WHAT: The Central Illinois Chapter of the American Meteorological Society was formed in 2000. As of August 2007, we have approximately 50 members involved professionally in a myriad of disciplines, as well as personally in educational and community outreach activities. Members assist in judging at science competitions, plan panel discussions of broad scientific and public interest, and give talks to members of the public. Our members also attend professional conferences (including the National AMS Meeting), publish research articles, teach at local colleges and universities, and act as respected government and private sector forecasters. Our chapter hosted the very successful Midwest Extreme and Hazardous Weather Regional Conference in October 2003 including a similar conference in October 2005. Our organization has had the privilege of attracting varied and knowledgeable speakers from all across Central Illinois and beyond. We have had speakers from the Illinois Department of Transportation, the University of Illinois, the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Storm Prediction Center, and local NWS forecast offices.

WHO: The Central Illinois Chapter is open to everyone with an interest in the atmosphere and weather. Our members include researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, broadcast meteorologists, government meteorologists, climatologists, environmental scientists, Weather Explorers, storm chasers, storm spotters, ham radio groups, as well as a number of weather enthusiasts. We draw attendance from all over central Illinois, including Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington, Lincoln, Peoria, and Champaign. Everyone with a healthy interest in learning about the atmosphere is welcome. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, and hope you will consider joining our chapter as a new member!

WHERE/WHEN: The chapter meets at various locations around central Illinois on a bi-monthly basis, rotating the location to give all members a chance to host a meeting. Our meetings are typically held at restaurants with the format consisting of social time, dinner, a brief business meeting, and then the program. In addition to our regular business meetings, there is an annual joint meeting with our sibling Indiana Chapter. That meeting takes place at The Beef House Restaurant near Covington, Indiana. We also have an annual business meeting in May to elect officers for the next fiscal year.

WHY: The objective of this chapter is to develop and disseminate knowledge of the atmospheric and related sciences in all phases and applications with the advancement of their professional ideals. The Chapter was formed to fill a void after the dissolution of the old East-Central Illinois Chapter. There were a number of institutions, including the media, National Weather Service, State Water Survey, and Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois, and thus considerable demand, but no local venue for friendly social and professional networking and development. We have enjoyed immediate and continuing success. The chapter provides advancement of its members and for science, as well as outreach.

HOW DO I JOIN?: Joining as a new member is easy! Simply come to our next meeting to find out more information, or check out our website. The Chapter offers several grades of membership. Our entry level membership allows you to become an associate member. Associate membership is free and allows you the flexibility to try out the CIAMS to see if you like it. You may also become a full active member for only $15 a year ($6 for full-time students). Becoming an active member allows you to vote at all meetings and offers even more opportunities to become involved in chapter activities. The chapter utilizes the dues payments to plan meetings, provide scholarship opportunities, and obtain speakers for our regular business meetings. We hope to see you there!

MAILING LIST: Want to receive advance notice of Chapter news, fun activities, conference updates, and meeting dates/times? Then join our Chapter Mailing List! It is free and easy to do. To join the mailing list now, simply click here to be added to our growing community.