ZIMS and beyond!
February 4-9, 2013
Oglebay Resort
Wheeling, WV
Please note, payment is now due at the time of registration. Please do not submit a registration form without payment, as it will not be processed.
To pay by check or purchase order:
Download the IRK COURSE REGISTRATION FORM and return by mail with check or purchase order
To pay by credit card:
You can now pay online with a credit card! Just log in to our new website. Non-members can log in too after creating an account. After logging in, choose "Upcoming Events" from the menu on the left. Next, click on the title of the event for which you would like to register. Finally, choose "Event Registration" from the options at the top and complete the registration process.
Early bird registration deadline: December 10, 2012
Final Registration deadline: January 7, 2013
Course Description
Institutional Records Keeping offers students the theory and mechanics of animal records-keeping and identifies the important role accurate records play in successful animal management not only within the institution but also in regional and global cooperative species management programs. This course offers students training that will integrate best practices for accurate data entry and standardization of data along with technical instruction. This instruction is in the most updated application of ISIS’ Zoological Information Management System – ZIMS 2012. The IRK course provides students exposure to the most current data management technology that defines the future of animal records keeping.
Tuition & Expenses
Early Bird Rates:
$850 for AZA Individual Members
$950 for Non-members
Regular Rates:
$950 for AZA Individual Members
$1050 for Non-members
The AZA registration fee above covers only tuition for the course. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and meals. For more information about costs and logistics for courses hosted by Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, WV, visit our Wheeling Courses Travel Information page.
Scholarship funding is available through a competitive process.
Optional Fees:
$20 for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) - this option is available to anyone
$1,000 for graduate credit as a student in George Mason University's Zoo & Aquarium Leadership program
$1,480.75 for graduate credit as an in-state (Virginia) student not enrolled in George Mason University
$3,427.00 for graduate credit as an out-of-state student not enrolled in George Mason University
Target Audience
This course is designed for records keepers, registrars, ZIMS users, curators, collection managers, records specialists, records managers, and information specialists.
Prerequisites
None. Priority will be given to individuals associated with AZA accredited institutions. If you are not employed by a zoo or aquarium, please submit a letter describing your interest in taking the course; instructors will then determine whether the class would suit your needs.
Course Registration
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made.
Travel & Accommodations
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the closest airport. Airport Limousine Plus and First Class Limo provide a shuttle service between PIT and the hotel.
Course participants stay at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia and classes meet on-site.
Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive an email containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted.
Course Topics & Instructors
Topic 101: Introduction: Records and Data Schwartz
Status of biodiversity
History and evolution of records-keeping
Importance of accurate records-keeping
Topic 102: ZIMS – Getting Started Hunt
Introduction to ZIMS 2012 application – hosting and security information
Printing and Exporting Specimen and Taxon Reports
Topic 103: Accessions into ZIMS Miller
Initial accessions into ZIMS
Differences of acquisitions from ZIMS versus non-ZIMS institutions
Data entry for all modes of acquisitions besides births
Topic 104: Dispositions Miller
Differences of dispositions to ZIMS versus non-ZIMS institutions
Data entry for all dispositions except for deaths
Topic 105: Accessions – Births/Hatches; Dispositions - Deaths Favata
Principles of birth accessions and death dispositions
Data entry for birth accessions and death dispositions
Prebirth and Prehatch Accessions and Events
Batch entries for births and deaths
Topic 106: Estimating Dates Miller
When to use estimated dates
How to select appropriate type of estimated date
Topic 107: Organization of My Institution Miller
Organizing your staff and creating Roles
Teams and Departments Collections
Adding local institutions
Institutions and Individual Preferences
Topic 108: Enclosure Organization and Life Support Management Miller
Developing the Enclosure Tree
Recording Enclosure Details
Adding plants, furniture, substrates and planned taxa
Merging Enclosures (physical and data quality)
Creating Life Supports
Attaching components to Life Support
Attaching Life Supports to enclosures
Creating Measurement Templates
Topic 109: Notes and Observations; Note Templates Miller
Purpose of Notes and Observations
Defining the difference between recording a Note or an Observation
Developing templates for repeatedly used notes
Topic 110: Animal Identifiers McDuffie
Recording Identifiers
Creating and managing the Transponder Inventory
Topic 111: Animal Measurements McDuffie
Recording animal weights
Recording animal lengths
Topic 112: Transactions (between ISIS members) Miller
How to send and receive animals between ISIS members
The pending transactions tab actions
Receiver initiated transactions
Topic 113: Taxonomy Favata
Taxonomic searches
Importance of identification of species/subspecies and accurate data entry
Local versus global taxonomic display
Hybrids
Creating local synonyms
Topic 114: The Kitchen Sink - Feed Log, Sex and Contraception, Miller
Collection Trips, and Animal and Enclosure Alerts McDuffie
Tracking diet consumption in animal and enclosure Feeding Logs
Defining and recording Sex Types and Contraception Types
Tracking trips for collecting animals from the wild
Alerts for special conditions, warnings, notifications
Topic 115: Groups Favata
Individual versus Group
Partial and Full Group Transactions
Recording a Group Census
Merging and splitting groups
Methods of tracking
Group Explorer
Topic 116: Permits McDuffie
Government agencies requiring permits
Permitting procedures
Tracking your permits
Entering your permits into ZIMS
Topic 117: Training and Event Log Schwartz
Tracking the status of a specific behavior
Use of the Training Event Log
Topic 118: Batch Entries Miller
Recording similar information in multiple animal records and enclosures
Your Animal/Enclosure Lists
Topic 119: Communication Schwartz
Basic communication skills
Emotional Intelligence factors in effective communication
Social networking
Topic 120: Historical Records Miller
Importance and uses of historical data
Identify sources of historical records
Recommended guidelines for entering historical data
Topic 121: Records and Information Management Favata
Definitions and principles
Development of a records management program
Access to records by public and the media
Topic 122: Population Management Schwartz
Importance, terms and theory, impact of data
Types of analyses and reports
Impact of ZIMS on SSPs and studbooks
Sustainability of Populations through Population Management Programs
Topic 123: Reports and Tools Hunt
Creating Reports other than Specimen and Taxon Reports
Using the Tools Functions
Topic 124: Shipping Tips and Tricks McDuffie
Role of the records keeper in shipping
Role of brokers and when to use them
Paperwork required
Topic 125: ZIMS Future Hunt
What’s next with ZIMS
Instructors
Glenous Favata, Registrar
Toledo Zoo
Elisabeth Hunt, Technical Support and Training Director
International Species Information System (ISIS)
Lynn McDuffie, Animal Records and Regulatory Affairs Manager
Disney's Animal Kingdom/The Seas
Adrienne Miller, Lead Subject Matter Expert and Training Content Developer
International Species Information System (ISIS)
Karin Schwartz, Adjunct Faculty
George Mason University
Questions?
For additional details please contact the AZA Professional Development Program Manager or call (301) 562-0777.