March 4, 2008
Participants: Jack Thigpen, Chair; Jim Hurley, Chair-elect; Mike Liffmann, acting NSGO Program Leader; Pete Granger…..; Mark Malchoff, Secretary-Treasurer, Elizabeth LaPorte, Communications Network rep., Diana Payne, Educ. Network rep.
1.Agenda
Ralph Rayburn Scholarship Fund
2008 Meeting
Beltway Brown Bag – Apri 30 CI-FLOW
Networks Advisory Council
National Sea Grant Law Center (membership in SG Assembly)
2.Ralph Rayburn Scholarship Fund
Jack reviewed responses to his e-mail canvass of Assembly members re: appropriate size of donation to the fund. Assembly ExComm agreed to $1,000 [Note: On March 7, Jack e-mailed “keeper of the checkbook” Brian Doyle requesting a check in the amount $1,000 [be submitted] to the Ralph Rayburn Texas Sea Grant Scholarship Fund in the name of the National Sea Grant Assembly of Extension Program Leaders]. There was agreement among ExComm members that a discussion of a 2nd scholarship fund should be scheduled during the Sept. Assembly meeting
3.2008 Meeting
Pete reviewed a previously distributed copy of the agenda from the May 2006 Assembly meeting in Puerto Rico as “straw man” agenda for the meeting scheduled for Sept. 7-9 in Seattle. Pete also outline a possible 1st evening tour (i.e. excursion to Blake Island from downtown Seattle – 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm – includes 8 mile boat ride, salmon dinner and native American dances, all in traditional tribal longhouse. $80/person inclusive). Agenda specifics (i.e. climate change, etc.) still need fleshing out. Elizabeth spoke to the opportunity to combine Assembly and Communicators discussions in a joint meeting. The communicators are especially interested in “how we communicate climate change to constituents. This led to a discussion of the Assembly’s roll in the 4 new focus areas.
Discussion of agenda schedule followed, including the pro’s and con’s of a boat ride and tour of Blake Island on 1st evening. Session ideas for 1day could consist largely of collaborative ideas about climate change. Day 2 would likely be devoted largely to new focus areas. Some concern was expressed about having focus areas discussion dominate the meeting. Jack suggested some value in a broader agenda, with plenty of buy-in and coordination with communicators. Action item?....set up workgroup involving Assembly and Communicators members, including Don Williams (WSG), Roy Kron (Communicators Chair-elect, LSG), Jack, Pete, Paula Cullenberg.
4.Focus Teams
ExComm discusse upcoming Focus Team formation, duties, timeline, etc. Teams will be charged with:
Contributions to next 4 year plan
Helping craft NSI language
Integration with researchers’ efforts
Also, travel cost will fall to National office; staff time commitment will be borne by the various state programs.
5. Wick Award
Darren plans to send out request for nominations about 2 months before Sept. Seattle meeting. Discussion about perhaps earlier nominations process and deadline, to ensure winner(s) will be able to schedule trip to Sept. 9-11 Assembly meeting. The group also brought up questions of criteria for the Wick Award. Jim? referred group to the Assembly web site which contains a zip file, describing the award. In brief, it recognizes achievement and contributions to Sea Grant Extension programming and/or administration by an individual now retired, or soon to retire, from their career. The purpose of the award is to recognize an outstanding individual for their vision and leadership, which they dedicated to Sea Grant Extension efforts.
6. Brown Bag lunch presentation review/preview
Jack acknowledged the efforts of Mike Liffmann. Next brown bag presentation (April 30, Pam ?) will deal with hydrological model for river forecasts. This information is badly needed, and has the support of many NOAA and non-NOAA partners. Pam (lastname?) has lots of hydrology/meteorology background and skills, but is very interested in outreach/Extension of material, including this model.
7. Networks Advisory Council
Next call scheduled for March 12. (Unknown) indicated that this was a good vehicle to enlist SGA opinions and help.
8. National SG Law Center membership in Assembly
Much discussion. No resolution at this point in time.
9. Other Business
Group learned that there was a lively discussion of new reporting system at recent SGA meeting. As with any new system, problems have arisen. Jim indicated that this system will undergo additional change. April meeting will provide and opportunity for more discussion, training, etc.
Discussion of SCCD workgroup. John Jacob is the chair. Kathy Castro, as chair of FEE is pulling together FEE accomplishments for national review. Draft should be available in early April. Review to be lead by John Woeste.
Discussion of Assembly webpage needs. Idea to raise (perhaps through Assembly meeting registration) approx. $1500/ year to fund student or partner to update/maintain Assembly and Communcation’s web pages. Group agreed this should be an agenda items for Seattle.
10. Action items and responsibilities
Funding of web page work should be an agenda item for Seattle meeting (Mark/Pete)
John Kramer or Kurt Beyers should be contacted about “moving this up a notch” in funding discussion (Jack)
Need to work harder to better integrate Communicator and Educators group with Assembly at the Seattle meeting (Jack)
Meeting adjourned about 4:30 EDT
Submitted by M. Malchoff
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