The Friends of the Atchafalaya held its annual membership meeting and monthly Board of Directors’ meeting at the Kean Miller offices in Downtown Baton Rouge on April 28, 2009. Thanks to our Board Treasurer Alice Miller and the Kean Miller firm for hosting us again this year.
The discussion centered on our attempts to expand our reach in 2008, like the boat launch clean-up program and this news site; and the exciting things that have happened to us recently, including participating with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation at Earth Day, and getting a grant from the Louisiana Office of Tourism to sponsor Experience Atchafalaya Days in October.
The Board elected this writer, Charles Caillouet, as the new Board President and Carolyn Delahoussaye as the new Secretary. Charlie Fryling will continue as the Vice-President and Alice Miller as the Treasurer. The other member of the Board are Jim Delahoussaye, Willie Fontenot, Richard Goyer and out-going President Miriam Davey. Miriam has held the office for the first three years of the group and deserves a break.
The Board Advisory Committee consists of Debra Credeur of the Atchafalaya Heritage Area; Jon and Jocelyn Donlon, who were originally Board members but are temporarily teaching in Japan; Randy Lanctot of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, of which the FOA is an affilliate member; and Steve Chustz of the Atchafalaya Basin Program. The advisors help the Friends Board to remain connected to the major players in Atchafalaya Basin conservation efforts.
The next year promises to be a busy one, as we work to revive the Atchafalaya Days and look for partners in our effort to make the public aware of the resources and challenges of the Atchafalaya Basin. We need YOU to help us to remain connected to ALL the players in the conservation game. Visit the main FOA web site if you want to join or renew your membership. Visit these pages for the latest news about the Basin. And drop a note or post a public comment if you need more information or want to share your thoughts about something that you see here, or just want to let folks know about an event that you think is important. That’s what i do. My address is in the Links on the right side of each page.
cr/30