GAZeL Executive Committee Meeting:

Noon, Thursday, May 15th

Audio Bridge Number: 1.888.847.8686 7256108#

Attending: Alex, Bobbie, Steve, Kelley, Casey, Maggie, Richard

Agenda Items:

Networking Event – Bobbie/Michele Tracorp won’t be finished until August so we don’t have a date yet. Andy will be making a presentation.

Strategic Direction - Alex/ Bobbie
Alex asked what do we want to do the 2nd half off this year. Bobbie mentioned a breakfast committee meeting May 23, 9AM at The Eye Opener. They will set dates for our next Summit. Steve suggested that we need to do something using the information gathered at the Summit. Ted has used many things he learned from the summary of the Summit. Steve also suggested we need to define our vision again and discuss present and future board members. Alex suggested we need to do more to further business/economic development for our members.

Membership – Bobbie suggested we need to push membership. Sheri Schmeckpepper is no long involved. We need to find someone new.

GAZeL-a-Ganza Debriefing-Alex
Kelley thought it was a great event and we did find corporate sponsors.

Richard also thought it was a good event. Richard will work at making some Navajo translations for the OLPC XO laptop.

We have commitments for 60 laptops once the 501 C3 paperwork is finalized. Richard thought he might have commitments for 6 more. Our expenses were $10,698 not including Lauryn’s fee of $7500. We have received about $14,000. We are still receiving money but it is held up by the 501 C3 paperwork problem. It is a Global Literacy problem and they are resolving it as soon as possible. GAZeL has covered the expenses and Lauryn will wait for her payment. $13,700 was donated in services and prizes.
Kelley is currently working on smaller, less expensive, 'community' events to promote the '100 laptops for kids' campaign. He believes word of mouth is necessary for any organization to grow and this will help that. For example, (and not necessarily the only approach) we can work through GLF AZ Home Learners Project. These are families and interested local neighborhood merchants/vendors that support local home learner groups. All the interested parties can get together semi - formally to raise funds to get blocks of 100 laptops. This will help get out additional 40 laptops. 20 families x two laptops for each = 40 laptops. We can meet our goal of 100 and announce success on several levels.
Kelley believes smaller, more regular events can go further to engage more new members than 2 big events each year.

Kelley hasn’t identified what vendors serve home learners, but his experience in conversations with our project GLF champions is that they are underserved. Opportunities for vendors exist giving us a new GAZeL membership area as well as expanded business activity. GAZeL can provide an avenue to greater legitimacy to all home schooler groups/organizations. This is something the champions have identified as important as well.

Alex stressed we must have a cohesive and active board. Bobbie suggested that all Board members should be called and must commit either time, leadership or money all of the above.

Next Board meeting May 22nd at Noon