they're raising young children and evening meetings are difficult. There is no perfect meeting time that works for everyone. Several section leaders have told me that they've had great success by occasionally varying meeting times or locations. Even small adjustments can create opportunities for members who otherwise may never be able to participate.

It's a simple idea, but one that can make a real difference. I've also seen sections strengthen engagement through family-friendly events. Most SPE activities are, for obvious reasons, technical in nature. That's a core part of who we are.

But occasionally, creating opportunities where family members can participate can help build a stronger sense of community. Whether it's a picnic, a sporting event, or something unique to region, these gatherings help families understand why SP is important to their loved ones. They also allow members to connect on a more personal level. Sometimes the relationships built outside the conference room become the ones that keep people engaged for years.

Another trend I've noticed involves sponsorships Traditionally many sections seek sponsorships on an annual basis Increasingly however sections are pursuing multi sponsorship agreements Multi sponsorships provide greater financial stability, make long-term planning easier, and reduce uncertainty during leadership transitions in the section. And interestingly enough, many corporate sponsors appreciate them as well because they simplify budgeting and reduce administrative work.

It can be a real win-win arrangement for all involved. I also want to touch on a topic that came up recently during a series of town halls hosted by SPE's Young Professionals Committee. One idea that really resonated with me was the importance of intentional engagement. Sustained involvement in SPE doesn't happen by accident.

It comes from placing people in meaningful roles, clearly defining expectations for those roles, building focused teams, and helping individuals understand how they can contribute to the bigger picture. When people feel ownership, they become invested. And when they feel trusted, they stay engaged. And when they feel like they belong, they are much more likely to continue their membership journey.

On the other hand, if people feel disconnected or like outsiders, retaining them becomes much more difficult. As section and chapter leaders, it's worth asking ourselves, how are we bringing new members into the organization? Are we creating opportunities for them to contribute? Are we helping them feel like they are part of the team?

Just some questions for people to reflect on. Another area that deserves attention is recognition. Not everyone seeks recognition, but nearly everyone appreciates it. Sometimes recognition can be as simple as acknowledging someone's contribution during a meeting or highlighting an accomplishment on social media.

Other times it may involve nominating someone for a regional or international award. I encourage all of us to look for opportunities to recognize not only the visible leaders but also the many volunteers that are working behind the scenes Those unsung heroes are often the people who keep our sections and chapters thriving Finally, let me mention something that is especially important for student chapters, although it can apply to sections as well. Documenting institutional knowledge.

I continue to be amazed by the passion, creativity, and energy of our student members. But every year, students graduate and leaders move on. When knowledge isn't documented, future leaders are forced to reinvent processes that have already been developed. By capturing lessons learned, successful practices, event planning information, and organizational procedures, chapters can create continuity and make it easier for future volunteers to succeed.

That continuity strengthens engagement and helps maintain momentum in the chapter over time. As I wrap up, I want to emphasize that these are simply a few observations and ideas I've encountered. There are many more great practices happening throughout SPE every day. I encourage you to stay connected with your regional and technical directors, learn from one another, and share your own successes.

To help facilitate some of those conversations, I will be launching a discussion on the SPE Connect Presidents page, where members can exchange their ideas and best practices directly without me in the middle. I hope you'll join the conversation and please don't be afraid to share what's working in your section or chapter. A little bragging is perfectly acceptable when it helps others to learn and improve and helps SPE across the board. So thank you for listening.

Thank you for your continued engagement in SPE. And thank you for everything you do to strengthen our society. So until next month, please take care and be safe. We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the SPE Presidents Podcast, Energizing Tomorrow with Jennifer Miss Kimmons, The President's full monthly columns are posted at the beginning of each month on the Journal of Petroleum Technology website at jpt.

spe.org.