Meeting was called to order by Vice President, Barbara Hug at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. Present are: Loren Toomsen, Sharyl Ferrall, Randy Dop, Barbara Hug, Greta Thompson, Mark Christian, and Isaiah Harrison.
In a previous e-mail Greta wrote. "For the sake of continuity--from last fall when she worked on the 501c3 ap through the coming year as SC--I think it really makes sense for Barbara to continue taking the lead and staying on top of the Friends' activities and needs. It also makes sense because she's there in Iowa. I want to stay informed, of course, and I'll be glad to help when I can; but this is one logical point for her to begin taking the reins and for me to take a seat in the back row. :)
Discussion focused on ideas that would sell the Friends to corporate sponsors. The group decided to use a Blog to post ideas and Loren was to develp a web page that shows off the ideas.
Sharyl set up the Blog during the meeting and sent out invitations to join.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Central Time.
Transcription of meeting chat
[19:53] whispers: Welcome to ARSC Really Simple Chat!
[19:53] User Loren_Toomsen enters the room Lounge.
[19:53] Guess we scared him off.
[19:53] User Randy_Dop leaves the room Lounge.
[19:53] User Randy_Dop enters the room Lounge.
[19:53] Hi Loren
[19:53] Loren, my email to you came back this morning saying your mailbox was full, so glad you got here.
[19:53] Howdy
[19:54] I'm too bright think I'll be a different color
[19:54] Hi Barb -- I'll bet you are using loren@pafways.org. I am having problems with that one
[19:54] Send me another address as this is the only one I've ever used.
[19:54] Good to see you Sharyl, and Barb -- and hi RANDY DOP -- good to see yo again
[19:54] pafways@netins.net
[19:54] Green
[19:55] I'll email you Barb. :)
[19:55] Nope, I got it in already
[19:56] Just want you all to know I broke bread with Richard Harrison in Arizona a week or so ago
[19:56] User Randy enters the room Lounge.
[19:56] Great!
[19:56] sorry - had some problems...
[19:56] Hey, Randy, did this room kick you out?
[19:56] I'm going to get a cup of coffee. BRB
[19:57] no - was trying to use Safari on my mac & it just wasn't finishing loading the page. didn't have the type box either...
[19:57] Sharyl, I liked the green better as yellow is hard to read.
[19:57] User Mark enters the room Lounge.
[19:57] Greetings, Mark
[19:57] OK Randy, I'm trying to come up with the perfect chat room -- so constantly working closer to that goal. :)
[19:57] Hi Mark
[19:58] np - had to dust off a copy of IE!
[19:58] Ha, good show, Randy
[19:58] Don Kelly is the only person contacting me to say he won't be on.
[19:58] Where is Greta?
[19:59] User Greta enters the room Lounge.
[19:59] Speak of the you know who!
[19:59] Hi Greta
[19:59] User Mark leaves the room Lounge.
[19:59] Yep, I knew she'd be here
[19:59] You mean me, the devil?
[19:59] Speaking of?
[19:59] Nah, far from me to think that, Greta
[20:00] User Mark enters the room Lounge.
[20:00] wb Mark
[20:00] Ya, Ya. I was just reading a piece about William Sloan Coffin.
[20:00] Trying to log on again.
[20:00] Did you get bumped?
[20:00] I'm back. Hi Mark & Greta
[20:00] Where did you all go?
[20:00] Let me call Richard and remind him
[20:01] Randy, how do!
[20:01] Hi Greta
[20:01] This is a new script tonight -- so I hope we don't have problems with it
[20:01] I couldn't get in using Firefox. Had to retry with IE.
[20:01] It's 8:00 and I'm calling this meeting to order.
[20:02] I "assume" that you've read Greta's email and me being the chair.
[20:02] Congratulations!
[20:02] I'm have only seen my first message. Rest haven't appeared above yet.
[20:02] Just talked to Richard -- he forgot -- he'll be with us in a minute
[20:03] Mark, I'll send you a transcript of this meeting tonight
[20:03] I believe our purpose tonight is to brainstorm ideas about recuiting potential sponsors.
[20:03] User IsaiahH enters the room Lounge.
[20:03] Hello. Sorry to be late
[20:03] User Mark leaves the room Lounge.
[20:03] Loren, You and Isaiah were going to meet and chat. Can you fill us in?
[20:03] User Mark enters the room Lounge.
[20:04] Yes, Barb
[20:04] Let's see if this goes better.
[20:04] But first it appears we're having a problem with this room -- Mark are you reading us now
[20:04] Went back to Firefox and now it seems to be working.
[20:04] This is a new script -- and I may have to fix settings after tongihts meeting -- tihs is the first use of this new script
[20:05] Okay, Richard and I broke bread together and had a good chat
[20:05] Nothing earth shattering -- but just wanted to meet Richard after all these years
[20:05] Tonight I'd like to run some ideas up a flag pole
[20:05] First is the time frame.
[20:06] I went ahead and underwrote the project for another six months -- that gives us until September 23rd.
[20:06] That is a good target date to try and have a corporate sponsor in place
[20:06] Agreed.
[20:06] Ditto
[20:07] I am looking to go to a corporate sponsor for $5,000 a year as their contribution to the project
[20:07] About what is our annual financial need?
[20:07] I will gladly break out how I came up with that figure -- but not ttonight -- let's just use that as a current projection
[20:08] A current projection of our annual expenses?
[20:08] Ok
[20:08] Barb, it includes current costs and also savings
[20:08] Greta, at present I calculate it at $5,000 a year
[20:08] I believe it is very important we develop a savings reserve over the next few years for emergencies
[20:09] Agreed and for improvements
[20:09] Also, we need to open to door to private contributions
[20:09] Yes, new scripts, etc.
[20:09] One problem that frankly concerns me ...
[20:09] is our technical support people
[20:10] What is the concern?
[20:10] They have had a falling out and Denny is no longer in the loop
[20:10] Ooops, I mean Kevin Dearing
[20:10] Is this at Apollo?
[20:11] No, just a sec
[20:11] Loren is talking about the people who customized our boards.
[20:11] Web Journeymen
[20:11] Are they still actively doing things for us?
[20:12] Also, we are paying very heavy for Apollo hosting
[20:12] I think between Steve and myself we will be able to come up with an eventual solution for the handling the boards.
[20:12] Oh, Yes, we entered into a contract with WebJourneymen, that frankly, I don't feel they are capable of supporting in the future
[20:12] Great, Mark.
[20:12] I was not aware of that
[20:13] When can we end their contract?
[20:13] We don't have anything current with them, do we?
[20:13] We are perhaps getting away from the central issue with this -- but I would like to keep in Contact with Kevin Dearing
[20:13] Yes, we do Mark
[20:13] Can you elaborate?
[20:13] They own the rights to the Boards modification -- that is if other states wish to adopt what we are doing
[20:14] Is this another topic that can be handled on the side
[20:14] I think so Barb.
[20:14] Let's move on -- because it really doesn't affect us
[20:14] Unless this grows into other state projects -- OR
[20:14] we needed some major work.
[20:15] But as Mark says he and Steve can probably handle this
[20:15] So let's move on
[20:15] Perhaps you could write an email to us about the situation with Web Journeyman so we're up to speed with it.
[20:15] Really, that's about it
[20:15] It doesn't explain why you're as concerned as you suggested you are.
[20:16] We needed many thousands of dollars of modification done and they agreed to do to modificaton if they could have the rights to the modificiations -- it was a fair exchange.
[20:16] Oh that
[20:16] LOL. Yes, that!
[20:16] The head man at Webjourneymen is a business man -- but not much of a technician
[20:17] Again, can we deal with this discussion another day.
[20:17] Really, we're getting away from the main subject -- I don't see it as a problem for tonight
[20:17] I agree
[20:17] If I understand correctly the only thing we might want from them now is modification in case another state wants to use the Boards
[20:17] They might not be able to provide it
[20:17] That is correct Richard, and they can probably do it -- it is just that they don't have Kevin Dearing anymore
[20:17] let
[20:17] 's move on
[20:18] Yes.
[20:18] I don't believe we are committed to tham for any other future work
[20:18] Okay, September 23rd is our goal
[20:18] Loren, do you have some plans to contact corporate sponsors?
[20:18] What I would love to see is all of us have an input into this part of the project
[20:18] Do we need any promotional materials?
[20:19] I'd like to see it first in the form of a website or webpage
[20:19] Great idea. So people can actually see what they are buying.
[20:19] I live in Iowa -- and have contacts around the state -- and frankly and chopping at the bit to visit potential sponsors
[20:19] I would like to see an Iowa Based corporation be our corporate sponsor
[20:20] But to do so
[20:20] We will be competing with Iowa Genealogical Society to some extent, at least in the DM area.
[20:20] I or whomever is doing tihs
[20:20] what type of companies are you thinking about, Loren?
[20:20] needs to tell them the IAGenWeb story
[20:20] Winnebago, Maytag, Pella Windows, etc.,e tc.
[20:20] I think the fact that it is done by volunteers is a major selling point.
[20:20] There are many, Randy
[20:20] Remeber that Maytag is NO MORE, unfortunately.
[20:20] That is the selling point Barb.
[20:21] Yes, you are right -- but I have just built a Toastmasters club in that company and I know whomall to visit
[20:21] How about the tourist industry?
[20:21] Well, that is where we start
[20:21] We need a list of potential sponsors
[20:22] I feel they should be Iowa Based -- but that;s just my opinion
[20:22] On the one hand, and on the other we need the IAGenWeb story.
[20:22] Gas prices will restrict traveling a lot as the price continues to climb
[20:22] I think we'll all be surprised who finally emerges as our sponsor
[20:22] But, the web page
[20:22] Perhaps that is also a part of the story. Since people "can't" travel, we provide the service for them online.
[20:22] I see it as a review of the project
[20:23] If someone will write the IAGenWeb Story I can create a brochure
[20:23] Amen Barb, another "selling point"
[20:23] Now we're talking
[20:23] We also have to remember that what we do this year will have to be repeated every so often so we need to build a solid base
[20:23] I think the story has been written several times. Perhaps we just need to update
[20:24] there's some good info on the state page!
[20:24] I'd like to approach a company to consider a three year sponsorship
[20:24] and we, of course, continue to work on future corporate sponsors
[20:24] The reason I feel this will work is because of the power of the IAGenWeb
[20:25] Yes, I was just tring to find the pages, but can't at a glance.
[20:25] An acknowlegement of our corporate sponsor will appear on our boards right at the business area
[20:25] When someone makes a connection with our boards the sponsors name is there
[20:26] You say we will be competing w/IGS ..... do they have any corporate sponsors now?
[20:26] Sharyl, none that I am aware of -- and not at this level
[20:26] that's a plus for us then
[20:26] We're unique --
[20:26] Yes, IGS is hurting very much for funds and they are getting some corporate sponsors, but not to the extent we will.
[20:27] The fact that we are a volunteer organization -- that is about to celebrate our tenth birthday
[20:27] has power
[20:27] It sure does!
[20:27] Good point, the 10th anniversary.
[20:27] August 6, 1996
[20:27] What a party we will celebrate this August
[20:27] Linda wrote about it in today's newsletter.
[20:27] I was there. :)
[20:28] It's hard to believe what a long ways we've come.
[20:28] We've come a long way -- baby!
[20:28]
[20:28] Anway, I'd like this meeting to produce two things
[20:28] First
[20:29] A list of potential sponsors that we could put on a page and refine together as a team -- I've got a number as grist for the mill
[20:29] Secondly
[20:29] Start a webpage to which we all contribute so we have one story we are all telling -- and can be used for a sales call on our potential sponsors
[20:30] Could we ask for volunteers to begin drafting a web page for us?
[20:30] If we can put those two into motion toinght -- this will have been a very productive meeting
[20:30] Richard has volunteered a brochure
[20:30] I really don't know much about business as I was in government my entire life.
[20:30] I think this is starting to pull together
[20:31] But I bet others have some good ideas about businesses to contact.
[20:31] It all comes down to "What's in it for me?"
[20:31] Are you thinking of a web page associated with the current Friends' web page?
[20:31] Throwing out a thought ....... I've been doing some web-research for grants
[20:31] We might be able to use a free wiki site, such as jotspot.com, for collaborative authorship.
[20:31] and have found that many of them are only available for non-profits
[20:31] No, this is a special page just for the purpose of selling the concept of sponoring the project
[20:32] Is it plausible to do some grant writing too?
[20:32] But couldn't the page link from the current Friends page so our own members can find it?
[20:32] Good point, Sharyl,
[20:32] There are thousands of them in Iowa
[20:32] Whatever works for this group
[20:32] I think grant writing for special project support is probably better than for tech support.
[20:33] Most grants won't buy equipment, etc. but pay for people's time
[20:33] I think what we need to do is start -- and we will refine it in several meetings down the road
[20:33] So, how about two pages
[20:33] We need to brainstorm about the content of your promotional web page.
[20:33] I just wanted to throw that in .... food for thought
[20:33] One -- listing sponsors
[20:34] two -- jotting down ideas -- and we evolve that page together as a team
[20:34] Loren, you say you have some ideas on sponsors. Can you share them other than the ones you've mentioned.
[20:34] Yes, Barb, I will blow you away with what I have -- let me fetch the URL BRB
[20:34] I'm confused. Are we talking about a public web-page or private to share our idesa?
[20:35] Loren, I'm trying to figure out which comes first the chicken or the egg.
[20:35] Ha,
[20:35] Private to share our ideas
[20:35] Sharyl, private
[20:35] How about a Blog?
[20:35] But I'm thinking we need to get right on the web page and promotional items
[20:35] A blog would be more appropriate for sure.
[20:35] If it's still there, I started one when I was SC
[20:36] I've never done a blog, is it hard
[20:36] Nope.
[20:36] But we never used it
[20:36] I've used them in other settings, but I haven't set one up. There's an article in Dick Eastman's current newsletter about one.
[20:36] It's kind of like a forum but different. LOL
[20:36] He's enthusiastic about it.
[20:37] http://www.iowaworks.org/directory/XcDirectory.asp
[20:37] It's a place to put info, photos, etc., and people can respond to particular messages, post new ones, etc.
[20:37] Sounds like we have a lot of energy going here.
[20:37] This is a list of all business in Iowa over a certain size -- we then whiddle them back to our needs
[20:37] http://iagw-roundtable.blogspot.com/
[20:37] I think Sharyls blog would be perfect, especially if it is still there
[20:38] It's still there
[20:38] It's still there
[20:38] Ha
[20:38] and I can make it private
[20:38] Well, folks, there we have it
[20:38] I think the secret is to not have the finished project up front -- but to simply start then build it as a team
[20:38] Loren, as a business person, can you tell us some major points that we need to cover to meet the needs of the salesman.
[20:38] I agree
[20:39] In a nutshell -- :) == the website
[20:39] And then
[20:39] think of it as a apothecary scale
[20:39] The project weighs in one bowl
[20:39] and their money contribution in the other
[20:40] What is it worth to the corporation to sponsor a ten year old successful all volunteer group that is making an impact on people
[20:41] I think we may need a third focus.
[20:41] Let's start from that perspective and all contribute -- I certainly will as we evolve this -- and I would love to have the honor of selling this
[20:41] Is the main reason a company would want to sponsor if for name recognition only or would they want to be able to actually sell soemthing.
[20:41] we can have some 'success stories', 'thank-yous', etc from our users
[20:41] Not sell
[20:41] They are not advertisers