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GNW
Day Meeting Mark Garges, Steering Committee Chair, called the meeting to order by welcoming the committee members. He began discussion with a recap of last year’s event and a synopsis of the event surveys. Shellby Hendee, Issues Committee Chair, also went over the results of the 2007 issues. Mark Garges suggested that the steering committee needs to do a better job of showing GNW Day successes. The group decided that the successes from last year’s issues need to be highlighted in the press releases. The PR/Marketing committee will handle this. Discussion turned to some changes that need to be made from the year before. Deb Powers requested that the group discuss the refund policy. In the past the participants have to pay even if they decide not to come at the last minute. Some participants don’t understand why they should have to pay, but their money is needed since the event pays for their meals in advance. Deb asked if the group would like her to add this to the website. The group agreed that this would be a good idea. Deb also explained that on the website registration form that you will be able to note which events you will be attending. Along with the refund policy, she will add that it is $40.00 for one or all events. Dan Hegeman asked that both this feature and the refund policy be added to the brochure. He also suggested that the hotel information be added to the brochure. Amy Ryan, member of last year’s event committee, also asked if tables could be set up the night before and the morning of the event for name badges. Deb will work with the event committee and the county coordinators to decide where the name badges will go. The event committee will arrange for the tables. The group also decided on a media policy. In the past there have been some problems with the media coming into the event just to take pictures and then having to pay. It was felt that the value of members of the press covering the event out weighed the cost of registration. The group decided that the press will be asked to provide advance notice and bring press badges so they can be allowed in as guests without paying a fee. Any member that does not have a press pass may not enter and it was suggested press passes be displayed so that legislators will recognize they are being interviewed by the press if approached. If they want to partake as a participant and enjoy the meals provided, they will pay the same as all other registrants. Notice of this will be handled through press releases and county coordinators. Another suggestion from last year was to offer an escort to the legislators through the food line and around the event. The group discussed it and decided that it wasn’t necessary and would be too difficult to coordinate. Deb Powers reported on the corporate sponsors. All corporate sponsors from last year have pledged their commitment again this year. Thanks to Steve Schieber, we picked up a new sponsorship from Heartland Health for $2350. It will cover the balloon entertainment/decorations and will be listed as entertainment on the program. It was decided by the committee that no further corporate sponsors would be approached. Corporate sponsors could be approached by communities/counties to help with their pool of funds for the event. The group then discussed the budget and approved a 2008 budget. Based on the cost of the event and our budget, the steering committee decided to raise the minimum amount for a community to be involved as a sponsor from $500 to $600 effective immediately. All steering committee members were asked to be involved in the committee process. Committee chairpersons reviewed their committee member listing. The following meetings were scheduled:
These are being posted to the GNW website. That is the best place to look for all important information. Respectfully submitted by Ann Schlueter For
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