aazk insight - Bay Area AAZK

September/October 2009
Volume 4, Issue 5
AAZK INSIGHT
Our Chapters in Focus
A Publication of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.
New
Merchandise
Available On
Website
Ladies t-shirts, men’s
long-sleeve shirts,
wrist coils and more!
Check out the
Merchandise Page at
www.aazk.org for new
products.
So this cat walks into a bar….
Page 2 of 7
AAZK INSIGHT
From The Editor
Face to Face
So…this anteater walks into a bar and the bartender says: “So, what’s with the long face?”
I have to say that I am that anteater these days. The very fact is that I was not able to attend the AAZK National
Conference this year in Seattle was enough to produce this xenarthric effect. Each year I have looked forward to
attending this conference in a new city and with a new host. I have, though, been lucky enough to be able to attend
about 25 AAZK conferences during my career. Actually, Seattle hosted the first one I ever attended back in 1984. I
remember faces from back then and, regrettably, know that I have probably missed seeing some of them this time
around. There have been many reasons for attending. The papers and other presentations are, of course, a
primary reason; the sharing and discussion of ideas and materials is and will always be the cornerstone. As the
years progressed I found that I was looking deeper and I found that I was looking into the faces of colleagues,
acquaintances, friends, and at the deepest level, family. I could look around the banquet room on the final night of
a conference and say: ‘I know many of you people, I like most of you people and (dare I admit it?), I probably love
some of you guys.’ I can’t think of another career where I might end up admitting that about people you see and
meet with once a year. The technologies and formats have also changed, both in the way conferences are
presented and, to some degree, in the field of animal husbandry itself. What has not changed is the commitment to
our purpose and dedication and that shows in the faces of my colleagues, my fellow explorers and curious
wonderers.
I felt this pang in my system (probably my heart) when I heard that some newer and, of course, younger faces from
my former zoo in Winnipeg were going to Seattle. Part of that reaction was my excitement for them in experiencing
new opportunities and friendships during the week. It reminded me of my own enthusiasm and awe when I first
started in the animal care field and especially when I first met others from outside my zoo. I also felt that I was
letting go of an essential part of my connection to AAZK. I was not giving it up but emotionally handing it on and
into the care of someone else. I know that their careers and involvement will be their own and it will be AAZK’s
gain.
Most interestingly, our profile as animal care personnel has gotten bigger. We now have that international look.
The meeting face-to-face of the ICZ and AAZK, Inc. in Seattle has opened doors and possibilities for both
organizations. We have new horizons bordering our common ground. You have important work to do in the local,
national and international arenas. The hands and the minds at your facility, in your work areas and in your Chapter
are what will move the outcome of all our possibilities.
We will see it in the future and we will recognize its face value.
Mark de Denus, Editor
Mark de Denus, Editor
AAZK INSIGHT
Association of British and Irish
Wild Animal Keepers
Vision:
To unite the collective expertise of wild animal keepers to continually advance the highest levels of
animal care.
Mission statement:
ABWAK is a membership organization for those interested and involved in the keeping and
conservation of wild animals, which seeks to achieve the highest standards of excellence in animal
welfare through communication, cooperation, training and development.
Values:
- We are the voice of animal keepers in the UK and Ireland for whom excellent animal welfare is the
highest priority.
- We can have a significant impact on welfare issues by bringing animal keepers and stakeholders
together and by being a strong representative and consultative body.
- We can make a significant contribution to the training and development of animal keepers thus
raising standards and increasing the recognition of wild animal collections.
- By developing the skills and expertise of our members we can make a unique contribution to
conservation.
ABWAK was conceived in 1974 at Marwell Zoological Park. Jonathan Barzdo and Graham Lucas of
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, with the support of their zoo directors John Knowles of Marwell and
Colin Rawlins of the Zoological Society of London, contacted a handful of like-minded zookeepers who
helped to set up the association.
The driver for this was a belief that zoos could make an important contribution to conservation through
educating visitors. It was understood that animals in zoos must be well cared for, healthy and
behaving as normally as possible and living in 'clean' and attractive enclosures, as an environment to
encourage breeding. The hope in forming the association was to raise the professional status of
zookeepers, help them do a better job, and provide a way for them to share experiences with other
keepers.
ABWAK's founders also believed that there should be a professional qualification for zookeepers. This
has now been realized as the association is now represented on the steering committee for the
Advanced National Certificate in the Management of Zoo Animals (ANCMZA) course. Many
zookeepers now hold the ANCMZA or its equivalent preceding award as a result of their own
dedication and commitment.
Since ABWAK was founded in 1974, the association has established deep roots and become strong. It
is still run by a council of volunteers who are committed to developing the association. It has
developed in ways beyond the original founders' hopes and expectations and continues to serve
animal keepers in the UK and Ireland.
AAZK INSIGHT
Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 5
If you have Chapter News, please send it to:
[email protected]
(This is my new email address!)
NEW ADDRESS ALERT!!!!!
Just Another Chapter In
Her Life?
On behalf of all the AAZK Chapters that have
served the purposes and needs of this
Association, I would like to congratulate and
thank Barbara Manspeaker for 25 years of
continuous and dedicated service to AAZK, Inc.
as Administrative Secretary.
Barbara has been tireless and unwavering in her
scrupulous attention to the secretarial and
financial affairs of this organization. I would
especially note her considerations to the
important and mandatory requirements of the
Chapter recharter process.
I would personally like to say thank-you for the
support and friendship during these many years;
my dedication to AAZK has always been
strengthened and encouraged in Barbara’s
example of endurance and patience.
Happy Silver Anniversary!
Mark de Denus, Editor
The Galveston Chapter of the
American Association of Zoo
Keepers
My, my, what a year it’s been! Since last September, we have
had quite a few interesting events. First, Hurricane Ike hit
Galveston, and, thanks to the heroic efforts of our staff, we
survived the storm with minimal damage and loss of animal
life. Following the mass evacuation and relocation of our
rainforest collection, the Aquarium reopened, and after
several months, the Rainforest Pyramid reopened as a
Botanical Garden in April.
Over the summer, we held our annual Wild About Wine,
raising over $2,000 for the Galveston Salvation Army and
SaveNature.org. At our event, we had an animal art auction,
wine tasting from wineries from all over Texas, and animal
presentations all night, much to the enjoyment of the seals,
who loved staying up WAY past their bedtime.
Personnel-wise, we have several new officers. T’noya
Thompson will be returning as President, Marci Kurtz and
Nicole Gioia are our co-Treasurers, and Chris St. Romain is
our new Recording Secretary. Also, we can announce that
T’Noya, Marci, and Chris will be attending the AAZK/ICZ
Conference.
Finally, let us take this opportunity to drop a few hints about
what’s in store for Moody Gardens. We’ll be closing down the
Rainforest in October to begin the final phase of repair, and
begin a few new touches, before we re-open for the summer
only in 2010. Then, after another fall-spring shutdown, we will
open again with all new renovations and exhibits. Think Cloud
Forest and Canopy…
Chris St. Romain,
Recording Secretary
Moody Gardens
The AAZK New Orleans Chapter Update
Mission Statement:
To enhance and promote the professional stewardship of
nature and wildlife by supporting a diversity of conservation
initiatives and providing ongoing career development for
animal care givers and conservationists.
Reading the Bottom Line
Website: www.nolaaazk.com – You can always reach us
via e-mail through the website.
Chapter Members: Our Chapter is made up of 32
members from the nine facilities that comprise Audubon
Nature Institute and also members of the community.
Fundraising Ideas:
• Bowling for Rhinos: Another successful BFR
season has passed and the New Orleans AAZK
Chapter raised $4824.90. Thank you to everyone
for the support and an evening of fun. We are
looking forward to next year and hope to raise even
more money for the rhinos at Lewa!
• Boo @ the Zoo: Audubon Zoo hosts an annual
fundraiser for the local children’s hospital and at the
fundraiser our AAZK Chapter sells glow necklaces
and glow bracelets for $2 and $3. This is a
weekend event and each night a significant amount
of money is raised for conservation.
Local News: Our AAZK Chapter was the lucky winner for
the Chapter Challenge and therefore we were able to send
multiple keepers to this year’s annual ICZ AAZK conference
in Seattle! (Jackie Deak, Carlos Torrez, Erin Martin, and
Tiffany Nance)
For more information and fundraising ideas please visit
www.nolaaazk.com or find us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/nolaaazk and ask to become our friend.
Piedmont NC AAZK
Mission Statement:
"The mission of the North Carolina
Piedmont Chapter of AAZK is to
promote the continued development of
animal caregivers and the welfare of
animals through encouraging
excellence in husbandry, supporting
continuing education and collaboration
between professionals, and promoting
conservation through fundraising and
stewardship."
Our email address is:
[email protected]
We are also on Facebook as: North
Carolina Piedmont AAZK. We have
plans to begin building a website.
Chapter Members: We are a combined
Chapter with members from two
different institutions: the Duke Lemur
Center and the North Carolina
Museum of Life and Science
Officers: President- Niki Barnett (DLC),
Vice President- Cassidy Walpole
(NCMLS), Treasurer- Britt Kieth (DLC),
Secretary- Lori Mears (DLC), Chapter
Liasons- Arie Cerbin (DLC) and Lary
Bowles (NCMLS)
We are very excited to be one of the
newest AAZK Chapters. Our first
meetings have focused on a lot of the
little details needed to get a Chapter
started including fundraising,
paperwork, and our first ideas for
furthering the goals of our mission
statement. Our First Annual Yard Sale
was amazingly successful. We raised
nearly $1000. It has been amazing to
work together and to share knowledge
and memories with each other. We
look forward to growing our Chapter!
We would sincerely like to thank the
Phoenix Chapter of the AAZK for their
generous donation to our Chapter!
Thank you so very much!
More updates to come soon!
Lori Mears
Secretary, NC Piedmont AAZK
BOTTOM LINE – Financial Statement (July 2009)
AAZK INSIGHT
3601 S.W. 29th St.
Suite 133
Topeka, KS
66614-2054
USA
PHONE:
(785) 273-9149
FAX:
(785) 273-1980
E-MAIL:
[email protected]
AAZK INSIGHT is published
bi-monthly and sent
electronically to all Chapters
of AAZK, Inc.
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
7/31/09
Balance Sheet
Balance
———————————————————————————
——————————
Assets
Cash and Bank Accounts
AAZK Savings
AAZK's Checking Account
Total Cash and Bank Accounts
Total Assets
64,329.65
69,593.58
——————————
133,923.23
——————————
133,923.23
==========
7/1/09
Income/Expenses
7/31/09
———————————————————————
——————————
Income/Expenses
Income
AKF Ad
720.00
AKF's
50.00
BFR Fee
50.00
Conference Proceedings
68.55
Crisis Management Book
125.00
Donation
620.00
Membership
6,935.00
——————————
Total Income
8,568.55
Liabilities & Equity
Liabilities
Equity
Total Liabilities & Equity
0.00
133,923.23
——————————
133,923.23
==========
7/1/09
Product Summary
7/31/09
————————————————————
——————————
Inflows
AKF's
50.00
Crisis Management Book
125.00
——————————
Total Inflows
175.00
==========
Expenses
AAZK Meyer Travel Grant
AAZK Postage
AKF Mailing
AKF Postage
AKF Printing
Board Expenses
Computer Equipment
Conference Expense
Insurance
Mailing Equipment
MC and Visa Fees
Office Supplies
Rent Fee
Repairs & Maintenance
Taxes
Telephone
Wages
Web Page
Total Expenses
Total Income/Expenses
211.20
792.60
163.70
400.00
2,353.16
954.96
128.92
900.00
227.00
454.51
51.60
173.63
573.00
348.75
1,464.12
350.29
4,673.96
1,580.00
——————————
15,801.40
——————————
-7,232.85
==========
www.aazk.org
AAZK INSIGHT
THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF ZOO
KEEPERS, INC.
3601 S.W. 29th St.
Suite 133
Topeka, KS
66614-2054
USA
AAZK INSIGHT will be published on the 20th of
January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Deadlines for submitting information or news will be
the 15th of each of these months. Please send any
submissions as Word documents; any photographs
or Chapter logos should be saved as JPEG or TIFF.
The length of submissions should be short and
concise but AAZK INSIGHT is not limited to a specific
number of pages each issue.
BOTTOM LINE 2 – Financial Statement (August 2009)
8/31/09
Balance Sheet
Balance
———————————————————————————
——————————
Assets
Cash and Bank Accounts
AAZK Savings
AAZK's Checking Account
Total Cash and Bank Accounts
Total Assets
8/1/09
Income/Expenses
8/31/09
——————————————————————————
——————————
Income/Expenses
Income
AKF Ad
560.00
AKF's
120.00
Bank of America for Research
406.50
BFR Fee
75.00
Bio Information Sales
40.00
Conference Proceedings
65.19
Crisis Management Book
65.00
Donation
125.00
I-Give
26.43
Keeper Profile Sales
30.00
Lanyard Sales
6.00
Membership
7,140.00
Misc. Income
27.00
——————————
Total Income
8,686.12
64,633.28
62,530.86
——————————
127,164.14
——————————
127,164.14
==========
Liabilities & Equity
Liabilities
Equity
Total Liabilities & Equity
0.00
127,164.14
——————————
127,164.14
==========
Expenses
AAZK Postage
AAZK Printing
Accessory Order
AKF Mailing
AKF Postage
AKF Printing
Awards Committee
Bank Charges
BFR Expense
Board Expenses
Executive Director's Expense
Legal & Accounting Fees
Misc. Expense
Rent Fee
Savings Account
Taxes
Telephone
Wages
8/1/09
Product Summary
8/31/09
————————————————————
——————————
Inflows
AKF's
120.00
Bio Information Sales
40.00
Crisis Management Book
65.00
Keeper Profile Sales
30.00
Lanyard Sales
6.00
——————————
Total Inflows
261.00
==========
Total Expenses
Total Income/Expenses
About AAZK INSIGHT
Editor: Mark de Denus, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
[email protected]
Regular Contributors:
Ed Hansen, AAZK Executive Director, Tucson, AZ
[email protected]
Shane Good, AAZK President, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH [email protected]
Susan Chan, Managing Editor, AKF, Topeka, KS [email protected]
Barbara Manspeaker, AAZK Administrative Secretary, Topeka, KS [email protected]
619.55
76.05
3,119.40
173.12
400.00
2,245.71
334.06
75.56
19.40
47.19
434.06
650.00
500.00
573.00
281.75
1,453.92
159.12
4,586.95
——————————
15,748.84
——————————
-7,062.72
==========