NAISMA Virtual Networking

All First Fridays are open to members only.

We invite NAISMA members to join us for a virtual networking hour! This is part of a monthly series only open to members. Grab a coffee and meet like-minded professionals from across North America.

The networking session will allow you to e-meet other members and exchange information. As a way to facilitate conversation, we’ll focus on a central topic and invite a guest speaker to field questions.

REGISTER HERE or sign in to access Virtual Networking opportunities in the Members’ Area.

Mark your calendars for the 1st Friday of every month!

2022 Schedule of Topics

January 7 @ 10am Central
Feedback Skills 

Your approach to providing opportunities for feedback can set the stage for an exceptionally positive, proactive, and productive team, or create a culture of distrust, fear, and shame. There is room for everyone to grow in this arena! Belle Bergner, Executive Director, will present questions to ask yourself and your team to set up a good feedback system, how to frame conversations, and will facilitate discussion to help you with your feedback challenges.

February 4 @ 2pm Central
Ambassador Program

Do you want to be more involved with NAISMA, develop your leadership skills, and be recognized for your efforts? Come learn how! There are a variety of roles that Ambassadors play in promoting our programs, recruiting members and volunteers, and other efforts. Molly Bodde, Membership and Program Administrator will show you how.

March 11 @ 10 am Central
Diversity & Inclusion

A continued and in depth discussion following our February webinar on, “The Power of Ethical Framing:” What has been your real life experience with framing messages regarding invasive species? How do you combine effective messaging with diversity and inclusion directives?

April 1 @ 2pm Central
Integrated Pest Management 101

Bring your integrated pest management (IPM) questions to this member networking hour! Discussion will be facilitated by Frank Wong, Bayer CropScience, Carol Randall, USDA Forest Service, and Joey Milan, Bureau of Land Management. Bring your herbicide, biocontrol, or other questions and challenges to this open discussion. NAISMA members, bring your helpful tips to share with your fellow invasive species managers.

May 6 @ 10am Central
How To Integrate PlayCleanGo Awareness Week Outreach Tools Into Your Communications

Come learn what digital outreach tools are available for your invasive species outreach opportunities for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week and throughout the year. PlayCleanGo Program Manager Krista Lutzke will show you how to access, download, plug and play into your e-newsletters, website, social, and other channels.

June 3
No First Friday

July 1
No First Friday – Have a safe 4th of July Holiday Weekend!

August 5 @ 2pm Central
Field Season S.O.S.

Bring your weed, tree, aquatic, animal, or other invasive species field work challenges to this open discussion of members helping members. It takes a village to manage invasive species so come join ours!

September 2 @ 10am Central
Advocacy Strategies and Legislative Opportunities

NAISMA members and policy experts Lee Van Wychen, Weed Science Society of America and Scott Cameron, former Deputy Director of Department of the Interior will facilitate discussion about how to reach out to your elected officials; as well as invasive species legislative opportunities in the current Congressional session.

October 7 @ 2 pm Central
Firewood Awareness

Moving firewood long distances can spread invasive forest pests hidden in or on the wood. Firewood choices matter, and the Firewood Month Toolkit from the Don’tMoveFirewood campaign has free outreach resources to help slow the spread of these tree-killing pests. Leigh Greenwood, Forest Health Director with The Nature Conservancy, will facilitate discussion about free Firewood Awareness Month outreach resources. Join us to network with NAISMA members and get FIREd up to educate your community about how they can protect forests from invasive forest pests.

November 4 @ 10am Central
NO FirstFriday
Pack your bags! See you at the 30th Annual Conference at the Sanibel Harbor Marriott, Ft. Myers, Florida: November 7-10.

December 2 @ 2pm Central
Holiday Social 

Grab a glass of egg nog or hot chocolate, and pony up to this NAISMA holiday social member networking hour. Meet our new board president, newly elected board members, get to know each other, and enjoy the spirit of the season.