New York City Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers
NYC AAZK is a volunteer collective of Wildlife Conservation Society zoo keepers from all five facilities dedicated to promoting professionalism in the living institutions and to support both local and global conservation.
The Chapter holds events, fundraisers, and workshops throughout the year to raise awareness and donations for charitable causes. The hard work the zoo keepers perform is celebrated during the annual National Zoo Keeper week and all year round.
Monthly business meetings take place during the last week of the month, at a member’s apartment or a restaurant. These meetings are used for the planning and development of events and fundraisers and the overall growth of the chapter. All are welcome to host and/or attend.
American Association of Zoo Keepers
The mission of The American Association of Zoo Keepers is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.
NYC AAZK Chapter Officers
President: Joseph Nappi (Bronx Zoo)
Supervises overall direction and development of the chapter, updating of all social media and websites, oversees all officers and committees, and presides over all meetings.
Vice President: Lisa Walker (Bronx Zoo)
Assisting the President with all duties and responsibilities especially in absence of the President, communicates with all facility and department liaisons, oversees development of all events, fundraisers, and activities.
Secretary: Sara Koplish (Bronx Zoo)
Records, keeps, and distributes minutes of all meetings, manages memberships, maintains Chapter email lists.
Treasurer: Lauren DelGrosso (Bronx Zoo)
Collects and deposits any monies received by the Chapter including local dues, distributes funds as directed by the Chapter officers, organizes annual budgets and financial obligations, and files the annual recharter packet with assistance from the other Chapter officers.
In the event of an officer vacancy, for any reason, the remaining officers can appoint a current Chapter member to fill the position until the next Chapter meet-up. The vacancy can also be covered by an existing officer. The Chapter members can then decide if they want to hold a new election for the vacancy, or allow the appointed officer to continue for the remaining calendar year. The Chapter should always strive to maintain a total of four officers at all times.
NYC AAZK Facility and Department Liaisons
WCS Offices: Cindy Maur
Bronx Zoo Birds: Lisa Walker
Bronx Zoo Mammals: Sara Koplish, Elizabeth Mills
Bronx Zoo Reptiles: Avi Shuter
Bronx Zoo Wildlife Health Center: Jessica Chin
Central Park Zoo: John Scott
Queens Zoo: Melissa Ortiz
What We Do
NYC AAZK Committees
The Chapter has six committees that aid in all of the fundraising and fun events throughout the year. To join a committee, email [email protected] today!
· Bowling for Rhinos
o Organizes the annual BFR fundraiser
·· Grants: Joseph Nappi
o Creates guidelines, reviews applications, and selects recipients for $1,000 annual travel grant and $250 AAZK National Conference grant
· National Zoo Keeper Week
o Organizes and coordinates NZKW activities and keeper gifts with the assistance of WCS management
· Environmental Stewardship: Michelle Medina
NYC AAZK Annual Events and Fundraisers
The Chapter holds fundraisers, keeper appreciation events, panel discussions, presentation evenings, and other activities during the year. Check out the event pages for more information; we hope to see you at the next one!
WCS Co-Sponsored Events:
Panel Discussion: A panel of WCS experts weigh in on a given topic for the evening. WCS staff, interns, and volunteers are invited to learn more about conservation issues within the five New York facilities and around the world. This event is usually a pot luck, so bring your best dish to show off!
Presentation Evening: Have a conference or national meeting coming up, or just have some interesting research to share with coworkers? WCS animal staff are encouraged to present their work at this event for WCS management and coworkers. The goals of this event are to create a professional environment for practicing presentation techniques and to share what is happening at the five WCS parks.
Spring
Run for the Wild: NYC AAZK supports the athletes in the annual WCS Run for the Wild 5K and Family Fun Run. Look for the Chapter’s informational table at the event each year. Chapter members are always needed to man the table and talk to the public about NYC AAZK!
Summer:
WCS Member’s Nights: Look for the Chapter’s informational table at each of the WCS’s three summer Member’s Nights at the Bronx Zoo. 2013 activities included “Dress Like a Keeper” and coloring pages. Chapter members are always needed to man the table and talk to the public about NYC AAZK!
National Zoo Keeper Week: Zoo keepers work hard 365 days a year and celebrates it all starting the third Sunday in July! The Chapter buy gifts for keepers, vet techs, interns, and supervisors, works with WCS management to hold special enrichment and training sessions, displays artwork and photos created by keepers, and throws a night event during the week to kick back and relax with friends and coworkers.
National Zoo Keeper Week Silent Auction: Every year during the work week of NZKW, the Chapter holds a silent auction open to all WCS staff, interns, and volunteers. Local businesses, keepers, and family members donate artwork, merchandise, and special deals that can be bid on from Monday through Friday. All proceeds benefit the continuing efforts of NYC AAZK to hold fundraisers and events throughout the year. Email [email protected] if you have anything you would like to donate!
Winter:
Holiday Craft Fair: Just before the holiday season, the Chapter holds a craft fair open to all WCS staff, interns, and volunteers. All proceeds benefit the continuing efforts of NYC AAZK to hold fundraisers and events throughout the year. Email [email protected] if you have anything you would like to donate!
Have any questions? Email us! [email protected]
NYC AAZK is a volunteer collective of Wildlife Conservation Society zoo keepers from all five facilities dedicated to promoting professionalism in the living institutions and to support both local and global conservation.
The Chapter holds events, fundraisers, and workshops throughout the year to raise awareness and donations for charitable causes. The hard work the zoo keepers perform is celebrated during the annual National Zoo Keeper week and all year round.
Monthly business meetings take place during the last week of the month, at a member’s apartment or a restaurant. These meetings are used for the planning and development of events and fundraisers and the overall growth of the chapter. All are welcome to host and/or attend.
American Association of Zoo Keepers
The mission of The American Association of Zoo Keepers is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.
NYC AAZK Chapter Officers
President: Joseph Nappi (Bronx Zoo)
Supervises overall direction and development of the chapter, updating of all social media and websites, oversees all officers and committees, and presides over all meetings.
Vice President: Lisa Walker (Bronx Zoo)
Assisting the President with all duties and responsibilities especially in absence of the President, communicates with all facility and department liaisons, oversees development of all events, fundraisers, and activities.
Secretary: Sara Koplish (Bronx Zoo)
Records, keeps, and distributes minutes of all meetings, manages memberships, maintains Chapter email lists.
Treasurer: Lauren DelGrosso (Bronx Zoo)
Collects and deposits any monies received by the Chapter including local dues, distributes funds as directed by the Chapter officers, organizes annual budgets and financial obligations, and files the annual recharter packet with assistance from the other Chapter officers.
In the event of an officer vacancy, for any reason, the remaining officers can appoint a current Chapter member to fill the position until the next Chapter meet-up. The vacancy can also be covered by an existing officer. The Chapter members can then decide if they want to hold a new election for the vacancy, or allow the appointed officer to continue for the remaining calendar year. The Chapter should always strive to maintain a total of four officers at all times.
NYC AAZK Facility and Department Liaisons
WCS Offices: Cindy Maur
Bronx Zoo Birds: Lisa Walker
Bronx Zoo Mammals: Sara Koplish, Elizabeth Mills
Bronx Zoo Reptiles: Avi Shuter
Bronx Zoo Wildlife Health Center: Jessica Chin
Central Park Zoo: John Scott
Queens Zoo: Melissa Ortiz
What We Do
NYC AAZK Committees
The Chapter has six committees that aid in all of the fundraising and fun events throughout the year. To join a committee, email [email protected] today!
· Bowling for Rhinos
o Organizes the annual BFR fundraiser
·· Grants: Joseph Nappi
o Creates guidelines, reviews applications, and selects recipients for $1,000 annual travel grant and $250 AAZK National Conference grant
· National Zoo Keeper Week
o Organizes and coordinates NZKW activities and keeper gifts with the assistance of WCS management
· Environmental Stewardship: Michelle Medina
NYC AAZK Annual Events and Fundraisers
The Chapter holds fundraisers, keeper appreciation events, panel discussions, presentation evenings, and other activities during the year. Check out the event pages for more information; we hope to see you at the next one!
WCS Co-Sponsored Events:
Panel Discussion: A panel of WCS experts weigh in on a given topic for the evening. WCS staff, interns, and volunteers are invited to learn more about conservation issues within the five New York facilities and around the world. This event is usually a pot luck, so bring your best dish to show off!
Presentation Evening: Have a conference or national meeting coming up, or just have some interesting research to share with coworkers? WCS animal staff are encouraged to present their work at this event for WCS management and coworkers. The goals of this event are to create a professional environment for practicing presentation techniques and to share what is happening at the five WCS parks.
Spring
Run for the Wild: NYC AAZK supports the athletes in the annual WCS Run for the Wild 5K and Family Fun Run. Look for the Chapter’s informational table at the event each year. Chapter members are always needed to man the table and talk to the public about NYC AAZK!
Summer:
WCS Member’s Nights: Look for the Chapter’s informational table at each of the WCS’s three summer Member’s Nights at the Bronx Zoo. 2013 activities included “Dress Like a Keeper” and coloring pages. Chapter members are always needed to man the table and talk to the public about NYC AAZK!
National Zoo Keeper Week: Zoo keepers work hard 365 days a year and celebrates it all starting the third Sunday in July! The Chapter buy gifts for keepers, vet techs, interns, and supervisors, works with WCS management to hold special enrichment and training sessions, displays artwork and photos created by keepers, and throws a night event during the week to kick back and relax with friends and coworkers.
National Zoo Keeper Week Silent Auction: Every year during the work week of NZKW, the Chapter holds a silent auction open to all WCS staff, interns, and volunteers. Local businesses, keepers, and family members donate artwork, merchandise, and special deals that can be bid on from Monday through Friday. All proceeds benefit the continuing efforts of NYC AAZK to hold fundraisers and events throughout the year. Email [email protected] if you have anything you would like to donate!
Winter:
Holiday Craft Fair: Just before the holiday season, the Chapter holds a craft fair open to all WCS staff, interns, and volunteers. All proceeds benefit the continuing efforts of NYC AAZK to hold fundraisers and events throughout the year. Email [email protected] if you have anything you would like to donate!
Have any questions? Email us! [email protected]