Transition Team Minutes
March 12, 2004
Conference Call

Present
Walt Whitmer, Pennsylvania State University (Chair)
John Amrhein, Michigan State University
Steve Daniels, Western Rural Development Center
Pam Hearn, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
Rod Howe, Cornell University
Jeri Marxman, University of Illinois
Charles Sheppherd, Alcorn State University
Julie Stewart, North Central
Greg Taylor, Texas A&M University
Bonnie Teater, Southern Rural Development Center
Kathy Tweeten, North Dakota State University
Mike Woods, Oklahoma State University

Review of Minutes from January 9 Call
Minutes approved as shown.

Committee Reports                                    

2005 Conference Committee - Jeri Marxman
Jeri Marxman reported that the Conference Committee is looking at Las Vegas and Reno as possible site for the 2005 meeting. The Committee determined that since the Orlando conference was so outstanding, they are going to use the same tracks and format for the meeting. The Committee is looking at the last two weeks in February as possible dates and requested that if anyone knew of possible conflicts, please let members of the committee know as soon as possible.

Marxman also asked the group to begin thinking of the amount of time need for NACDEP organizational business. It was determined that perhaps NACDEP should have time on the first day as well as time mid-way through the conference.

It was noted that there possibly could be seed money from CSREES during the next fiscal year.

Nominating Committee - Greg Taylor
Greg Taylor reported that plans are to have a slate of officers selected by December. The Committee is currently reviewing information on how elections are held in the other Extension organizations and will bring forward a recommendation during a future conference call. Some of this action will be based on results of the Membership Committee's recommendations. Taylor also questioned the group on strategies for election-email or on-site at the conference. This will be a topic for further discussion by the Nominating Committee.

Membership Committee - John Amrhein
John Amrhein reported that the Committee has looked at building a budget with approximately 300 to 400 members. They are aware that ANREP dues are $25. The Committee is thinking of a $25 to $50 dues structure. The group encouraged a lower membership rate if possible.

Amrhein also indicated that the Membership Committee discussed the need for a newsletter or journal during their budget conversations. It was the consensus of the Transition Team that having an electronic newsletter would keep costs down during the early stages of the organization and perhaps it might be appropriate to look at a joint journal with CDS in the future.

Amrhein also pointed out that during their Membership Committee discussions, it was pointed out that perhaps NACDEP should have somebody manage the business of the association. Currently ANREP has someone on a semi-volunteer basis, and the Association pays him a stipend of $150 stipend a month.

The Membership Committee will prepare a budget and proposal for membership dues, etc. This information will be shared through the listserv and discussed during the next meeting.

Steve Daniels reported that he attended the JCEP regional training and it was pointed out that the Galaxy meeting generated $100,000 profit. He indicated that he made a presentation at the meeting about NACDEP. There may be some concern that the other Associations may see us as another draw on their membership. It was pointed out that ESP was interested in jointly sponsoring a meeting with another organization. Their next year's meeting is in Denver in the fall.

It was determined by consensus of the group that Memberships paid in 2004 would be good through 2005.

Marketing and Outreach Committee - Rod Howe
Rod Howe reported that CSREES has provided resources to NACDEP to produce a Membership brochure. He has reviewed brochures from other associations and noted that ANREP has a brochure that can be printed off the website. A request to have something by the May, 2004 meeting of the Southern Community Development Conference was made. The Committee will work to try to make that happen.

Howe also reported that a NACDEP website that points to the site hosted by the SRDC can be found at the following address: http://www.NACDEP.net

Howe also indicated that his committee had contacted each of the other Extension National Organizations (i.e., ANREP and NACAA) and had requested that NACDEP be added to their websites. We have also added each of these associations to the NACDEP website.

Database Committee - Julie Stewart
Julie Stewart reported that currently there are 1,292 names on the listserv. During the next week, additional information will be gathered and the process for setting up the database will begin. Stewart did mention that there were some missing states in the database and will work with the Regional Rural Development Center to determine possible strategies for adding additional names. It was pointed out that the NACDEP website might need to be edited to be sure that folks who registered knew that NACDEP was an Extension organization.

Discussion regarding the use of the listserv ended with a thought that following the April meeting, a short update would be sent to the listserv.

Use of the Listserv
The group decided to send a bi-monthly update of activities from NACDEP to the current listserv. Each Committee Chair is asked to provide a short update that will be incorporated into a newsletter for mass distribution.

Treasurer's Comments
Mike Woods asked for direction from the Transition Team regarding the handling of funds from memberships and from the regional conferences. His immediate concern was the fact that if the Membership Committee had a membership brochure and was handed out in May what would be expected of the treasurer in terms of bank accounts, etc. He reviewed the bylaws and the duties are typical treasurer duties. However, having the funds transferred from city to city following the election of new treasurer might not be in the best interest of the organization. A recommendation was to see if NACDEP could work with one of the regional rural development centers to provide that financial and auditing support. Bonnie Teater agreed to check with administration at SRDC to determine if the Center could handle this responsibility.

Next Conference Call - April 8, 2004 (NOTE: Date change because many Universities have holiday on 4-9), 10 a.m. Central (662-325-8448)