MAINE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2003

A meeting of the MCDA Executive Committee was held at the Eastern Maine Development District Corporation, Conference Room in Bangor on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 10:30 a.m.  Attendees were:

Mathew Eddy                                               Christopher Spruce

Isaac Wagner                                               Mary Walton

Terry Stevens                                               Joella McBreairty

Paul Bernier                                                 Brenda

1.            MEETING CALLED TO ORDER:  President Mathew called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

2.            TREASURER’S REPORT:  Ron Harriman was absent for this meeting.  The Treasurer’s Report will be  reviewed at the next meeting.

2A.          MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 9, 2003:  Christopher Spruce made a motion to accept the meeting minutes as presented; seconded by
                Mary Walton.  The minutes were approved as presented.

3.            REVIEW OF STRATEGIC PLAN: 

A. Communications:  The Communications Subcommittee members are Isaac Wagner, Mary Walton, Mike Baran, and Joella McBreairty.  Joella is currently working on a second newsletter and asked for articles for inclusion in the newsletter that is dated for December, 2003.  It was unanimously agreed that all meeting minutes, newsletters, etc. to be posted on the website should be forwarded to Mary Walton.  She will be the contact person that will work with Joan Kiszley at MMA to assure that the website is current at all times.  Also discussed was the review process prior to posting any information on the website.  This review will be the responsibility of each member of the Executive Committee. 

             Mary Walton will mail correspondence to each member requesting their preference of being listed on the website or possibly making the list available for members’ access only.  This information will also be included in the next newsletter.  Other tidbits to be included are the logo, as designed by Tammy Knight; renewal of dues letter; highlighting a project of the quarter, and soliciting nominations for presentation of awards.

             The funding directory is approximately 50% complete with an anticipated completion date of December 4.  The directory will be made available to all members by means of a CD. 

B. Professional Development:  Isaac Wagner will chair this subcommittee made up of Joella McBreairty, Mary Walton, and Mike Baran.  This subcommittee will be responsible for setting up guest speakers for our general membership meetings.  Discussion on this subject included;

             * Speakers on alternative funding (Not Just CDBG)

             * Matching Actual Projects with Various Funding Agencies

             * Topics:

              1) TIF (Downtown and Housing Affordable)

              2) Low Income Development Tax Credits (New Market)

              3) Pine Tree Development Zones

              4) Small Development Courses (Example:  Local Development Corporations)

              5) Regionalism

              6) State and Federal Programs and Funding Availability

              7) Marketing a Community

              8) Housing

              9) Joint Meeting with Maine Association of Planners

C. Membership Committee:  Mat will prepare and mail out a generic letter to non-members regarding membership.  A membership renewal letter was mailed out to all current members.  Outreach to new members, particularly in the urban area of the State, is important because of the additional expertise and experiences regarding community development that could be gained as a result.  A sliding scale approach to the fee structure will be examined as a potential tool for attracting new members.  Also discussed to attract new members was using the media more; such as press releases for new training and education programs sponsored by MCDA, recognizing people/projects and presenting awards, and  power point presentations of various topics of community development. 

D. Advocacy Committee and Finance:  Tabled until next meeting.

4. SETTING CALENDAR FOR 2004:  The following tentative calendar was developed:

             December 4, 2003 @ 10:00 a.m. at Eastern Maine Development Commission

             January 30, 2004 @ 10:00 a.m. in Augusta at Maine State Housing Authority (Tentative)

             March 5, 2004 @ 10:00 a.m. at Northern Maine Development Commission, Caribou

             April 15, 2004 in conjunction with CD Day at the Legislature in Augusta (Time TBA)

             May?, 2004 in conjunction with CDBG Implementation Day in Augusta (TBA)

             June 11, 2004 @ 10:00 a.m. in Fort Fairfield

             August, 2004 in conjunction with CD Appreciation Day in Augusta (TBA)

             September, 2004 – joint meeting with Maine Association of Planners (TBA)

             October, 2004 – Annual Meeting at MMA Convention

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Submitted by,

Joella R. McBreairty

Secretary