Conference call started 3 PM (EDT).
Present: Jack Thigpen, Jim Hurley, Mark Malchoff, Darren Okimoto, Paul Olin, Mike Spranger.
Jack spoke about the loss of Brian Doyle (NHSG Program Leader). Discussion ensued about an appropriate gift from the Assembly in his memory. Mark will contact Bob Kent (Interim NYSG Program Leader) who knew Brian well and may be able to contact relatives in his original home town of Sag Harbor, NY.
Mike reported recent election results. Jeff Gunderson (MNSG) has been elected Chair-elect, and Tom Murray (VASG) was elected ExComm member-at-large. Jack moved to accept the election results –second by Paul. Jack will announce election results to full assembly. Congratulations to both new members!
Mike reported on upcoming Sea Grant Academy II. Registration information is now available. Session 1 will run from Feb. 8 to 14 in Washington D.C. area (mostly at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD). Schedule includes sessions at National Botanical Gardens and NOAA/NSGCP offices. Session 2 will run Oct. 4-9 in Florida. The academy is open to communicators and educators. About $25K has been pledged by the NSGCP, but budget is still very tight and will require registration greater than 30 persons to break even. Jack proposed (seconded by Paul) that the Assembly contribute $2000 as a financial “cushion.” Discussion on the value of the academy included testimony on the value of the training by incoming Texas SGE Program Leader Logan Respess. Jack related also that the emerging interest in the academy on the part educators and communicators stems in part from the NAC.
Brief discussion ensued on Brian Doyle’s role of defacto SG Assembly treasurer, despite several Sec.-Treasures having been subsequently elected to the post. Brian continued to maintain the checking account for many years. Paul volunteered to take over these responsibilities as soon as possible.
Climate Change White Paper discussion. Jack provided an overview of the recently drafted Outreach and Adaptive Strategies for Climate Change: the Role of NOAA Sea Grant Extension in Engaging Coastal Residents and Communities. Jim added that there is a tremendous amount of interest in climate change research, extension etc. in D.C. now. One example is an effort by various offices to tighten their connection to the new NOAA National Climate Office. Jack reported on recent announcements/directions by USDA Extension to address climate change outreach. We will develop a two-pager on how Sea Grant Extension and Cooperative Extension can cooperate on this effort. Paul asked what we (i.e. ExComm) are doing to position the Assembly to move quickly on climate change programming. Jack mentioned the climate change listserv (moderator is Bob Bacon?), and the white paper distributed to entire Assembly today. Jim and Paul spoke in favor of formalizing a workgroup patterned after FEE (for example).
Sea Grant Week
Jack reported that SGA was leaning toward pushing Sea Grant Week back from 2009 to 2010. This would potentially disrupt/overlap with Assembly meeting currently planned for 2010. Jack indicated SGA will decide soon. Perhaps the Assembly could meet briefly in fall of 2009 if necessary.
Additional Climate Change programming observation. Darren reported that Gordon Grau, as incoming SGA president had met with Obama transition team and used the opportunity to emphasize SG capabilities re: climate change research and Extension.
Brown Bag Luncheon speakers. Darren reported on Mike Liffman’s observation that the selection of Brown Bag luncheon speakers appears to be rather ad hoc. Jim recalled that speakers/ideas were vetted through regional SGE Program Leaders networks when Ralph Rayburn was driving this. Group concurred that it would be appropriate to reinstate this process.
Reporting. Jim observed the success that Paul Anderson was having compiling climate change programming “bullets” for the Obama transition team. Motion by Jim to have each region write up a sub-set of Extension climate change bullets before next SGA meeting, if possible.
Other
Mark will send finalized meetings from previous ExComm meeting to Jay Rasmussen for posting on Assembly web page
Meeting adjourned approx. 4:00
Submitted by M. Malchoff