On April 26, 2011, as called for in the official bylaws, the Friends of the Atchafalaya held a Board of Directors meeting, followed by an open membership meeting at the Audubon Coastal Initiative office in Baton Rouge.

FOA Board Meeting

At the Friends of the Atchafalaya April Board meeting, the Board voted to invite Lu Cutrera onto the Board and elected Charlie Fryling, President, Jim Delahoussaye, Vice-President and Charles Caillouet, Secretary and Treasurer. Lu Cutrera agreed to back up the Secretary in the upcoming months to cover any absences of the Secretary. The Board also agreed to draft a letter proposing that the FOA and the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area develop an agreement whereby the Friends would become a primary supporting non-profit organization for the Heritage Area. A committee was selected to work on the letter and to identify details of such an agreement, along with Heritage Area Executive Director Debra Credeur. The Board also agreed to proceed with plans for Experience Atchafalaya Days in 2011. Some events will be planned for October, 2011 and the Governor will be asked to again designate October as Atchafalaya month, but events will continue to be planned throughout the year to accommodate public interest and to match seasonal events with appropriate times of the year.

FOA Annual Membership Meeting

The Board presented the new Board member and officers to the membership and outlined plans for 2011. The new officers will assume office immediately and will hold office for one year.

Thank you to Paul Kemp and the Audubon Coastal Initiative for providing meeting space and advisory support for the Friends.