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Last Update 05/01/07 |
2006-2007 ActivitiesThe 2006-2007 chapter year marked our 5th anniversary as the North Florida AMS Chapter. Our biggest accomplishments this year included participating in more community outreach events and increasing our membership, particularly undergraduate students. We grew to 90 paid members with over 120 people attending events throughout the chapter year. Our officers this year included Jessica Fieux (President), Clark Evans (Vice President), Charlie Woodrum (Treasurer), Katie Walls (Secretary), Patrick Taylor (Past President) and Michael Porter (Science and Education Chair). A big thanks goes to John Sullivan, our webmaster for the year! The chapter year events started in June of 2006 with the WCTV Hurricane Town Meetings. At these meetings, across North Florida (Carrabelle, Perry, Thomasville, and Tallahassee), we were able to inform the public about the mission of the North Florida AMS and discuss local hurricane history for the visited city. The next outreach event was in October, Trick or Treat for Science, where members could network with area teachers. In November and December, our chapter collected canned food items. Over 100 items were donated to ECHO, a local organization to help families and individuals in need. After the New Year, the chapter started collecting printer cartridges for recycling, which is done through Staples. In February, we participated in Hazardous Weather Awareness Week poster judging. These posters were designed by fourth and fifth graders around the state of Florida and included ways to prepare for hazardous weather. Also regarding Hazardous Weather Awareness Week, the chapter, for the first time, promoted the week on the campus of Florida State University. Activities included a table in the student union, pamphlets regarding each weather hazard, hands on activities and an opportunity to win a Sirius Satellite Radio by filling out a disaster preparedness survey from the American Red Cross. In the same month, members also participated in judging a science fair on the campus of Florida State. The winner’s project actually involved El Nino! In April, members also participated in judging another science fair at Hartsfield Elementary School. Judges were able to interact with the students to ensure they understood the scientific process and how to go about conducting a good experiment. The final outreach event of the chapter year was promotion of National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Although this week was not until May, an article written by Clark Evans (Vice President 06-07) and submitted by Katie Walls (Secretary 06-07), was printed in the FSView & Florida Flambeau at the end of the semester to educate students before they left for the summer. During this year, we had eight chapter meetings. Many of the speakers focused on a hurricane-related theme. These started in September with Dr. James Elsner from the Department of Geography at Florida State University. He spoke about hurricanes, global warming and the insurance industry. We held a second meeting this month with Dr. T. N. Krishnamurti (Department of Meteorology, FSU) as the featured speaker. He discussed tropical cyclogenesis and experiences from the NAMMA field project. In October, Dr. Paul Reasor from the Department of Meteorology at Florida State gave a talk about rapid cyclogenesis, intensification and weakening of hurricanes. The November meeting was slightly different. We hosted a panel of speakers including Ray Hawthorne from CBS WCTV 6, Dr. Paul Ruscher from the Department of Meteorology (FSU), and Jessica Taylor from the Florida Department of Education. These speakers prepared members for community outreach by giving them an insight into such events. In January, we were fortunate to have Dr. Joseph Facundo, Chief of the Observing Systems Branch from National Weather Service. He gave pointers regarding the application process for government jobs. February was our 4th annual banquet of the North Florida AMS. Our speaker was Ben Nelson, State Meteorologist, Florida Department of Emergency Management. Ben gave a different prospective of meteorology – the emergency management side. In March, Dr. Richard Pasch, Senior Hurricane Specialist from the National Hurricane Center, gave members a perspective of “Life in the Hot Seat at the NHC.” Our final chapter meeting of the year included Paul Duval, Meteorologist-in-Charge from the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. Paul discussed recent severe weather outbreaks in North Florida, South Georgia, and Southeast Alabama. In addition to our outreach events and chapter meetings, the chapter participated in other events throughout the year. In January, over 20 students and professionals from the North Florida area made the trip to San Antonio, Texas for the 87th annual AMS meeting. Many members presented posters and/or presentations at the conference and it was a wonderful networking opportunity for all those in attendance. In addition, we held various social and fundraising events including a Cici's Pizza fundraiser, a car wash, football tailgate, bake sales, ice skating downtown, bowling, and a mini golf tournament. At the end of the year, we had a picnic at Tom Brown Park to celebrate the chapter's accomplishments. Over 50 members attended this fun filled event. The first annual undergraduate vs. graduate flag football game resulted in a win for the undergraduates with a final score of 61-37. We were able to build on the success of the 2005-2006 chapter year and participate in more outreach events, increase our membership and host a diversity of speakers in the 2006-2007 chapter year. Through these events, we were able to make contacts with various local agencies including the State of Florida Department of Emergency Management, American Red Cross, WCTV 6, the National Weather Service Tallahassee, and the Emergency Manager for Florida State. Thank you to everyone who supported the chapter this year. We look forward to another successful year in 2007-2008! |
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