TGAGNOI – Board Meeting 9/6/06

Muffaletta’s Deli Restaurant

Present:  President, Lynn Wolken; 1^st Vice President, Barbara Robichaux, 2^nd Vice President Darleen Landry; Recording Secretary Estelle de Verges; Treasurer, Alfred Rodriguez; Membership/Registrar, Madeline Axtman; Corresponding Secretary, Beverly Buisson; Newsletter Editor, Saundra Green; Public Relations, Mary LaCoste; Standards/Continuing Education Chairman, Adam Stevenson.

Minutes of the July 2006 Board Meeting (a lack of quorum cancelled the August 2006 Board Meeting) were accepted.  Motion: Madeline Axtman/Seconded: Barbara Robichaux.  The Financial Report was reviewed and accepted.  Motion: Madeline Axtman/Seconded: Darleen Landry.

New Board Member – Welcome Darleen Landry, appointed by the Board upon the resignation of Shirley Colomb.  Darleen will assume responsibilities of 2^nd Vice President.

Old Business:

Locals Day – Our Locals Day City Bus Tours were a great success.  The NOVCB graciously provided the location for the August 13^th event, free for those affected by the Hurricanes in Louisiana and Mississippi.  City tours escorted by TGAGNOI Volunteers were at 10am/12pm/2pm.  Thanks to Mary LaCoste for her excellent publicity work coordinating with the “Times Picayune,” flyers, etc. and TV invitation with Lynn Wolken.  Over 180 people attended.  Also thanks to Grayline for generously providing 2 buses (including a handicap bus) and drivers for the tours.  Advance reservations provided a partial “head count” and others walked up to enjoy the bus ride and tour.

Christmas Party – Thursday, December 14^th at the Aquarium of the Americas.  Cost will be $30-$35 per person (still finalizing catering).  Doors will open at 7pm.  Our thanks to Sherry Constance of the Audubon Institute for providing Audubon’s facilities for our organization’s meetings, conference and party.

Certificates/Pins – Continuing Education certificates and pins will be available for pickup at the next General Meeting.

New Business:

Membership - Dues were waived in 2006 because of the hardships resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Membership for licensed Tour Guides will remain at $60.00 and are due January 1, 2007.  Cost for Insurance is $80.00 at present.

Reports:

Barbara Robichaux advised that the Sugar Mill Trip for October 26^th   is in final planning stages.  The cost is $75.00.  A nonrefundable $25 deposit to hold a seat is due September 30^th.  After that date, any remaining seats will be available to the public and Mary LaCoste will handle advertising.  The bus departure is tentatively scheduled for 8:30am from City Park with return between 6:00pm and 7:00pm.  The tour will include the La Fourche Sugar Refinery, and, pending the time schedule, a possible grinding demonstration, Laural Valley with its slave quarters that have been used in films (debated as to whether the slave quarters are repaired originals or “reconstructed” for the movies), a visit to Madewood and/or E.D. White’s Home.  Snacks and lunch are included.

Darleen Landry will pickup soft drinks and finger sandwiches to be provided after the viewing of the IMAX presentation at the September General Meeting.  The Aquarium of the Americas is the location for the film.  Guests will be charged $8.00 for this special event with proceeds donated to the Audubon Institute.  Future General Meetings include the October 19^th Cajun Swamp at the Zoo and the November 16^th meeting at the Pharmacy Museum.  The December Meeting is replaced by the Christmas Dinner Party.

Madeline Axtman plans to have 2007 Membership Renewal forms available at the next General Meeting.

Saundra Green is collecting information for the next newsletter.  She will include TGAGNOI information and the announcement that the Friends of the Cabildo will be holding their Ghostly Galvant fundraiser this year.  Also, The Garden District Bookstore is generously offering a 15% discount on books that are of interest to Tour Guides.  Your Tour Guide License must be presented for the discount.

Mary LaCoste will advertise the Sugar Trip when it is open to the public October 1^st.  Also, she will contact the “Times-Picayune” to request coverage of our Christmas Social and a photographer to have a photo of the new officers for the newspaper.

Adam Stevenson will try to obtain additional Wetlands Certificates since Bob Thomas’ group ran short of them at the July TGAGNOI Conference.  If so, they’ll be available at the next General Meeting.

There will be no October Board Meeting. The next Board Meeting will be on November 1^st at Muffaletta’s Café at 6pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8pm.  Motion:  Madeline Axtman/Seconded:  Darleen Landry.

Respectfully submitted by Estelle de Verges, Recording Secretary.