15 Jul Wed 2009
INCA meeting 5-26-09
Ryan, Kelly, Michael, Tai, Matt, were in attendance at our meeting.
We approved the last meetings minutes from April 20th. Ryan explained that all of our W-2 issues are resolved and that no filing extension was needed.
A request for $2000 was received by the board to go towards the publicity for the Mason City Farmers Market. The board discussed possibly investing in capacity building for the MC Farmers Market or in something like Buy Fresh Buy Local. The board agreed that a plan should be developed for spending the money in order to build resources for the MC Farmer’s Market. Matt volunteered to follow up with Gina and ask her to check in with Jan and report back to the board.
The board had been working on a proposed letter of support policy for future requests. We voted that the submitted letter of support policy would be accepted.
We also discussed INCA’s contracting policy. Ryan volunteered to look into copyright and/or service mark options for the GFP Manual. This would help us protect our GFP material and program.
I described the progress I am making on a brochure for distribution at expos and the INCA board blog to be set up on Local Harvest. We will rotate postings by board members. Hopefully this will allow you to know each of us a little better.
In our efforts to increase communication and create a public presence, Ryan created a Facebook group page for INCA. Please join our group there! Perhaps we will even be on Twitter one of these days. Ahh, electronic transmission of information. How did we ever live without it?
Kelly has all of our financials up to date (as usual) and referred board members to INCA’s Profit and Loss Statement.
We also talked about submitting a CFSC workshop. Matt suggested using INCA’s mapping process to discuss and brainstorm about federal food programs. The mapping process fits CSFC’s desire for interactive workshops because it involves the group in listing and understanding connections. Matt suggested including all of the board members as presenters. We approved a motion to have Michael and Matt draft a proposal for a CFSC workshop.
Ryan asked board members to check schedules so he could plan a training session during the week of July 13th. Summer is such a busy season for us all. Hopefully everyone will be able to have a block of time available at the same time! Good luck Ryan.
Matt briefed the board on the USDA grant application. The application arrived by the deadline and received the appropriate number. Board members may need to sign a statement indicating the amount of volunteer hours that they put in. The application will be decided on later in the summer.
Ryan discussed the need to put out a call for proposals (CFP) to locate the 2010 conference. Matt pointed out that if the proposal does not get a great deal of response INCA can recruit in certain communities. Matt volunteered to put together a draft of a CFP.
We decided to decline the request to speak to international students about GAP practices because this topic is geared more towards industrial-style agriculture and is not supported by or relevant to the majority of INCA’s members.
Carol has done an incredible job throughout her service term to INCA and the board has decided to acknowledge that at the 2010 conference. Great work Carol.
Hopefully this has given you a good idea of what we have been working on lately. We welcome and appreciate your comments and suggestions! Please follow us in the months to come.
Tai Johnson-Spratt