Central Alabama Chapter of the National Weather Association

Meetings Thursday March 6th

 

The first meeting of 2008 took place on Thursday March 6th at the Christenberry Planetarium at Samford University.  A mix and mingle took place from 6:30pm to 7:15pm in the planetarium lobby and members enjoyed great conversation and great refreshments from Coca-Cola, Chick-Fila sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggies, and delicious Cullinard Cookies.

The Roll listed the following persons in attendance

Mark Rose

Brian Peters

Richard Blume

Dave Scott

Mary Schmitt

Sean Boogaard

Todd Alman

Ashley Brand

Jennifer Rahn

Tim Coleman

Tara Golden

President Mark Rose opened the business meeting at 7:15pm in the Planetarium auditorium and thanked everyone for attending the mix and mingle and the meeting.  And thanked Mr. George Atchley, Director of the Planetarium and announced that he will present a program called "Ringworld".   

Mr. Rose briefed the attendees on the membership for the local chapter and explained that you could join that evening or mail in the payment of ten dollars.  He passed around membership applications and stated that the membership application could be found on line as well off the national weather association site under local chapters.  Mr. Rose introduced himself as the President of the chapter for 2008 and then introduced the other officers; Vice President Ashley Brand and Secretary Mary Schmitt as she rallied everyone into a round of spirit fingers. 

 

The finical background of the chapter was stated of a balance as of 1/31/2008 of $159.79 and explained that the monies are used to secure refreshments and to accommodate future speaker's meals. 

The next three meetings were announced: Thursday May 8th at Noon at the NWS office;

Thursday July 10th at Noon in Montgomery with location to be announced; and Thursday October 9th at 7pm in Birmingham at a local restaurant to be announced. 

Mr. Rose then discussed the upcoming National Weather Association's 33rd Annual Meeting will be held at the Galt House Hotel & Suites, on the waterfront in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, from October 11-16, 2008.  It was mentioned that hopefully we will have some Central Alabama Chapter members to attend. Mr. Rose brought us into the discussion from the meeting that he had with Bill Murray and James Spann in regards to the National Weather Association having an interest in Birmingham to host 2011 meetings.  Mr. Rose mentioned that possible more active members and chapter members attending the meetings could result to a positive outcome of the meeting in 2011 being allocated to Birmingham.

Mr. Rose recognized Samford Science student Mr. Todd Alman and Samford professor Jennifer Rahn. 

Mr. Rose then asked for any questions.  Then turned the program over to Mr. Mr. George Atchley, Director of the Planetarium.  Mr. Atchley described the Planetarium and thanked the chapter for having an interest in the facility.  Mr. Atchley noted that he has been Samford for 6eyars and the Planetarium serves as an educational outlet for the student and serves has a classroom as well.  He gave us the stats and the Samford Planetarium is the largest educational dome in Alabama, which is 40 foot dome and consider medium sized.  He mentioned that he was part of the Birmingham Astronomical Society and when told the members of his society that he was going to present to chapter filled with meteorologist, he said his society members asked him to relay a message that they would like to request "Less Clouds and More Transparency" this brought on a round of laughter from the group.  Mr. Atchley presented the programs called "Ringworld" which documents the Cassini Huygens spacecraft that is currently orbiting Saturn.  Discover what NASA has learned from this spacecraft about Saturn and its moons.  Once the Ringworld program concluded we looked at the night sky and had a wonderful presentation of the stars, their locations, and how to find them in the night sky.  And Mr. Atchley also took questions as well!  Everyone gathered in the lobby and chatted and discussed how much they enjoyed the evening.  And we all said our Goodbyes and a note of "snow is coming our".

Those that joined the chapter that evening:

Richard Blume
Tim Coleman
Tara Golden
Brian Peters
Dave Scott

Current Membership as of 3.26.08:

1.                  Blume, Richard

2.                  Boogaard, Sean

3.                  Brand, Ashley

4.                  Coleman, Tim

5.                  Golden, Tara

6.                  Pence, Kevin

7.                  Peters, Brian

8.                  Rose, Mark

9.                  Schmitt, Mary

10.              Scott, Dave