With our watersheds, coastlines and ocean facing such incredible challenges, we need citizens who are ocean and environmentally

literate! 

You can help support educators in Mid-Atlantic states. You can make a difference!

• Great networking• Gain knowledge and skills• Work with regional and national initiatives and some of the movers and shakers in our field. • Fantastic learning and professional development opportunity.

WHERE TO GET STARTED?

Try a Committee OR

State Rep position

As you build experience, you may want to step into a role on the Executive Board.

Members are encouraged to learn more about MAMEA Board function and Association programs by joining

a Committee.

Terms of 1 year or more.

Mentoring Committee NMEA Representation Committee Nominating Committee Communications

- Webkeeper - Newsletter editor- Facebook manager

Grants Committee Awards Committee Scholarship Committee

David ChristopherCurrent NMEA Representative,& a past President and Secretary:

Outreach Education Manager, National Aquarium

Board member since ~2003

“I joined the board because I saw the benefit of organizations such as MAMEA and felt that I wanted to contribute to the overall community. 

I also appreciate how participation on the MAMEA Board it has put me in touch with a variety of organizations at the local, regional and national level.”

Carol Hopper BrillCurrent Grants Committee Chair, a Past President &past VA Representative Marine Education Specialist, VA Sea Grant Marine Advisory ProgramVA Institute of Marine Science

Board member since 2006

“I joined MAMEA in fall of 2003 and was impressed with the energy and camaraderie of the membership. I was new to Virginia and MAMEA provided the best way to get plugged-in to marine education in the region. Serving on the Board has been a really rewarding experience, I’ve learned so much more than I anticipated. The Board really works as a team to support marine educators in our region.”

Allison BeschCurrent Awards Committee ChairCurator of EducationNC Maritime Museum

Beth JewellAwards Committee Member& a past President, NMEA RepOceanography & Honors Biology TeacherWest Springfield High School, VA 2010 NMEA Award Winning Teacher

Chris PetroneCurrent Masthead Editor &Facebook Page ManagerMarine Education Specialist, VA Sea Grant Marine Advisory ProgramVA Institute of Marine Science

Lisa LawrenceCurrent Webkeeper Marine Education Specialist, VA Sea Grant Marine Advisory ProgramVA Institute of Marine Science

STATE REPRESENTATIVE:

2 year term

• Provides support for local MAMEA members• Compiles state activity reports for the newsletter• Coordinates one mini-conference annually, a professional develop opportunity for members.

Great starting place for new Board members, builds familiarity with state members

and with Board operations.

Amy SaulsCurrent NC Representative,Scholarship Committee Chair& a past President : Science Teacher, Jones Senior High School

Board Member since ~2003

“Being on the MAMEA Board provides me ongoing opportunities to connect and network with local marine educators. And, Board activity gives me an excuse to communicate more often with friends that I may not see in person as often as I would like.  

The MAMEA Board also gives me the chance to help promote local and regional programs and hopefully make connections to draw in other interested potential members.”

Sarah McGuireCurrent VA Rep Education Coordinator,Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERRVA)

Board member since 2010

“As Education Coordinator for CBNERRVA,MAMEA was an organization that I really wanted to become further involved with. I have always thought that MAMEA members and Board members had such a great rapport.

MAMEA is a great way to network with other marine educators in the area, work with them, and expand marine education in our region. Plus, we always have a great time at our conferences! ”

Bill SimpkinsCurrent DC RepDirector of EducationNational Aquarium in DCBoard member since 2004

Karen MattinglyCurrent MD RepTeacher, Green Holly Elementary SchoolBoard member since 2009

Tami LundfordActing DE Rep Biology instructor, Univ. of Delaware & MATE Center Internship Coordinator Board member since 2008

EXECUTIVE BOARD: 2 – 3 year terms

• Secretary • Treasurer

• President Elect • President

• Past President

• Records and preserves minutes of two annual meetings• Maintains and updates membership lists, including collecting dues from new members and sending renewal notices and membership confirmation

Familiarity with MAMEA, the Board and its operations is recommended. Access to a computer and necessary

software for managing membership lists and spreadsheets is required. Good for detail oriented individuals.

Kathy Fuller Current Secretary & past Maryland Representative Youth Programs Coordinator, Education Department, National Aquarium On the Board since 2000

“I became involved in the Board when I volunteered to run a field trip for MAMEA’s 2000 regional conference.  When I arrived to pick up the field trippers, they said ‘We need a new Maryland Representative since the old one moved out of the region.  ‘Tag…You’re it.’ 

I’ve been on the Board ever since.  I enjoy working with a dedicated group of educators who are always coming up with fun and educational ways to enrich the lives of educators in the region.”

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• Keeps MAMEA’s financial records and books, pays authorized bills, maintains documentation of expenditures, deposits all receipts.• Maintains MAMEA tax-exempt status, satisfies IRS reporting requirements.

Familiarity with MAMEA, the Board, and its operations recommended. Access to a computer and necessary software for managing accounts is required. Good for

detail oriented individuals with financial savvy.

Jackie Takacs Current Treasurer Marine Extension Specialist,Maryland Sea Grant Extension

Board member since 2005

Works with Board and Committees assisting Association initiatives Responsible for planning and implementing annual conference, with the help of the Conference Advisory Team. Serves as Conference Chair. 

Requires familiarity with MAMEA, the Board and its operations. Experience as Committee Chair or other

Board position highly recommended.

Lisa LawrenceCurrent President-Elect, past VA Representative & Nominations Committee Chair Marine Education Specialist, VA Sea Grant Marine Advisory ProgramVA Institute of Marine Science

Board member since 2000

”I joined the Board because MAMEA is a great organization full of fantastic, enthusiastic educators. I wanted to be a part of that and contribute what I could.”

Ruth Gourley Current President& past NC Representative Education Specialist North Carolina Aquarium, Fort Fisher, NC

Board member since 2005

“Ruth enjoys contributing to marine education in all kinds of settings. She works with aquarium visitors of all ages, and mentors volunteers, interns, new teachers and seasoned educators. Her enthusiasm for all the critters of the sea is infectious. Ruth is the recipient of MAMEA’s 2008 Informal Marine Educator Award.

During three years as the North Carolina rep, she promoted mini-conferences and facilitated workshops.”

Provides leadership, works with the Board and Committees, guides initiatives for the Association Shapes Committees through the appointment of Chairs and committee members Develops the agenda and presides over 2 meetings a year

Follows a year as President-Elect.Requires familiarity with MAMEA, the Board and its

operations.

 

• Provides support for the Board and Committees for Association initiatives• Chair of the Mentoring and Nominating Committees• Serves on several Committees, including Grants and Awards.

Follows a year as President. Requires familiarity with MAMEA,

the Board and its operations.

Tami LunsfordCurrent Past-President & Acting DE Rep

Biology instructor, Univ. of Delaware & MATE Center Internship Coordinator

Board member since 2008

“I became a member of the MAMEA Board because I love the people in marine education.  Everyone on the Board is so passionate and dedicated to their own work. And, they are dedicated to improving the organization

I also joined to help make more professional connections.  Teaching can be an isolating profession and being a part of the MAMEA board helps me stay connected on a regional and national level.”

MAMEA wants you!

For more details on Board and Committee tasks, as outlined in MAMEA Standing Rules and By-Laws, see www.mamea.org/admin/BoardOfficerDuties.pdf