Auction proceeds have been deposited but because registration fees and other proceeds from the conference have not been deposited yet, no information on account balance was provided.  Complete report anticipated for March meeting.

A suggestion was made to solicit membership dues from people who don't attend the conference.  A membership database could be used to identify past members who don't renew through conference registration.  There is currently a membership spreadsheet, a database would need to be created from that for continued use.  The database would be put on the MEEOA website for board members to access.

Budget numbers to be emailed/faxed to Sarah as soon as possible.  Evaluations forwarded to Karen for review in consideration of October conference.

Overall, evaluations were good.  High marks to advocacy session.  Concerns centered on food and relatively slow-to-respond service from Sugarloaf.

Donors like Cathy Kimball from FAME recognized as valuable partners in the conference.

A thank you was received from Lynn Ploof-Davis for the Dory award.  This prompted discussion of including State awards like the Dory award in the Awards banquet at NEOA.  Faith will request feedback from Mike on this. Danette will explore this with other state presidents.

General information received from Atlantic Oaks in Bar Harbor, Poland Spring Resort, Samoset and Sugarloaf.  Firm bids expected once dates and numbers of expected participants are proposed.     

Grant funds from COE have arrived and been deposited.

NCAN (National College Access Network) membership was discussed.  Ginny will do more research into the organization and Karen will talk with David Megquire about his membership and report back to the board.

It has been suggested that MEEOA invite Maine VIPs to the TRiO Achievers event at NEOA.  Ten VIPs will be invited, the current short list is:

This list will be reviewed for additions/changes by David Megquire, Lynn Ploof-Davis and Johanna Burden from the advocacy committee.  At the event.  VIPs will be split between 2 tables and joined by board and advocacy committee members.  Faith will email Mike to inform him of this addition to the event.

A concern was raised about unknown individuals posting to the MEEOA listserv.  Currently, anyone can join the listserv, no human administrative action is necessary to be added and no identification is needed.  Members are identified only by email address.  Most MEEOA members with institutional addresses can be easily identified but others can not.  Discussion included the original intent of the listserv as a tool for TRiO professionals and those directly affiliated with TRiO and the feeling that access to the listserv should be open and unrestrictive but not anonymous.  It was decided unanimously that the subscription option for the listserv should be 'switched' to a default that requires administrative acceptance of the subscriber.  Subscribers will be asked to identify themselves so we have an accurate record of who subscribes.

Website "action alert" called for ideas as to how greater use of the MEEOA website can be made for sharing best practices among programs throughout the state.  How can we encourage programs to post articles, links, etc. on their programs successes to advertise TRiO?

Nominees are: Kristin Wright, Upward Bound alum and Joe Siddiqui, ETS alum.

Both nominees were unanimously accepted to represent MEEOA at policy seminar.

Danette will arrange travel, Faith will arrange hotel accommodations.

March 4^th at UMaine in Orono

April 1^st at Central ME Community College in Auburn

May 6^th at UMaine in Orono (tentative pending UB rally)