New Orleans keeps its tradition going.

With many of its members relocated or otherwise struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Chapter is solidering on. The chapter held its annual holiday social event on December 10, and in its newsletter said it would be resuming its regular activities even though "a few of our members have permanently relocated to other states, as their companies are not returning."

Among the departed is chapter President Colleen Burghardt, CFO of CII Carbon LLC, a producer of calcined petroleum coke for the aluminum industry, who told chapter officers that her company's relocation to Texas was permanent.

As noted in earlier FEI communications, FEI National has waived national dues for members of the chapter this year, in deference to the economic hardship brought by Katrina. The chapter has also waived its local dues, and going forward, meetings from January through April will be funded through a "per meeting" charge.