New York City Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers
NYC AAZK is a volunteer collective of Wildlife Conservation Society zoo keepers from all five facilities dedicated to promoting professionalism in the living institutions and to support both local and global conservation.
The Chapter holds events, fundraisers, and workshops throughout the year to raise awareness and donations for charitable causes. The hard work the zoo keepers perform is celebrated during the annual National Zoo Keeper week and all year round.
Monthly meet-ups are held after work on (or near in case of a holiday or inclement weather) the 20th of every month, and can be anything from a guest speaker to workshops, enrichment bonanzas, or a movie night.
Monthly business meetings take place during the last week of the month, at a member’s apartment or a restaurant. These meetings are used for the planning and development of events and fundraisers and the overall growth of the chapter. All are welcome to host and/or attend.
The mission of The American Association of Zoo Keepers is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.
President: Joe Nappi (Bronx Zoo)
Duties: Supervises overall direction and development of the chapter, updating of all social media and websites, oversees all officers and committees, and presides over all meetings.
Vice President: Lisa Walker (Bronx Zoo)
Secretary: Avi Shuter (Bronx Zoo)
Records, keeps, and distributes minutes of all meetings, manages memberships, maintains Chapter email lists.
Treasurer: Amy Golden (Bronx Zoo)
Collects and deposits any monies received by the Chapter including local dues, distributes funds as directed by the Chapter officers, organizes annual budgets and financial obligations, and files the annual recharter packet with assistance from the other Chapter officers.
In the event of an officer vacancy, for any reason, the remaining officers can appoint a current Chapter member to fill the position until the next Chapter meet-up. The vacancy can also be covered by an existing officer. The Chapter members can then decide if they want to hold a new election for the vacancy, or allow the appointed officer to continue for the remaining calendar year. The Chapter should always strive to maintain a total of four officers at all times.
NYC AAZK Facility and Department Liaisons
WCS Offices: Cindy Maur
Bronx Zoo Birds: Mike McCue
Bronx Zoo Mammals: Sara Koplish, Elizabeth Mills
Bronx Zoo Reptiles: Avi Shuter
Bronx Zoo Special Animal Exhibits: Tyrone Nickens
Bronx Zoo Wildlife Health Center: Jessica Chin
Central Park Zoo: Kelly Boghossian, Ronnie Thomas
New York Aquarium: Josh Jaragin, Kaya Bergaman
Prospect Park Zoo: Brittany Murphy
Queens Zoo: Melanie Weber
What We Do
NYC AAZK Committees
The Chapter has six committees that aid in all of the fundraising and fun events throughout the year. To join a committee, email nycaazk@gmail.com today!
· Bowling for Rhinos: Cindy Maur, Amy Golden
o Organizes the annual BFR fundraiser
· Calendar and Photo Contest:
o Runs the photo contest and puts together the annual calendar
· Enrichment:
o Keeps track of enrichment items in storage at The Bronx Zoo and organizes Enrichment Bonanzas
· Grants: Joseph Nappi
o Creates guidelines, reviews applications, and selects recipients for $1,000 annual travel grant and $250 AAZK National Conference grant
· National Zoo Keeper Week: Cindy Maur, Avi Shuter, Lisa Walker, Heather Tassler, Amy Golden, Erin Mowatt, Joe Nappi
o Organizes and coordinates NZKW activities and keeper gifts with the assistance of WCS management
· Volunteering and Girl Scouts: Elizabeth Mills (Bronx Zoo), Ashley Herbolich (Prospect Park Zoo)
o Organizes volunteer outings and activities with charities and local Girl Scout Groups
NYC AAZK Annual Events and Fundraisers
The Chapter holds fundraisers, keeper appreciation events, panel discussions, presentation evenings, and other activities during the year. Check out the event pages for more information; we hope to see you at the next one!
WCS Co-Sponsored Events:
Panel Discussion: A panel of WCS experts weigh in on a given topic for the evening. WCS staff, interns, and volunteers are invited to learn more about conservation issues within the five New York facilities and around the world. This event is usually a pot luck, so bring your best dish to show off!
Presentation Evening: Have a conference or national meeting coming up, or just have some interesting research to share with coworkers? WCS animal staff are encouraged to present their work at this event for WCS management and coworkers. The goals of this event are to create a professional environment for practicing presentation techniques and to share what is happening at the five WCS parks.
Spring
Annual Photo Contest: Themed contest to showcase the animals of the WCS, with $100 in prizes in the “People’s Choice” and “Best in Show” categories. Selected photographs are displayed in the annual calendar and on NYC AAZK social media.
Chopsticks for Salamanders: Buy reusable chopsticks, and help save the forests that salamanders call home. NYC AAZK is a proud partner of the Bring Your Own Chopsticks movement, and holds a fundraiser to generate funds for CFS research grants. This fundraiser is a great way for members to get involved on a small level and gain planning experience!
Run for the Wild: NYC AAZK supports the athletes in the annual WCS Run for the Wild 5K and Family Fun Run. Look for the Chapter’s informational table at the event each year. Chapter members are always needed to man the table and talk to the public about NYC AAZK!
Barnanza: An annual bar based fundraiser that donates its proceeds to a charity that is nominated by a Chapter member and then receives a Chapter majority vote. Admission proceeds, Change for Change loose change collected, and silent auction or raffle monetary donations are contributed to the chosen charity. Past charities include the Turtle Survival Alliance and The Greenburgh Nature Center. This fundraiser is a great way for members to get involved on a small level and gain planning experience!
Summer:
WCS Member’s Nights: Look for the Chapter’s informational table at each of the WCS’s three summer Member’s Nights at the Bronx Zoo. 2013 activities included “Dress Like a Keeper” and coloring pages. Chapter members are always needed to man the table and talk to the public about NYC AAZK!
National Zoo Keeper Week: Zoo keepers work hard 365 days a year and celebrates it all starting the third Sunday in July! The Chapter buy gifts for keepers, vet techs, interns, and supervisors, works with WCS management to hold special enrichment and training sessions, displays artwork and photos created by keepers, and throws a night event during the week to kick back and relax with friends and coworkers.
National Zoo Keeper Week Silent Auction: Every year during the work week of NZKW, the Chapter holds a silent auction open to all WCS staff, interns, and volunteers. Local businesses, keepers, and family members donate artwork, merchandise, and special deals that can be bid on from Monday through Friday. All proceeds benefit the continuing efforts of NYC AAZK to hold fundraisers and events throughout the year. Email nycaazk@gmail.com if you have anything you would like to donate!
Fall:
Enrichment Bonanza: A relaxing evening, usually held at the Bronx Zoo, where keepers from all five facilities get together to create enrichment. Past enrichment items include giant geometric paper boomer balls, painted papier-mâché eggs/ornaments, popcorn strings, fire hose toys, cardboard animal dummies, and much more! There is also usually a cook-off, so make your best dish to show off.
Winter:
Holiday Party: Happy Holidays from NYC AAZK! Relax after work with your friends and coworkers at a bar in Manhattan, where you can win a National membership for the next year! The Chapter also awards a National membership to the member that attended the most events from the previous year.
Holiday Silent Auction: Just before the holiday season, the Chapter holds a silent auction open to all WCS staff, interns, and volunteers. Local businesses, keepers, and family members donate artwork, merchandise, and special deals that can be bid on from Monday through Friday. All proceeds benefit the continuing efforts of NYC AAZK to hold fundraisers and events throughout the year. Email nycaazk@gmail.com if you have anything you would like to donate!
