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

Present: Tracy Artley; Mark Darling; Jack Debell; Judi Dunn; Mary Jensen; Mike Planton; Christine Von Kolnitz

Absent: Dana Donatucci; Judi Gard; Rob Gogan; Deb Hanson Ed Newman

1. Congress Update
Christine stated that the workshop planning is just about complete. She has 14 people to cover 15 roundtable topics. She also reviewed her work in finding alternative hotels for the Congress. Jack inquired about support from the Georgia Recycling Coalition’s colleges and universities. He stated that he received some contacts with these schools from Kate Krebs, but did not know who was following up with them. He suggested doing a “Save the Date” mailing to CURC schools in the region. Christine stated that she was interested in getting a copy of the notes taken at the 2005 CURC Workshop. Jack will send the notes to Christine.

Mary began finalizing the CURC Steering Committee meeting. Discussion ensued on who will and will not be attending the Congress. It was determined that the meeting will take place on Saturday, October 21st at 2:00 pm. Mary will determine a location for this meeting. Christine suggested that everyone look at the Georgia World Congress map.

2. Council Agreement Changes/Member Benefits Discussion
Mary reviewed the changes to the Technical Council Agreement. She stated that the changes primarily clarify Technical Councils (TCs) financial relationship with NRC. These changes stem from the merge of the three other TCs. Mary stated that a point that caught her eye was that TCs are required to raise money to cover their costs. She stated that she feels uncomfortable raising money when CURC is trying to do policy work. Christine expressed frustration that the Steering Committee doesn’t know what the CURC budget is year-to-year. She also reported that she had no guidance from NRC on what should be charged for the CURC workshop. Mary agreed that CURC has not been provided guidelines. Mary expressed concern about the impacts upon potential fundraising of the ongoing change in leadership within the CURC Steering Committee. Mary listed CURC’s fundraising opportunities:

• Regional & the CURC workshops
• Solicitation of private companies
• CURC resources (e.g. the Toolkits)

Jack stated that he had also reviewed the revised guidelines. He stated that the new procedure for the NRC staff’s timely review of materials is beneficial to CURC since if NRC staff does not respond within 30 days, printed materials can be released. This change addresses some of the delays CURC has experienced in the past. Jack also suggested contacting Melinda Uerling of the NRC Board and the newly-created merged TC to discuss budget issues. Mary stated that besides a site at the annual Congress and the website, she is not sure what the NRC provides CURC for CURC-generated money.

Jack suggested creating a subcommittee to review the old TC guidelines and compare them with the new. The subcommittee would then contact Melinda about their thoughts on the changes. Tracy volunteered to work with this subcommittee. Mary will send out the old and revised TC guidelines.

Judi stated that she wants someone to approve her design for the new CURC display board so that she can get it made. Discussion ensued on the design and style of the new display board. Mary stated that she will be meeting with Kate and Michael Alexander about some of these changes.

Mary stated that some of the membership issues CURC had had were cleared up. She also stated that, per the revised guidelines, with the NRC promotes membership, it is also supposed to promote membership to CURC as well. Mary inquired about additional CURC benefits that Steering Committee members had thought of. These, as well as other information, will be used to update the NRC information on CURC. The following were mentioned as benefits of CURC membership:

• Discounts on state recycling conferences
• Access to the Toolkits

Discussion turned to the Toolkits. People inquired about why the Toolkits aren’t on the website yet. Christine said that she will follow up with Richard to get the Soft Drink Toolkit and the ABC’s Primer on the website. Jack stated that he is working on a Concessions Toolkit. Mary suggested that CURC also create an Electronics Toolkit and a Composting Toolkit.

3. RecycleMania Update
Karyn Kaplan, Rob, Ed and Jack were a part of a conference call with the EPA on future funding for RecycleMania. A representative with Coca-Cola approached Jack at a Houston NRC Board meeting about potentially supporting RecycleMania financially and promoting it at the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta in 2007. Jack affirmed that Mary should also be involved in all future calls. Concerns abounded regarding maintaining the credibility of RecycleMania and the impact Coke sponsorship would have on Pepsi campuses. It was suggested that other private companies be given the same opportunity to sponsor the competition as Coke.

4. Adjourn
The call adjourned at 1:30 pm.

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