All are welcome to our annual events and fundraisers; however grants, contests, and enrichment sessions are designed for keeper career development. Both members and non-members can attend everything offered by AAZK.
Annual AAZK membership includes discounted or free admission to all sponsored events. All events and prices are subject to change by the annual discretion of the chapter.
Monthly planning meetings at a facility (available to join in person or by phone/internet), volunteering, and other career development opportunities also exist throughout the year. Chapter meetings are held on the 20th of every month.
|
Time of
Year
|
Event
|
Other
information
|
|
January—March
|
Panel discussion
|
Highlighting a specific zoo,
conservation, or
environmental issue with a panel of experts |
|
March or April
|
Bar-nanza and silent auction
Benefits chapter elected charity |
Past two events have benefited the
Turtle Survival Alliance
|
|
March or April
|
Chopsticks for Salamanders
All you can eat sushi |
Re-usable chopsticks will be
donated so net
proceeds will solely benefit CFS |
|
April 1st
|
Spring travel grant applications
due
$500 towards science based trip |
Past winners include herpetology
school and
dolphin research trips |
|
May—September
|
Facility based event/meeting
Located at each of the 5 parks |
One event/facility, different
facility/month! Can be presentation, fun event, or animal demo, etc
|
|
July
|
National Zoo Keeper Week and
silent auction Zoo keeper Olympics and NYC social events |
THANK YOU zoo keepers! This week is
to
celebrate all of your hard work and dedication throughout the year |
|
July-October
|
Photo contest
2 winners: chapter voted and fan favorite |
Submission fee, two winners receive
an award each, and the remaining money goes to a charity
|
|
August-September
|
Bowling for Rhinos and silent
auction |
National AAZK event, benefiting
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
|
|
September
|
AAZK National Conference
Different US zoo every year |
Chapter awards member(s) separate
grant to
attend; monetary amount differs annually |
|
September—November
|
Presentation
night
By your fellow keepers |
Find out
what your peers are up to, academically and professionally
|
|
October
1st
|
Fall
travel grant
$500 towards science based trip |
Same as
Spring travel grant
|
|
November
|
Enrichment
Bonanza
Awards for best enrichment!! |
Other
bonanzas may be held during a monthly meeting, this one may award money if
annual budget allows
|
|
November
|
Elections
Officers serve Jan 1— Dec 31 |
Chapter
members vote online for four positions: Pres, VP, treasurer, secretary
|
|
December
|
Holiday
party and silent auction
Early December, before holiday rush |
Raffle of
two National memberships; calendars sold from mid fall through the new year
|
