The Mexico
Beach Artificial Reef Association is seeking nominees for its board of directors. The election meeting is on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022.
MBARA is an
all-volunteer, non-profit organization designated to manage Mexico Beach’s
artificial reef program by fundraising, and the installation and monitoring of
artificial reefs in accordance with state and federal permits.
“We are
looking for active people motivated by rewarding accomplishments benefiting our
marine ecology and recreational use,” said Bob Cox, president of MBARA.
Candidates
with a good understanding and knowledge of artificial reefs are highly desired;
retirees or others with ample time to devote as volunteers are highly
preferred. These are all volunteer
positions without financial compensation:
President: Candidates should be willing to work closely
with the city of Mexico Beach, Bay County Artificial Reef Coordinator/Florida
Sea Grant, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Vice
President: Candidates must act in the president’s
absence and assist other directors with their duties.
Secretary: Candidates take and publish meeting minutes
and perform other clerical duties.
Treasurer: Candidates must pass a background screen,
have good accounting skills and be familiar with QuickBooks and perform annual
tax reporting.
Tournament
Director: Candidates must plan and execute
the annual Kingfish Tournament. Planning
includes recruiting sponsors and volunteers to support this fundraising event.
Membership Director: Candidates must promote membership and
maintain a data base of members.
Director of
Online Sales and Merchandise: Candidates
must manage website store sales.
Director of
Local Fishing Information: Candidates
must communicate with local fishermen, collect information pertinent to fishing
successes and issues supporting reef development decisions.
Director of
Artificial Reef Plans and Construction: Candidates must plan reef construction,
execute project administrative actions and supervise reef construction. Also,
be able accomplish reef monitoring and reporting by diving with video and
photographic equipment.
Director of
Memorial Reef Program: Candidates must communicate with people requesting memorial
reefs, coordinate arrangements, and collect donations.
For
inquiries or nomination considerations, please contact MBARA President Bob Cox
at mexicobeachreefs@gmail.com or call 850-527-6306 by no later than
Jan. 3, 2022.