CURC Steering Committee
November 7, 2007
Conference Call Began at Noon EST
Present: Tracy Artley, Alec Cooley, Jack Debell, Dana Donatucci, Judi Dunn Gray, Judi Gard, Rob Gogan, Deb Hanson, Barb Kviz, Ed Newman, Becky Valentich, Christine Von Kolnitz Cooley
Absent: Mark Darling, Mary Jensen
1. Approval of Minutes
The minutes were approved as written.
2. Announcements
Alec announced that CURC officially received the grant for AF&PA for $25,000 for a peer-to-peer speakers bureau. The approved project will set aside money to use to travel and work with schools that are trying to begin a recycling program. Jack added to this that a portion of this money will also go towards making a video.
Alec also announced that Barb Kviz was on the call to discuss the 2008 NRC Congress in Pittsburgh.
Christine stated that a collegiate recycling council meeting would be held at her school for North and South Carolina. Jack stated that Pete Pasterz was preparing a presentation for this group that all of CURC might benefit from.
Jack reported back on his recent trip to Brazil.
3. Congress Wrap Up
Rebecca Mebane will send Karyn Kaplan, Jack Debell and Mary Jensen a recap of the CURC workshop income and expenses. It was noted that it is important that this information be shared with Barb and included in next year’s program. Ed stated that Karyn indicated to him that she would like to take less of a prominent role in the planning for 2008. Jack suggested organizing a conference committee call. His biggest suggestion for 2008 was to get more of a head start. Alec inquired about others interested in participating in this call. Ed tentatively stated that he would participate. Christine offered to be a part of the email list.
Barb asked the group is there are specific things she should be thinking about or things that the Steering Committee wants to do. Discussion ensued on Carnegie Mellon’s proximity to the convention center. Christine suggested thinking about having the CURC meeting and tour of the school on the same day. Discussion ensued on the workshop format and breakout sessions. Barb noted that most of Carnegie Mellon’s recycling program is behind-the-scenes, so that there is not a lot to see. However, if the group is interested in other sustainability-related projects, then there could be a tour to see that.
4. To-Do List
Jack will be posting the notes from the workshop on one or more websites and sending links out. Alec will review the notes prior to them being published. Christine suggested including the notes on a password-protected portion of the CURC site. Ed inquired about the notes from Atlanta and Minneapolis. Christine stated that NRC should polish up the notes. Ed offered student help with this.
Jack next reviewed the other CURC meetings that took place in Denver. Christine inquired about who had stated that the meeting was too long. Ed stated that the CURC Annual Meeting seemed to be cut short a bit. Jack replied that this was due to a logistical issue with the seating arrangement. It was noted that, for 2008, it needs to be noted that the room for the CURC Annual Meeting should be set up in a circle ahead of time and that food should be provided in the room. Christine noted that the Annual Meeting conflicts with the Networking Breakfast and that it would be helpful if one or the other was moved to alleviate this conflict.
5. Webinar Series
Christine reported that a call was to take place on 11/13, but that she is now looking at December (tentatively 12/4). She is trying to keep them consistent on Tuesdays at the same time. Alec led a brainstorming session on speakers for the webinar series. Rob Gogan will discuss benchmarking, staff supervision and safety. Jack and Erica Spiegel will cover APPA items. Erica was also volunteered to speak about equipment and innovations in collection technologies. Alec worked out the timing details for the webinar. Alec suggested Robyn to speak about safety. Alec next discussed the January 15 webinar with the focus being RecycleMania. Erica Matheson, Sarah Surak, Rob Townsend, Stacy Wheeler and Erica Spiegel were all suggested. Speakers were next suggested for a Move Out webinar; names included Deb Hanson, Al Matyasovsky and Judi Dunn Gray. The next webinar after this will cover program nuts and bolts; suggested names include Karyn Kaplan, Donnie Addison and Roger Guzowski.
6. Project Updates/Workplan Planning
Christine requested that the discussion on this start over email. Alec noted that RecycleMania registration is up and running. Thirty-three schools have already signed up. He then reported that on Monday, a “big blast” would be going out to coke reps that they can take to the schools they have contracts with. He also stated that the tool kit will be mailed to schools with posters in it and that more digital resources will be available.
7. Adjourn
The call adjourned at 1:16 pm.