CURC Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
August 6, 2008
Conference Call Began at Noon EST
Attendees: Alec Cooley, Jack Debell, Judi Dunn Gray, Judi Gard, Rob Gogan, Mary Jensen, Ed Newman, Anjia Nicolaidis, Ed Skernolis, Becky Valentich, Christine Von Kolnitz Cooley, Michael Youdelman
Absent: Tracy Artley, Mark Darling, Michael Meyering
1. Changes at NRC
Anjia spoke briefly about the changes at NRC in light of Kate Krebs’ departure. Ed S. reported that the congress planning is 95% complete, with only 2 or 3 panel discussions remaining to be finalized. He stated that the education sessions look good and the future leaders program has been funded by sponsors. The plenary session has yet to be confirmed. Anjia is working on finalized an NRC Board/CURC steers meeting for Sunday, September 21 at the Congress.
Funding issues
David Refkin and Ed S. are meeting with Kathy Foley, president of AF&PA, to discuss the grant and how to move forward with it. Ed S. reported that the NRC Board felt that they needed to develop a new funding and membership structure; Anjia and Ed S. developed this new plan and it has been accepted by the Board. Fundraising efforts have been refocused more towards corporate sponsorship. Currently, the NRC has 3,500 – 4,000 members. The new plan also calls for a tiered membership structure for corporations, businesses and non-profits. Additionally, state recycling organizations will not be passing any money through to the NRC anymore as the collective total has been more of an obstacle than a benefit to both the ROs and the NRC.
Transition issues
The NRC is currently shorthanded, with temporary staff covering some of the vacancies. After the Congress, staffing and work flow issues will be addressed. Stacy Melchman (sp) is the new membership coordinator.
Jack inquired about sponsorships. The group was informed that sponsors want to see a tiered structure rather than ad hoc single or multiple funding requests. They also want to know how their sponsorship translates into branding opportunities.
There will be no changes to the MOU with CURC or RecycleMania. Work plans are still in effect and staff and the NRC Board are clear about the sponsorship arrangements with CURC and RecycleMania. It was reported that CURC Steering Committee calls will not be funded.
2. Congress Update
Alec discussed ways of bringing students to the Congress. He suggested offering them a $30 registration fee for a day of the conference, including sessions and meals. He is also organizing a session on student leadership and suggested an aggressive marketing campaign towards them. This would most appeal to students within driving distance of the Congress. Barb and Al Matyasovsky are excited about the opportunity and are promoting it to their students. Novelis is the sponsor this year.
It was noted that Congress registrations are down this year. Adding time to the early bird rates was helpful, but the influence of the economy and budget cuts are apparent. It was noted that the Steering Committee needs to determine the number of people registered for the CURC workshop.
The NRC Board has 6 vacancies and 12 candidates. September 12 is the deadline to mail in votes. Congress attendees can vote on site.
There have been 45 applicants for the 3 Congress scholarships funded by Coca-Cola this year. Mark, Alec, Jack and Michael M. will be reviewing. Additionally, the trust fund scholarships are in progress.
Judi Dunn Gray & Michael Meyering will not be able to attend the Congress. The CURC Steering Committee meeting will be on Saturday, September 20th at 9:30 am. At 1 or 1:30 pm, the RecycleMania Steering Committee meeting will begin.
Becky and Ed have been planning the CURC booth. The set up will be similar to last year’s room design with a sports motif. Creative contributions are welcome. Becky will send out the schedule for the booth.
Christine has been trying to get together an “Educating for Corporate and Collegiate Recyclers” session but is having trouble on the corporate side. If anyone has suggestions for corporate speakers, please let Christine know.
3. Webinars
The Weyerhaeuser monies used to fund the first series of webinars is gone and a new sponsor needs to be found. The new series will begin in January and there will be 8 topics throughout 2009 (fewer, however, if funding cannot be secured). Alec will compile the actual costs of the webinars to help determine future funding needs. Non-NRC members helped cover the overall costs. Christine and Mary will set up a how-to manual on hosting webinars. Seventeen topics were suggested and need to be whittled down. Zero waste appeared to be the most popular.
4. RecycleMania
The NRC has expressed strong support for the program. There are some funding issues however. Coke is sponsoring $75K and some in kind support for this year’s contest, at a minimum. The bare bones budget, however, is $100K. The web work is around $25K. The NCAA and Nike questions are still on the table, with Coke being the portal for conversations with the NCAA. Coke will provide more money if they are given more presence in the competition. Discussion ensued on the models other non-profits (like museums) use to secure corporate funding. Issues to consider include sponsor acknowledgement, mindfulness of competing sponsors, recognition provided for various amounts of money, etc. It was suggested that RecycleMania use the new NRC tiered structure as a template.
5. NRC Board Elections
CURC members and steers are encouraged to vote. There are 6 open slots and 12 candidates.
6. Announcements
Rob was featured on NPR’s Marketplace at 6:30 August 6th. The conversation was on the high value of scrap metal.
Becky has been elected to the Recycling Alliance of Texas. She is the only collegiate recycler on the board.
Judi Gard mentioned an artist in Phoenix (jillhelms.com) who makes mirrors out of recycled aluminum and earrings.
All are encouraged to bring a brick for Ed to the Congress.
7. Adjourn
The call was adjourned at 1:45 pm EST.