CURC Steering Committee
August 1, 2007
Conference Call Began at Noon EST

Present: Tracy Artley, Alec Cooley, Mark Darling, Jack Debell, Dana Donatucci, Judi Gard, Rob Gogan, Debbie Hanson. Mary Jensen, Karyn Kaplan, Ed Newman, Erica Spiegel, Becky Valentich, Christine Von Kolnitz Cooley , Stacy Wheeler

Absent: Judi Dunn Gray

1. Congress Update including Publicity
Jack asked the topic leader volunteers (Mary Jensen, Mark Darling, Erica Spiegel, Rob Gogan, Judi Dunn Gray, Becky Valentich, Dana Donatucci, Judi Gard and Deb Hanson) to select which topic they would like to cover. Topics to be covered at the CURC workshop include:
-Moving Beyond Cans & Paper
-Facilities Needs
-Program Efficiency
-Promotion and Outreach
-Policy Development
-Applied Academics and Job Creation
Volunteers were asked to send Jack their requested topic to lead. Three scribes will be present with laptops at the workshop.

Jack next described the plans for the September 15th meet and greet event. CURC has been invited to an open house of the CHARM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) sponsored by Ecocycle and GRRN. Jack inquired about interest in attending this. He also stated that he had lined up space at a brewery in walking distance to the hotel. Discussion ensued on transportation to the event.

Mary next asked about event publicity from the previous year. She inquired about save-the-date cards or any other publicity done beyond the CURC event “cheat sheet.” Dana stated that he had seen what had gone out over the listserves. Jack suggested the “cheat sheet” be sent to AASHE, the Green School listserve and to student leader magazines. Ed offered to send it out on the Ohio recycling listserve but asked about what was being done to reach those who do not use a computer regularly. Mary will ask Alec if there are people registered for the Congress with .edu email addresses who aren’t on RECYC-L or memberclicks. Mary also asked Jack to include the Steering Committee meeting on Saturday on the “cheat sheet” since the meeting is open to the membership.

Rob stated that “snail mail” will reach audiences we might not have reached before, but that email will reach 70-80% of those we want to contact.

Mary also suggested sending the “cheat sheet” out to the RecycleMania and state/local recycling listserves. She also suggested that publicity be planned in advance of next year’s Congress.

Rob next mentioned the Steve Gasky award. Steve’s family is interested in presenting this award during the Congress. Rob stated that it would be a good idea to make a public, formal announcement that the Per Capita Classic award is being renamed for Steve Gasky. Rob inquired about when in the program this could occur. Karyn suggested that Rob call Rebecca Mebane about scheduling the RecycleMania awards.

2. Congress Scholarships
Mary inquired if anyone needed the Steering Committee scholarship to attend the NRC Congress. Mark stated that he may need it and would know this week. Ed also nominated Stacy Wheeler for the partial scholarship associated with staffing the CURC booth.

Twenty-five applications were received for the student scholarship to the NRC Congress.

3. Teleconference Update
Mary reported that 7 people signed up for the teleconference on the first day registration was open. Mary also stated that PowerPoint presentations were due today and requested that the group think about other topics for future events like this. Karyn suggested compiling a list of speakers and their areas of expertise. Jack stated that a topic on student move out would get a large response from recycling and facilities staff. Debbie suggested a topic on staffing option for programs. Other suggestions included how to put a program together from the bottom up, loading dock expertise, creative educational campaigns and bottled water. CURC members should send their suggestions to Mary or Christine. Christine will work with Alec on including a confirmation email for folks who register for the teleconference.

4. Agenda for RecycleMania and CURC Retreat
Rob stated that the RecycleMania Steering Committee is discussing changes and improvements to the rules. They are looking at getting data on full time equivalent students. Additionally, they are moving towards a resolution on concerns of people who though things weren’t fair because people were counting compost in different ways. The Steering Committee’s goal is to allow people to focus on schools that are more like them. Alec mentioned the potential of there being school-specific RecycleMania webpages, which could be customizable. Rob learned the expression “tricked out” and has since used it! Rob invited Alec to work with the NRC at registration time to help ensure that campuses were reporting accurate campus populations. Another concern was that webpage maintenance wasn’t very prompt. Rob also shared some resolutions that were made about the competition including: (1) the competition will be opened up to competitors across North America and (2) results will be reported in metric and English units.

Discussion next ensued on RecycleMania sponsorships. Debbie inquired about the criteria for sponsorships and her desire to discuss and collaborate with NRC on obtaining these sponsorships. Ed expressed doubt that the RecycleMania Steering Committee and NRC were on the same page on this point. Rob reported that Kate wanted to float the idea in front of big sponsors and the Steering Committee might not be okay with who is presented to. Debbie expressed the need on the NRC’s part to be more transparent with who is being courted and who is being turned away in terms of RecycleMania sponsorships.

Mary asked if the CURC Steering Committee agenda could cover RecycleMania for the first half of the meeting. She asked steering committee members to send their questions to Rob and Ed ahead of time. The agenda will include RecycleMania from 10 am – 1 pm, including a lunch break, and 1 pm – 5 pm for the general meeting.

5. Other
Letter to George Dreckman
Mary inquired if the changes she made to the letter were acceptable to the Steering Committee. Those on the call stated yes. Mary will send the letter today or tomorrow.
Funding from AF&PA earmarked for campus recycling projects
Jack asked about a group of CURC steers who want to work on this in more detail. AF&PA approached NRC to see if we could do things to boost paper recycling nationwide. Jack and Karyn gave them 6 or 7 ideas, one of which was a speakers bureau, with partial funding from AF&PA. AF&PA was most interested in 4 of the ideas presented, including the speakers bureau, a bin grant program for dorm rooms, peer to peer technical assistance, an educational video and grants to help stagnant programs. Jack noted pending issues surrounding this opportunity, including how the program would be administered, how the money would be earmarked for CURC, etc. Alec reported that AF&PA will determine the funding level and asked for CURC’s “wish list” of projects they would like funding help with.

Mark inquired about using the funding for webinars. Karyn suggested a canned seminar for states and SRO’s to use to bolster recycling at colleges and universities. Alec will send a list of the projects being considered to the CURC Steering Committee.

6. Adjourn
The call adjourned at 1:29 pm.