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CURC Steering Committee
January 18, 2006
Conference Call Began at Noon EST

Present: Tracy Artley; Colin Davis; Jack Debell; Dana Donatucci; Judi Dunn; Mary Jensen; Lin King; Carolyn Noack; Christine Von Kolnitz

Absent: Rob Gogan; Ed Newman

1. CURC History
Mary stated that she received the CURC History Box from Ed and had sorted through it. She found no information on Steering Committee makeup, elections or terms. Christine stated that traditionally elections were held in March or April and terms are 2 years each. She added that Steering Committee officers are determined during the first conference call after the election. Jack stated that CURC was formed after the Technical Council (TC) guidelines.

Discussion turned to the NRC in general. It was pointed out that the 2006 Congress conflicts with Campus Sustainability Week and the ASHI Conference is the week before. It was suggested that CURC try to address having one of those events in the spring and the other in the fall.

Mary stated that she has a meeting with Michael Alexander, a researcher for the NRC, on January 19. They will be discussing the work plan and the ongoing issues between CURC and the NRC Board. She reminded the group that the initial version of the work plan is due to the NRC on January 19 and that they will be putting together the budgets for all TCs. Judi inquired about when the CURC Steering Committee will see the new budget.

Christine suggested changing the time of year elections are held so that new Steering Committee members will have input into the work plan. Mary stated that she found evidence of November elections in the History Box. Christine suggested even moving the elections back to October so that members could vote at the NRC Congress.

2. Guest Caller: Colin Davis from the WR3A
Lin had Colin Davis from the World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WR3A) join in on the call. WR3A was founded by Lin and by Robin Ingenthron to address the concerns surrounding the exportation of electronic waste. Colin is serving as director of the organization and is working to build membership and influence the current e-waste process. The organization’s approach to doing this mirrors the approach used for fair trade coffee. Judi discussed e-waste legislation in Washington State. Jack mentioned that the Dell grants may be a potential resource for the organization. It was suggested that WR3A work on putting together draft contracts for e-waste recycling for colleges and universities. Lin stated that they are putting together “Twenty Questions to Ask Your Vendor” for e-waste recycling. Jack stated that he’d like to see CURC put more importance on institutional e-waste issues in next few years. Discussion ensued on state and federal e-waste legislation.

3. Work Plan
The work plan discussion began with a budget discussion. Lin stated that if the NRC is putting together the CURC budget, the Steering Committee should suggest general line items (like conference calls), submit the budget template and allow the NRC to fill in the numbers. Jack suggested requesting deliverables (e.g. number of staff hours, number of webpages posted, etc.). Christine interjected that she sent Richard Brundage a comprehensive list of webpage updates prior to the holidays and that those updates have been going up really well (e.g. minutes going up monthly). Jack stated that he didn’t think the membership database management was included as a line item in the budget. Discussion ensued on the form in which CURC’s input into the budget should take.

CURC’s membership issues were discussed next. Mary stated that the NRC is supposed to provide “regular” CURC membership lists. Dana stated that they are currently provided by request. Mary stated that she will bring up the membership database at her meeting with Michael. She also stated that she would like to see better advertising for CURC to the SROs.

Mary stated that in the History Box, she found that NRC had started charging CURC for items they used to provide in kind. Lin suggested that if the NRC offers in kind support, they need to perform to CURC’s expectation or CURC reserves the right to outsource the service. Judi suggested waiting and seeing what they offer. Additional budget discussions ensued.

Mary next reviewed some changes she made to the work plan.

4. Adjourn

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