Monthly Bulletin March 2006

March Meeting

Sunday,  March 5,  2:00 PM in the Nims Conference Room at the Audubon Zoo

Our new president,  Thomas Eimermacher,  will give his presentation on water cobras, titled "Field Research at Lake Tanganyika - Diving with Cobras".

Last Meeting

The last meeting was our delayed 2005 annual meeting.  We electred the 2006 board and enjoyed some snacks and the opportunity to socialize.

Events To Put On Your Calendar

Please welcome these people who became members after Katrina

Amy LeGaux

Roland McDowell

Derek Pele

Tiffany Schriever

Drew VanDerVolgen

Other Items of Interest

This bulletin is to serve as our monthly news letter.  A link will be emailed to members early each month as a meeting reminder.  The bulletin will also present reminders for other happenings scheduled for the near future. Paper copies will be sent to members without email.  If you have a suggestion for this bulletin please bring it to the next meeting or email it to the webmaster.

KATRINA has disrupted everybody’s life including the LGCHS. Many of our members have been displaced and we are in the process of contacting everyone and to offer assistance where possible. The 2005 Annual Meeting for elections for members to the LGCHS Board of Directors was postponed from November until January 29. This was the first year that a nominating committee was utilized. A new nominating committee will be elected in the coming months. We were unable to get a full contingent of 7 Nominees for the Board because the storm displaced some of the candidates. However the six that were nominated and elected are outstanding individuals who will do well. Your new Board of Directors for 2006 are: David Chiasson, Troy Day, Thomas Eimermacher, Eric Marquette, Fred Mattingly and Ryan McDonald. The new Board met on February 20 and elected Thomas Eimermacher as President, Eric Marquette as Vice President, Bill Watts as Secretary and Troy Day as Treasurer. Appointments made by the President and approved by the Board included David Chiasson, Events; Fred Mattingly, Education; Bill Watts, Legislative Watchdog; Thomas Eimermacher, Programs; Eric Marquette & Ryan McDonald, Show Promotions. They can be reached at info@lgchs.org.

Congratulations to Barry Guillot. He was awarded the American Association of School Administrators 2006 National Civic Star Award in San Diego for his conservation efforts with the students of St.Charles Parish. Barry is looking for Volunteers to help with his program on Wednesday, April 12. He can be reached by email or 504-256-4731

From the Legislative Committee:

1) The Restricted Snake Regulations are now in effect. A permit from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries is required to have venomous snakes or snakes in excess of 12 feet. Contact Jeff Boundy at LDWFL or 225-765-2815 for information and application.

2) You must have a current Louisiana fishing license to keep reptiles native to the state.

3) You may not have at any time, box turtles or alligator snapping turtles if you have a Louisiana Wholesaler/Dealer License for Reptiles. Box Turtles and alligator snappers may not be on the premises of any pet shop or reptile show. It is against the law to buy or sell box turtles or alligator snappers in Louisiana.

If you are aware of any pending local,  regional,  state or national legislation efforts of reptile related issues,   please contact a member of the LGCHS Legislation Committee:   Bill Watts,   Fred Mattingly,  Thomas Eimermacher,   Mike Beebe or Theron Magers.

The 2005 membership renewals are $15 and are now due. If you were a member or became a member before Hurricane Katrina, you may mail in your dues to LGCHS, PO Box 113483, Metairie LA 70011-3483. Please do this as soon as possible as to expedite our bookkeeping.

If you can handle reptile nuisance calls in your parish, please email Bill Watts or call 504-710-8456.

Coming soon: a compilation of your member benefits.  Did you know that as a member benefit that you can get a behind the scenes tour in just about any zoo in the country?  How about a behind the scenes tour the Audubon Zoo with your family?   Or being on the reptile placement list?  Contact Bill Watts or Fred Mattingly for details.

Society Polo Shirts are available with your name embroidered under the logo over the left pocket for $15.  If you want the Tarantula logo on the sleeve it is an extra $3.  If you bring it back later for the logo it is $6.  It is $8 if you want a logo put on a shirt or whatever that you already have.  Contact Bill Watts or call 504-710-8456.  We also have some hats with the Snapper logo available for $15.
If you have not received your shirt as a new member benefit, please contact Bill Watts.

If you have a suggestion for a club activity please Email it to Thomas Eimermacher.

classified

Members may list classified ads here. Please bring your ad to the next meeting or email it to the webmaster.