TGAGNOI – General Membership Meeting --  2/22/07

River Barge Excursions – Julia Street Wharf

The meeting was called to order by President Madeline Axtman at 7pm.

What an unusual venue for a meeting – aboard a River Barge on the Mississippi River!  A lovely buffet was set in the auditorium.  “Barging Through America” offers excursions from 4-10 days on two connected river barges pushed by the tow boat “Miss Nari.”  98 individual staterooms (3 wheelchair accessible) provide comfortable accommodations.  After the meeting, Edward Conrad will speak and give members a tour of the barges.

“New Orleans Voodoo Priestess – Marie Laveau” is the title of our first book of the year for review/discussion.  The salon will be held at the Whitney Bank at 1441 Metairie Road on March 11^th.  Author Carolyn Morrow Long will be present to speak about her book.  Attendees will receive 2 CEP Units.

A letter has been sent to the “Women of the Storm” regarding the requirement of licensed guides to be hired for city tours.   There has been a problem of non licensed individuals taking tour groups on walking and bus tours.  A city ordinance prohibits this. The Taxi Bureau has received complaints but has not been enforcing the law. The City Council will also be contacted regarding enforcement of the ordinance.

Membership dues are due.  Please see Vice President Darleen Landry to pay your membership dues and insurance, if desired, and provide her with a current copy of your tour guide license and information.  March 31^st is the deadline to be included in the 2007 TGAGNOI Membership Directory.

New Orleans will be hosting The National Tour Guide Association – NAFTA – Conference this year.  NAFTA President Bobbie Gattuso has some wonderful plans including having the TGAGNOI Seminar as part of the conference so that we may all benefit from the upcoming event.  July 19-21 are the dates and we need your help to volunteer and make the conference a big success!

Our next General Meeting will be March 15^th at the World War II (formerly D-Day Museum) to view the special Ann Frank Exhibit.  An earlier meeting time of 5pm is necessary due to personnel requirements at the museum.  Everyone attending will be provided a ticket to return to the WWII museum in the future to enjoy all it has to offer.

The April 19^th General Meeting will return to the 7pm time.  The Ursuline Convent will be open for us to meet and enjoy the wonderful Vatican Mosaic Exhibit.

There being no further business to discuss, President Axtman introduced Edward Conrad who provided a presentation about the operation of the river Explorer and a tour of the barges with their staterooms, meeting rooms, library, galley and dining area, etc.

Respectfully submitted by Estelle de Verges, Recording Secretary.