Minutes Of The WCPCA Board Meeting, July 19, 2010

Location: Home of Jack & Mary Meacham

Attendees: James Cloutier, John Hannah, John Hofer, George Jeffcott, Maggie Keenan, Felicia Kenney, Michael Kresko, Jack Meacham, Wendy Nelson, Justin Overdevest, Rosa Sakanishi, Dorothy Soper, Bob Watada

1. President James Cloutier opened the meeting at 7:10 PM. Michael Kresko was added to the agenda.

2. Dorothy Soper reported that our current membership totals 120. There are a number of renewals coming due during the summer months. She has sent 13 reminder emails to members who are due to renew in July. This was the second reminder sent. James plans to call these members in his role as President, and hopes to discover why they haven’t renewed.

3. Communications Report:

   • Both the donation and membership pages of the website have been updated to reflect recent board decisions.

   • Online calendar sales will be enabled shortly. James will be responsible for mailing any calendars purchased online.

4. Michael Kresko reported that he & Shannon have received 200 calendars. 100 were brought to the board meeting, and James took responsibility for them.

5. Plans for the Peace Corps 50^th Anniversary Celebration

   Maggie Keenan presented the report of the March One Committee that met on July 1st.The report had earlier been sent to the board via email. The committee’s recommendations were as follows:

   • Holding a flash mob-type event on March 1, 2011. A large group of RPCVs and host country nationals will gather in a public place for a photo.

   • Holding a gathering of RPCVs following the group photo. It would likely include light refreshments. The details are yet to be determined.

   Felicia moved that the board endorse the event, and ask to be updated with further details and a projected budget. Dorothy seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.

   Maggie offered to take responsibility for the implementation of the ideas and James gave her that responsibility.

6. Dorothy Soper reported that she has emailed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to accept their invitation for a WCPCA speaker to address them. The date will be set in the fall. Dorothy has formed a committee to brainstorm topics for the presentation. The group plans to meet at Dorothy’s home on Thursday, July 22, and will make recommendations to the board in August regarding both the content and format of a presentation. This presentation will be developed for OLLI but if we devise a successful format we might offer presentations to other local organizations.

   Dorothy asked if the board had ideas for her and James to convey to the brainstorming committee. The following topics were suggested to address:

   1. How the PCV experience changed volunteers’ life.
   2. How the PC changed the lives of people in host countries
   3. Growth of PC budget and a comparison of that budget with those of USAID, the US military and other relevant government organizations
   4. What the PC is and isn’t....focus on the three goals
   5. Fact of PC’s bipartisan support in Congress and the White House
   6. Why the PC has endured for 50 years
   7. How PCV service has become an important entry level professional experience in the US
   8. How PC has increasingly embraced the participation of retired people
   9. The scope of PC projects and their change over 50 years

7. Dorothy, Maggie, and Wendy have all registered as Mentors with the NPCA. They will report to the board if they are matched with a mentee.

8. Bob Watada suggested that his address and directions to his home be posted on the website, in preparation for the August 1 potluck. An informational e-mail will also be sent to members. Bob plans to grill hamburgers and hot dogs, for which the board will cover the costs. Attendees are requested to bring a salad or dessert to share, and encouraged to bring bathing suits, towels, and blankets for sitting on the lawn.

9. James reported that we have been granted a booth for the Eugene Celebration, which takes place August 27-29, 2010. A call for volunteers to man the booth will be placed in the newsletter.

10. James has taken the lead on marketing the 2011 calendars.

    • We discussed the price to charge for the calendars. We decided to offer them, at least initially, at the same price that we did last year. Prices will be $12 per calendar for quantities up to 5 and $10 per calendar for quantities of 6 or more purchased in a single batch.

    • Members of the WCPCA are encouraged to buy extra calendars and sell or give them to friends.

    • Several local retail locations will be approached about offering the calendars for sale, and James will check back frequently to find out if they need more.

    • Justin will look into whether we may sell some at a table in front of the Duck Store.

    • Felicia will contact potential buyers who were unable to obtain calendars last year.

    • An order form will be included as an attachment with the newsletter.

11. The results of the phone survey will be compiled by John Hofer.

12. The commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at Alton Baker Park on August 6 will be posted in the newsletter.

13. Dorothy will compose a statement for the newsletter regarding the death of Artis Spriggs.

14. The board appointed Maggie Keenan as a contact person to receive 50th anniversary information from NPCA. She joins Wayne in this role.

Next Board Meeting: Monday, August 16, location TBD.

Next Potluck: August 1, at the home of Bob Watada.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Wendy Nelson.