Transition Team Minutes
April 8, 2004
Conference Call

Present
John Amrhein, Michigan State University
John Burton, University of Nevada
Steve Daniels, Western Rural Development Center
Pam Hearn, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
Rod Howe, Cornell University
Sally Maggard, CSREES
Charles Sheppherd, Alcorn State University
Bonnie Teater, Southern Rural Development Center
Kathy Tweeten, North Dakota State University (Vice Chair)
Mike Woods, Oklahoma State University

Mike Woods presided at the meeting.

Review of Minutes from March 12 Call
Minutes were approved from the March 12 conference call.

Committee Reports                                    

2005 Conference Committee
John Burton reported on behalf of the Conference Committee has received a contract from the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. Dates are for February 15 (evening) until noon February 18. Hotel rate is $69 (single/double) plus taxes and the facility provides an excellent location. The North Central Regional Rural Development Center will be handling contract and finances. The Committee's decision was to have screens and carts provided; however, it is hoped that the track chairs will help with equipment during the sessions.

The Committee is in the process of identifying track chairs. Currently, there are three slots filled. Burton indicated that it would be helpful if anyone knows of possible track chairs to let him know. The Committee determined to use the Orlando format and has revised some of the tracks. Economic Development, Community Decision Making, Education and Workforce Development, Information Technologies, Local Government and Community Services, Land Use and Natural Resources, and Leadership Development.

The General Sessions have not been discussed in detail, and the Committee is open to suggested topics. Rod Howe volunteered to work on some General Session on the practice of CRED.

The Committee has been discussing the registration fee. The needs for speaker fees, etc., have not been determined yet. The Committee would value input. It was suggested that we not spend funds to support General Session speakers. It was the consensus of the group to include this request in the Request for Presentations.

It was also the consensus of the group to make a small profit at each annual meeting to support the start-up activities for the next year.

Membership Committee
John Amrhein presented a draft budget for review and requested input. After discussion and input of each line item of the budget, the transition team approved the preliminary budget and by consensus decided on a membership fee of $30 or $35 annually. A revised budget, based on discussions, is attached as Appendix A. It was decided that a formal vote would be held next month (May, 2004) to approve Budget and Dues Structure. There was also some discussion by the Transition Team regarding the possibility of including Membership Fees in the registration costs for the Annual Meeting. No decision was made regarding this discussion.

The issue of the volunteer stipend of $150 per month for professional management of the organization was discussion and it was determined by consensus that this should be an issue that should be dealt with by the Transition Team.

The Membership Committee proposed the appointment of an Awards Committee.

Nominating Committee
No report. The Transition Team request that a report be presented at the next meeting.

Marketing Committee
Rod Howe reported that a preliminary marketing brochure is going to be prepared for the May 2004, Southern Community Development Conference, and the group in Tampa will be given an opportunity to review. Each member of the Marketing Committee has been asked to write a short statement for possible inclusion in the brochure, "I joined NACDEP because .…" Members of the transition team were also asked to submit a statement as well as any pictures that might represent CRED. Deadline for quote and submission of pictures is by April 16. A draft will be sent to the Marketing Committee as well as to Transition Team. Rod Howe also requested the name and address of the individual who will receive membership checks. Mike Woods will supply that information to Rod.

Database Committee
Julie Stewart submitted a written report and indicated that the database committee hopes to be able to circulate the database electronically prior to the May conference call.

Next Conference Call - May 7, 2004, 10:00 a.m. Central (662-325-8448)

Appendix A
NACDEP Annual Budget
Proposed, April 8, 2004                             

Revenue Projections - Discussion to date has been that we are comfortable projecting a membership of 300-400 people. The following projections are based on 350, middle of the projected range. Transition team discussion on 4/8 was to choose either the $30 or $35 dues level:

350 members x $30 membership dues = $10,500 350 members X $35 membership dues = $12,250

Projected Expenditures

Board Expenses - assumes mostly phone and email meetings
One meeting per year likely at a conference site
$250 per board member X 9 members = $2,250

Postage - most communication will be by email
Miscellaneous mailing and 1-2 mailings to membership $ 300

Conferences - plan is for conferences to be self-supporting and
build a seed fund for the next. This allocation is to start the
next conference fund. $ 500

Professional Management - volunteer stipend for a part-time manager
$150 per month $1,800

Reserves - begin building a reserve, 10% of revenue $ 900
Actual contribution to reserves in first year likely to be higher

Awards - still need to determine number and type of awards $ 500

Publications - electronic distribution via email and web to start
Pursue partnership(s) to publish journal at a later date $ 0

JCEP - no initial membership costs, need to budget to assist with
conferences, etc. at a later date $ 0

Marketing - brochures and other to be determined $1,000

Bank and other legal fees, such as 501c3 $ 300