May 20, 2013: Enrichment Bonanzas
Hosted by Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo Attendance (Bronx): Members- Mary Gremler, Matt LeBron, Heather Tassler, Elizabeth Mills, Sara Koplish, Lisa Walker, Danielle Steele, Cindy Maur, Joe Nappi, Melanie Weber; Future Members- Sara Gonzalez, Vanessa Jones, Sylvia de la Pieda, Natasha Karl, Anna Burgos, Leah Simoncek, Dana Caton, Anthony Buffill. PPZ: Member Tom Anderson; Future Members-Tom Anderson, Atu Marshal, Allison Shaw, Brittany Murphy, Lora Murphy, Allison Hague andAshley Herbolich Central Park And Queens are rescheduling their bonanzas, dates TBD. Group phone chat around 6pm with Bronx/PPZ/Robin/Mo · Announced vote on co-secretaries (9-yes/2-no) Mo Ortiz and Lisa Walker · Photo Contest- open to zoo staff and the public, need submissions of animal photos, cash prizes, due date June 15 · National Keeper Week activities- night event at Overlook bar, keeper profiles, silent auction, keeper grams, enrichment chats, ‘members night’ tables o Need submissions for Keeper Profiles · Voted yes to increase budget for keeper gift from $400 to $654 for one nicer item ($3/item) for everyone rather than a few smaller items for everyone. (14 -yes/ 0-no) · Travel Grant for $250 for AAZK Conference applications due by July 1st Bonanza festivities went well. We made smaller items for bird department and children zoo like treat rings, and origami treat holders. We had lots of scents and girl-scout made enrichment to give away. For the larger animals we made a fire hose braid, A-33 barrel enrichment, huge origami style stuffed ball for “Happy” the elephant and some large paper mache animals (ostrich and giraffe). **Rescheduling Cook-off competition** JUNE 2nd UPDATE: Photo Contest deadline extended to August 15th with new pricing of $5 for up to 5 photos, members can enter contest for free.
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NYCAAZK General Meeting Minutes – Saturday April 20, 2013
Location: Bronx Zoo, Admin East, Curator’s Room Current Members: Sarah Parker, Sara Koplish, Joe Nappi, Sarina Cella, Elizabeth Mills, Heather Tassler, Mo Ortiz, Michelle Medina, Robin Sutker, Cindy Maur, Danielle Steele, Flo Klecha Future Members: Lora Murphy, Kaitlyn Keys - Training successes and trials share timeIdeas for scale training - Reviewed last meetings minutes Upcoming Events - Barnanza – Tuesday, April 30th 7:00 PM at Tavern on 3rd, bring friends o For future events we are considering some sort of bring non-members get in free deal - May Meeting/ Enrichment Bonanza – May 20th in Flaherty Learning Center - National Zookeeper Week – July 21-27th, night event, keeper profiles, keeper grams, gifts - BFR – Still approving venue, possibly Lucky Strikes - Run for the Wild – April 27th - Photo Contest live May 1st, please push interest on Facebook, etc. o Finishing up rules o Will discuss if it is worth it to produce a calendar, and if we do we will get it printed much earlier - AAZK National Conference call for papers deadline – May 15th Treasurer Report of finances - Still have $5000.00 Updates - We need to re-work our mission statement to reflect how NYCAZZK has evolved since its creation. - Thank you Michelle for all of your technical support. - How can we make meetings more attractive? - Do we have to meet every month? Can we meet at each facility independently every month with a collective meeting only every few months? Committees - Went over scoring guide for the travel grant recipient. o VOTE: Unanimously voted for approval by committee using scoring template beginning with October travel grant. - Travel Grant recipient presentation from Melissa Ortiz, Queens Zoo Vet Tech o Applying for the Travel Grant to attend the Thirty-Third annual conference of Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians to be held Sept 5th to 9th in Seward Alaska by the Alaska Sealife Center o She will be presenting this year on "Obtaining voluntary End Tidal Carbon Dioxide values in awake California sea lions" o The purpose of this paper is to find out what CO2 levels sea lions live with comfortably while they are awake, compare it to their anesthetized values § In the future develop a case to see if this does in fact have to do with their dive reflex o VOTE: Unanimously voted YES for Melissa to receive grant. Good luck! NYCAAZK General Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Current Members: Veronica Smith, Tyrone Nickens, Dawn Davis, Robin Sutker, Crystal DiMiceli, Melanie Melendez, Veronica Thomas, Karen Kolstad, Cindy Maur, Hulya Israfil, Tom Anderson, Sarina Cella, Robert Blakely, Sara Koplish, Mo Ortiz, Katelyn Massarone Future Members: Nora Bierne, Sosha Fusco Training successes and trials share time - Snow leopard voluntary ultrasound - Shark targeting and stationing - Cloud rat voluntary tactile - Voluntary blood pressure on cougars - Sea lions giving voluntary breaths by barking or whistling into anesthesia cone in order to measure CO2 levels under anesthesia. If anyone at other parks are interested in participating in study, please contact[email protected] Introduced new logo to go along with name change. - See nycaazk.blogspot.com Upcoming Events - Earth hour – March 23rd at 8:30 turn off your lights for one hour. Earthhour.org - Chopsticks for Salamanders – March 27th after work at Sunny’s Chinese 81st and 3rd - Travel grant deadline April 1st. Please apply. - Barnanza – April. Proceeds go to Greenburgh Nature Center - TIGER – April 19th. Volunteer opportunity to read books about animals to kids. - Girl Scouts – April 4th, 8th May 2nd, 6th, 30th – Teach scouts about enrichment. Please volunteer for two days so that girls can make enrichment items at second session. - Run for the Wild – April 27th – We will have a table and give out stickers. - Photo Contest begins May 1st – small donation required per photo entered. One winner from each of three categories will win a cash prize. All photos eligible for calendar. Extra money goes to AAZK or a charity. - AAZK National Conference call for papers deadline – May 15th – If anyone would like to work with Mo to write up something for the Sea Lion CO2 levels study, email [email protected] - NZKW – mid July National Zookeeper Week - We will be doing many things including members nights, artist showcase, silent auction, collages, keeper profiles, keeper grams and gifts for the keepers if budget is approved. - Vote to approve NZKW budget ($250-$300 for gifts). Approved by unanimous vote. Treasurer Report of finances - Spent $825 on recharter - Cheyenne Chapter donated $150 to the NYA to help with disaster relief - When all is said and done we will have $5068.00 National Updates - Please nominate people for awards - http://aazk.org/members/awards.php - Learning collaborative – online learning opportunities will be available for $25/ year Committees - BFR --> end of August. Still trying to decide on venue - Volunteer Opportunities --> Frogwatch (trainings forthwith, contact [email protected]), Gowanus Canal Conservancy, TIGER - Barnanza -->Tavern on 3rd - CFS --> Mar 27th, selling chopsticks for $10, setting up a table for adopt a hellbender, setting up a donation jar and for the first ten people who gets signage in two restaurants or get one restaurant to sell chopsticks we will be giving out a free pair. - Travel Grant o Applicants must be a member of both national AAZK and of our chapter, and they must be an employee of WCS at the time of application as well as at the time of travel. o Vote: Should we give the grant before travel, or after travel upon the presentation of receipts? (1) before, (16) after --> Grant will be awarded after travel o Vote: Should the grant be awarded by the collective decision of all AAZK members, or should it be awarded by the decision of the committee using a rating system used y national AAZK? (4) all members (13) committee --> For the October grant, the decision will be made by the committee using a rating system o Motion to revisit awarding process decision after the rating system has been presented to members. Motion seconded. We will revisit this decision after the rating system is complete. Please forward Liz Bennet's Elephant email to your friends and family or direct them to WCS.org Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest NYCAAZK General Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, February 20
Location/Event: Bronx Zoo, Panel Discussion Members: Robin Sutker, Cindy Maur, Sara Koplish, Sarah Parker, Elizabeth Mills, Tyrone Nickens, Melissa Ortiz, David Morales, Tom Anderson, Crystal DiMiceli, Sarina Cella, Allison Shaw, Karen Kolstad, Melanie Weber, Danielle Steele, Carol Henger, Katelyn Massarone, Mathew LeBron Supporters: Josh Ginsberg, Patti Cooper, Jay Schuen President: - Name change results! We are now known as NYC AAZK o All constitutional amendments are voted on trough online voting; all other issues (budgets, charities, etc) can be voted on in person at a meeting o In order for a vote to pass there must be a majority vote (1/2 of the total votes) o However, if members abstain from voting their vote does not count; therefore the option with the most votes wins regardless of total number of votes - Barnanza charity voting! o Dolphin Communication Project o Greenburgh Nature Center WINNER § http://www.greenburghnaturecenter.org - All of our digital media and will be changing soon to reflect this new name Vice President: - Join a committee! o Travel grant o Chopsticks for Salamanders o Bowling for Rhinos o National Zoo Keeper Week o Girl Scouts o Volunteer opportunities o Presentation nights and Panel discussions o Enrichment o Calendar and photos Treasurer: - Pay your national dues! Secretary: - Please register on the blog to vote! Upcoming events: - Barnanza o Voted for a charity between the Dolphin Communication Project and The Greenburgh Nature Center o GNC won! o Evening will be in either March or April in Manhattan - Travel grant o All members are eligble for the bi-annual $500 grant o Application is on our website, deadlines are April 1 and October 1 o The rules will be changing for the October 1 deadline, details from the committee are being worked on now o Applicants will hear if they are chosen to present at the next chapter meeting in the five days following the deadline - Chopsticks for Salamanders o Encourage your favorite Asian restaurant to use reusable chopsticks! We have signage to hang o Dinner event will be at a restaurant in Manhattan in either March or April o Bring your own or purchase official CFS chopsticks! - National Zoo Keeper Week! o We hope to have it at all five facilities this year! Mid July o The committee is working very hard to make this NZKW the best one yet! - Bowling for Rhinos o The committee is in the process of securing a bowling alley for August - Facility held events, meetings, and fundraisers o We want to hold at least one event at each of the five facilities! Let us know if you are interested Panel discussion with: Dr. Elizabeth Bennett, Dr. Josh Ginsberg, and Julie Kunen Presentation on what WCS global does, voting for Barnanza charity, open floor for panel discussion Thank you to our wonderful panel members! NYCAAZK General Meeting Minutes - Jan 20th 2013 Meeting Minutes
Members: Elizabeth Mills, Deanna DeRosa, Joe Nappi, Lisa Walker, Melanie Weber, Danielle Steele, Adam Segal, Matthew LeBron, Ty Nickens, Roxie Watts, Julio Aquino, Cindy Maur, Sara Koplish, Sarah Parker, Ronnie Thomas, Nora Beirne, Cristina Mendonca, Ronnie Smith, Angie Coccoma, Sarina Cella, Nikki Ethier, Melanie Melendez, Karen Kolstad, Karen Wallack, Rob Blakely Welcome new members! - We have 30 members- 22 new! - We are open to all of the staff, interns and volunteers at all 5 facilities Welcome new officers! - Robin has hit the ground running and is ready to make this year our chapter best year yet! She is very sorry she is not here right now. - She plans on making the chapter even more web accessible. She has created a general calendar of events so that people can have a more concrete idea of what the chapter has to offer and when. - Sarah Parker will be the new secretary since Megan Baumer has left the zoo and therefore her position. - We look forward to a year of having officer representation from multiple facilities! We look forward to a year of having members from all 5 facilities! Name Change Proposal - We would like the name of our chapter to reflect its members - Our options are NYC AAZK or WCS AAZK. Discuss and open floor for other suggestions - This proposal was made and was second by Lisa Walker and will be voted on by members through our online voting Online Voting - For all voting that affects the chapter’s constitution, we vote online to make it easy for all members to vote at a time and place that is convenient for them. - Once an amendment is proposed, voting is open online until before the next month’s meeting. - To register to vote, go to our blogspot and go to the voting tab. You will see prompts to register. Please use the email information that you provided to receive emails. Once your email info is verified, you will be fully registered. If you are having problems, contact one of your officers or liaisons. - All other voting that does not affect the constitution- chapter spending, voting on events will be done in person at the monthly meeting. Tentative Calendar of Events (please refer to attached handout) - We plan on have an event just about every month. - Meetings are on the 20th of every month. We do not want all of our meetings to be in the Bronx! We are encouraging all of our facilities to step forward and host at least one meeting this year! Whether it is an animal presentation, a guest speaker, a bbq, a softball game, we would like for all facilities to let us know as soon as possible when you can host a meeting. Please speak to your facility liaison to discuss what you would like to do! Panel Discussion/ Barnanza Charity Voting - The meeting of Feb 20th will be panel discussion by WCS’s Global Conservation Team will most likely take place at 6:30-7 PM and there should be some food and refreshments provided. Liz Bennett will be among the 3 WCS Global Conservation team who will give a presentation on what global does and after they will open the floor for a question and answer session. - We also want to vote for the charity that we will be fundraising for at this year’s Bar-nanza. To do this we ask for people to contact their officers ASAP if they have a conservation effort that they would like our chapter to raise money for. The conservation effort should be in line with AAZK’s mission. Once it is given the ‘ok’ please make a small poster presentation or hand out or diorama or anything that you feel could help encourage people that your cause is worth drinking for. - All Barnanza displays will be presented during the 10 minute break and voting will close 10 minutes after the end of the panel discussions. What can we do for you?? - This chapter is a volunteer nonprofit org and needs you, its members and supporter to survive. - The chapter offers members discounts on events and merchandise, travel grants, raffles for national membership, a unique experience to get to know other animal folk, professional growth, and much more! - What can you think of to make the chapter a better experience for you and your co-workers? Officers and liaisons are always open for thought and suggestions. We encourage solution based ideas for ways to improve our chapter. - We are considering having “virtual raffle tickets” that we will be giving out throughout the year for attending meetings, events, participating in committees, etc. At the end of the year we will then hold a drawing for prizes. More details to follow. What you can do for us! - Be active! Come to our events and meetings! Make sure you vote when voting comes up! - Stay informed! You should receive meeting minutes after every meeting. If you do not receive the minutes, email one of the officers so we can find out why you are not receiving emails. You will receive email reminders for all events, meetings and opportunities that the chapter offers. - Help spread the word! You will be sent every flyer that we post to get the word out about events and meetings. We encourage you to print and post the flyer where you work to help us get the word out. Committees and Committee Updates - All committees are looking for you to join them. If there is a committee that you are interested in, please let your liaison or any officer know RIGHT NOW! Committees are starting to meet now. - NZKW o The committee in the Bronx will meet on Jan 27th. Our goal is to have NZKW celebrated at all 5 parks to some capacity this year. o Bronx Zoo last year offered showcasing of poster presentations and artwork from staff members, a silent auction of most of the artwork, animal care staff appreciation awards, a social night with a scavenger hunt. During our members’ night, we had a station where we were able to talk to the public about zoo keeping and our organization and we had a kids station with crayons and coloring sheets that were made by staff and supporters. o Queens Zoo offer a collage of photos and signage around the park along with set enrichment times with keeper chats for the public. - Chopsticks for Salamanders o Lauren Augustine, a former WCS keeper started this organization a year ago. Its purpose it to create awareness about the overuse of disposable wooden chopsticks. We sell stainless steel chopsticks with pamphlet info about the organization for $10. o Let’s get awareness out! Please go to your favorite Asian food spots and ask if they can at least post up signage about using less chopsticks and using renewable chopsticks. If you would like signage or handout information, please contact an officer. o We are looking into restaurant option to hold an event. We are focusing on all you can eat/drink sushi spots and Chinese food with free wine. If anyone has any suggestions, please let us know! - Travel Grant Committee o Travel Grant Deadlines in April and October for $500 each. o If you are interested in going to a conference, workshop or other professional development event, this grant is for you! Please see our website (bronxzooaazk.blogspot.com) for grant application details. You can refer to the BZAC 2013 calendars for most of the conferences and workshops available this year. o Also, we are offering a travel grant for the conference to waive the registration fee. - Bar-nanza o We would like the person whose charity wins the votes of membership to help with planning the event. We are looking for a new location central to all facilities- any suggestions? o We will be voting on the charity to fundraise for at the Feb 20th meeting. - Girl Scouts o We go to girl scout meetings and talk to kids about the value of enrichment and zoo keeping We have plans set for all age ranges. For the younger groups we give the girls basic information and they make enrichment that does not involve tools. When we hold meetings with the older girls, we work more on getting the girls to think about the enrichment, its purpose and its application. If you know of any troops that would be interested or want to help, let us know. We are open to spreading this program to other area in the city and to boy scout troops. - Enrichment Committee o The committee is in charge of everything enrichment related including the Enrichment Bonanza. They have set up the bonanza multiple ways, the last enrichment bonanzas were set with stations of making specific enrichment so that we can together create and share ideas. - Calendar Committee o We are hoping to start the committee earlier than past years so we can sell the calendars much earlier in the year. o We were given a tip from one of the BZ zoo keepers about Overstock.com’s calendar prices and are eager to look into options for our chapter. o We also hope to have a photo contest- more info to follow. - BFR o The committee will be looking into another bowling alley tomorrow in hopes for a better deal so that we can raise more money for rhino conservation. o The committee is asking all members and supporters to help gather items for the silent auction. The silent auction is how we get to raise the most money for rhino conservation. o The committee is also will be asking for volunteers to assist with the setup and breakdown of the signage and the silent auction during the event. - Volunteer Opportunities Committee o The goal was to find local projects for staff to get involved with- like beach clean-ups, shelter volunteering, etc. o There is currently no one in this committee, so we are especially looking for members in this committee. Guest Speakers - We want more guest speakers! Please give [email protected] an email saying one person that you would love to hear speak and one person who you have a connection with that could speak at a meeting. Involvement with conservation and WCS projects - WCS has great programs that would benefit our members to be a part of. Frogwatch, Run for the Wild, T.I.G.E.R program (Together In Getting Everyone Reading). We will help provide information on WCS based events that are great opportunities for professional growth and for fundraising. DECEMBER 20, 2012
In Attendance: Sara Koplish, Mike Wrubel, Lacy Clifford, Lisa Walker, Sara Parker, Melanie Weber, Katelyn Keyes, Cindy Maur Voting: -A quorum was reached for the online voting for the officer positions and all candidates were voted into their positions; however Megan Baumer will no longer be working at WCS come the new year, so there is currently an open secretary position. -If anyone is interested in filling the vacant secretary position please contact a current officer immediately. If one person steps forward, then they will fill the position; however if more than one person steps forward, then membership will vote online to choose the next secretary. -Sara Parker is interested in filling the position. Silent Auction -Silent Auction was a success. Thank you to everyone who donated, participated and helped facilitate it. Upcoming Events -Party- Considering how busy this season is, we opted to turn our chapter's holiday party into a new year party. It should be happening in January. Stay tuned! -Panel Discussion- The panel discussion will take place in February. Treasury Update -Amy and Sara have been working together to make the transition for the treasurer position smooth for the coming year. -We currently have over $3000 in our bank account. Membership -Please renew your membership or become a new member asap! -Chapter membership is now $15 per year and National AAZK dues are $45 per year. -Benefits for becoming a member include discounts on events and merchandise or free events, voting on issues that affect the chapter, eligibility to apply for our bi-annual travel grant, and a warm fuzzy feeling! -We are looking for people to renew and become members asap also so that we can represent our diverse members when we vote for a name change in efforts to further incorporate all of the WCS facilities. Committee Openings -We are looking to fill some vacant spots in our committees. If you are interested in any of the following committees, please contact your chapter officers. -Bowling for Rhinos -National Zoo Keeper Week -Travel Grant -Enrichment -Girl Scouts -Calendar Calendars -We were able to purchase calendars for a highly discounted price which means less money that the chapter has to front for the calendars and we will receive more profits from the calendars! -Calendars are currently available! Please contact your officers or facility representative for your 2013 calendar. -Prices are $15 for non-members, $12 for members, $10 for people who donated a picture that was used in the calendar. Discount prices are limited to 1 per person. -Katelyn made us aware of another website where we can get a better price for the calendars in the future. Enrichment Contest -We went over details listed in the flyers that were handed out and encouraged people to participate especially for the prizes which are $300, $200, or $100 to spend. -The deadline to apply is Dec 21st. Enrichment Bonanza -We made great enrichment for our animals!! Bronx Zoo AAZK Chapter Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 20, 2012 I. Officer Elections a. Each candidate gave a short speech on their intentions and qualifications for the four positions. i. Robin Sutker is running unopposed for President ii. Cindy Maur is running unopposed for Vice President iii. Sara Koplish is running unopposed for Treasurer iv. Megan Baumer is running unopposed for Secretary b. Voting begins after this meeting and continues until next month’s meeting on Dec. 20th. i. Please check the BZAC website for information and the link to vote for these candidates. II. Enrichment Bonanza a. Most likely will be held during the January 20th meeting. b. Looking to make the event more streamlined and have stations for specific items as well as one station for those to make any item(s) of their interest. c. Cindy informed the chapter that there is the potential that Business Services will host an enrichment contest for keepers that BZAC was asked to facilitate. i. We should look into combining this somehow with the Bonanza. ii. The top 3 prizes will be $100 for 3rd, $200 for 2nd place, and $300 for 1st. iii. The prize money must be used to purchase enrichment for the animal(s) of the winner(s) choice. iv. Since this is still not guaranteed, details are yet to be determined. III. Calendar a. Lots of photos have been submitted. (Thank you to those who contributed!) b. Like last year, the calendar will include important dates for animal keepers regarding conferences, workshops, classes, etc. c. The best estimate received is from Staples and their offer is $799 for 100 calendars. d. Looking to sell the calendars for $20 to non-members, $15 to members, and $10 for those with a photo in the calendar. i. The discount prices will only be given for one calendar per person. e. Last year, 60 calendars were sold at a much later date in the year (near January). i. We are trying to purchase the calendars ASAP in order to have them to sell at the Silent Auction (Dec. 3) and in time for departmental holiday parties. f. We have been approved to sell these at Zoo Center again g. There was a suggestion to sell the calendars to the department heads to put them up in all installations. h. We are looking to sell these around the Bronx zoo, as well as at other WCS facilities. i. A motion was put forward to decrease the prices of the calendars to $15 for non-members, $12 for members, and $10 for those with a photo in the calendar. i. This was voted on and the motion passed. j. Discussed increasing the number of calendars purchased in order to decrease the price per calendar. i. It was decided to stay at 100 calendars for this year and we can re-evaluate next year or if demand is enough to purchase more this year. k. We are hoping to start the calendars even earlier next year, even if some conferences, classes, etc. have not yet announced their dates/details. These will just not be printed in the calendar. l. The motion was presented to vote on the chapter spending $800-1000 for the 100 calendars. i. A unanimous vote passed this motion. IV. Chapter Fee a. Web results reported 8 votes in favor, and 1 opposed to lowering the chapter membership fee. i. The motion for lowering the membership fee for BZAC was passed, and will be lowered from $25 to $15. V. Silent Auction a. This is running from Dec. 3-8 in the Executive Dining Room portion of the Staff Dining room. i. We will try to have someone manning the area as much as possible in order to manage the auction, sell calendars and sell Chopsticks. ii. Discussed trying an online component of the auction for next year. iii. Please let Megan Baumer know if you are interested in helping out, specifically with set-up (~9 AM Dec. 3) or take-down (just after 2PM Dec. 8). 1. This cannot be done during your work hours, so if you have the day off, it would be greatly appreciated. VI. BZAC Holiday Get-Together a. Cindy and Robin visited many possible locations and are looking to have it at a bar in the Midtown Manhattan area. b. They are looking to get drink/food specials and BZAC may even purchase some things for the members. c. Possibly will involve a cover price; this will be cheaper for members. d. Still looking to raffle off a membership to AAZK National to one member and to one non-member. VII. Chopsticks for Salamanders a. They are offering a grant this year for salamander conservation. b. We need to decide on a price for us to sell the chopsticks at. i. The chopsticks are stainless steel; they come in a pouch and include an informational pamphlet about the conservation effort. ii. Lauren Augustine (Head of CFS) got a grant to purchase the chopsticks and therefore cost our chapter nothing to have them. 1. Lauren requests that they are sold at a minimum of $10. a. Since research shows that these can be purchased at a much cheaper price, the members decided to not ask for more than $10 per pair. VIII. New Meeting Ideas! a. Meet at Dave and Busters in the city and hold the meeting there b. More Guest Speakers – please let us know if you have any suggestions. Bronx Zoo AAZK Chapter Meeting Minutes
20 May 2012 1) Barnanza is coming up May 31st at Turtle Bay Tavern, 987 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022 and 52nd street a. Entrance fee will be $15. This will include two free drinks and half price drinking/ appetizers from 7-10 p.m. b. There will be a TSA sponsored auction; items include two happy hours and gifts. If you’d like to contribute, please talk to an officer or committee member. c. All are welcome! 2) The next presentation evening will be June 27th 2012 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. a. This will be similar to the AEP presentation evening b. The theme is research, conducted at the zoo or in the field c. Presentations will be 10-15 minutes with 5 minutes after each presentation for questions d. Jim Breheny is assisting and the zoo will fund it e. If you would like to present, please contact Cindy or Daphne 3) Girl Scouts a. Committee members have worked with several troops of different ages b. The committee would like to bring troops in to see their enrichment in action: so far they have been able to show pictures and offer feedback c. The committee is happy to collect materials you have and will try to get a drop box at the mammal office 4) Bowling for Rhinos will be August 27th at Chelsea Piers a. The deal will be similar to last year, price includes pizza, 2 drink tickets and a game car b. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: all ticket sales will be in advance. i. You can purchase tickets online through paypal or from a committee members in person ii. The committee hopes to begin tickets sales by July 1st c. BFR could use help soliciting local businesses (especially in the outer boroughs) for silent auction prizes, please see a committee member if you can help 5) Many thanks to Pete Braizitis for his excellent presentation! Bronx Zoo AAZK Chapter Meeting Minutes
20 April 2012 A) Updates a. Volunteer opportunities committee has been reaching out to various groups looking for opportunities that would fit (Bronx River Alliance, One Million Trees, Wolf Conservation Center, Park & Rec); more information to come b. National Keeper week committee has their first meeting coming up c. Barnanza is looking at venues d. Presentation Evening committee i. The next event will be in June ii. If you would like to present, please see a committee member e. Bowling for Rhinos is well under way! i. Date: 27 August 2012 ii. Event will begin at 7 p.m. with bowling from 7:30-9:00 p.m. iii. Online purchasing will be stressed iv. The top individual fundraiser nationally will win a trip to Africa from AAZK National v. The committee is looking for silent auction donations f. Enrichment Bonanza i. There are plenty of items in the enrichment trailer from the event if anyone would like any! g. Keepers have begun meeting with several Girl Scout troops and begun making items i. If anyone has anything to add to the wish list, they are still open for new ideas. B) New ideas a. Would is be possible to start an AAZK garden by Pere David deer? i. Josh is on board, but many details still need to be worked out b. Would BZAC members like to make suggestions for an at home pet enrichment brochure? C) Danielle presented her grant proposal and was approved by membership to receive the first biannual BZAC Travel Grant!!!! D) Melissa (Mo) gave a presentation on her work at Queen’s zoo. a. Mo is the vet tech at Queens, and has taken great strides to participate in the lives of the animals. Her presence at training sessions has helped desensitize the animals in case medical emergencies! b. It’s great for members at the Bronx Zoo to learn more about how the city zoos face the unique challenges they face; they do not have vets or a hospital on grounds, Mo’s involvement can help ensure medical problems are recognized as soon as they present. E) Many thanks to the Queens and Prospect Park members that made the trip! Bronx Zoo AAZK Chapter Meeting Minutes
20 March 2012 What a GREAT Enrichment Bonanza! Many Thanks to the committee for a great evening! A special thanks to those who travelled from other zoos to be there! 1) BZAC was asked to put our chapter on a petition lobbying to make the American bison the National Mammal. Membership voted in favor of the initiative! 2) Deadlines are upcoming! a. Please pay your membership dues for 2012. b. Travel grant applications are due 1 April. 3) BZAC is talking about a name change! a. Although we held one online vote to change BZAC’s name to include the other parks, some concerns have been expressed. b. We will be voting online whether or not to uphold the original vote. The other option is to wait for staff at the city zoos to join and voice their opinion. 4) We had three great presentations to determine the benefactor of Barnanza 2012. a. The race was close, but the Turtle Survival Alliance will once again receive funds raised at Barnanza. 5) Enrichment Bonanza was a huge success. a. Many paper machete items were made at the paper machete station b. We won fun prizes at the enrichment item raffle. c. What a turnout! Twenty-three people participated in last night’s festivities! |
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