TGAGNOI – Board Meeting 6/7/06

Muffaletta’s Deli Restaurant

Present:  President, Lynn Wolken; Membership/Registrar, Madeline Axtman; Recording Secretary Estelle de Verges; Corresponding Secretary, Beverly Buisson;;  Newsletter Editor, Saundra Green; Public Relations, Mary LaCoste; ; Standards/Continuing Education Chairman, Adam Stevenson; Nominating Committee Chairman, Joe Gendusa.

Absent:  2^nd  Vice President Shirley Colomb; Treasurer, Alfred Rodriguez; 1^st Vice President, Barbara Robichaux,

Minutes of the May 2006 Board Meeting were read and accepted.  Motion:  Madeline Axtman/Seconded.  The Treasurers Update was reviewed and accepted.  Motion: Madeline Axtman/Seconded: Adman Stevenson.

Old Business:

Post Cards that are undeliverable – When cards/newsletters, etc. are returned, an attempt is made to contact the member.  If unable to locate, no further correspondence is sent due to the high cost of postage.  The website as an announcement to contact the organization in the event of a change of address, phone, email, etc. 

New Business:

National Tour Guide Association is in the process of nominations for election of their board.  Lynn Wolken is on the nominating committee.  Bobbie Gattuso has been nominated for President of the national organization.

Reports:

Barbara Robichaux  sent her report that plans are firm for the Sugar Mill Trip Fundraiser scheduled for October 26^th.  Lunch will either be at Flanagan’s or the more historic Freeman’s and a visit to E.D. White’s House will be included for the $75 price and the bus is limited to 40 people.  A $25 nonrefundable deposit is necessary to hold a seat and the deadline for reservations is September 30^th.

Shirley Colomb sent her report that the September General Meeting will be at the I-Max Theater where the Katrina Story will be presented. (The June General Meeting will be at the Visitor & Convention Bureau; July at the WWII Museum and August at the Shipwreck Museum.)  

Mary Lacoste announces that she will begin publicizing the Locals Day – Sunday, August 13^th .  The NOVCB is the location from 10am-4pm.  City Tours will be scheduled at 10am/12pm/2pm on a first come, first served basis.  Louisiana residents must show ID for the free tours when meeting the buses and guides. 

There are no new members to welcome this month per Madeline Axtman.  She also led a discussion with Lynn Wolken about the National Park Service Guides and their offering free tours of the French Quarter and cemeteries – in competition whit tour guides who are trying to make a living with the few tourists that have come to the city.  Lynn will present a letter she has written and all tour guides are urged to write their objection to this practice.

Saundra Green will try to have the next newsletter organized by mid month.  Please forward her any submissions for the newsletter.

Adam Stevenson reported that July 22nd is the date set for our Annual Seminar to be held at Audubon Zoo’s Education Center.  The agenda is one speaker, Bob Thomas, who will present the program on the Wetlands.  Tour Guides will be certified at the end of the program and will also earn 6 Continuing Education Units.  Registration is at 0800, the program will start at 0900.  The seminar will include pastries and coffee in the morning and lunch.  After the lunch portion of the program there will be a question and answer period (questions will be submitted in advance to save time) and the seminar will end at 3pm.  The Zoo will be open for members to enjoy.  Cost for the seminar is $35.00.    

Book Discount -Pelican Publishing is offering a discount on books.  Madeline will try to obtain a catalog for guides to review for their orders.  Pelican will be invited to bring books for sale at the seminar.

There being no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8pm.  Motion by Saundra Green/Seconded by Adam Stevenson.