2025 Annual Meeting
The 2025 SECOORA Annual Meeting was virtual on May 14th.
Members Meeting
Board Election Results
Four seats were open for election this year; three were filled as follows. Continuing their roles on the Board of Directors, Dr. Bryan Franks, Jacksonville University, sits in the Academic/Research/Education Seat and Dr. Duane De Freese, Indian River Lagoon Council, sits in the Public Agencies/Non-profit/Other seat. We welcome Dr. Asli Aslan, Georgia Southern University, who won the election for the At Large Georgia seat. This is the first time Dr. Aslan has been on the Board. The Industry/Private Sector seat will be vacant until a suitable candidate comes forward.
Thank you to Dr. Bill Savidge and Dr. Jeff Copeland for serving on the Board!
SECOORA Updates
- Claire McGrath, our Events Specialist was integral in planning this annual meeting.
- Staff worked with the Board of Directors and the Science Committee to workshop and release the 2026 – 2030 Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System (RCOOS) Plan.
- SECOORA will respond to the federal funding opportunity (our next 5 year proposal) when information is available. The process is currently delayed, but we will hopefully have more information soon.
Member and Partner Appreciation
Thank you to all of our partners who have conducted outreach on our behalf. We have resources online that provide guidance on how to best communicate SECOORA’s impact and importance.
The Status of U.S. IOOS
ESP Advisors helps the IOOS Association and SECOORA with Congressional outreach, knowledge, priorities, and connections. Emily Patrolia, Founder and CEO of ESP Advisors, provided an overview of important terms related to the federal funding process – budget requests, budget rescission, and budget reconciliation.
Krisa Arzayus, Deputy Director of the U.S. IOOS Office, updated the audience on staffing changes and program office priorities. Dr. Jeff Payne introduced himself as the acting Director of the U.S. IOOS Office. They are still working towards publishing the 2026-2031 Notice of Funding Opportunity this summer, and are working with National Ocean Service to understand the new approval process.
Kristen Yarincik, Executive Director of the IOOS Association, provided a history and status update on Congressional outreach initiatives. She also discussed the Association’s intention to remain policy neutral and work to support relevant Executive Orders, like Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance and Seafood Competitiveness. The Association celebrated their 25th Anniversary this spring in Washington D.C., with key Congressional supporters joining to show their support.
Projections for SECOORA-Funded Projects
Jennifer Dorton, Deputy Director of SECOORA, provided a summary of the worst case scenario planning information provided by PIs who receive Core IOOS and/or BIL funding. Timelines for when each team will run out of funding were presented. With funding uncertainty, we want to be transparent regarding when assets will be removed and when products and models will no longer be available.
View the slides to see information for specific projects.
Strategic Thinking Session #1: Messaging – Near-term Strategies and Actions
Meeting attendees broke into small groups to discuss near-term strategies and actions to mobilize stakeholders to reach out to decision-makers, requesting support for SECOORA and IOOS. Groups discussed SECOORA’s primary stakeholders/data users, impacts on users if funding is cut, the most effective ways to mobilize users in support of SECOORA, and how to improve SECOORA brand recognition with key audiences. The breakout groups then shared key takeaways and ideas from their discussions with the larger group.
Key ideas included:
- Increase outreach efforts to key stakeholders.
- Expand engagement with untapped groups that rely on SECOORA’s data, including local weather forecasters, shipping companies and/or cruise ships, and small businesses. Ask these groups which SECOORA assets and data products they are using.
- Ensure that SECOORA data users are aware of current funding threats.
- Attend local community-facing meetings to discuss SECOORA assets available to communities.
- Strategically communicate SECOORA’s impact.
- Work with the modeling community to quantify the impact of the loss of SECOORA data on hurricane models and other models used for emergency response.
- Use storytelling to share real-world examples of the benefits of SECOORA data.
- Encourage PIs to emphasize their connection to SECOORA/IOOS and educate community members on how funding flows.
- Explain and demonstrate the advantage of long-term data monitoring and how it improves modeling/forecasts.
- Increase the visibility and accessibility of SECOORA data products.
- Make it easier to find SECOORA data products and outreach materials on the SECOORA homepage.
- Connect with users by using pop-up messages on SECOORA-funded apps
- Increase social media presence
Strategic Thinking Session #2: Alternate Funding – Long-term Strategies and Actions
Meeting attendees were divided into small groups to discuss long-term strategies for SECOORA to diversify funding, identify cost-saving options, and organize effectively to accomplish our priorities with fewer federal dollars. Groups discussed potential opportunities for collaboration, sharing of resources, cost-sharing, and other ways to diversify funding. The breakout groups shared key takeaways and ideas from their discussions with the larger group.
Key ideas included:
- Raising money through a Voluntary Surcharge Program
- Commercialization of data
- Find entities to sponsoring buoys or gliders
- Explore partnerships with businesses, communities, PI institutions
- Share resources and services with other RAs
- Pursue funding from private foundations
- Cultivate individual donors
- Leverage resources across projects (such as tech sharing)
- Pursue state funding opportunities
Final Question and Answer Session
The meeting closed out with a Question and Answer session, providing the opportunity for the audience to ask questions and provide suggestions and feedback. SECOORA staff are working to compile suggestions and form ad hoc committees to follow through with ideas!
