Gauging Geography's Vitality through National and Regional Organizations

Abstract

abstract: The establishment of formal disciplinary-based associations is vital to the growth of the discipline and in facilitating the activities of people who work within the discipline. This geographical note examines the development and role of geography associations in the United States. It begins by looking at the four major geography societies which originated between 1851 and 1915 and how they specialized in their outreach and functions. This is followed by examining the role of the American Association of Geographers' regional divisions, which have created more localized geography associations for AAG members. The attributes of the AAG's nine regional divisions are considered, and then members' perspectives of these regions, based on a wide-ranging survey, are discussed. The special place of the Southeastern Division of the AAG (SEDAAG) emerges in comparing attributes and perceptions of each of the nine AAG regions.