Steering Committee Update

The Southern Tier ED Group Steering Committee held a conference call on Friday, November 21st. The participants included: Pat Rogers, IHS; Sara Palmer, Community Foundation of Elimira-Corning and the Finger Lakes; Elaine Farwell, Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum; and Andrew Marietta, CCSNYS.

This conference call was held to start the conversation on next steps for the Group and questions that need to be addressed. The following ideas were suggested for the Group's first program meeting. First, Institute for Human Services' ED Pat Rogers offered to host the first ED Group program meeting at his upcoming IHS conference (most likely set for March 18th in Painted Post). The meeting would feature lunch and a program. Program ideas discussed included online technologies or an overview of www.nyned.org as an online resource. Other ideas to be discussed. After lunch, a "graffiti" exercise would be used to address 5 or 6 priority questions for the ED Group. Participants would be split into groups of 5 or 6, and cycle around the room answering each question. The feedback collected would be used for program ideas and Group focus and structure. Possible questions are: What do you want out of this Group? or How can the Group help you on a regular basis? Questions will be collected and discussed at face-to-face meeting.

There are plans to hold a face-to-face Steering Committee meeting in January. The location will most likely be Corning (checking on Corning Library). The suggested time is 9am on one of the following dates: Jan 13, 16, 23, or 28. This meeting will focus on creating a statement of purpose for the Group. An e-mail will go out to help pick the best possible date for everyone.

In the mean time, a survey will be sent out to interested EDs getting feedback on possible meeting dates for 2009 (with idea that meetings would be quarterly).