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September 26, 2006 Board Meeting

Oklahoma Recycling Association BOARD MEETING Minutes
The M.E.T., Tulsa, OK 11:00 a.m.

Present: Traci Phillips, Michael Patton, Susie Shields, Garmon Smith, Ande Reed, Kathy Moore, Ilda Hershey

  1. Welcome by President Traci Phillips

  2. Approval of Minutes
    Michael Patton made a motion to approve. Ande Reed made a motion to second the approval. Ellen Bussert asked that the minutes/agenda be amended to show that she voted “yes” on the e-mail vote taken to approve Traci Phillips as President. The minutes were approved with the amendment.

  3. Reports from workgroups
    1. Advocacy – Garold reported nothing has moved forward. Garold has been trying to get in contact with Richard. Susie is going to write the bill modeled from Arkansas and New Mexico. A discussion was held about what we should recommend the state percent be set at ranging from 15 – 25 %. Currently, Oklahoma reports 4%.

      The group agreed to set the goal for 15% by 2008, 20% by 2010 and 25% by 2012. Ellen Bussert volunteered to draft a bill. Draft needs to be complete by Dec 1st. Date for conference call to discuss this project is October 30, 2006 11:00 a.m.

      Michael Patton recommended that OKRA utilized “freeconferencecall.com” Ande volunteered to set up the call. She will also set up e-mail group.

      The group identified Legislators that might be willing to support the goal in the next session. They were: Jeannie McDaniel, Senator Connie Johnson, Senator Susan Paddock, Rep. James Covey, Gus Blackwell

    2. EDUCATION: Sarah Kimball
      Only 2 forms have been received to date from Gina Lagaly and Kay Frank. Someone asked the question – “is everyone supposed to be filling it out?” The response is that anybody that does education should fill it out.

      The Board asked for the form to be resent with explanation. Bussert said she remembered that there was a pretty good explanation sent with it the first 2 times it was sent out to everyone. The Board requested that Sarah be asked to resend the to both formal and informal educators.

    3. MATERIALS (WASTE ) EXCHANGE: Ilda Hershey
      Ilda Hershey passed out a written report regarding a potential waste exchange program in Oklahoma. OKRA and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality will partner to develop the Exchange, which will be housed at the DEQ. The Exchange will be computer-based. The Exchange will not be profit-based; online access will be free to users. It will be referred to as “Materials Exchange” rather than a “Waste Exchange.” Hershey must talk to DEQ legal about some hazardous materials issues associated with the project. After estimate of cost is put together by DEQ, Ilda will look at possible funding sources. See written report for more details.

    4. MARKET DEVELOPMENT:
      There was no time allotted for this subcommittee. Bussert asked for it to be given time at the next meeting. Phillips, asked Bussert to serve as temporary chairman of the market development subcommittee until some one else could be identified. Kathy Moore volunteered to help in any way she could. A brief discussion was held about the importance of market development to successful recycling programs. Shields passed out a copy of the list of Oklahoma Manufacturer that use recycled materials for their processes.

    5. COMMUNICATIONS:
      1. ONLINE NEWSLETTER: Susie Shields Shields said it is time for us to do an on-line newsletter. She wondered what else OKRA would like to do, link, send the newsletter? Some people don’t like it. Phillips recommended that we send out highlights with a link back to the newsletter. A discussion was held about what the content should be. Content for upcoming issue:

        Ilda – materials exchange
        Susie - Weyerhaeuser “Excellence in Recycling” Award Program update
        Events list
        ARD = State prizes, State Contest, order materials

        The following questions were asked.

        Q: What audience is being sent?

        A: List of OKRA members and Susie’s list of people who are interested in recycling. Probably post it to OSN. 150 members of OKRA, another 50 on the e-mail list.

        Q: Time frame????

        A: Before ARD, pretty soon. The week of OCT 16-20th. Get anything you want in it by Oct 16th Trudy Neveland will be asked to submit ARC (Ada Recycling Coalition) results from their HHWC day.

        Anyone with more ideas should e-mail them to Susie at Susie.shields@deq.state.ok.us.

      2. WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT – SHIELDS On behalf of OKRA, Susie has started working with Emma on the homepage. She submitted a proposal and it was passed around the room. Ande put it on the computer. Susie personally paid the hosting which was about $650.00. She needs to get the money back some time.

        The initial funding fell through with Weyerhaeuser because OKRA does not have a 501 (C) 3. Richard Chapman suggested we get it through another organization from Weyerhaeuser such as Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. Doug Weirick has volunteered to help keep up the website.

      3. DISPLAY: Sarah Kimball has obtained the funding for the OKRA display. The Board and members should think about what is needed on it. If you have an event going on, e-mail the information to Susie Shields.

      4. America Recycles Day: REED/SHIELDS
        Reed called national and found out they will send OKRA and electronic copy of on line pledges to OKRA after deadline. Reed had a subcommittee meeting on July 25, 2007. The workgroup decided on “Oklahoma Celebrates America Recycles Day.”

        Shields asked for clarification on Staples participation. Staples will be a regular collection point for ARD cards. Shields suggested he donate a prize for each local collection. He said he would give a case of recycled paper.

        Results of 7-25-06 meeting never fully decided what focus would be. Some of the suggestions included a Governor’s Proclamation, letter campaign to local officials (workgroup will do), collection event. It was decided that they would target the military.

        Reed asked the Board for direction. The Board said to focus on getting proclamations and resolutions out to have them declare Oklahoma Celebrates America Recycles Day on November 15, 2006.

        Shields said OKRA will invite the sponsors to come for the drawing to the DEQ on Nov 30th. That info is on the pledge card. A possibility for presenting the awards might be at the KOB conference in December or Weyerhaeuser Awards ceremony in January.

        Things to do:
        1. Need to get packets together
        2. Get prizes so they will be ready to give – Susie would like money so that she can buy recycled stuff from a catalog.
        3. Pledge cards need to be distributed.
        4. Reed and Patton to get proclamation from Governor
        5. Shields to send out press release by week of Oct 2nd announcing that packets are available.
        Kathy Moore volunteered to ask businesses for money to pay for prizes for ARD.

        Big KUDOS to Susie Shields for getting so many of the sponsors and doing a wonderful job putting together Oklahoma Celebrates America Recycles Day.

  4. Committee Reports

    1. Membership Committee: Shields
      Susie passed out membership list of everyone and list of voting members. OKRA will have to invoice for dues. Doug Weirick sent word that he would do membership. Phillips wanted to table that conversation for another time. Reed made a motion to change name of Nominations Committee to Membership Committee to broaden duties and consolidate people. Smith seconded the motion. It was passed by voice vote.

    2. FINACE: Patton
      OKRA is operating in the red. Michael Patton has paid national dues personally again this year. Bussert asked what date is the starting of each year? NRC requires member list by March 31st. Patton suggested memberships expire DEC 31st this year.

  5. NEW BUSINESS

    1. Update on OKRA’s 501 (C) (3) status Shields could not find OKRA’s documentation at the Secretary of States office. We are listed as a non-profit. Apparently, OKRA’s non-profit status expired and was not renewed. Patton will download the form, fill it out, and submit it by Monday October 2nd to get our status reinstated. (The 501 (c) (3) number is needed to qualify for the Weyerhaeuser Foundation grant to pay for the website.)

    2. Preferred Communication venues: A discussion was held and it was decided it would be best to use “Freeconferencecall.com” whenever possible.

    3. Official OKRA Address Reed recommended that Tulsa be the official mailing address for OKRA since 4 board members are from the Tulsa Area. Patton seconded the recommendation. Patton will set up post office box in Tulsa

      Workgroups – discussion. Let’s continue to keep the groups together and the structure for the future.

      Phillips recommended the OKRA have some type of phone number for the public to call. She suggested it be one with a recorded message. Consensus was that we should try to have something. Reed will check with the MET to see if they could add a voice mail to one of their lines.

  6. Next Meeting date/location: November 30, 2006 Multipurpose Room at DEQ 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. lunch. Afterwards we would hold awards ceremony for ARD.

    National Recycling Congress Oct 20 – 25th Patton, Reed and Shields will be attending.





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