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CURC Steering Committee
April 5, 2006
Conference Call Began at Noon EST

Present: Tracy Artley; Jack Debell; Judi Dunn; Rob Gogan; Mary Jensen; Ed Newman; Christine Von Kolnitz

Absent: Dana Donatucci; Lin King; Carolyn Noack

1. Approval of March Minutes
Minutes were approved.

2. RecycleMania Update
RecycleMania is in its final week. Discussion ensured on membership, marketing and promoting waste reduction. Participation in RecycleMania led to 2 new CURC members. This year, 93 schools participated, continuing the growth of the competition seen since its inception. As 16 RecycleMania schools had their basketball teams in the NCAA tournament, it was suggested that we try to play off of those rivalries. Letters went out to participating schools on March 20, congratulating them on their participation in the competition.

3. Congress Update
Christine updated the group on the Congress planning. A tour of Emory’s recycling program will be held on Sunday morning, with the CURC workshop following in the afternoon. Karyn Kaplan, Ed and Rob are working on a RecycleMania roundtable. Panel discussions will be held on construction & demolition debris recycling and composting. Christine has also been working on moving the CURC meeting to Monday instead of Tuesday. Discussion ensued on where and when to hold the CURC business meeting. It was agreed that it should be held in the corner of the Expo Hall during the Networking Breakfast on Tuesday. Mary will bring copies of the work plan.

Christine is also working on reserving buses for the tours and a room for the CURC workshop. The workshop will be held at Emory after the morning tour. Lunch will be “on your own.” Christine is also working on having snack food donated by Whole Foods. The Georgia Tech tour is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Brainstorming next took place on topics for the Sunday roundtable sessions at the CURC workshop. Topics mentioned include:
• Green waste
• C&D recycling
• Food waste
• Student move out
• Marketing
• Sustainability
• How to achieve the next 5%-10% increase in diversion rate
• Community based social marketing

Kathy Pasterz had also suggested focusing on community colleges.

Judi continues to work on the new CURC display board. Jack forwarded the information to NRC for cost approval. All CURC Steers must bring a small pennant from their school to hang on it.

Jack is following up with Kate Krebs to get scholarship information out this semester for the October Congress.

4. Elections
Mary will follow up with Carolyn on who is running for the CURC Steering Committee. She will ask Carolyn to send candidate information to Christine so that the elections can be held on-line. Elections will be held April 17th through the 21st.

5. Update on NRC Board meeting
The NRC adopted their Strategic Plan. They also held elections, voting Darrell Young as president. The CURC work plan was adopted in the framework of the NRC strategic plan (rise, relate, realize). The NRC membership project is still out to bid. CURC membership updates to NRC members with an “.edu” email extension will continue to be done manually for now. The delay with the membership project is creating some problems but remains a high priority. The whole organization budget was not approved, so the CURC budget was not either. NRC fundraising goals have not been met over the past 2 years.

For the 2nd year in a row, the NRC is in the black financially. Jack presented the work plan to the Board, including new leaders from the 18-24 year old customers CURC might bring to the table. A question was posed regarding Dana’s inclusion on messages from Richard Brundage on membership potentials. Jack also mentioned the rapid response service and a desire to see it reinvigorated.

6. Website update
The website continues to be updated. Christine has been focusing on getting the Congress workshops and tours scheduled. The resources section and other former pieces will get added back in eventually.

7. Other business
Rob introduced www.stufh.org, Student Team Up to Fight Hunger. Their mission is to fight hunger by aiding in the collection of non-perishable food at colleges and universities. This is an organization that CURC may want to promote.

Jack has gotten in touch with students who are working to reduce cigarette litter and they are looking for information on cigarette packaging. Jack inquired about CURC endorsing them. This led to a discussion of CURC endorsing programs – are we allowed to do it? It could be a great way to get the CURC name out and assist these programs. It was suggested that CURC host a page off of the website with links to these organizations. This topic will be added to May’s agenda.

8. Adjourn

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