Course Date/Times

Course Description

Course Costs

Technical Writing

Presented by James Hale and Hal Geiger In this workshop, we will review the essentials of technical writing and look at some of the problems we face in writing for the field of fisheries. While the qualities that make good technical writing are mostly the qualities found in all good writing, technical writing offers its own challenges. Following a short review of a few matters of style in scientific writing—including the reporting of statistical results, the use of graphs and tables, and separating results from conclusions—we will move on to the study of the mechanics of writing (grammar, punctuation, and syntax). We will also look at the problems associated with communicating complex ideas to a general audience and review some practical ways to solve these problems.

Before October 17:

$150.00 AFS Members
$200.00 Non-members

After October 16:

$170.00 AFS Members
$220.00 Non-members

Robert's Rules of Order

Joe Margraf will be presenting a half day course on how to run an effective meeting using Robert’s Rules. This seminar will instruct participants on the use of Robert’s Rules to conduct effective meetings. The class will include an overview of Robert’s Rules and when and how to use the various measures and provide sample dialogues to get you confidently through motions, nominations, elections, votes, debates, and amendments. The course will provide the skills to help you keep meetings orderly and on track.

Before October 17:

$50.00 AFS Members
$60.00 Non-members

After October 16:

$70.00 AFS Members
$80.00 Non-members

Improving Your Scientific Presentation and Speaking Skills

Andi O’connor PhD. will be presenting this full  day course. This workshop is tailored specifically to the scientific speaker. You will receive specific tips and tools to help you speak and present more effectively.  Topics covered include:

• Working with nervousness

• Connecting with your audience

• Talk preparation tips; choosing content and data that is relevant to your audience

• Effective use of visuals and powerpoint

Dr. Andi O’Conor has taught public speaking skills and coached private clients – including scientists, authors, executives, and media professionals – for over twenty years.  She specializes in helping scientific professionals create and deliver powerful and memorable presentations.

Before October 17:

$250.00 AFS Members
$300.00 Non-members

After October 16:

$270.00 AFS Members
$320.00 Non-members

Escapement Goal Development Workshop (computer required)

An Escapement Goal Development short course, also for two days, will be taught by Robert Clark, Dave Bernard, and Steve Fleishman. This course demonstrates how the Alaska Department of Fish and Game develops escapement goals for salmon stocks.  Instruction will include scientific theories behind stock-recruit relationships and how those theories can be used to determine scientifically defensible escapement goals.  Distinctions between Biological and Sustainable Escapement Goals will be explained, as will the rationale for ranges versus thresholds. Methods of determining goals for stocks with high versus low exploitation and with or without information on escapement, catches, and age composition will be discussed. Classical methods of analyzing stock-recruit data will be implemented in a hands-on laboratory using Excel. Bootstrap methods to assess uncertainty will be implemented, as well as graphical and other techniques to communicate that uncertainty.  Shortcomings of classical analysis will be described, including the effects of serial correlation and measurement error.  Newer methods of analysis based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo will be briefly demonstrated. Other topics will include validated models for using habitat to determine goals; and consideration of environmental variates, Allee effects, and marine-derived nutrients when determining goals.  Students are encouraged, but not required, to bring data for possible analysis during the class.

Before October 17:

$100.00 AFS Members
$150.00 Non-members

After October 16:

$120.00 AFS Members
$170.00 Non-members