NACDEP Transition Team Conference Call
August 20, 2004

Present:
John Amrhein
Barb Andreozzi
Bo Beaulieu
John Burton
Steve Daniels
Stephan Goetz
Rod Howe
Jeri Marxman
Charles Shepphard
Julie Stewart
Greg Taylor
Bonnie Teater
Kathy Tweeten
Walt Whitmer, Chair
Mike Woods

Welcome/Introductions: Walt Whitmer, chair, welcomed all present and thanked all for participating.

Marketing and Outreach Committee: Rod Howe reported on behalf of the committee. He indicated that 7500 NACDEP brochures were printed and distributed. He encouraged the RRDC directors to make contact with State Program Leaders and encourage them to market the organization. He mentioned the need to reach out to the 1890s and 1994s during the marketing process. He mentioned the need for a State Program Leaders meeting during the NACDEP meeting. It was pointed out by the Conference Committee that there had been many requests for add-on meetings and the Committee has decided to not support any of those meetings.

2005 Conference Committee: John Burton and Jeri Marxman reported that they have been gathering proposals in response to the call. A keynote speakers committee is Jim Christianson, Rod Howe, Chris Sieverdes, Janet Ayres. The committee is to have a report in a week. There have been 25 proposals already submitted. It was noted that the deadline is August 31. Shelly Bush from Missouri, is chairing the poster and exhibit session. The group is looking at the possibility of a few exhibits that will be standing throughout the conference: National RC&D, FmHA, etc. The Conference Committee is going to announce possible add on meetings, but cannot facilitate or guarantee a meeting room. There is a scheduled Board Meeting of NACDEP on Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Committees could meet from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Membership Committee: John Amrhein and Jeri Marxman reported that there had been a conference call of the committee. There was much discussion about the need for some kind of cooperation with other organizations and state organizations. The discussion focused around the need to offer a special membership rate. During their Committee meeting, it was determined that NACDEP has kept our dues fairly low to begin with. The Committee also discussed how NACDEP could provide value to the membership dues, and they saw the greatest opportunity in joint conferences with the other organizations. It was recommended that NACDEP have our conference every other year basis and combining with other associations on the off years, and one of the ideas was to rotate that shared conference over time. The NACDEP transition team, by consensus, decided to stick with the $35 dues figure and encourage the new NACDEP board to deal with the other issues. There was strong consensus that we want to work and collaborate with other associations-not steal members. Life Memberships was also discussed by the Committee. Various scenarios were discussed and presented to the transition team. It was decided that the group should wait until we see the financial situation of NACDEP and let the Board make final decision, perhaps with some input at the Business Meeting during the annual conference.

Nominating Committee: Greg Taylor reported that the Nominating Committee will be ready to take nominations on September 1. The procedure was discussed and he indicated that a mailing would go out to all members on September 1. It was determined by the transition team that we should get a note out and let folks on the NACDEP listserv know that nominations could only come from members. This would be a way to encourage membership. The following timeline was approved by consensus:

Database Committee: Julie Stewart reported that the "member only" listserv will be ready by September 15. She also mentioned that there is an interest in having Lapel pens handed out at the conference. This would involve designing a logo for use by NACDEP. It was decided that the logo and design should be passed on to the new NACDEP Board.

The meeting adjourned after one hour with the announcement that the next meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2004.