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The National Weather AssociationSupporting and Promoting Excellence in

Operational Meteorology

Presented by Ralph FerraroNOAA/NESDIS and CICS

College Park, MDRalph.R.Ferraro@noaa.gov

Chair, NWA Remote Sensing Committee and NWA Councilor (2007-09)

www.nwas.org

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• NWA is a grass-roots professional assoc.• Non-profit, mostly-volunteer organization• Focus on OPERATIONAL METEOROLOGY

– Broadcasters– Private Enterprise– National Weather Service– Military weather– Web based services

WHAT IS NWA?

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NWA Features & Perks• Newsletter• NWA Digest -- a refereed

journal• Electronic Journal of

Meteorology• Training and Professional

Development• Job Postings • Scholarships & Grants• Local Chapters (often joint

with AMS local chapters)

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NWA History and Fun Facts

www.nwas.org

• Founded 1975 with 5 members

• In 2009: 3000+ members• NWA Weathercaster Seal of Approval• 12 active committees for involvement

• 6 scholarships for college money

• 2 grants for more money

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Leadership• Officers

• Councilors

• Committees:– Aviation Professional Development– Awards Publications– Broadcast Meteorology Remote Sensing– Education Specialized Operations– Information Technology Strategic Planning– Membership & Marketing Wx Analysis and Forecasting

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Web Sitewww.nwas.org

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Scholarships & Grants!• Broadcast Meteorology – March 15th • David Sankey Minority Scholarship – April 15th

• Arthur C. Pike Scholarship - April 15th • AccuWeather Undergraduate Scholarship – May 15th • Dr. Roderick A. Scofield Scholarship – May 15th • Cassens/Phillips Family Scholarship for Meteorology -

Fall• Sol Hirsch Education Fund Grants for K-12 teachers

June 15th • Meteorological Satellite Applications Award Grant for

Undergraduate Students – June 15th

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Annual Meeting

Norfolk, Virginia - October 17-22, 2009

Phoenix, Arizona – October 2-7, 2010

– Abstracts due June 1– Weather Broadcaster

Workshop– Student Session

www.nwas.org

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10. Belong to a professional organization

9. Promote operational meteorology

8. Free Newsletter and Digest

7. Stay tuned with what’s happening in the industry

6. Builds your resume and shows employers commitment

5. Half-year student dues only $10.50 

4. Publish painlessly in Digest or E-Journal

3. Broadcaster Seal of Approval

2. Join a new Facebook group

1. One word:  NETWORKING! 

Top 10 Reasons to Join NWA

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Membership Specials

• Student Dues: $21.00

• Half-Year Special: $10.50

• School-Year Special: $26.00(September 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010)

www.nwas.org

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Backup Slides

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PUBLICATIONS

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Membership• Students                   348  12.3%• Faculty/Teachers       80               2.8%• Radio/TV                 1005           35.6%• Private Sector           270       9.6%• Retired                     205            7.3%• NOAA                       635            22.5%

– NWS                       593             21 %• Military                          60              2.1%• Other                           221             7.8%

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Students at 2008 NWA Annual Meetingwww.nwas.org