MISSION: The primary objective of SAFE is to provide students from diverse
backgrounds with an open forum on fire ecology through which research
can be shared, networks formed and funding and information resources can be
accessed.
SAFE, the Student Association for Fire Ecology is a national
student chapter affiliated with the Association for Fire Ecology (AFE),
which is committed to promoting the application of fire ecology through
science and education.
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The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) is an organization of professionals dedicated to
improving the knowledge and use of fire in land management. Fire is a critical ecological
process in many ecosystems throughout the world. Land management goals often reflect plant
communities with a past history of repeated fire events. Still, many landscapes suffer
significantly altered fire regimes which may threaten native plant and animal assemblages.
AFE fills a critical gap in the distribution of fire science information. Utilizing annual
conferences, an on line journal and selected publications, AFE continues to heighten
awareness of the role of fire in contemporary ecosystems. It is the goal of AFE to assure fire
applications and fire management actions are informed by sound science and the most
innovative ecological thinking.
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Current SAFE Officers: Ben DeBlois-
Co-Chair, Michelle Shaffer- Co-Chair, Karen Koestner- Secretary, Amanda
Garcia- Treasurer & National Co-Chair.
Current SAFE Members: Ben DeBlois,
Michelle Shafer, Karen Koestner, Amanda Garcia, Kendra Kordes, Valerie
Kurth, Cathy Scudieri, Shawna Frels, Lora Vialpando, Karen Webber, Ryan
Wolfinger, John Lamb & Maria Erwin
Current SAFE Faculty Liaison: Dr.
Andi Thode
The Northern AZ University Chapter was re-established in
Fall 2006 just in time to fund raise in order to help send 10 of its
members to the Third International Congress for the Association of Fire
Ecology held in San Diego this past October. See the AFE website
for info on upcoming AFE conferences and congresses at
http://www.fireecology.net/
How to establish a SAFE Chapter at your University
- Visit your University's Office of Student life or
department which handles campus clubs and organizations.
- To be recognized as an official organization it must
be a non-profit organization, which has a tax payer ID number and
signers of a working bank account must be in our core field of
membership (an officer).
- In order to open a bank account you will need to
apply for a tax payer ID number (EIN #) with IRS. An application
for Employer Identification Number (Form SS-4) can be found on the IRS
website http://www.irs.gov. You
will need a faculty member to be the third party designee. Once
you have filled out the SS-4 form you can call the Internal Revenue
Service Center at (800) 829-4933 to obtain an EIN # between 7:00am and
10:00pm, or fax the SS-4 form to (859)669-5760.
- Once you have obtained an EIN # you will need to open
a bank account, your university can provide you with a list of local
banks offering this service. To open a bank account you will need your
EIN/Tax ID #, board minutes with elected officers and a statement saying
who (Treasurer) will be the designated signer on the account. All
banks have different requirements which they will fill you in on, the
most important thing is to have your EIN# and board minutes designating
a signer to the account.
- Once you have a bank account you'll have a
functioning organization that will allow you to conduct meetings,
participate in SAFE conference calls, attend the annual and
international AFE conferences and congresses, seek out fire related
volunteer events, and begin to network and get involved in the
professional Association for Fire Ecology.
SAFE is a student run organization that can be as active
or inactive as members decide.
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