|
<br />Tuesday, May 19 1:30 - 3:00 PM Track 3 - State Associations - Moderator: Bradley Brink
<br />
<br />NEFSMA'S HOME PAGE ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
<br />Peter A. Richardson
<br />
<br />The New England Floodplain and Stonnwater Managers Association, Inc. (NEFSMA) has developed a web site on the Internet to provide
<br />public and professional awareness of NEFSMA and its objective of promoting sOWld floodplain and stonnwater management The web
<br />site was set up using the personal Internet access account of NEFSMA's Vice Chair, Peter Richardson, Less than a year old and still under
<br />development, the NEFSMA web site provides history and membership infonnation about NEFSMA. a schedule of upcoming events, links
<br />to other related web sites, and important floodplain and stonnwater management information, including brochures for upcoming NEFSMA
<br />functions, Also, it looks and sounds coo!. Peter Richardson will explain the process the group went through to get on the World Wide Web,
<br />A "virtual tour" of the site can be given if Internet access is available at the ASFPM conference,
<br />
<br />INFORMATION-SHARING TIlROUGH NEWSLETIERS: NEW ENGLAND'S EXPERIENCE
<br />Michele Steinberg
<br />
<br />Publishing and distributing a newsletter for your floodplain management state or regional association is one effective tool for outreach, The
<br />New England Floodplain and Stonnwater Managers Association, Inc. (NEFSMA) has been publishing a newsletter since 1993, This
<br />presentation will provide an overview of the inception, growing pains, and current status ofNEFSMA News, The question of "why a
<br />newsletter" will be addressed in detail, wvering issues of reaching across state and regional boundaries, giving the members of your group
<br />a chance to share information and expertise, and announcing new programs, meetings, and events, Care and feeding of your state/regional
<br />newsletter will also be discussed in det"i!. NEFSMA has learned by experience some effective techniques for ensuring a wide variety and
<br />supply of interesting articles, and has tackled issues of reprinting articles, sharing editing responsibility, and determining cost-effective ways
<br />to produce and mail the publication. Use of software packages for design andlayout will be explained. The presentation will point out some
<br />issues that your state or regional group may want to discuss prior to launching or changing a newsletter, including identifying your audience,
<br />maintainin!! a mailin!! list, and decidul!! on a schedule for production,
<br />
<br />STATE ASSOlClA TION WORKSHOPS: THE PERSONAL TOUCH WORKS BEST
<br />Rod E, Emmer
<br />
<br />Annually, the Louisiana Floodplain Management Association (LFMA) conducts either two or three half-day workshops throughout the state
<br />each year. Interactive worl<shops are conducted in those communities where a LFMA member offers to coordinate local arrangements, Le"
<br />free meeting space with ample parking and contacting SWTounding officials and businesses about the workshop, A typical audience
<br />represents a range of individuals involved with the NFIP such as loan officers from financial institutions, parish (county) and municipal
<br />decisionmakers, engineers, SUlVeyors, and local pennit officials. Five to seven LFMA members donate their time and expertise to discuss
<br />issues commonly confronting floodplain managers and floodplain users, for example LOMA vs, LOMR, mobile homes in the floodplain,
<br />or working with FEMA. Speakers focu; practical solutions and observations learned from their many years of dealing with similar situations
<br />and the Federal and state regulations and guidelines. Questions receive immediate and direct responses. Old fashion personal contact with
<br />experienced peers remains one of the best methods for distributing infonnation to local stakeholders,
<br />
<br />STATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE: HOLD IT AND THEY WILL COME!
<br />Roy D. Sedwick, CFM
<br />
<br />Each year, the Texas Floodplain Manag,:ment Association (TFMA) holds an annual conference which has developed into the "crown jewel"
<br />of TFMA activities and service to our members, In fact, it was the I st Annual Texas Flood Conference, sponsored by the Texas NFIP State
<br />Coordinating Agency that was instrumental in fonning TFMA in 1988. During the 2 1/2 day conference, speakers cover various topics
<br />dealing with floodplain management, hazard mitigation and professional development. Conference participants receive a Certificate of
<br />Training which recognizes a certain nmober of hours of professional development. We use breakout training sessions to deal with more
<br />intense instruction such as the HEC-RAS program for engineers, These special sessions has allowed the TFMA to reach out to the "fringe
<br />professionals" of floodplain management and to increase our membership with a broad base of experience and professional expertise, The
<br />annual conference is scheduled in different and diverse locations across the state, allowing the members to see and understand the diverse
<br />flood risks of the State. Presentations by local administrators and technical field trips have showcased a nmober of highly effective local
<br />floodplain management and mitigation programs, One very positive benefit of the annual conference is the networking and development
<br />of fiiendships among the members, The highlight of each conference is the Annual Banquet and awards program, Each year, TFMA selects
<br />a "Floodplain Administrator of the Year" to receive a special award and recognition of a job well done, The Association also recognizes
<br />those who have given so much to make the TFMA such a success. The bottom line is - "Hold the Conference and They Will Come!"
<br />
|