AIME, SPE's Parent Organization

Abstract

AIME Almost everyone in the oil and gas industry is more or less familiar with SPE and its contributions to the industry. But many may not know that SPE has a parent organization: the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME). AIME was established in 1871 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as the American Institute of Mining Engineers. In 1904, AIME became one of the founding societies along with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE, later IEEE) to form the United Engineering Society. In 1912, the Iron and Steel Division was created, and in 1918, the American Institute of Metals joined AIME, and the new organization, while still AIME, was called the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. In 1922, the petroleum division of the AIME was formed. AIME continued to grow until 1956 when AIME officially became the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. During the 1950s, the petroleum membership of AIME grew rap-idly, warranting the formation of SPE as the petroleum industry’s professional society in 1957 with a membership of approximately 12,500. In 1973, AIME started the process of decentralization and, as a result, SPE became a separately incorporated entity in 1985. Today, AIME is a federation of four not-for-profit professional societies: SPE (with more than 100,000 members); the Association of Iron and Steel Technology (15,000 members); the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (14,000 members); and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (12,000 members). AIME operates under a foundation model, governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees, two appointed by each member society. An executive director manages its operation. The presidency of AIME rotates among its four member societies. Its mission is to support its member societies, through exercising fiscal responsibility, distributing funds, facilitating interaction with the larger scientific and engineering community, enhancing collaboration among the member societies, and honoring the legacy and traditions of AIME. AIME’s vision is to be a relevant and valued partner to its member societies. AIME’s principal activities include funding projects and programs through distributions and grant opportunities, providing forums to share best practices and facilitate collaboration among the engineering and scientific community, and presenting awards and scholarships that honor the AIME legacy and recognize outstanding members and promising students.