Welcome
The Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society Inc. (SAEMS ) is the premier environmental organization in the state. SAEMS was created:
- To actively promote awareness, education, and understanding of environmental issues
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information between private enterprises, government, industry, and education and research institutions
SAEMS was formed in 1986 and incorporated in 1991; it is a non-profit 501 (c) organization.
SAEMS currently has over 200 members from private industry, regulatory agencies, and environmental service companies, who represent a broad cross section of interests.
SAEMS holds monthly luncheon meetings that present speakers who address a wide range of environmental topics.
SAEMS monthly newsletter HazMatters features announcements of upcoming events in the community, regulatory updates, and an environmental law column.
SAEMS members participate in several committees whose purpose is to serve the community as well as provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among members.
SAEMS sponsors seminar on various topics each year and conducts highway and park cleanups.
Incoming President Message
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts: Serving our Community
One year ago, the SAEMS Executive Board faced fiscal challenges for the year ahead – would we be able to meet our commitments and maintain core programs? Under the leadership of outgoing President Sarah Sillman, the hard work of the out-going board, committee chairs, volunteers, and dedicated sponsors, paid off. When combined with the kick-off fundraiser reception for ADEQ Director Ben Grumbles which was supported by Davis-Monthan and local government, SAEMS not only recovered from an uncertain start, but went on to rally and arrive at year-end in a comfortable, fiscal position. We continue to support core programs, and our community, including, but not limited to: City of Tucson Household Hazardous Waste; Tucson Clean & Beautiful; and, scholarships to develop our next generation.
The incoming Executive Board comes alongside me in leadership, combining returning board members Frank Bonillas (City of Tucson), John Barr (Alcoa), with new members Ken Asch (Fluor), Heather Shoemaker (Terracon), and Tom Sisterman (City of Tucson, Fire Department). Please join me in thanking and supporting each in answering the call to serve as environmental leaders. Leading an organization comprised of many talented members is a blessing, and it’s a pleasure to serve with this group of colleagues.
The mission of SAEMS is environmental education, awareness and linking environmental professionals. In a setting of financial shifts and changes and an unprecedented oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico, we clearly see that we are connected in unimagined, global ways. Within this setting is a call to unite and do more to link our community, increase awareness and engage community members. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Expanding our connection to members of our environmental community benefits and enriches us. Collaborating with environmental community members such as Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Pima County, the City, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, U of A, and industry, provides a forum to learn from one another on fronts such as sustainability and contingency planning. Certainly, our global setting brings home the importance of environmental stewardship and accountability, contingency planning, emergency response, and the role of both regulators and informed, prepared community leaders in our nation’s system of checks and balances.
Our first golf tournament will be held in September and promises fun. Proceeds will be invested in our future; targeting our scholarship fund. Setting our sights for the year ahead, we welcome your ideas and contribution. New opportunities with potential and possibility await SAEMS.
May the year ahead show us many synergistic ways that a united whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Your continued support makes SAEMS great!
Respectfully,
Kristie Kilgore (Tetra Tech)
SAEMS President
520-297-7723
| SAEMS, P.O.Box 41433, Tucson, AZ 85717 |
