National Committee Minutes for November/December 1999

November 28, 1999

Minutes of National Committee Conference Call - November 28, 1999 - 7:45 PM Eastern time

Members Present - Rhonda Humphries, Kimesha Winn, Adam Clay, Elizabeth Fristad.

Agenda Item #1 - Tie vote
The group discussed the fact that a tie vote had occurred on the question of whether to move the date of the project vote from Feb. 21 to Feb. 14. Kimisha and Elizabeth spoke in favor of changing the date while Adam said that he still opposed changing the date. Paul suggested that he thought it might work better to not change the date to leave time for students to review proposals. The group asked that another vote be taken by e-mail.

Item #2 - National sponsors
The group again discussed asking national sponsors (foundations, organizations, and corporations) to pledge money to the program based on how much work is done by students nationwide. For example, a sponsor might pledge to pay 25 cents per hour for every student who works for ODW. This money would be used for national administrative costs. Given the committee's concerns, and the constitutional requirements on brand names, etc., the group thought that sponsors who are approved by the National Committee would be listed on our web site sponsor page and announced to ODW members through the web site.

Item #3 - Spreading the word
Paul told committee members that an updated ODW packet would be available in the next couple of weeks. USAID will send the packet to targeted schools across the country that have worked on development in the past with our partner groups. He will also send 25 packets to each pilot school so that they can be distributed. If you need more packets, let Paul know. It was suggested that each pilot site try to get something in the local paper about ODW expanding and taking applications from any interested schools through our web site.

Item #4 - Other business
The date to send out Requests for Proposals is coming up. Paul will send out a draft to committee members to be discussed during the next call.

Item #5 - Votes
Please vote on the following by e-mail:

1. To approve changing the date of the National Project Vote from Feb. 21 to Feb 14. (yea or nay)
2. To approve soliciting sponsors in the manner described in Item #2 above. (yea or nay)

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December 5, 1999

Minutes of National Committee Conference Call - December 5, 1999 - 7:45 PM Eastern time

Members present - Katie Kruse, Adam Clay, Katie Grote, Dierdra Faherty.

Item #1 - School applications
The members discussed the applications of Wisconsin Hills Middle School and Loyola Sacred Heart High School. Members were generally impressed with the applications. An e-mail vote will be taken.

Item #2 - Letter and form requesting project proposals for El Salvador
The members discussed the form from last year that was sent to them via e-mail. The group agreed that Paul Austin would change the letter and form slightly to reflect the past year's progress in ODW and send it via e-mail to members for their approval.

Item #3 - Sponsors
In keeping with the new ODW Constitution, Paul Austin let the group know that he would be sending to them, a few at a time, candidates to be listed as sponsors of ODW, including those that were listed last year, for their approval. He will send the sponsor name and a brief description of what they have done, or will do, for ODW. This description, if approved will appear on the ODW web site.

VOTES

1. Should the national project vote be moved from the week of February 21 to the week of February 15?
   (so far the tally is 0 yea, 4 nay. I need to hear from Adam, Elizabeth, Dierdra, and Kimesha)
2. Should the policy for approval and solicitation of sponsors be approved?
   (so far the tally is 4 yea, 0 nay. I need to hear from Adam, Elizabeth, Dierdra, and Kimesha)
3. Votes on approving the letter and application form I sent to you yesterday?
   (so far the tally is 3 yea, 0 nay. I need to hear from Adam, Elizabeth, Katie K., Katie G., Rhonda)

NEW VOTES

4. On approving the application of Wisconsin Hills Middle School?
5. On approving the application of Loyola Sacred Heart High School?

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December 19, 1999

Minutes of National Committee Conference Call - December 19, 1999 - 7:45 PM Eastern time

Members present - Katie Kruse, Adam Clay, Katie Grote, Dierdra Faherty, Elizabeth Fristad, Rhonda Humphries, Eileen Fitzgerald.

Item #1 - Approval of sponsors
The committee discussed the first four sponsors and agreed to their description and sponsorship. A formal vote by e-mail will be taken (see end of this note) and the new descriptions will be put on the ODW web site.

Item #2 - Update from ODW staff
Paul Austin updated the committee on recent ODW developments.

1. the applications of Wisconsin Hills and Loyola Sacred Heart were approved.
2. The requests for project proposals were approved by the committee and were mailed out to 150 non-governmental organizations on Dec. 8.
3. The votes on moving the date of the project vote up one week from Feb. 21 to Feb. 14 was not passed. The committee discussed the fact that Feb 21 is Washington's Birthday and moved the beginning of the vote to Feb. 22.
4. USAID would like to host the National Committee meeting near the end of January after Congress comes back in session. The committee discussed dates; Paul will list a few possible dates for members to respond to.

Eileen asked that the committee be sent a revised timeline. It is included in these minutes as follows:

January 19 -- New school application deadline
January 25 -- Project proposal deadline
February 22 -- Project vote
April 14 -- Workdays begin
May 14 -- Workdays end
June 1 -- Deadline to mail checks

Item #3 - New school application deadline
Paul Austin informed the committee that the promotional materials would be sent to schools across the country just before Christmas. He had hoped they would be sent sooner but had a few problems with the printer. In order to give new schools time to apply he asked the committee to postpone the application deadline to January 19. The committee agreed and a formal e-mail vote will be held.

Item #4 - Conference calls
The committee decided not to have a conference call on December 26 so the next call will be on January 2, 2000.

Item #5 - Votes and feedback

1. To approve the list of sponsors? yea or nay
2. To approve the revised timeline listed above? yea or nay

Will the following dates work for you to come to DC? Please check with chaperones.

Option 1 - January 27, 28, 29
Option 2 - January 31, Feb. 1 and 2
Option 3 - February 3,4,5

Let me know if each is doable and which you would prefer.

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