NYC
AAZK Meeting Minutes: September 22, 2017 – Congo Movie Theatre, Bronx Zoo
In attendance: Gabrielle Rosato, Jessica Chin, Brent Atkinson, Joe Borsellino,
Omara Aviles, Joe Nappi
Carolyn
Rezckalla, Guests: Sol (FOZ) + Guest, Leanne
National Zoo Keeper Week:
- Thank you to all the keepers and staff that helped out to make this event a
success!
- New Social Media glasses utilized to present keeper stories, great reception
- Silent Auction in new location in Schiff Hall made approximately $1000 for the
chapter
Bowling for Rhinos:
- $2,500 profit for the event
- Our overhead is eating into a lot of our profits. New ideas for next year?
New location?
- Extra Special thanks to Amy for stepping in to head Bowling for Rhinos after
Taylor left WCS
- Thank you to Sarah, and all the volunteers that helped out the night of the
event!
Hurricane Relief Movie Night Fundraiser:
- $300 raised, which will be donated to AZA’s Hurricane Harvey & Irma
Employee Relief Fud
- This money will help out zoo staff affected by the hurricanes in Texas and
Florida
- Thank you to all who came out to the movie night and helped raise money!
Upcoming Events:
Thursday October 12: Beach Clean-up
- Orchard Beach. Planning being
coordinated by Lauren Del Grosso
Thursday October 19: Croctoberfest
- Gunhill Brewery. Planning being
coordinated by Reptile Department
Monday November 13: Alamo Drafthouse Movie Night (tentative date)
- Movie selection to be voted on
(need to pick a movie already out on DVD to keep the cost down)
- 26 seat theatre will be rented out
exclusively for AAZK
December: AAZK Executive Team Elections
- We have several positions opening
up this year. Think about running! Our team will guide you!
- We will need a new treasurer and
secretary this upcoming year
2017 Donations to Date:
- $300 to Trees for You and Me
reforestation campaign
- $300 to AZA Hurricane Relief Fund
- $360 to the Foundation for the
Conservation of Salamanders
- $500 to WCS Pakistan Program
- $2,565 Bowling for Rhinos Fund
Meeting Minutes: May 2017
NYC AAZK Meeting: Friday May 5, 2017 ⁃ Flaherty Learning Center
In attendance: Kenny, Brent, Joe B., Mike, Gabi, Aniko, Amy, Lisa, Carolyn, Joe N, Paid Members: Michelle M., Aniko T., Niya C., Lauren F., Joe N., Brittney M., Elizabeth M., Taylor R.
Member dues: ⁃ $15 members of AAZK national ⁃ $25 for non national members
⁃ Benefits: discounts on Bowling for Rhinos, access to applying for the annual Travel Grant, chapter voting
⁃ There are currently 10 members
Ice Skating fundraiser:
⁃ Yonkers Murray Memorial Skating Rink
⁃ $300 raised for Trees for you and me reforestation program
⁃ 16 people in attendance
Regional Symposium:
⁃ 130 representing 27 different facilities in attendance!
⁃ Dessert Plastics, Bogs Boots and Blunderstone boot door prizes
⁃ Special thanks to all of the keepers that gave tours, animal department managers for helping to facilitate the
event, Randi Winter for designing our custom made map and providing TEX tickets, Joe Padilla from IT for
all his assistance, Priscilla and the Events team for setting up Schiff Hall, Kimio Honda and the EGAD
department for our awesome symposium sign design, Pat Thomas for giving the opening remarks, and Jim
Breheny for his support.
⁃ Thank you to our volunteers that came in to help run the event on their day off: Lisa Walker, Amy Golden,
Aniko Totha, Gabrielle Rosata, Brent Atkinson, Taylor Ritz, Joe Nappi and Mike Masiello
⁃ Approximately $1,400 in profit
⁃ Behind the Scenes Tours: World of Birds, Aquatic Birds, Hospital, Congo, Madagascar, Reptile House
⁃ Keeper demos and talks: Bat training/Bug room, Giraffe training, Tiger demo, Gelada talk
Cinco de Salamander:
⁃ Thank you Carolyn for the amazing decorations!
⁃ 17 people in attendance
⁃ $360 made which will be donated to the Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders Upcoming:
National Zookeeper Week:
⁃ looking for committee volunteers
⁃ 3rd week of July
⁃ Social media outreach, education stations and games for the public, keeper chats, AAZK Silent Auction
Travel Grant:
⁃ $1000 annual professional development grant
⁃ Deadline Aug 1st
Bat Survey:
⁃ More info to follow Bat Surveying
⁃ Talking to Colleen McCann about AAZK assisting in collecting bat data at the Bronx Zoo over the summer.
Bowling for Rhinos:
⁃ Thank you Taylor Ritz for heading up the committee!
⁃ Bowlero Alley in Woodside, Queens
⁃ Deposit approved by members
⁃ Monday August 14th ⁃ Need volunteers to help get auction items and help with setup the day of. Ideas for
Future Event Ideas:
⁃ Paint night
⁃ Obstacle course
⁃ Alamo Drafthouse event
⁃ Summer Video Games Night
⁃ Hose to Habitat Workshop
In attendance: Kenny, Brent, Joe B., Mike, Gabi, Aniko, Amy, Lisa, Carolyn, Joe N, Paid Members: Michelle M., Aniko T., Niya C., Lauren F., Joe N., Brittney M., Elizabeth M., Taylor R.
Member dues: ⁃ $15 members of AAZK national ⁃ $25 for non national members
⁃ Benefits: discounts on Bowling for Rhinos, access to applying for the annual Travel Grant, chapter voting
⁃ There are currently 10 members
Ice Skating fundraiser:
⁃ Yonkers Murray Memorial Skating Rink
⁃ $300 raised for Trees for you and me reforestation program
⁃ 16 people in attendance
Regional Symposium:
⁃ 130 representing 27 different facilities in attendance!
⁃ Dessert Plastics, Bogs Boots and Blunderstone boot door prizes
⁃ Special thanks to all of the keepers that gave tours, animal department managers for helping to facilitate the
event, Randi Winter for designing our custom made map and providing TEX tickets, Joe Padilla from IT for
all his assistance, Priscilla and the Events team for setting up Schiff Hall, Kimio Honda and the EGAD
department for our awesome symposium sign design, Pat Thomas for giving the opening remarks, and Jim
Breheny for his support.
⁃ Thank you to our volunteers that came in to help run the event on their day off: Lisa Walker, Amy Golden,
Aniko Totha, Gabrielle Rosata, Brent Atkinson, Taylor Ritz, Joe Nappi and Mike Masiello
⁃ Approximately $1,400 in profit
⁃ Behind the Scenes Tours: World of Birds, Aquatic Birds, Hospital, Congo, Madagascar, Reptile House
⁃ Keeper demos and talks: Bat training/Bug room, Giraffe training, Tiger demo, Gelada talk
Cinco de Salamander:
⁃ Thank you Carolyn for the amazing decorations!
⁃ 17 people in attendance
⁃ $360 made which will be donated to the Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders Upcoming:
National Zookeeper Week:
⁃ looking for committee volunteers
⁃ 3rd week of July
⁃ Social media outreach, education stations and games for the public, keeper chats, AAZK Silent Auction
Travel Grant:
⁃ $1000 annual professional development grant
⁃ Deadline Aug 1st
Bat Survey:
⁃ More info to follow Bat Surveying
⁃ Talking to Colleen McCann about AAZK assisting in collecting bat data at the Bronx Zoo over the summer.
Bowling for Rhinos:
⁃ Thank you Taylor Ritz for heading up the committee!
⁃ Bowlero Alley in Woodside, Queens
⁃ Deposit approved by members
⁃ Monday August 14th ⁃ Need volunteers to help get auction items and help with setup the day of. Ideas for
Future Event Ideas:
⁃ Paint night
⁃ Obstacle course
⁃ Alamo Drafthouse event
⁃ Summer Video Games Night
⁃ Hose to Habitat Workshop
Meeting Minutes: January 2017
NYC AAZK Meeting – January 30, 2017
In attendance: Carolyn Rezkalla, Leela Samaroo, Michelle Blatz, Brent Atkinson, Leah Simoncek, Joe Borsellino, Tim Mohl, Nyssa Turner, Elizabeth Mills, Alyssa May, Amy Golden, Maryellen Constantino, Heather Tassler, Vanessa Jones, Taylor Ritz, Lauren DelGrosso, Bill Doyle, Lisa Walker, Joe Nappi
2017 NYC AAZK Exec Team:
Joe Nappi – President, Lisa Walker – New Vice President, Avi Shuter – Secretary, Amy Golden – Treasurer
2016 Year in Review:
March Ice Skating Conservation Fundraiser: $777 Trees for You and Me reforestation project
May Cinco de Rhino: $670 (put towards Bowling for Rhinos fund)
May Rented out private theatre at the Alamo Drafthouse
National Zoo Keeper Week Silent Auction: $1,600 (successful keeper chats, social media presence)
August Bronx River Alliance volunteering to clean up river
August Bowling for Rhinos: $7,000, 175 people attended
September Paint Night Fundraiser: $300 Baton Rouge Zoo keeper flood relief
Croctoberfest: $1,300 raised WCS Crocodilian conservation projects. Over 70 people attended
Dues: $15 members of AAZK National, $25 for non-national members
- Benefits: Access to $1000 annual Travel Grant, discounts for AAZK events, voting on AAZK business,
priority reservations for upcoming Regional Symposium
Participation:
- We would like to make AAZK as inclusive as possible, and have people participate to whatever level
they are most comfortable. Help shape the future of our chapter by joining one of our committees, or
by organizing your own event.
- Interested in organizing a particular volunteer outing? Want to raise money for a specific conservation
issue, animal or other cause? Reach out to us and we’ll help you organize your event!
Committees: Inquire at nycaazk@gmail.com if you are interested in joining a committee!
Travel Grant: Review annual travel grant applications
Conservation Committee: Help steer the chapter’s volunteering and fundraising efforts
World Animal Days: Help organize keeper talks and events revolving around World Animal Days
National Zoo Keeper Week: Join the committee to help put together this signature event.
Bowling for Rhinos – Spearhead organizing AAZK’s largest annual fundraiser
Animal Planet ‘Unofficial Premiere’
- 50/50 Raffle to benefit NYC AAZK
- Be sure to RSVP whether you are going or not to allow other zoo departments to be invited should
space permit.
4th Annual Northeast Regional Symposium:
- Wednesday April 26, 2017 at the Bronx Zoo
- Up to 150 keepers will be admitted into the event
- 30 spots to be reserved for WCS keepers, with priority being given to NYC AAZK members
- Free zoo admission and parking for non WCS keepers
- Behind the Scenes tours will be offered during the day
- 15 keeper presentations in the evening, with a one hour pizza dinner break during the session
- March 1st: Deadline to submit presentation abstracts to nycaazk@gmail.com for review
- Flaherty Learning Center will be utilized for the presentations
- Possible silent auction/other fundraising options during the event to raise additional money
- Funds from the symposium will go towards hosting a larger national AAZK conference down the road
- Suggestion (Vanessa Jones ) highlighting squeezes/enrichment at Bronx, encouraging keepers from
other zoos to bring photos of their zoo -equipment, enrichment, etc.
- AAZK exec team will be setting up an interdepartmental meeting to help organize the event
- We are looking for keepers that are off Wednesdays to volunteer to help run the event
Chapter Fundraising Ideas:
Postcards
Calendars
Ostrich eggs/Peacock feathers
Enrichment at Home packet
Honey from World Birds
Up and Coming Events (all event dates not yet finalized):
Enrichment Night with Families
Ice Skating
Alamo Drafthouse Night
Cinco de Salamander Fundraiser
March Members Meeting
In attendance: Carolyn Rezkalla, Leela Samaroo, Michelle Blatz, Brent Atkinson, Leah Simoncek, Joe Borsellino, Tim Mohl, Nyssa Turner, Elizabeth Mills, Alyssa May, Amy Golden, Maryellen Constantino, Heather Tassler, Vanessa Jones, Taylor Ritz, Lauren DelGrosso, Bill Doyle, Lisa Walker, Joe Nappi
2017 NYC AAZK Exec Team:
Joe Nappi – President, Lisa Walker – New Vice President, Avi Shuter – Secretary, Amy Golden – Treasurer
2016 Year in Review:
March Ice Skating Conservation Fundraiser: $777 Trees for You and Me reforestation project
May Cinco de Rhino: $670 (put towards Bowling for Rhinos fund)
May Rented out private theatre at the Alamo Drafthouse
National Zoo Keeper Week Silent Auction: $1,600 (successful keeper chats, social media presence)
August Bronx River Alliance volunteering to clean up river
August Bowling for Rhinos: $7,000, 175 people attended
September Paint Night Fundraiser: $300 Baton Rouge Zoo keeper flood relief
Croctoberfest: $1,300 raised WCS Crocodilian conservation projects. Over 70 people attended
Dues: $15 members of AAZK National, $25 for non-national members
- Benefits: Access to $1000 annual Travel Grant, discounts for AAZK events, voting on AAZK business,
priority reservations for upcoming Regional Symposium
Participation:
- We would like to make AAZK as inclusive as possible, and have people participate to whatever level
they are most comfortable. Help shape the future of our chapter by joining one of our committees, or
by organizing your own event.
- Interested in organizing a particular volunteer outing? Want to raise money for a specific conservation
issue, animal or other cause? Reach out to us and we’ll help you organize your event!
Committees: Inquire at nycaazk@gmail.com if you are interested in joining a committee!
Travel Grant: Review annual travel grant applications
Conservation Committee: Help steer the chapter’s volunteering and fundraising efforts
World Animal Days: Help organize keeper talks and events revolving around World Animal Days
National Zoo Keeper Week: Join the committee to help put together this signature event.
Bowling for Rhinos – Spearhead organizing AAZK’s largest annual fundraiser
Animal Planet ‘Unofficial Premiere’
- 50/50 Raffle to benefit NYC AAZK
- Be sure to RSVP whether you are going or not to allow other zoo departments to be invited should
space permit.
4th Annual Northeast Regional Symposium:
- Wednesday April 26, 2017 at the Bronx Zoo
- Up to 150 keepers will be admitted into the event
- 30 spots to be reserved for WCS keepers, with priority being given to NYC AAZK members
- Free zoo admission and parking for non WCS keepers
- Behind the Scenes tours will be offered during the day
- 15 keeper presentations in the evening, with a one hour pizza dinner break during the session
- March 1st: Deadline to submit presentation abstracts to nycaazk@gmail.com for review
- Flaherty Learning Center will be utilized for the presentations
- Possible silent auction/other fundraising options during the event to raise additional money
- Funds from the symposium will go towards hosting a larger national AAZK conference down the road
- Suggestion (Vanessa Jones ) highlighting squeezes/enrichment at Bronx, encouraging keepers from
other zoos to bring photos of their zoo -equipment, enrichment, etc.
- AAZK exec team will be setting up an interdepartmental meeting to help organize the event
- We are looking for keepers that are off Wednesdays to volunteer to help run the event
Chapter Fundraising Ideas:
Postcards
Calendars
Ostrich eggs/Peacock feathers
Enrichment at Home packet
Honey from World Birds
Up and Coming Events (all event dates not yet finalized):
Enrichment Night with Families
Ice Skating
Alamo Drafthouse Night
Cinco de Salamander Fundraiser
March Members Meeting
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