The meeting was held at the National Weather Service Office in Jackson. This was the first meeting of the 2011/2012 chapter year. Ideas of meetings over the upcoming year were discussed, the roster of officers was confirmed, and updates to the chapter website were discussed.
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
The first NWA/AMS meeting of 2011-2012 year started at 7:05 p.m. and was opened by Chapter President Vincent Webb. The Chapter meeting was held at the NWS office in Flowood, MS.
Rolls
President Vincent Webb passed around a sign-in sheet. Ten people were present, including six of the returning officers.
Minutes Approval
Treasurer, Ms. Joanne Culin, advertised collection of dues. Given lower turn-out, dues will be collected next week but those who wish can pay at the end of the meeting. As usual, dues are $20 for adults, $10 for students. In Ms. Nancy Lopez’s absence, Ms. Culin took minutes.
New Business
Mr. Vincent Webb asked for new business. Dr. Loren White informed the group that a scientist from NCAR may be coming to JSU at some point this year and could be a speaker at a future meeting. Mr. Webb then opened the floor up for discussion for meeting ideas this year. Some ideas were to do a meeting on doing a review of the weather in 2011. Mr. Alan Gerard suggested public outreach regarding 2011, such as a symposium. Discussion on this included having it at Brandon City Hall, in January or February (around the time of the AMS meeting which will be in New Orleans.) Some other ideas regarding the symposium would be to gain sponsorship, or a joint venture with the NWS EM workshop.
Additional ideas for meetings included: fundraisers, 5k, a visit to FOX40, Ethan welcomed the group back to WAPT, a tour of MEMA. Mr. Loren White suggested a trip to the MS River Commission. Another suggestion was to visit the French Camp Observatory or the JSU Observatory.
Mr. Webb discussed getting together with Ms. Culin about updates to the current website. In addition, Mr. Webb discussed planning meetings out into the future for the end of the 2011 calendar year, and documenting these on a calendar which could be located on the website. Mr. Webb brought up the notion of creating a Facebook page for the club. Mr. Gerard nominated chapter member Mr. Daniel Lamb as social media focal point.
Ideas tossed out for potential speakers were to grab someone who would be going to AMS, someone from an adjacent NWS office, Anne Hanks from ULM, Keith Blackwell.
Just for posterity, a rundown of this year’s officers were listed: Dr. Loren White as AMS President, Vincent Webb as NWA President, Eric Carpenter as Corresponding Secretary, Alan Gerard as Corresponding Secretary, Ethan Huston as Vice President, Joanne Culin as Treasurer, and Nancy Lopez as Recording Secretary.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded at approximately 7:35 p.m. Mr. Eric Carpenter stated that he would contact FOX40 about possibly doing a meeting there this year. The next meeting date is being planned for October.
Minutes submitted by Joanne Culin, Treasurer.
Central Mississippi Chapter of the NWA and AMS 