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GREAT NORTHWEST DAY COUNTY COORDINATOR TRAINING
SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
1:00 P.M.—BANK MIDWEST, CAMERON
I. WELCOME
Becky Cleveland welcomed the county coordinators to the training session. She asked all in attendance to introduce themselves. Those present at the time of introductions were: Becky Cleveland, Lisa Luke, Lee Langerock, Shellby Hendee, Luke Reven, Kathy Kunkel, Cindy Wohlford, Linda Gray-Smith, Kathy Morgan, Susie Rollheiser, Tammy Gage, Cindy Esely, Marcia Cunningham, Ralph Boots and Tony Ferguson.
II. REVIEW OF GNW EVENT
Lee Langerock thanked everyone for making the time to be present for training. She gave a brief overview of the Great Northwest Day by explaining the origin of the event—a project eight or nine years ago from the second class of Leadership Northwest. The mission of this project has always been to let our representatives KNOW that we are HERE (we being defined not just by community but by the northwest region!). In presenting a ‘snapshot’ of the event, she explained that the night before the GNW Day a small group of GNW members meet with our legislators to have a personal discussion on the issues that are being presented for their attention. The next morning the GNW delegation is introduced on the House and Senate side which is followed by an Issues Luncheon. Throughout that afternoon, communities have the opportunity to make appointments and visit with their respective legislators. The evening culminates with a Mardi Gras-themed showcase for communities/counties to which the legislators are invited. The following morning a breakfast provides the opportunity for review and briefing.
Lee asked that county coordinators start paying attention to what issues our counties are facing and which ones should be presented which would be representative of all northwest Missouri. She encouraged us to enjoy the GNW Day event and know that our work here, during this planning stage, really matters.
III. COUNTY COORDINATORS’ OVERALL JOB
Becky Cleveland discussed what the job of county coordinator entails. There are three primary responsibilities, those being:
1. Communication with your local government, community participants and local media.
2. Manage and coordinate the activities of your community group before and during the event (reminder—participants book their own sleeping room at the Capitol Plaza Hotel)
3. Communicate regional issues. The county coordinators should work with their groups to make sure that the issues are understood and that the participants are able communicate these issues.
IV. REVIEW COORDINATORS’ CHECKLIST
Lisa Luke referred the group to that section of the packet where there was a checklist of coordinator responsibilities. She asked that the time frame and deadlines of the activities be carefully
considered. Becky and Lisa shared how each of their counties goes about recruiting participation in GNW Day. County coordinators are strongly encouraged to be respectful of deadlines. There is a $600.00 minimum sponsorship for each community/county booth. Kathy Morgan is working on being able to register for the event on-line. She is also considering an early bird, as well as a late,
registration charge. If anyone meets someone during the day and invites that person to the evening event, that person can register at the door. Late registration and door-registration price will be determined at the next Steering Committee meeting.
NOTE: Media policy—Media must contact Lisa Luke if they plan to be there for lunch or dinner or the whole event. Local media personnel are the only ones who are exempt from paying the entire registration fee.
V. KEY COMPONENTS
Communications
Lisa Luke covered the event timeline and important dates sheet which was in the training packet. She informed the group that, from now on, the Great NW Day meetings will be held at the Cameron City Hall at 1:00 p.m. and will take place on the same day as the Northwest Roundtable Meetings. She also pointed out other items in the packet such as the county coordinators’ letter, the letter to community leaders, the community pledge form, the issues form and the draft of the 2010 itinerary. As soon as the sponsors are determined this itinerary will be sent out. Regarding the issues form, Lisa reiterated that, though the county coordinator may get 40 suggestions for issues, there has to be a mechanism in place to narrow that list down to two or three.
Sponsorship
Becky Cleveland led the coordinators in a discussion of who acts as sponsors for the counties and how they are to be acknowledged (this is referring to community sponsorship—not corporate). She gave an example of how, in Brookfield, the banks are approached for sponsorship and then how she takes the itinerary and copies the logo of the sponsoring banks on to the back of the itinerary and distributes it to participants. Coordinators should try to reach out and get sponsors as early as possible. Becky discussed the importance of maintaining the current sponsorship level and the possibility of an increase (the minimum for community/county is $600.00.
Issues
In referring to the List of Priorities page, Lee Langerock explained that the county coordinator is the ‘on the ground’ issues collection point. Through individual networking, coordinators gather information. It is possible to use the GNW Community Issues Form, located in training packet. This form can be cast broadly but please remember that ‘community’ is referring to Northwest Missouri as a whole. The issues committee will go through the suggestions and arrive at three to five pertinent topics (and, hopefully, solutions).
Booths
Tye Parsons was unable to attend the meeting today. However, he prepared a handout of
information regarding the setting up of booths, the location of the booths last year, etc. The handout is self explanatory. Please read through the information. The booths are individual, unique, include games and giveaways, and provide an opportunity to network.
NOTE: Booth and Attendee Etiquette—You are representative of your town, county and Great Northwest. Giveaways are for legislators, not for attendees. Please ask your community participants to be respectful of that. Do NOT tear down your booth until 8:00 p.m. Do NOT set up your booth until 3:30 p.m.
Event Day
With the time being after 3:00 p.m., Lee Langerock quickly covered the information in the packet regarding registration, photo shoot, invitation protocol, etc. Please refer to the training packets for more information. County coordinators are responsible that day to collect the registration packets in which are name tags, lapel pins, etc. Becky, Lisa and Lee are available to answer any questions. Their contact information is on the third page of the training packet.
The next meeting of the Great NW Day Steering Committee will be held on October 22, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Cameron City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Cunningham
Brookfield County Coordinator
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