Meeting Minutes: September 2018

NYC AAZK Meeting Minutes

Prospect Park Zoo - September 4, 2018

Prospect Park Zoo Keeper Presentation Night
- Thank you to the Prospect Park Keeper staff, especially
  Sarah Parker who helped spearhead the event!
- Four presentations were given which included topics on
  training zebu, calitrichid management, dingo introductions
  techniques, and an outline of an insect diversity study at PPZ.
- We were also shown the PPZ big headed turtle propagation area
  as well as how the insect studies are conducted.
- 20 keepers attended, included 5 from the Bronx (representing
  the Mammal, Bird and Special Animal Exhibit departments),
  3 keepers from Central Park Zoo, and 2 keepers and a vet
  tech from Queens Zoo.
- This was the first AAZK event at PPZ. This was also the first year
  that NYC AAZK has hosted events at all 5 WCS parks in one year
- We would love to continue to rotate events around between the
  different parks to help WCS keepers network and share knowledge
  with each other. Any ideas for future events would be greatly appreciated!

AAZK ideas:
- Mo from Queens: Howling for Howlers karaoke fundraiser,
  Archery for Andeans (Andean bear fundraiser)
- Mo is also trying to get Dr. Cohen, a vet who specializes in
  compassion fatigue to speak at an AAZK meeting.
- Mo also found a roller rink on Long Island that is giving away
  the chance to host a fundraiser there. We are looking into it
- Mo also has a contact that works with the Turtle Survival Alliance
  that might come talk to our AAZK chapter about opportunities to
  receive grants to do field work.
- John from Central Park would like to look into hosting a Pints for Penguins
  event, and also explore if there is a central meeting area for events
  that are convenient to the different WCS parks.
- As always, NYC AAZK wants to hear your ideas! Want to host an event,
  organize a group clean up or fundraiser, let us know and we can help
  you facilitate the event! We would love to have keepers from around the
  different WCS parks participate and organize events around the city.

Upcoming AAZK Events:

Women's Leadership Meeting
  - Tuesday September 18th, Bronx Zoo
  - The WCS Women's Leadership Group wants to hear from WCS female keeper
    staff about their thoughts & opinions on what its like to work for WCS, and to have
    keeper voices included in the ongoing Women's Leadership discussions.
  - The meeting will be held at the Bronx Zoo. If anyone from the other parks
    would like to participate, let us know and we will figure out a way to get
    you involved in the meeting.

3rd Annual Croctoberfest
 - Date to be announced, Gun Hill Brewery
 - Looking into getting beer glasses & possibly T-shirts this year
 - Supports WCS Crocodilian conservation projects

Alamo Drafthouse Night
  - November date to be announced
  - We will be renting out a 25 seat theater at the Alamo in Yonkers and
    watching a newly released film.

Dr. Conway lecture

  - Date to be announced
  - He will be discussing his long and influential history with WCS

December AAZK Election:
- Interested in getting more involved in shaping NYC AAZK?
  We are always looking for eager, enthusiastic people to join the
  exec team! If you have any questions about any of the positions, please let
  us know. 

Meeting Minutes: August 2018

New York Aquarium: 8/24/2018 

National Zoo Keeper Week:
- Thank you to all who gave keeper chats throughout the week
- Several keepers also wrote Wild View Blogs, and zoo keeper
  related blogs for the WCS blog site
- We made $1300 from our silent auction, which helps to cover
  chapter expenses, and can be utilized for future travel grants 

Queens Bat Walk:
- Special thanks to Colleen McCann, Mike Wrubel and Craig Gibbs

  for taking us around the Queens Zoo for a bat survey
- 12 AAZK members attended the bat walk 
- There was a ton of great bat activity, and a special bat detector app
  allowed us to identity each species, see the sound waves for each
  call, and hear the calls as well

Bowling for Rhinos:
- We made over $3500 and had 85 people were in attendance!
- The variety of events was a big hit, especially laser tag
- Thank you to Lauren Del Grosso organizing the event!

- Next year we will strive to have optional timed events so that there are
  group laser tag, ping pong, bowling sessions, etc
- Any other suggestions on how we can improve the event for next year
  would be greatly appreciated. 

New York Aquarium Night:
- Special thanks to the New York Aquarium staff, especially our tour guide
  Cris Silva for providing us with a behind the scenes tour of Ocean Wonders!
- 15 AAZK members attended the event, including representatives from
  the Bronx, Central Park and Queens Zoos. 

Bee Garden;

- Lauren Del Grosso would like to propose setting up a bee garden near
  the dump at the Bronx Zoo to attract bees, and help them as they
  continue to suffer from continued colony collapses

Upcoming AAZK Events:

Prospect Park Zoo Presentation Night
  - Tuesday September 4, 2018
  - PPZ keepers will be presenting about training, enrichment and will 

    give us the latest updates from PPZ

  - Pizza will be served

Women's Leadership Group Meeting

  - Date TBD in September
  - The WCS Women's Leadership Group is partnering with NYC AAZK
     and would like to hear from WCS female keepers about their views of
     working for WCS

3rd Annual Croctoberfest
  - Date TBD in October
  - Come out to to Gunhill Brewery to support WCS's crocodilian
    conservation efforts!

3rd Annual Alamo Drafthouse Night
 - November, after the switch over to winter hours
 - We will be renting out a private 25 seat theater at the Alamo
   Drafthouse in Yonkers to watch a newly released film

As always, and thoughts, or suggestions for future events would be
greatly appreciated! Want to host a fundraiser, organize a volunteer outing
or simply get more involved in AAZK? We will help facilitate any events
and ideas that are brought forward!

Meeting Minutes: September 2017

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

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.


4^th 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 1^st: 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

Meeting Minutes: August 2016

NYC AAZK General Meeting Minutes:
- Tuesday August 2, 2016
  Bronx Zoo – Dancing Crane Outdoor Seating

Present: E. Mowatt, A. Shuter, M. Blatz, J. Elkins, A. Armstrong, M. Medina, L. Simoncek,
K. Jones, H. Tassler, N. Turner, and J. Nappi (phone).

National Zoo Keeper Week
- Overall, the week was very successful and keepers were pleased with signage and help from
  the Education Department.
-Staff was curious about why Takeover posts were altered to use just three posts per keeper
-Idea was proposed for next year: that several WCS keepers be introduced daily throughout
 nzkw, rather than following one keeper per day.
- A meeting will be set up with Randi & Melissa to discuss the successes and areas of
 improvement for next year

Silent Auction:
- Approximately $1,600 made at the auction!
- Next auction will take place during the Holiday Season

Bowling for Rhinos:
- Buy your tickets! Visit the NYC AAZK website http://nycaazk.blogspot.com/ for purchase
- Monday August 15th
- Erin recruited a few people to volunteer setting up for the event.

Bronx River Alliance Clean-up:
- Joe met with Joseph Sanchez, outreach coordinator & Michelle Luebke, ecology director
- Monday August 8th Bronx River Clean-up
- There was interest in the field trip though not many solid commitments yet.
- The Alliance is very excited to meet with our chapter, and is planning future projects with us.
- Looking into a fall invasive plant removal project & future river clean-up events

Paint Bar Night:
- September: Location is still TBD.

Croctoberfest:
- Beer drinking for croc fundraising at Gun Hill Brewery – Chinese Alligators

Family Keeper Presentation & Enrichment Night:
- Still looking for a time… likely in November
- Elizabeth Mills is spear heading this event.

December:
- Holiday Silent Auction

Travel Grant Report:
-Michelle Medina – Felid Tag overview (recipient of $1000 AAZK Travel Grant)
-Conference dealt mainly with safety. Relied heavily on the book “Emotional Intelligence 2.0.”
-Michelle stressed that keepers should be alert when unlocking locks (“Your keys are a loaded
 weapon”), and shouldn’t be afraid to ask colleagues for help or support. Just Cause was also
 discussed, i.e. the difference between intentional and unintentional mistakes.

Safety Drills:
-Keepers expressed significant concern about a lack of knowledge of what to do during
emergencies (animal escapes, active shooter situations, etc.), and requested a conversation with Admin about increasing occurrence of drills.

Meeting Minutes: May 2016

May 27, 2016

In attendance:
Members: Joe Nappi, Erin Mowatt, Amy Golden, Heather Tassler, Elizabeth Mills, Joe Borsellino, Michelle Medina, Brent Atkinson, Nyssa Turner (new member!)
Non-members: Amanda Scherer, Juliet Elkins

Food: Thank you Brent Atkinson for the delicious fudge treats at the meeting!

Fundraiser/Event Summaries:

- March Ice Skating Conservation Fundraiser
       . $777 Raised for Trees for You and Me (voted by AAZK members)
         (Reforestation campaign through AAZK & Polar Bears International)
       . 32 people attended

- Cinco de Rhino
       . $670 raised that will be added to our Bowling for Rhinos Fund (BFR)
       . Raffle items and key chains sold. Key chains were a big hit and will continue to be sold at BFR
       . 36 people attended including Jim Breheny, Pat Thomas, Colleen McCann and Craig Piper
       . There will be alcohol next year
       . Cinco de Rhino was organized mostly to be a fun social event, but also help boost our BFR sales due
         to the large overhead costs for the event. We are looking into fundraisers for other taxa as well.

- May AAZK Movie Night (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
       . Rented our own private 24 seat theatre at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Yonkers
       . 19 people attended
       . Social event

Travel Grant Update:
- Congratulations to Michelle Medina who was awarded $1000 to attend the advanced Felid Conference
   in Denver. She will give a trip report at a future meeting

World Animal Day Update: Jen Loveless
       . Cinco de Rhino – event went well and incorporated a variety of departments such as public
         programming, EGAD, social media, the FOZ and media services.
               - Posters from the event that have messages written by zoo guests for rhino protection unit
                 rangers will be sent out into the field. We have an additional poster to be signed by zoo staff
                 that will go over as well.
       . World Giraffe Day – event is organized. Will be held in mid-June. Look for info about Jen’s California
         Pizza Kitchen giraffe fundraiser in the near future.
       . Future World Animal Days – International Tiger Day (hope to focus on palm oil and incorporate bird
         and reptile departments), October – Bat, Rat & Vulture Days.
        . Randi Winter is working to streamline these events so that we can easily host World Animal Day
         keeper chats throughout the year that will have signage and social media coverage.

Bowling for Rhinos Update: Amy Golden
       . Deposit to rent out the bowling alley was put down.
       . Ticket sales about to go live
       . Michelle Medina will be updating the BFR portion of our website. There will be a donation button
         on the revamped web page with the ability for donors to indicate which bowler they are sponsoring
       . The Event will be held Monday August 15^th 
       . Pushing for personal pledges (Every $25 raised gets you a raffle ticket to submit for a grand prize)
             *If you have any suggestions for grand prizes that would be more suitable for keeper staff, please            
               let us know.
       . Suggestion: Jamberry: Custom nail fundraising (referencing that the keratin that makes up rhino
         horn is the same substance that makes up our fingernails) (suggested by Elizabeth Mills)
       . It should be noted that BFR supports a wide variety of other species beyond just rhinos, including the reptiles, birds, invertebrates,
         mammals, plant life and human communities that live in and around rhino habitat in Africa and Asia. This fundraiser helps to connect the
         various animal departments in WCS with a common cause that benefits many of the taxa we work with on a daily basis.

National Zoo Keeper Week Update: Heather Tassler
       . Zoo Keeper Social Media Take-over (9 to 10 keepers from the different departments/parks)
       . Education (activity center for kids around Dancing Crane. Diet prep station, Pool skimmer
         station, Dress like a keeper station, etc. Adult station to be considered)
       . Formal advertised keeper chats
       . Roving keeper informal keeper chats during a designated hour each day

Calendar Updates:
- AAZK is looking into a variety of fun social activities/fundraisers for the remainder of the year, such as…
        . Summer Games Night (projectors to hook gaming systems up/Board Games in Congo (June)
        . Summer bat walk at the Bronx or Queens Zoo (late summer/early fall)
        . Chopsticks for Salamanders fundraiser
        . Bronx River Volunteer Clean-up (looking into collaborating with Bronx River Alliance)
        . Kingfisher ‘Buy a Feather’ fundraiser in Staff Café
        . Paint Bar Night Fundraiser (Fall)
        . Croctober Fundraiser for Chinese Alligators in October
        . Enrichment Bonanza with Families
        . Keeper Presentation Night
        . Any suggestions? Send in your suggestions to nycaazk@gmail.com

Logo Contest Design Unveiling: Voting to be conducted via Facebook Online Voting
- See attached pictures of the submitted logos.
- Members will vote online for their favorite submission. Members will receive an email when voting goes live.
- Thank you to all that submitted! Submissions by Joe Nappi, Joe Borsellino and Danielle Taylor (PPZ)

Meeting Minutes: March 2016

NYC AAZK Meeting: Friday March 18, 2016
Bronx Zoo Curator’s Room

In Attendance:
Joe Nappi, Erin Mowatt, Amy Golden, Juliet Elkins, Amanda Scherer, Brent Atkinson, Heather Tassler, Bonnie Glover, Mary Gremler, Elizabeth Mills, Kevin Hills, Mike McCue, Erin Minnock, Amanda Hackett, Aniko Totha, Taylor Ritz, Michelle Medina, Jen Loveless, Joe Borsellino, Sara Koplish, Nyssa Turner, Jessica Chin. (We currently have approximately 12 members, 10 present at meeting)

Treasurer’s Report: Amy
- Re-charter successfully submitted
- Dues $15 for members of National AAZK, $25 for people that are not a national member
--------------------------------------------------------
Bowling for Rhinos: Amy Golden
- Monday August 15^th tentatively scheduled
- Same bowling alley as last year in Queens
- Second bar tender requested
--------------------------------------------------------
Grant Committee:
- Members present at the meeting  voted for the April 1^st deadline to remain for 2016 and for the
  deadline to be moved to August 1^st starting in 2017 to coincide with the awarding of AEP grants.
- Grant applications available at http://nycaazk.blogspot.com/p/travel-grant.html
--------------------------------------------------------
Cinco de Rhino:
- Looking into catering Mexican food in Flaherty and have attendees pay a nominal fee for entrance to
  the event
- This will help jump start our Bowling for Rhinos fundraising campaign
-------------------------------
Logo Contest:
- Criteria: NYC themed, animals representing our various parks/depts, must say New York City AAZK
- Joe Borsellino’s dad is a graphic artist. Can transfer and enhance sketches to the computer.
- Deadline May 1^st
-------------------------------
Ice Skating Fundraiser:
- Sunday March 20^th, 5:20-7:20 pm
- Murray Memorial Skating Rink, Yonkers
- $20, paid at the door. Each guest will receive a ticket that they will redeem at the skate rental desk
- We are getting a group discount. Half of your admission price will go to conservation
- Pitches made for what conservation group we want to support
       . Cheetah Conservation Fund – Jessica Chin
       . Jane Goodall’s Roots & Chutes – Juliet Elkins
       . Polar Bear International – Jen Loveless
       . Trees for You and Me (collaboration between AAZK & Polar Bear International) – Joe Nappi
- Members voted for Trees for You and Me to be the recipient of our Ice Skating money. There is a
  competition amongst all AAZK chapters to raise the most money for Trees for You and Me
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Zoo Keeper Week:
- Saturday July 16^th through Sunday July 24^th
- Keeper Gift: What should it be? Should we do one? Heather brought a catalog to the meeting
   - Gift ideas: beer glasses, tote bag w/ Nalgene, gift that supports a conservation group, etc.
   - Traditionally have spent $600-800 per year on past gifts
   - Should we have a special gifts for members of AAZK?
   - We will vote at a future meeting if we want to put up funds for buying gifts

Social Media:
 -Wild View Blogs: try to get keepers from the different parks. Posts for every day of National Zoo Keeper
  Week. Let us know if you are potentially interested in contributing.
- Twitter Take-over
- Roving keepers during a particular hour each day. Stand in front of your favorite animal. Informal chats
- Keeper hourly posts on social media “Day in the life of a keeper.” All posts will be written in advance
  with an accompanying photo and will be posted throughout the day by social media.

National Zoo Keeper Week Interdepartmental meeting tentatively scheduled for April 9^th.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Melissa Nelson Training & Enrichment Newsletter
 - AEP Grant summaries a potential feature of the newsletters
 - Training and enrichment stories.
 - Let us/Melissa know if you are interested in contributing
---------------------------------------------------------------
AAZK Craft Fair: Elizabeth Mills
  - Craft fair could be instead of and/or during traditional AAZK Silent Auctions
  - Donors/AAZK would benefit from items sold (split the profits, most of which would go to the donor.
    encourage more participation in donating/get more items for auctions).
  - Survey of interest to be sent out
---------------------------------------------------------------
Committee Sign-ups:
- Bowling for Rhinos: Cindy Maur, Amy Golden
    . New sign-ups: Brent Atkinson, Bonnie Glover, Sara Koplish, Amanda Hackett
- National Zoo Keeper Week: Cindy Maur, Heather Tassler, Lisa Walker, Avi Shuter, Erin Mowatt, Joe N.
    . New sign-ups: Brent Atkinson, Elizabeth Mills, Erin Minnock, Amanda Hackett
- Travel Grant Committee: Joe Nappi
    . New sign-ups: Brent Atkinson, Bonnie Glover, Aniko Totha
- Conservation Committee/World Animal Days
    . New committee to help steer AAZK conservation fundraisers/volunteering/World Animal Day events
    . Sign-ups: Joe Nappi, Erin Mowatt, Elizabeth Mills, Jen Loveless
- Enrichment Bonanza: Elizabeth Mills (pushing for keeper families to be involved this year)
    . New sign-ups: Brent Atkinson
---------------------------------------------------------------
Next AAZK Meeting Tentatively Scheduled for the end of May…
  - We are looking into an after hours social event for April (movie night, guest lecturer, etc.)
       . Let us know if you have ideas! 

Meeting Minutes: February 2016

NYC AAZK Meeting
  - February 22, 2016, Bronx Zoo Curator's Room

President: Joe Nappi, Vice President: Erin Mowatt, Secretary: Avi Shuter, Treasurer: Amy Golden 

Attended by: Erin Mowatt, Joe Nappi, Avi Shuter, Ken Huth, Lisa Walker, Taylor Ritz, Kevin Hils, Leela Tamero, Mike McCue, Erin Minnock, Gabrielle Rosato, Elizabeth Mills, Brent Atkinson, Joe Borsellino, Jen Loveless, Amy Golden, Vanessa Jones, Michelle Blatz, Alisha Mendez, Bonnie Glover, Rebecca Mitchell, Brianna Ogas, Heather Tassler, Linda Edge, Nyssa Turner, Tim Mohl, Bill Doyle, Amanda Hackett 

Themes of 2016: Communication, Collaboration & Conservation
  - We want to make for a chapter that internally communicates better, as well as better
    communicates with non-members
  - We want to make for a more socially cohesive chapter, as well as collaborate with different
    departments around the Bronx Zoo
  - We want to support more conservation projects through volunteer efforts and fundraising

Goals for 2016:
  - Refocus our efforts on the Bronx Zoo
  - Mini open forums with different departments? (social media, sustainability, fundraising)
  - Social events with a cause:
        . Ice Skating, March
        . Cinco de Rhino, May
        . Paint bar night, Fall
  - Volunteering/Conservation
        . Bronx river clean-up
        . Summer Bat walk
  - Social Games night, Summer
  - Keeper presentation night in Fall

Ice Skating Fundraiser
   - Murray Memorial Skating Rink in Yonkers
   - $20, half goes to conservation, half to rink. We will pay as one big group to get a discounted price
   - Ideas/vote for what conservation groups we want to support
   - Date: Sunday March 20th, 5:20-7:30 PM

Committee Reports:

- Bowling for Rhinos. We need your help!
   . Same location
   . Looking for more parking options with local restaurant
   . Bigger push for non-zoo staff bowlers so buy tickets early
   . Almost sold out all 35 lanes last year with approx. 250 bowlers. Made over $6,000 in 2015!
   . Looking at adding a second bar tender as well as smoother pizza distribution
   . Most of the work is done. Need help getting raffle prizes, corporate donors
        - template letter already made
        - Need help at the door for the event
   . WCS Indonesia works in rhino range areas

National Zoo Keeper Week: Cindy, Avi, Lisa & Heather
  - Planning starts this month, so it’s not too late to get involved
  - This will be a collaboration with ALL departments at the Bronx Zoo, so this is an excellent
    opportunity to either network or get a better understanding of how events work at the zoo
  - Let us know if there are any particular animals you would like to give a keeper chat for!

Travel Grant Committee
  - changing the submission date to late summer to coincide with AEP grant and the fact that there are
    more conferences in the fall
  - There is a $1000 grant given out to advance the ideals of AAZK (professional development,
    conservation work, research, etc.). There is an additional AAZK National Conference Grant to help
    cover registration fees as well
  - Anyone interested in being on committee?

World Animal Days:
  - Discussed the prospect of starting a committee to oversee hosting world animal day events through the year

Closing Message:
- Thank you for all that attended our open forum. It was a great success and a lot of great conversation were held.
  We are looking into hosting similar forums at the other WCS parks.
- We appreciated everyone that attended this meeting! We had a record crowd.
- Our next meeting will be held at the end of March.
- Please let us know if you are interested in joining one of our committees (Bowling for Rhinos, National Zoo Keeper Week, Travel Grant)

We want to hear from you!!! Now is your chance to have your voice heard and shape the future momentum of this chapter!

Non-Members AAZK Survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QQXCPH6

Members AAZK Survey::
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWDM6RC

Meeting Minutes: April 2015

 April 20, 2015 NYC AAZK Meeting Minutes

In Attendance: Members: Tyrone Nickens, Elizabeth Mills, Brittany Murphy, Ashley Herbolich, Brent Atkinson, Avi Shuter, Sara Koplish, Joe Nappi, Michelle Medina, Lora Murphy, Melanie Weber, Cindy Maur; Supporters: Mo Ortiz, Samantha Gaeta, Vanessa Jones, Sosha Fusco, Diane Craft, Cristina Mendonca, Miranda Feldman, Anne Gilewski

Old Business: Nothing to Report

New Business:
* New Amendment Proposed: Effective beginning in 2015, yearly chapter membership dues are $15 for National AAZK members and are $25 for Non-National AAZK members.
o Please note yearly dues are valid from January to December.
o Voting on this amendment will end May 20th at 5 PM.

* Bowling for Rhinos!
o It’s our 5th Annual BFR
o New venue: Woodside, Queens
o New prices:
* $25 for chapter members, $30 for non-members
* To buy a lane: $200 for a member, $220 for a non member
o New deal: 3 hours of unlimited bowling, shoe rentals, 1 drink and 2 pizzas per lane
o New fundraising goal: $10,000!

* To reach this goal we are asking all bowlers to “ask 5 friends for $5”

* Training Demonstration by Cristina Mendonca and Anne Gilewski (and Diego and Bruiser)

* Sea Lion End Tidal CO2 Presentation by Mo Ortiz (in collaboration with Marisa Ostek)

Meeting Minutes: March 2015

AAZK MEETING MINUTES – March 20^th

Present: Sarah Parker, Sara Koplish, Mike Wrubel, Brent Atkinson, Joe Nappi, Erin Mowatt, Liz Mills, Cindy Maur, Bill Orrico (telephone), Avi Shuter (telephone)

-          VOTE ONLINE FOR NEW PRESIDENT

o   Poll opens March 20^th and closes March 26^th

§  Nycaazk.org à About Us à Online Voting

§  OR     http://syntheticmachine.net/forum/index.php?topic=28.0

-          BFR – August 17th

o   VOTE: Budget $2700. Can we cover all BFR expenses?

§  Show of hands à Yes (9) No (0)

§  APPROVED

o   Committee Update: If anyone else wants to join the committee email Sara Koplish or Lora Murphy.

o   Can we put up a BFR sign in Zoo Center? (See attached example *¹)

o   If we post to our Facebook about BFR, can we get WCS Facebook to repost it?

-          April Aquarium Meeting

o   VOTE: Food Budget $250.

§  Show of hands à APPROVED

o   See attached flyer for info *²

-          Travel Grant Applications Due April 1^st

o   See attached Flyer *³

o   Erin Mowatt and Brent Atkinson joined the travel grant committee

-          Run For the Wild – April 25^th

o   Table will be set up manned by Cindy Maur, Bill Orrico and Ashley Herbolich

o   Focus on outreach efforts à Girl Scouts, BFR (Make sure to have website up beforehand), etc

o   What can we hand out at the table? Temporary tattoos?

-          NZKW

o   Meeting with all the departments to be held after March 30^th

o   Would like it to be more unified across all parks

o   Will discuss craft fair

So long folks!      XOXO Sarah Parker

Meeting Minutes: February 2015

NYC AAZK Monthly Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2015

Attendees:

Sarah Parker – President, Bill Orrico – Secretary, Michelle Medina, Joe Nappi, Erin Mowatt, Elizabeth Mills, Florence Klecha, Kelvin Alvarez, Brent Atkinson, Andrew Kathriner, Lenny Billie

Reports:

·         Dues must be paid for the new year ASAP

·         Barnanza raised $141 and dues were collected from 12 members

o   Suggestion box a success. Most suggestions for BFR venue change, increase in workshops and panel discussions, monthly meetings shortened in duration, and holding fewer but larger fundraisers

·         Recharter is due March 1 – Officers are working to complete it

·         Bowling for Rhinos – August 17

o   New location “34^th Ave Lanes” in Woodside, Queens

o   $25/$30 for 3 hours (includes 2 pizzas/lane and 1 drink ticket/person)

o   Option to buy whole lane for $200/$220

Business/Discussion:

·         March Meeting – Need ideas for type of meeting or it will be another simple business meeting

o   No ideas from meeting – Contact officers with suggestions

·         April Meeting – Presentation Night at Aquarium

o   Aquarium requests funding if food budget is over $100. Will be preparing itemized list and be put to a Chapter vote

·         Run for the Wild – April 25 – Should we have a table?

o   Consensus is that we should have a table at the event. Brent and Bill volunteered to work at table. Anyone else interested should contact officers

·         Panel Discussion

o   Survey results lacking – Many did not receive the survey – will send again

o   If interested in joining committee for future discussions contact Cindy or Avi

·         National Zoo Keeper Week – July

o   Planning has already begun by committee – in contact with management

o   Concerns voiced by members included increased work during week, lack of feeling appreciated by management, and ineffectiveness at reaching public

o   Do we want to keep gifts from chapter to keepers? – Vote

·         Bowling for Rhinos

o   New location and prices should greatly increase interest and attendance

o   Want more involvement from public – Posters/signs, contact NYC Cultural institutions, table at events?

o   Increase fundraising by including individual Bowl-a-thon component

o   Option of second BFR event in Bronx area to attract different subset of Keeper Staff?

§  BFR once a year but different event can be held north. Looking at locations for Croctoberfest in Bronx. Cinco de Rhino?

Meeting Minutes: September 2014

Financials

• Money has been given to Heather (for meeting food, labels) and Sarah ( for BFR tees)
• Reimbursement for Robin ($615 recharter fee and $60 banner purchase) needs to be sent…get cashier’s check from bank ~$10 (bc new acct checks cost hundreds of dollars), and mail to her
• Fundraiser- order forms for items are being sent to us shortly, will be dispersed through interoffice mail
• Money will be needed up front for items
• Can write receipts by hand for records
• Fundraiser can be run during October, order placed Nov, and items arrive for Dec
• 40% of profits go to our Chapter

October Meeting

• Will be Discussion Panel!
• On the 20^th, a Monday, at Bronx after work
• Time and format is in works, Cindy is discussing with Breheny
• Should only run about an hour long
• Send questions to Cindy for anonymous asking
• No FOZ invited
• What are we doing for food??? Coffee and snacks only??
• Officer election time- please have nominees or interested person give a brief 5 minute speech about themselves, vote in Nov

November Meeting

• Will be Enrichment Bonanza
• Perhaps have facility based if each facility wants, and puts it together
• Potluck dinner
• Officer Voting online

December Meeting

• Will be Holiday Auction
• Donations are being collected
• Auction will be before Christmas sometime
• Cindy is chair
• Monthly meeting will be facility based, because of busy holiday schedules

Misc

• Please set up recycle boxes at your department/facility to collect cans!
• Need to discuss exchanging for money…who will do and when

Attendance from the BZ:           

Erin Mowatt

Rebecca Mitchell

Mary G

Mike Wrubel

Brent Atchinson

Sara Koplish

Kaitlyn Keys

Heather Tassler

Jay Schoen

Attendance from PPZ:

Tierney O’neal

Ashley Herbolich

Denny Muireo

Danielle Taylor

Debbie Dienaman

Brittany Murphy

Andrea Reimold

Attendance from QZ:

Melanie Weber