The Suncoast Chapter will hold an election for the Volunteer Coordinator, and Secretary  Executive Committee positions at the general meeting on Tuesday Sept 14th, 2010.

The chapter would like to take the time to thank Jimmy Hoffman, and Josh Nash for all of their hard work, and know we can count on them for help in the future.

In the meantime, the Board elected Victoria Spera as the interim VC.  Check out her Bio on the About page.

Volunteer/Membership Coordinator –recruits new members, coordinates volunteers and volunteer opportunities, helps increase member satisfaction. Contacts individuals following their first Surfrider meeting, creates membership development events. This person should be happy, smiley, and stoked on Surfrider. Most importantly, they should be able to help IDENTIFY and DEFINE volunteer opportunities and job descriptions at chapter meetings, on the website and through email correspondence. You plug people in and help recruit. Maintains chapter materials for events.

Josh will remain in the Secretary position until the chapter votes in new EC member.

The Secretary is responsible for the Chapters records (minutes) and correspondence. The Secretary keeps an accurate record of the meetings and topics of discussion of the Chapter and of the Executive Committee; and transmits the same to the successor in Office.  The Secretary is responsible for sending monthly reports to Surfrider Foundation National Headquarters and is also a primary contact to National Headquarters.

Elections will be held at the general meeting on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.   If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please email Thomas at Suncoast@surfrider.org

Shifts are as follows:

Saturday, Oct 16: 9a -11a, 11a – 1p, 1p – 3p, 3p – 5p

Sunday, Oct 17: 10a – 12n, 12n – 2p, 2p – 4p

Please consider donating 2 hours of your time to help your Suncoast Chapter make a difference!

Contact: Suncoast@surfrider.org

To see more pics from this great event click “Read More”

Pics below courtesy of Thomas P. and Lara H.

Saturday August 21^th, The Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter teamed up with Jack Johnson’s “All At Once” organization to put on an all day promotional event cleaning up the beaches, and giving away some great prizes. Prizes included a weekend stay at the Post Card Inn, a pro skimboard donated by Wave Zone Skimboards, 2 sets of Jack Johnson tickets, an autographed memorabilia set signed by Jack Johnson himself, and case of Celsius Energy Drinks. The winner of the most trash collected for the beach cleanup was given a great prize package from sponsor Ocean Rebel.  The focus of the day was to engage in a membership drive while spreading the awareness for the reduction of single use plastics. This event was the most successful membership drive in the chapter’s history, bringing 20 new and excited members aboard while raising over $600 on the day. These proceeds will be matched by Jack Johnson’s “All At Once” organization.

Special thanks to all who helped lend a hand to make this event such a success, especially Suncoast’s intern Austin Piazza. Austin not only promoted this event to the masses, he also oversaw the entire day and weeks leading up. This event wouldn’t have been as prosperous without him. As to the day of the Jack Johnson concert (Aug 25^th), the Suncoast Chapter will have a booth in the “Global Village” where they will be displaying their massive plastic wave made out of over1,000 recycled plastic bottles. Make sure you stop by and say Hi!

Texas Hold’Em for clean water!!  Who would have thought? Many people stepped up to make this event happen. Thanks to all those that volunteered and or sponsored our event!! Special thanks go out to Ferg’s Sports Bar, Elite Poker Challenge, The Postcard Inn and Starbucks for sponsoring our event.

The Suncoast Surfrider Foundation, Ferg’s Sports Bar, The Postcard Inn, Elite Poker Challenge and many volunteers put on our second poker tournament in chapter history to raise funds for water test kits, and to help out other charities that are specializing in helping marine animals recover from the oil spill.  We came up big on the fun factor!  Also raising over $500 dollars on the day and plan on using this event as a spring board to introducing new groups to our foundation.  We had nearly 30 people attend the “Texas Hold”Em Event and more than half have never heard of Surfrider Foundation.

In the past, people thought that you had to be a surfer to be in Surfrider Foundation, but we are now adding clarity and reducing the turbulence on this thought process!  Our foundation is one of only a handful that’s main focus is on the beach environment and access.  Bottom line is that if you love water, you should join Suncoast Surfrider Foundation!

Results

1^st Place- Weekend for two at, The Postcard Inn, and dinner for two

Dave Register

2^nd Place- Nautical Trophy and $25 Dollar Gift Card

David Hendley

3^rd Place- $25 Dollar Ferg’s Gift Certificate

- Starbucks Gift Bag

T. J. Walsh

4^Th Place- $25 Dollar Ferg’s Gift Certificate

Martin Haas

5^th Place- $25 Dollar Ferg’s Gift Certificate.

Victoria Spera

6^th Place- Sport Shirt

Andrea Rosenberg

7^th Place- Sport Shirt

Jeff Bradshaw

8^th Place- Sport Shirt

Dennis Alimanuvio

Meeting Minutes

July 13th, 2010

Location: The Garden

217 Central Avenue

St Petersburg, FL

Live music by Austin Piazza

Call to order: 7:30pm by Thomas, chapter chair

Thomas advised of the Surfrider Mission Statement: For the protection and enjoyment of

the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people using C.A.R.E, conservation, activism,

research, and education. The Suncoast Chapter proudly upholds the Surfrider mission statement

and this chapter has been active on the Gulf Coast since 2007.

Thomas asked all those in attendance to introduce themselves and say something unique about themselves.

Jessica Respondek continues to do a tremendous amount of research and logging many hours on

Upham Beach. She’s always ready to take on volunteers! So don’t be shy and step up to

research or do other tasks this issue requires as we continue towards the goal to “Free Upham”.

Send her an email and jnjrespondek@verizon.net. Thank you Jessica!

Rise Above Plastics

Victoria is heading up this initiative for the Chapter. Suncoast Chapter will be the first

Florida Chapter to take on this important campaign. Rise above Plastics is about plastics

elimination in the environment. Plastics are people pollution. What we do today effects tomorrow.

The committee will to push towards imposing a plastic bag fee on all grocery type plastic bags.

The committee will also do education and outreach program to the public. Volunteers are needed

to report and count plastic items found at cleanups as well as just recording where you find plastic

bags and what grocery store brand is on the bag.

Education is key to make this work. Tell everyone to limit your plastic use.

Volunteers interested in this initiative should get with Victoria about Rise Above Plastics.

Victoria brought in crafts that kids made out of plastics, very creative.

She is also the lead on an enormous plastic wave that is being constructed and will be finished for the Jack Johnson concert.

Not The Answer

Thomas stated that there have been about 91+million gallons fo oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico.

The chapter still has Not The Answer shirts for sale.

Thomas covered our chapters oil spill response plan.

Hands Across The Sand was a great success, hundreds of people came out to show their support in saying no to offshore oil drilling. It was held on June 26th.

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Charity Poker tournament

Ron Henkel is heading up a charity poker tournament Aug. 7th. In an effort to raise funds for the chapter.

Retailer of the month

Scott Orsinin is this months retailer of the month. Congratulations Scott.

Scott Orsini heads up the LocalS campaign. The project began last summer with an

etiquette quiz. Reward stickers were given for achieving a passing score. The test involves

ethical training for local surfers on how to and not to behave out on the waves. Show respect for

each other. Share the stoke. The committee aims for signs posted at the more popular breaks

along the west coast.

Beach cleanup

Josh Nash talked on the next beach cleanup of our adopted beach set for Sept. 11th.

He also talked about an amendment to an ordinance in Sarasota County. The board of commissioners stated that life guards control the surfing inside the buoyed areas. It is outlawed inside of these areas. But lifeguards will allow surfing in red flag conditions, as there are not very many swimmers in the water. Surfing is allowed outside of the buoys and wherever the sand is wet we are allowed to surf.

Member of the month

Ron Henkel was selected for the member of the month. Congratulations Ron. Look for his write up in the volunteer section on our website.

Past months events

Thomas talked on events we recently have participated in as a chapter.

-International Surf Day

-Hands Across The Sand

-Donavon Frankenreiter concert

-Morgan Skate competition

-Public service announcement with the Corey and Shea Lopez

-Sarasota Ban on Surfing

-New logo_our chapter will be buying the new logo items. Tent and flags etc.

Iron Surfer

Surfrider Foundation has a membership recruiting campaign til Oct 31st. With trips and shwag for the winners.

Intern Update

Austin Piazza has had the intern position for six weeks. Thomas described his duties and achievements thus far. Austin got an opportunity to talk about his experience.

Business cards will be ordered when the new logo info is ready.

Jessica updated the finances in the chapters possession $12,842.87

Upcoming events

-Charity poker tournament

-Making plastic wave to be unveiled at the Jack Johnson concert

-Jack Johnson concert

Anything else?

Adjourned: 9:25pm.

Russel Drevitson

Click Read More to see the rest of the entrants.

Mike Conlee

Mike Katzban

Natalie Diaz

Thomas Paterek

Sean Griffen

Lara Henry