Great Lakes Trading Network

Conference Call Summary

February 15, 2000

 List of Participants:

  • Dave Batchelor, Michigan DEQ
  • Allison Wiedeman, U. S. EPA
  • Richard Woodward
  • Jim Klang, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • Paul Faeth, World Resources Institute
  • Mary Anne Lowndes, Wisconsin NR
  • Bob Howard
  • Rhonda Sandquist
  • Sally ________?, (with Jim in MN)
  • Bill Reed, Forum of Greater Kalamazoo
  • Mike Tenenbaum, Kieser & Associates, MI

I. Welcome

Several participants joined in the first few minutes of the call, between 1:30-1:40 p.m.  Self -introductions of early participants were made and the agenda set forth for today.

Agenda: Welcome
Last Conference Call summary January 11, 2000

Future of the Network

Conference update; activities and needs

                               

II. Conference call Summary for January 11, 2000

Minutes were adjusted on the basis of feedback received from Network participants.  Jim Klang provided more specific language on Rahr Malting, which is incorporated as part of these minutes.  It was noted that both parties appeared to have heard (interpreted) two different things in the negotiation process.  When both the Rahr and Sugar Beet permits were issued, accountability appeared to be a large concern.  Some expressed an opinion that this was a way for industry to buy their way into the River.  Bill Painter, EPA, also provided clarification on his suggestion of the valuable service the Network could provide to those interested in trading.  This too is attached to these minutes.

III. Future of Network

Paul Faeth noted that he, D. Batchelor and B. Johnson had discussed sources of funding to continue the  Network , the project and partnering.  Interest moves toward the development of resources, especially seed monies for watersheds and related activities.  The approach best suited to accomplish these needs is likely to pursue a Planning Grant first, followed by solicitation for major grant funding.  A draft Letter of Inquiry for a planning grant to investigate the future of the Network has been prepared.  The dollar amount sought will range between $50,000-!00,000.  This would be followed by grant solicitations for approximately $1 million.  Anticipation is that 501 (c) (3) status will need to be obtained as an end product.  The letter can be shopped to prospective funders/takers.  Should the Network so desire the group is prepared to submit this letter.

A typical composite approach will be taken in the proposal.  Included will be such elements as:

  • Statement of purpose
  • Need
  • Scope of activities to be undertaken
  • Administrative hierarchy
  • Budget
  • Partners
  • Work products

Are Network members willing to submit letters of support to continue their participation in Network activities?  There were no objections expressed to such continuation or to sending out the letter of intent.  Suggested to be among the recipients, are the C. S. Mott Foundation and the Joyce Foundation.

Questions were raised on how the Network could be reorganized to administer funds and sponsor actual work projects.  One option may be a structure similar to that followed by the Resource Conservation & Development councils, affiliated with USDA-NRCS.  Sally asked if one of the projects the newly reorganized Network might undertake could be a model bank system for a state or something similar.  This lead to the potential for either banks or brokerages for trading credits.  No decision was reached on which approach was favored; that would be one of the articles addressed when the group is reconstituted. 

A decision was reached to e-mail a copy of the proposed letter to members of the Network with comments to be returned back to Dave Batchelor. 

IV. Conference Update; Activities and Needs

Meals:    A menu has been sent out.  Discussion today indicated all positive feedback.  Everyone agreed that no matter what else happened during the conference, at least we would eat well.

Flyer:      Indications of what the final version of the flyer will look like can now be viewed on Michigan’s Trading web page.  Materials are now at the printers for final copy and production.

Exhibits:  Bruce Johnson and his team of volunteers will be addressing exhibitors out of the network members and related organizations.  An update will be provided at the next meeting.  Exhibits will be open throughout the conference.  Set-up time is 7:00 P. M. -12:00 (midnight) on Wednesday, May 17th.  

Speakers: Dave has done a great job of making initial overtures to potential speakers. Many have responded positively, with only several not responding at all.  In many cases, those contacted have expressed a desire to participate in a speaking capacity.  A suggestion was introduced to provide each speaker with a “basket” of donated food-items and/or trinkets from around the Great Lakes area, as could be made available to this cause.  We will pursue the concept of a Speakers Welcome Room, where speakers may leave presentation materials or other belongings.  One or more representatives from the Kalamazoo Project will be in the room at all times.  Network members are encouraged to rotate in and out to help make speakers welcome and get to know them in a more casual atmosphere. 

Allison offered to work on the preparation of speakers’ gift baskets concept, soliciting materials from Network members arranging items and coordinating elements into final gifts to be presented at the Conference.  Allison would liek to receive any items for inclusion by April 30th.  The “basket” may turn out to become something that will travel more conveniently, like a canvas bag or something similar.  Anyone with interest should contact Allison ASAP to become a part of this element. 

Notebook:: Discussions then moved to what each participant might receive as part of their attendance.  Conference Notebooks were offered as a suggestion.  A 1” notebook would be provided to each participant.  The notebook would contain: an agenda and conference schedule, speaker bio-sketches, list of conference attendees, local map & sights, papers by network members, list of pertinent web sites, and background information on the Network.

Those planning the event would like to know who is scheduled to arrive on the 17th, the day before the conference starts, and is willing to make available a small amount of time, if needed, to assist with final logistics.  If you know you will be arriving on Wednesday and you may have some time available, please let Dave Batchelor or Bill Reed know at your earliest opportunity.

               

Proceedings: Agreement was reached that there would be no need to publish written Proceedings.    Each speaker could make any materials they so choose available electronically at a web site for participants to access.  People could then download only what information they really wanted to have. 

Summary of today’s call:

·         Letter of Inquiry should be pursued: Paul, Bruce and Dave will take the lead.

·         List of Speakers: Dave will forward to Allison and Bill

·         Welcome Room for Speakers: Bill Reed will arrange (provide coffee, soft drinks, etc.)

·         Speaker Gifts will be handled by Allison: create a letter of greeting; organize a round-robin of volunteers to greet and host speakers composed of representatives from Kalamazoo and other projects.

·         Kalamazoo Project: will try to have sufficient representation that a constant presence can be maintained in the Welcome Room; also try to furnish two (2) people at the registration table.

·         Letters must go to each speaker and members of the GLTN to obtain those materials they want included in the Program Notebook.

The next call will be March 14, 2000 at 1:30 –3:30 P. M.

Tentative Agenda:

· Update on Call Summaries

· Spring Conference brochures, speakers and exhibits

· Project updates

Call terminated at approximately 3:20 p.m.

Prepared by:                Michael Tenenbaum