ISU AMS Meeting Minutes

Why should you join the local or national chapters of the AMS? Find out the benefits below!

Local Benefits
National Benefits

Upcoming Events

Event Calendar

Other events may be found
on the Event Calendar.
Click here to check it out!

ISU AMS Meeting Minutes
http://www.meteor.iastate.edu/ams/
August 30, 2005

Prior to the meeting, the cabinet met with the freshmen and transfer meteorology students. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce each other and generally break the ice between both groups. The freshmen/transfers felt that this meeting was helpful.

Introductions – Cabinet members introduced themselves first, followed by the rest of the members. Again, this was mostly for ice-breaking in addition to reacquainting with each other. Brian Viner will be the liaison between the Graduate AMS and the regular ISU AMS chapter.

Surveys – Surveys were passed out at the beginning of the meeting. We hope to gain some insight on what the members want out of the organization this year as well as classes so the Academic Chair can help organize study groups. If you weren't at the meeting, please fill out the survey and email it to Elise Johnson (elisevj@iastate.edu).

National Membership – Liz White (edw@iastate.edu) encouraged the group about being National AMS members. Forms are available for becoming members. The cost is $7.50 for the remainder of the year, and renewal is in January for $15.00. All National members receive the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Please return your form to a cabinet member or the AMS mailbox in 3010 Agronomy by September 9.

Treasury Update/Dues – Current balance is $1042.73. Dues last year were $5.00. By vote, dues will again be $5.00. Checks can be made to ISU AMS. Cash or check should be given to Heather Moser (miraje@iastate.edu).

Academic Chair – Elise talked about the weekly seminars and then talked about a new Academic Chair, who would be in charge of promoting seminars as well as organizing group study sessions. The only nomination was Chris Maiers (biff016@iastate.edu), who the Cabinet will appoint as the new Academic Chair. Anybody interested in tutoring for any classes should contact Chris.

Sophomore Chair – The sophomore chair would act as a liaison between the underclassmen and the Cabinet, since all Cabinet members are upperclassmen. This worked well last year. Nominations will be taken prior to the next meeting, and a Sophomore Chair will be elected at that meeting.

Forecasting Contests (NCWFC and Local) – Heather discussed the Local Forecasting Contest, which involves forecasting for various elements and times for sites in Iowa. Jeremy Grams will be providing more information on this contest on Thursday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. Janet Schenck (thatsme@iastate.edu) is our local manager for the NCWFC, which she stated is a national competition including both students and professors. She did a presentation after this meeting; see below.

Cy's Eyes on the Skies – Janet and Matt Teller (mteller@iastate.edu), co-producers of the show, informed the group about the Cy's Eyes. It is a 15-minute show airing twice per week on ISUtv Channel 18. However, we now have the studio reserved for 30 minutes, so we are able to air packages or special reports for those interested. It is a great opportunity even for those not interested in broadcasting. The first show is Wednesday, August 31. This will be a practice show for veterans. The following Monday will likely be a practice show, and Wednesday should be live. We hope to have the Genesis graphics computer running by that time, with the logistics worked out. Please arrive at Studio B in the Communications Building by 6:00 p.m.

Social Chair Update – Liz went over social activities, including field trips, intramurals, football tailgating, that the AMS group participates in.
Intramurals: Sand volleyball is a Labor Day tournament – we need players! Email Liz ASAP if you want to play. Flag football (mens' and womens' teams) will take place over several weeks during the fall. Again, we need people to play, and email Liz ASAP. Liz will inform the group of other intramurals as the signup dates approach. For more information, visit recservices.iastate.edu and click “Intramurals.”
Meteorology Basketball Night is Wednesdays at 9 p.m. at Lied Rec.
Tailgating: Liz will send out information about AMS Tailgating before home football games; let her know if you're interested.

Geoff's Book Review – Geoff Grochocinski (grgforce@iastate.edu) is doing weather book reviews this year involving the history of meteorology. His first book review is on The Invention of Clouds, by Richard Hamblyn. Luke Howard created our current system of cloud naming in 1802. Geoff's challenge to illustrate the importance of Howard's system was for a student to name a cumulus cloud without using the word “cumulus.” Geoff gave the book four out of five, and the book is available on Amazon.com for just over $11.

AMS Annual Meeting – This year's meeting is in Atlanta from January 28-February 2. Last year we had eight students attend. One option for lowering the cost of being a student helper at the meeting. We will discuss this more in the coming months.

Fundraising – If you have any fundraising ideas or would like to take over fundraising, please let an officer know.

Central Iowa National Weather Association – The local NWA chapter includes students, NWS employees, broadcasters, and weather enthusiasts. The group puts on on an annual conference each spring (March 23-25, 2006). The first meeting is on September 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Godfather's in Ankeny. We will have food/social time at 5:30 p.m. Departure time will be made available later for those who are interested in carpooling.

Apparel – Our past apparel included T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and hooded sweatshirts. Around the end of September, we will have order forms for apparel. If you have design ideas, let a cabinet member know.

WISE Talks – If you'd be interested in helping with the Women in Science and Engineering program, which is geared toward promoting younger girls to explore the idea of majoring in science- or engineering-related fields in the future, contact Elise.

ClubFest – Wednesday September 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. We will have a booth about AMS. If you want to help, see Elise ASAP.

Departmental Picnic – The picnic is this Thursday 5 – 10 p.m. with food at 6 at Inis Grove Park. Meet at Agronomy at 5 p.m. if you'd like a ride. Emails will be sent out with more information.

National Weather Center Research Experience for Undergraduates Presentation – Elise was in Norman, OK this summer for the NWC REU. If you'd like more information on the program, visit www.caps.ou.edu/reu. To learn more about Elise's experience, you can view her PowerPoint from the ISU AMS website at www.meteor.iastate.edu/ams.

NCWFC Meeting – Janet is looking for a new manager for our NCWFC group. Let her know if you're interested. The contest runs from September 12, 2005 – April 10, 2006. Forecasts include high/low temps and precip amounts every Monday through Thursday. Each city lasts two weeks; you only need to participate in 8 of the 13 cities. There is a $4.00 entry fee – you can pay this in your dues. If you are disqualified, you do not get a refund. Rules and procedures are on the NCWFC website at http://www.ems.psu.edu/NFC/. The ISU Forecast Page is www.meteor.iastate.edu/~miraje/NCWFC/ and if you have a question, email Janet.

Other Important Info – If you haven't paid dues by the second meeting, you will be taken off the contact list.

** Special note: Jeremy Grams (jgrams@iastate.edu) will have a special presentation on Thursday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. He will be going over careers in the NWS for anybody who is interested. He will also be doing a presentation with information about the local forecasting contest.