Communication Focus Area Committee Minutes
June Quarterly Board
Northfield Inn
Wayne Enke, Chairman
June 11, 2007

Present:                                                            Absent:

Mark Besse                                                 Dick Breckenridge
Sarah Dillman                                             Jody Christiansen
Terry Davis                                                 Chris Davis
Lee Bunting                                                        Wayne Enke
Phyllis Mace                                               Cindy Moon
Ken Kesler                                                 Norbert Rider
Rich Nichols                                               
Van Bitner 
John Maudlin                                                     

Chairman Wayne Enke was absent from the meeting.  Terry Davis filled in as chairperson.  The meeting was called to order by Terry Davis at 1:05 p.m.

Roll call was passed around.

Approval of Minutes
Mark Besse made a motion to approve the minutes from March Quarterly Board, seconded by Lee Bunting, MCVV.

Approval Agenda
Mark Besse made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Lee Bunting, MCVV.

Old Business

Radio Ads
Sarah Dillman explained handouts to the committee regarding the Learfield Network.  The information highlighted the coverage area of the stations in the Learfield Network and the call letters for the respective stations. 

Farm Family Banquet
Sarah informed the committee the stage heighth for the Farm Family Banquet at the Presidental Abraham Lincoln Hotel is one foot high.  The committee asked if the stage could be taller, Sarah stated the answer was unknown, Sarah informed the committee she would look further into the matter.

Radio Ads
Stacy Stremsterfer played, for the committee, the first radio ad that ran on Learfield Network in March of 2007, dealing with over fertilization, the second radio ad that was currently being ran on Learfield Network, dealing with forestry management plans and the ICCI program, and two versions of the third radio ad that will air in the fall, dealing with no-till farming and ICCI.  Rich Nichols asked for committee feedback on the third ad and which version should be aired.  Discussion was held.  The committee determined they favored the second version.

Website
Stacy Stremsterfer passed out information on the AISWCD proposed website.  She explained the format was modeled after Nebraska’s Soil and Water Resource Districts website.  Stacy explained the organization of information on the website.  Stacy added districts that have websites will be linked to the new AISWCD website.  Stacy went on to say the NRCS grant agreement amendement would cover the expense of the update for the website, but once the site is built control for updating would revert back to the AISWCD office.  Lee Bunting inquired the cost of the website, Stacy explained the NRCS grant will cover the full $1500 of the rebuild for the site.  Lee Bunting made a motion to approve the pursuit of the website update, seconded by Van Bitner, MCVV.

District Funding Taskforce
Discussion was held on the District Funding Taskforce.  Rich Nichols informed the committee of Lake County SWCD’s success with their sale of rain barrels and commented on the profitablility of the sale, he added the district sold out and has a waiting list of customers who wish to purchase a barrel when they become available.  Further discussion was held.

Survey
Discussion was held on a survey that was conducted by the AISWCD office regarding district funding activities and where the survey results are.  A second survey will be conducted and reported on at the September Quarterly Board Meeting.  Sarah Dillman and Rich Nichols will create the new survey based on the previous survey questions and results.

Chris Davis arrived at 1:48 p.m.

Legislative Day
Terry Davis gave an update on the Legislative Day success and spoke on some of the results that have occurred since the event.  Legislators whom attended that did not know us and now do have sponsored bills.

ISWCDEA
Terry Davis gave an update that the Employees Association asked AISWCD to look into agreements with other agencies that share office and possibly update the current agreements.

ICCI
Terry Davis asked for an update on the ICCI survey that was sent to all districts.  Sarah Dillman and Rich Nichols explained the survey helped develop a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers handbook that was also sent to all districts.

Summer Conference
Phyllis Mace asked how the Farm Families will be arranged at the 2007 Summer Conference, she gave a brief description of some confusion that occurred at the 2006 Summer Conference.  Discussion was held on the photo and organization of the families.  Rich Nichols suggested enlisting volunteers from ISWCDEA to escort the farm families to the photo room.  Discussion was held.

Lee Bunting gave an update on the educational programs that will be held at the 2007 Summer Conference for children.  Lee stated the Auxiliary will hold the activities within the hotel.

New Business

IDOT
Discussion was held on calling IDOT to find out how to get signs installed in the towns/cities that have the winning state Envirothon team.  Rich stated the AISWCD office would follow up.

Lee Bunting asked about radio stations attending the Summer Conference.  Sarah stated she has not had time to pursue invitations yet.  Chris Davis offered to send a list of possible contacts and Lee Bunting recommended following up with Paige Buck.

Terry asked for a motion to adjourn.  Mark Besse made a motion to adjourn, MCVV.  Adjournment was at 2:19 p.m.