ZooManiacs: University of Zoological Enthusiasts Club

MEMBER HANDBOOK 2014 – 2015

Contents:

1. Introduction 2. What To Do If You’re New 3. Club Events 4. Executive Positions

ZooManiacs Member Handbook 1

Introduction:

“So, this book seems pretty scary. I mean, who’s ever been in a club where you have to have a handbook just to be a member? ZooManiacs must be intense.” - Person Who Just Joined ZooManiacs

Actually, Person Who Just Joined ZooManiacs, that isn’t true! ZooManiacs is just super user friendly. This book is designed to let members know about how the club works and what you should do to make sure you’re in the know! Because we all admit that sometimes joining a club is awkward, especially if you don’t join at the beginning of the year and you miss out on all that welcoming/educational stuff. So, just to stress the main point of all that: this handbook is just to help you out. You are not expected to know everything in here, or even to read it. It’s just here if you are confused about how to get started with ZooManiacs!

First things first: what is ZooManiacs? We are a club dedicated to bringing together zoology nuts like you in order to socialize, volunteer, learn and network in the field of zoology. Things we do as a club include a lecture series, field trips to zoos and parks, study groups, fundraising and of course the odd partyin’ good time on days like Darwin’s birthday. As a member of ZooManiacs you will get all those benefits, but it is important to note that without you members, we wouldn’t have the resources to put on all these great events! So, that being said, please feel welcome to step up and help out in the club. Opportunities to help include (but of course are not limited to): running for the executive, volunteering to peer review lab reports, making suggestions for new activities/events, volunteering to man our Clubs Fair table/other sales tables we run, and using connections with people you know to provide us with a great guest lecturer, volunteer opportunity or field trip.

Oh also, the amorphous blob at the end of the outgroup branch on our logo is a sponge. I feel like I should tell you this.

Note that joining ZooManiacs costs you an annual membership fee of $5! This helps us cover the costs of events and many other great member benefits such as a lecture series, field trips and Darwin Day t-shirts!

ZooManiacs Member Handbook 2

What To Do If You’re New

Here is a list of a few things any new member of ZooManiacs ought to do to make sure they are notified of club goings-ons and they can benefit from being in the club.

1. Like us on facebook and follow us on twitter. http://www.facebook.com/zoomaniacs @UofA_Zoomaniacs 2. Get on the email list. You can do this by facebooking or emailing any of the current executives or club accounts ([email protected]) with your email, faculty and year of study. You can also visit the club office, BS M 232 (next to the CCIS Second Cup). This year’s executive and office hours: President – to be elected Vice President General – Sarah Nason ([email protected]) Office Hour: Monday 10:00am – 11:00am Vice President Communications – Sarah Pletts ([email protected]) Office Hour: Thursday 11:00am – 12:00pm Vice President Events – Lydia Fong ([email protected]) Office Hour: Wednesday 11:00am – 12:00pm Vice President External – Olivia Hee ([email protected]) Office Hour: Tuesday 12:30pm – 1:30pm 3. Attend meetings. Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm. The location of the meeting is booked within the week preceding it, so please keep an eye on your email/facebook/twitter for the announcement. Normally we are in BS M 149, which is located beneath the CCIS Second Cup. 4. Check the club website. http://www.ualberta.ca/~zuazec The website contains relevant announcements, job/volunteer postings, downloadable content, and a google calendar of club events. Be sure to check it out!

ZooManiacs Member Handbook 3

Club Events

Club events vary from year to year, adjusted based on the successes and challenges of the previous year. The events we have decided to run again or try out new for 2014 – 2015 are listed below and can also be found on the club calendar. Some dates are still to be determined.

September: • 1st & 2nd: Clubs Fair • 11th: General Meeting • 13th: Field Trip – Valley Zoo October: • 9th: General Meeting • Field Trip – Big Important Birding Area November: • 13th: General Meeting • 15th: Field Trip – Elk Island National Park • Fundraiser – bake sale and/or stuffed animal sale December: • Pre-exam De-Stresser • Darwin Day T-shirt Design Competition Launch January: • 8th: General Meeting & Elections • Industry Networking Night February: • 12th: Darwin Day Party March: • 12th: General Meeting • Graduate/Undergraduate Student Mixer April: • 9th: General Meeting • Group Volunteering – Snow Goose Chase

We also host study groups, lab report peer review, a lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and a Group Photo Competition on our facebook page throughout the year. Information will be made available about these ongoing events via facebook, twitter, website, and email.

ZooManiacs Member Handbook 4

Executive Positions

For more information on how elections work, please email us ([email protected]) or check out our constitution.

President: The president oversees the general functioning of the club, including but not limited to: leading meetings and elections, communication with all points of contact for the club (ie. Student Group Services/SGS, Interdisciplinary Science Students Society/ISSS, members, executive), coordinating fundraising efforts and events, and facilitating executive meetings. Estimated weekly time requirement: 5 hours Vice President General: The VP General is considered second in command to the President and may act as interim President until an election can be held. The person in this position is responsible for communication between the President and executives, managing ingoing/outgoing funds of the club, and communicating with ISSS and SGS regarding funding. Estimated weekly time requirement: 5 hours Vice President Communications: The VP Communications is responsible for managing the club facebook page, twitter account, and email account as well as emailing members regarding upcoming meetings and events, designing and coordinating advertisements, organizing a bimonthly newsletter, and spreading awareness for the club. Estimated weekly time requirement: 2-3 hours Vice President Events: The VP Events is responsible for organizing club events and managing the club google calendar. For 2014 – 2015, this means being responsible for the November fundraiser, Darwin Day T-shirt Competition, and Darwin Day Party. The VP Events is also expected to work in cooperation with the VP External to deliver networking events and field trips. Estimated weekly time requirement: 2-3 hours Vice President External: The VP External is responsible for seeking relevant volunteer experience for members, contacting and organizing guest speakers for our lecture series, and announcing career-building and networking events on campus to members. The VP External is also expected to work in cooperation with the VP Events to deliver networking events and field trips. Estimated weekly time requirement: 1-2 hours