TGAGNOI – Board Meeting 2/07/07

Aunt Leni’s Café in Algiers

Verret and Pelican Streets

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

Absent:  Corresponding Secretary, Beverly Buisson

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by President Madeline Axtman

Minutes were read, amended (rather than Dr. Thomas’ office for certificates, America’s Wetlands Office was contacted; and on Resolution 2 page 2 - one signature is required, not two) and approved.  Motion: Gene Reyes/Seconded Barbara Robichaux.  Gene also commented on the excellent minutes particularly from such a long session.

New Business:

TGAGNOI Brochure – Madeline passed out a brochure with the TGAGNOI mission, explanation of  the organization, etc.  She suggested that the brochure should be updated and asked for volunteers to work on it.   Gene said he’d take on the project and Adam offered to assist.  Fern Printing and Speedy Printing (company publishing the newsletter) were suggested to do the work.  Suggestions were to change the paper stock or color, enlarge the logo, include the web address and add a membership form to the brochure. 

President’s Letter – At the January General Meeting, Madeline and officers were made aware that there are quite a few tours being given by non-licensed guides.  Regardless of whether these groups are aware that a licensed tour guide is required by law, the city has advised that they are not enforcing the regulations.  This hurts many of the 600 licensed tour guides whose livelihood is providing this service.  One group in particular that advertises a tour on its website is the Women of the Storm.  Madeline passed out a copy of the letter that she has sent to Ann Milling of the Women of the Storm and will also send to Habitat for Humanity, CVB, coach and tour companies, etc.  Included is the Tour Guide Definition and Regulations.  Madeline has also recruited some members to join her in forming a City Hall Liaison Committee.  She selected Tom Nagelin and Mack McIlwain to join her to present this situation before the City Council if the ordinance is not enforced.

The Park Rangers, also unlicensed, still provide tours in the French Quarter and Cemeteries.

Membership – Alfred advised that membership remains down.  His financial planning is based on 250 full time members (presently we have 113); 15 Associates (we have 8 currently); and 10 Corporate (we have 2 now).  Unless we increase our membership, we will not meet our budget.  70 Members are required to purchase insurance to break even.

Darleen will organize a phone committee to start calling members listed in the directory and request they send in their dues.  March 15^th will be the deadline for members to join and have their name published in out directory.  This should be published in our Newsletter.

We are in serious need in getting corporate and tour company members not only for membership dues but also to have some clout with City Hall.

Delgado has resumed tour guiding classes with Mary Helen Schaeffer. Madeline and Darleen will visit the class to solicit membership.  Friends of the Cabildo has postponed its Spring session.

Fundraiser – Gene is working on the field trip to “A Day In Pompeii” – the exhibit in Mobile that runs from January 12-June 3, 2007.  The first week of May, just after Jazz Fest) should be a good time.  Gene will check with bus companies (Jim Fewell at Grayline), Hotard, La. Coaches, Calco, N.O. Tours, etc. for bus rates and availability.

Newsletter – Saundra plans to bring newsletter Friday to the printer.  200 copies are needed for Bulk Rate.  Advertising was discussed.  It was suggested that all corporate members automatically get a free ad and larger ads can be purchased for $25/quarter or $100/year.

Extra copies of newsletters can be sent to Mayor, Sidney Bornes, Sandy Shilstone at the CVB, Mitch Landrieu, Peggy Scott Laborde, Ann Milling (1625 Palmer Ave. 70118).

NAFTA Conference – is planned for the 3^rd weekend in July and will replace our July seminar.  TGAGNOI Membership forms should be included in NAFTA packets.  Membership response was overwhelmingly good at the January meeting and many people want to participate.

Adam will be working closely with Bobbie Gattuso in coordinating the event and will be happy to have volunteers.

Nominating Committee for 2008 Elections – Bobbie Gattuso has volunteered to work on the committee.  She has great experience and will be an asset for the elections.

Public Relations – Mary reported that Liz Reed has volunteered to work on her committee.  Madeline made the Times-Picayune Sunday edition as President of TGAGNOI as well as a letter to the editor written by Mary about tourism.

Mary’s report acknowledged that publicity is needed to attract new members and explained TGAGNOI’s importance to the our community’s economy and overall tone of the city.

Mary plans on sending out information on the upcoming NAFTA conference as soon as details are available.

Meetings & Events – Barbara reported that the January General Meeting at the Presbytere with Arthur Hardy was a success with many positive comments.  The organization gave a donation of $150 to the museum (cost for refreshments were approximately $50)

Proposed General Meeting Schedule –

            February 22 – River Barge Excursion (does not leave dock) Julia St. Wharf

March 15  – National World War II (D-Day)  Museum 5pm-7pm Ann  Frank       Exhibit & ticket to return to museum on own time

            April 19th– Ursuline Convent – Mosaic Exhibit

            May/June – Café Amalie with speaker from Drago’s on Czech population

            June – Westwego Museum with talk on the Cajuns

            October – Wax Museum

            Christmas Social – Audubon Park Golf Course Clubhouse

Other upcoming plans – presentation by Comus Costume Maker  perhaps at Longue Vue during fashion exhibit.

Adam will help Barbara print up Certificates for speakers, etc. that can possibly be framed if funds allow.

Announcements & Miscellaneous comments – Mary advised that the PRC will have a stained glass lecture and tour at Trinity Church on April 21 & 22.

Locals Day – is proposed for sometime in August – CVB contact presently is Erica Pappion

CEP Units – It’s important that we promote the educational aspect of our organization and remind people that meetings, field trips, etc. contribute toward these continuing education credits (which will be required for licensing in the future)

Calendar of Events – should be published in the newsletter as well as the website

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm – Motion by Madeline Atman/Seconded by Adam Stevenson.

Respectfully submitted by Estelle de Verges, Recording Secretary.