From the Chair...Using Information Technology

Web Meetings
We have all felt the pressures of gas prices lately. Not only personally but professionally. Time is also a very precious commodity these days as we are all expected to do more with less. Both of these issues have placed a significant burden on meeting participation. As a result, TSAF is having trouble getting an adequate respresentation at the quarterly executive officer meetings. You'll be happy to know that TSAF is doing something about it. This year, we started hosting our quarterly meetings using web conferencing technology. It is free and easy to use. Sure it is a switch from the traditional way of meeting, and there are growing pains associated with using new technology, but web conferencing promises to keep cost at a minimum for all acting TSAF officers. Web conferencing will continue to improve over time and provide further benefits to TSAF members. For example, I would like to see TSAF host webinars in the near future that office CFE credit. This can be easily accomplished today, we simply need a volunteer or two to take the lead. Attendance is still low at the Executive Officer meetings however. I would like each of you to encourage your chapter officers (or representative) to make every effort to attend these important meetings.

e-Newsletter
You may also notice another change...especially if you are reading this. John Warner and I have been working on TSAF email blast or eblast system that will send you relative information more frequently (eblast defined = a single e-newsletter carrying a limited number of message). I realize that this first issue is brief, but I'm sure that eash of you will do your part to contribute to future eNewsletters. Please send information for the newsletter to jwarner@tfs.tamu.edu.

New TSAF Ad Campaign by Ron Billings

The advertisement for the Texas Chapter of SAF has gotten a face lift. At the request of the TSAF Executive Committee, Communications Chair Ron Billings, with assistance from TFS Communications Specialist Linda Moon, redesigned the original ad that has been in use in forestry newsletters for many years. The new ads feature black and white photos of TSAF members on the job.  The first ad appeared in the February issue of the Texas Forestry Association newsletter Texas Forestry and featured Amy Braig, a member of the TSAF student chapter at Stephen F. Austin State University (see ad above).  Following two months of exposure in Texas Forestry, a different ad featuring consulting forester Ralph Day will appear in the April and May issues.  The text for the second ad also is different, featuring the acronym PROS (see example above). The idea is to periodically feature a different forester at work, to illustrate the variety of individuals involved in TSAF and the myriad of jobs that professional foresters do.

The Koontz Fund by John Warner

The Koontz Fund recieved two requests at the end of 2007 for $500 each. For the 3rd Quarter - PLT for Huntsville's Walk in the Forest recieved funding to become a self sustaining project. In 2008, over 300 pre-service teachers from Sam Houston State University were trained in the educator portion of PLT. During the 4th Quarter, Latino Legacy recieved $500 to go toward reaching and educating students in the public school system by providing Spanish translation during events as well as materials.

So far in 2008, no requests have been recieved grant projects. Request for the 4th Quarter need to be emailed or faxed to John Warner by December 15. Projects need to have a TSAF member attached to show some coordination to them and also be self-sustaining once funding is recieved.

The Silent Auction at the TSAF Annual Meeting raised over $3,476.50. Thanks to all of the 2008 donors and SFASU Student Chapter of SAF for organizing this successful event.

Local Chapter News...

The Brazos-Trinity Chapter of Texas Society of American Foresters met at the Community Association of The Woodlands’ headquarters building to hear Stephen F. Austin State University School of Forestry doctoral candidate Tamberly Conway speak on Latino Legacy, a program geared to promote outdoor education and recreation to the Latino community.  With an increasing hispanic population, foresters and natural resource managers are learning to foster business and professional relationships with non-traditional Texas landowners. The evening’s meal was sponsored by Arbor Care, Inc. out of Houston.

SAF National Conventions: Jan’s Top Reasons to Go List by Jan Davis (District XI Council Member)

Top Five Reasons to Attend Any SAF National Convention

1)  The networking opportunity between making new contacts and reconnecting with old acquaintances is phenomenal! 2)  The sessions and tracks are designed by SAF membership so the overall program offers something about all aspects and the broad interest areas of the forest industry; no matter if you are a student starting out, in the peak of your career, or retired. 3) Technical tours and exhibitors allow attendees to experience cutting edge forest science with practical application as well as access to places in the area that are not normally available to the general public. 4)  Keynote and general session speakers are always personally and professionally inspiring. 5) Attendees walk away having seen new technologies, innovations, and adaptive management examples from forest practitioners.

Top Five Reasons to Attend This Year’s SAF National Convention

1) The town is a gorgeous resort town—Reno/Tahoe NV. 2) The time of year brings cooler weather, is before the holiday rush begins, and hopefully after most of the nation’s fire seasons—November 5-9, 2008. 3)  The convention kicks off the day after Election Day—making for ripe and robust conversation and speculation about the outcome’s implications to the management of our nation’s natural resources! 4) The entire agenda is full of relevant and timely presentations—topics about forestry and climate change, changing land ownerships, ecosystem services, economic and business trends, and healthy forest management. 5) The meeting registration and host hotel expenses are relatively inexpensive this year—registration is less than $450 for members and hotel rooms are less than $115 per night. Go to http://www.safconvention.org/natcon-08/index.cfm. I hope to see you there! Look for me and say hello! Jan

Time for Officer Nomination by Eric Taylor

You may remember that SAF started holding elections online last year. TSAF has decided to hold elections online through the national system this year. Unfortunately we did not get all of the necessary candidate information submitted to SAF in time. Thanks to those that contributed. So, I ask that each chapter plase handle their chapter nomination and election process in whatever way that best fits. Dean Coble and I will make the necessary arrangements needed to conduct the state-level elections. We will need to have all of this finalized by mid-December.