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TGAGNOI –
Board Meeting 3/07/07
Verret and
Pelican Streets
Present:
President, Madeline Axtman; 1st Vice President, Gene
Reyes; 2nd 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; Corresponding
Secretary, Beverly Buisson
Absent:
Newsletter Editor, Saundra Green.
The meeting was called to order at 6:35pm by President Madeline Axtman who introduced Bobbie Gattuso for a presentation. NFTGA President Bobbie Gattuso reviewed in detail a proposed schedule and update on the July 18th-23rd National Tour Guide Conference. The hotel and other venues are being researched. Bobbie and Adam Stevenson will be working closely on this project. There will be concentration on providing an option of different and interesting workshops, lectures, etc. for our local organization even during tours, etc. for national conference members. Suggestions/questions from Bobbie regarding speaker recommendations, restaurant/tour venues etc. followed. At 7:55pm the regular Board meeting was called to order. Minutes were read and accepted. Motion: Barbara Robichaux/Seconded: Adam Stevenson. Unanimously approved. There was no formal Treasurers Report. Announcement: Madeline advised that her agenda lists that Tour Guide License renewal now requires’ Police Background Check ($5) in house, Drug Screen ($20) through outside companies. Our President met with the Taxi Bureau regarding these new requirements. A decision was made to shelve or postpone enforcement. Letter to the City Council – A letter composed by Madeline was attached to her meeting agenda regarding a problem of unlicensed individuals providing tours of the city of New Orleans. There are 600 licensed tour guides, many whose livelihoods depend of giving tours. A city ordinance requires guides to be licensed after passing an examination, drug and other tests. The Department of Safety and Permits issues the licenses but has not been enforcing the ordinance, referring complaints to an already overworked police department. TGAGNOI would appreciate the City Council’s support in having the ordinance enforced to assure that visitors are provided with accurate information about our city and it’s history as well as helping members of our community make a living. Motion to accept the letter with suggested corrections: Mary Lacoste/Seconded;Barbara Robichaux. Motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: TGAGNOI Brochure – Adam presented a draft of the updated brochure containing a membership application. He also suggested that information regarding Ghost Tours and Driver Guides be added to the new applications when printed for clarification in the TGAGNOI Directory Website – The creator of the website has not been available for some time. Subsequent Webmasters, Sherry Constant and currently, Sean Schoenhart, have experienced difficulty adding information (Meeting Minutes, the Newsletter, etc.). Even with correct passwords, entries are blocked. The website is a valuable communication tool. It should be current and user friendly, particularly with the upcoming NAFTA conference. It needs to be revised or completely reworked, however the cost for such a project is unknown. Treasurer Alfred Rodriguez noted that any costs over $1000 must be brought before the General Membership. Motion by Darleen Landry: The Board requests that our current Webmaster provide a quote/bid on revising/reworking the TGAGNOI Website to make it more accessible for insertion of information for the benefit of our members and others viewing the site. Seconded/Gene Reyes. Unanimously approved. CEP Pins/Conference certificates – For some time Adam has been trying to obtain Wetlands Tour Guide Certificates for attendees who did not received them at the July Seminar. He mentioned that Dr. Thomas requested names/address/phone number of attendees for his database. Estelle de Verges commented that not all attendees may want to provide their information for a database. (It was later suggested that Dr. Thomas and/or his organization be invited to join TGAGNOI. Dr Thomas/his organization would receive a Directory. TGAGNOI would increase membership dues and have an asset to our organization through this membership). NEW BUSINESS: Book Club – “Voodoo Priestess” will be discussed this Sunday at the Whitney Bank, 1441 Metairie Road at 6pm. Carolyn Long, the author, will be there. Due to short notice, it won’t be necessary to have read the book prior to the meeting. Levee/Wetlands Update – Sheraton Rosedown Room 5pm – attendees will receive 2hrs of CEP credit. REPORTS: Gene Reyes – still researching bus availability and prices for the May 1st proposed Pompeii Exhibit and IMAX presentation in Mobile. Lambert’s is proposed for lunch and, time permitting, outlet shopping will be included in the field trip. Motion: Estelle de Verges/Seconded: Darleen Landry. All in favor. Barbara suggested that Houmas House for tour and dinner also be considered for a future fundraiser. Barbara Robichaux – Our February
Meeting on the River Barge was at no cost to TGAGNOI.
March 15th Meeting – 5pm at the WWII/D-Day Museum for the Ann Frank Exhibit. The early time was the only one which the museum could provide. A pass for a future museum visit will be provided. April 19th Meeting – Vatican Exhibit at Ursuline Convent 7pm-9pm Upcoming Venues – Café Amalie, Eiffel Tower’s Cricket Club. Suggestion by Estelle for NOMA’s “Femme, Femme, Femme” Exhibit. Christmas Party – December 20th (may want to change date) at Audubon Park Golf Club Motion by Barbara Robichaux: Because Sherry Constant has been of such invaluable assistance to our organization in securing Audubon Institute facilities and Catering for Meetings, our Conference and the TGAGNOI Christmas Party at the Aquarium as well as all her website and other help, a complimentary TGAGNOI Membership should be awarded to her. Seconded/Adam Stevenson. Unanimously approved. Barbara also recommended that a complementary dinner be provided for Sherry and her mother at our Christmas meeting. Alfred Rodriguez – has been
researching the purchase of Certificates of Deposit with TGANOI funds.
Interest rates are at about 5%.
After discussion and consideration that we may need to access
funds for the upcoming NTGFA Conference, the CD purchase will be
postponed.
Also, because new telephone directories have recently been published, the option to purchase a phone directory listing for the organization is postponed. As of February 14th, the organization has 137 Members – much lower than anticipated. Darleen Landry – A Membership
Drive is in progress with letters written to many organizations and
businesses. A phone call
membership reminder is also underway.
As stated on General Membership Meeting post cards, March 31st
is the deadline for publication of a member’s name and tour guide
information in the Directory.
Mary LaCoste – Next big publicity push will be for the National Conference. Also, she may print some “teaser” business cards with a reminder to hold the (Conference) dates open for a big event to hand out at meetings and other tour guide functions. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20pm. Motion:Barbara Robichaux/Seconded:Darleen Landry. All in favor. Respectfully submitted by Estelle Egan de Verges, Secretary
TGAGNOI
Board Meeting – April 4th 6:30 – 8:30 pm
COLLEGE INN
3016 So. Carrollton Ave
(parking entrance on Carrollton) 866 3683
I copied the
menu for your meal planning….
Estelle
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T.G.A.G.N.O.I. |
