|
|
||
|
Last Update 03/21/07 |
March 23, 2006 -- Dr. Tony Stallins, FSU Dept. of Geography The North Florida Chapter of the AMS held its March 2006 meeting on Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 7:30pm in Rm. 353 of the Love Building on FSU's campus. Approximately thirty members were in attendance, including three-fifths of the executive board. President Pat Taylor opened the meeting with a brief introduction of the evening's program and opening of chapter business. Highlights in chapter business for the month included reports on the ongoing t-shirt drive, notification about an upcoming chapter bake sale in early April, the upcoming chapter social event at Tom Brown Park to close the chapter year in early April, and an update on chapter funds. Science and educational outreach programs ruled the day, however, as led by committee chair Jessica Donnelly. Over the past few weeks and in the coming few weeks, various committee members helped or were to help with Science Olympiad training at Fairview Middle School (under the tutelage of Mrs. Irene Klay), assist in judging several local middle school science fairs, develop training programs for future outreach activities, as well as assist with the Springtime Tallahassee festival on April 1st, distributing posters and offering several meteorological/scientific lab stations for families to take part in. Preliminary nominations for the 2006-2007 chapter Executive Board were taken at the close of chapter business. Nominations were only allowed to be made by active chapter members and required both a seconding of the nomination and approval of the nominated party. While no nominations were to be made official until April's chapter meeting, the following candidates were named for the various officer positions: President – Jessica Fieux, Pat Taylor; Vice President – Katie Walls, Brian Jackson; Secretary – none; Treasurer – David Piech, Steven Martinaitis. As previously mentioned, elections will be held at the April chapter meeting on April 20th. This month's featured speaker was Dr. Tony Stallins of the FSU Dept. of Geography, speaking on his research into anthropogenic lightning patterns and influences in the Atlanta, GA region. His research was of particular relevance given the recent AMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta attended by many chapter members in attendance plus the large amount of ongoing lightning research with the meteorology department. He showed distinct patterns of lightning formation under various wind regimes in the Atlanta area, coincident with major interstates and various geographic features within the region. While most of the lightning patterns can be explained using known features within the region, some cannot be explained as readily. Many implications of this are apparent in terms of property insurance and 911 calls for lightning injuries and damage and such research is currently being factored into decisions made by those groups. The meeting was adjourned after Dr. Stallins' talk at approximately 9pm. The above minutes are a true and accurate reflection of the March 23, 2006 meeting. For More Information: Pat Taylor, northflams@gmail.com. Minutes submitted by Clark Evans, incoming Vice President. |
|||
|
