The regular meeting of the Washington Geographic Alliance (WGA) Board of Directors was called to order at 6:43 p.m. by Tim Schultz in the home of Richard Kennedy and Heidi Morgan, 18825 6th Avenue SW, Normandy Park, Washington.
Present: President Tim Schultz of Green River Community College (GRCC), Vice-President Meghan Hoyer of St. Philomena School, Treasurer Heidi Morgan of the National Geographic Society's (NGS) Grosvenor Council, and Secretary Richard Kennedy of the NGS's Grosvenor Council.
Director Pat LeRoy of St. Francis of Assisi School was absent due to a work conflict.
Note: Effective September 17, 2008 Tim Schultz's surname will change to Scharks.
A motion to approve the draft minutes of the Board of Directors meeting of August 5, 2008 was made by Meghan and seconded by Tim. The motion passed unanimously.
Tim replied to Mahtab's email. The staffing for the WGA booth at the Puyallup Fair is covered in tonight's agenda. GRCC is making the necessary travel arrangements for Tim and Meghan to attend the NCGE conference. The semi-annual Public Engagement Coordinator (PEC) Activity Report will be handled by the next PEC Coordinator, Mary Weir-Cortinas from Walla Walla. The pencils, Alliance Strategic Planning, and endowment funding are covered in tonight's agenda. The Boeing grant application is on hold until the costs of the giant Washington State map are determined. The list of schools offering Advanced Placement in Geography and the Assessment of Geographic knowledge are both still pending.
GRCC has sent Heidi information needed for the IRS Form 990-EZ and the form is 80% complete.
Meghan has completed all action items related to the exhibition of the giant North America map at the Puyallup Fair. Meghan finally got in touch with Dana C. Twight (dtwight@seattletimes.com), the Sponsorship Development Specialist for Newspapers in Education at the Seattle Times. Ms. Twight will be looking for a sponsor. Meghan brought her laptop computer to Richard and he configured it for both her WGA and school email accounts.
As Pat was absent, her action items were not covered.
The press release created by Richard and the giant Washington State map are covered in tonight's agenda. Richard continues to work on a revision to our travel policy. The endowment and Senator Murray's cosponsorship of S.727 are covered in tonight's agenda. Richard is awaiting the release of QuickBooks 2009, expected by year-end, before entering the WGA financial records.
The checking account balance as of August 31, 2008 is $474.82. There was one deposit of $113.94 from the Employee's Community Fund of the Boeing Company and one withdrawal of $99.77 (check #1001), an expense reimbursement previously approved by the Board to Tim Schultz.
The following emails were received concerning the status on the effort to get WGA eligible for the Boeing Company Gift Matching program.
From: "I-Lust, Herbert" <herbert.lust@boeing.com>
Date: August 11, 2008 8:19:28 AM PDT
To: "Richard Kennedy"
Cc: "Mutter, Terry M" <terry.m.mutter@boeing.com>,
"Sweeney, Bridget M" <Bridget.M.Sweeney@boeing.com>
Subject: Washington Geographic Alliance
Dear Mr. Kennedy,
In response to your emails we had another look at your application for Boeing giftmatching for the Washington Geographic Alliance.
We certainly appreciate the great work of the Alliance, however we at Boeing cannot giftmatch to all organisations. Our giftmatching scheme is limited to the following organisations -
ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
Higher Education Institutions
Kindergarten — 12th Grade (K-12) Schools
Again, this is no judgement on the organisation but for legal and budgetary reasons we are strict about limiting the scope of our giftmatching
Kind regards
Herbert Lust
Director of Strategy
Global Corporate Citizenship
The Boeing Company,
100 N Riverside MC 5002-8450
Chicago, Il 60606-1596
Tel +1 312 544 2326
Mob +1 312 282 3493
Fax +1 312 544 2077
Richard emailed Boeing Vice-President Mary K. Armstrong on September 8 asking her for advice on what steps we should now take.
From: "Armstrong, Mary K" <mary.k.armstrong@boeing.com>
Date:September 9, 2008 9:31:28 AM PDT
To: "Richard Kennedy"
Subject: RE: Washington Geographic Alliance
Richard,
Thanks for your note. Yes, Herbert is the final approval authority on this one. I am sorry Boeing does not extend giftmatching. I wish you the best of luck.
Mary
From: Richard Kennedy
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 8:03 PM
To: Armstrong, Mary K
Subject: Fwd: Washington Geographic Alliance
Mary,
Is Mr. Lust's ruling a final decision? If not, what actions would you suggest?
Tim will check if GRCC will accept Boeing Gift Match Funds and put them into the WGA account.
To help complete our 2007 federal Tax return, Heidi emailed Stephenie Cheng-LaBoyne of GRCC asking for the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008:
Richard has asked Professor James W. Harrington, Jr., Ph.D. of the University of Washington to schedule a meeting with Speaker of the House Frank Chopp to discuss funding of our endowment. Additional meeting invitees are Tim and Richard.
A meeting need to be scheduled with Judy Hartmann, Executive Policy Advisor for K-12 Education, in the Governor's office to discuss placing the endowment funding in the Governor's budget.
The WGA's nonprofit corporation annual report was mailed to Bonnie Christian at GRCC. She will add a check for $10 and forward it to the Secretary of State.
Richard had previously met several times with Senator Murray's staff requesting that she become a cosponsor for S.727.
Senator Murray became a cosponsor on September 8. Richard contacted Senator Murray expressing thanks.
Kyle L. Dye's written report on the 2008 Summer Professional Development Institute, hosted by the National Geography Society in Washington, D.C. from July 12-18, 2008 follows.
"After an enjoyable week with fellow members of the Washington Geographic Alliance it was time to come home Friday evening, do some laundry, then take an early flight the next morning to attend the 2008 Summer Geography Institute in Washington, D.C. The seven-day event, from July 12th through the 18th, would focus on Beyond Borders: Using Maps to Understand European Physical and Cultural Landscapes and hosted by the National Geographic Society.
I, along with 70 other teachers from every state, Puerto Rico and Canada had a busy schedule at the NGS headquarters previewing a ten-lesson set targeted for middle school students. After teaching the lessons in the classroom during the 2008-2009 school year, we will return to Washington, D.C. in July 2009 for five days to debrief and modify the lessons.
With these lessons, students will examine the correlation between borders of European nation-states, physical geography, and the cultural landscape of the continent. Using Europe as a focal point, students should understand that many times there are frictions between how political boundaries come to be and cultural groups. Many times cultural groups either overlap boundaries, are forced to co-exist with other cultural groups that have been historical adversaries, or are an isolated minority in a nation-state. Students can come to understand that these border/culture conflicts take place in all parts of the world.
An excellent example of this border/culture friction is the recent conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor, Georgia. At the crux of the conflict is a culturally Russian majority inside the Georgian state of South Ossetia that would like to break away and be a part of the Russian Federation.
Lesson Three has a connection to one of the main topics from the Washington Geographic Alliance sessions held one week earlier. The dilemmas facing the Columbia River that were discussed at the WGA meetings can also be found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. At issue is the GabêÍkovo-Nagymaros Project. First agreed to by then Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1977, the project called for dams to be built by each country on the Danube River. When Czechoslovakia completed the Cunovo dam, it caused severe problems for the Hungarians downstream. The Hungarians abandoned the project and the ensuing problems from changing the flow of the Danube River as brought animosity between the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary that continues today.
Besides lesson planning and lectures, National Geographic included some great activities. Events started with NGS holding a welcoming reception on Saturday evening, July 12th at the historic Madison Hotel.
Wednesday, July 16th was a busy day. After a morning of teaching demonstrations and discussion, it was off to the Liaison Capitol Hotel for the NGS Geography Legislator of the Year Awards Luncheon. Gilbert M. Grosvenor, Chairman of the National Geographic Society, presented awards to four members of Congress, recognizing their efforts to pass the TGIF Bill—Teaching Geography Is Fundamental. Those receiving awards were Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts), Congressman Roy Blount (R-Missouri) and Congressman Tim Walz (D-Minnesota). All the members of Congress attended except Senator Kennedy; a member of his staff accepted the award on his behalf while he recovers from brain surgery.
The day was just getting started after the awards luncheon. It was off to Capitol Hill for a tour of the map collection at the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress has more than 4 million maps on file, with 14,000 now available on-line. On one occasion, a LOC researcher showed a book of maps to my group that was published in the early 1500s. This particular book's original creator used recycled paper from the late 1400s.
After some free time on the Hill, a train ride back to the hotel and a chance to get refreshed, it was time for the NGS hosted European Embassy Reception and Dinner. During the reception representatives from the embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Monaco, Netherlands, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland had displays and materials available for the participating educators. During the dinner, I had a very insightful and enjoyable conversation with Dimitar Mihaylov, Bulgaria's First Secretary for Political and Cultural Affairs.
Finally, after a week of intense training, great discussion with top-notch teachers from all across the country and excellent presenters and trainers, it was time to have a farewell party at Buffalo Billiards Friday evening. In seven short days, we had forged a deep bond for each other. Our sadness knowing our time together was over was tempered by knowing that we would be reuniting next summer in July.
I would stay in Washington, D.C. for an additional three days. How could I ask for anything more? I had just spent two weeks with fellow educators that eat, sleep, and love geography as I do. First, seven days with the Washington Geographic Alliance, a truly dedicated and talented group. Follow that up with another week with educators from all across America, Puerto Rico, and Canada in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of the National Geographic Society. For someone such as me who has such a passion for studying, learning, and teaching geography, being asked by the world's premier geography institution to come to their headquarters was both an honor and a humbling experience at the same time.
Now, a new academic year awaits and I feel a fresh enthusiasm for geography and the students I have the good fortune to teach. It is time to spread the word: Teaching Geography Is Fundamental. I can't wait!"
Richard spoke with Dan Beaupré of NGS about producing a giant Washington State map. Dan referred us to Steve Kruger, a sales representative for Berry + Homer in Philadelphia. Mr. Kruger referred us to Walt Vayo and Bob Howe. The following reply was received.
From: Bob Howe <bob.howe@berryandhomer.com>
Date: September 9, 2008 5:38:56 AM PDT
To: "Richard Kennedy"
Subject: Re: Giant Map File Formats
Richard -
We would prefer Adobe Illustrator files in CMYK format. DPI of any linked files needs to be a minimum of 50 dpi at full size (200 dpi at 1/4 size, etc.) Crop marks indicating final trim plus 1/4" bleed is fine.
Let me know if you need any other information.
Bob Howe
Prepress manager
Berry & Homer
267-251-7217
Richard then sent the following email to Raven Maps in Medford, Oregon.
From: "Richard Kennedy"
Date: September 9, 2008 5:03:54 PM PDT
To: info@ravenmaps.com
Cc: Tim Schultz- Washington Geographic Alliance
Subject: Map of Washington State
Gentlemen:
The Washington Geographic Alliance is a non-profit Washington State corporation that has been granted §501(c)(3) status by the IRS. We work with the National Geographic Society to enhance the teaching of geography in Washington State.
National Geographic has produced giant maps of Africa, Asia, and North America. The Asia map may be viewed at http://www.washgeo.org/photo/album/show?id=2021316:Album:1935. The Washington Geographic Alliance is interested in producing a giant map of Washington State. We envision the dimensions of the map to be approximately 20 feet by 30 feet.
National Geographic does not have any maps of Washington State showing sufficient details to produce a giant map. Your web site shows a map of Washington State <http://www.ravenmaps.com/prostores/servlet/Detail?no=54#> at a scale of 1:500,000. This map appears to contain sufficient detail to produce a giant map.
Would Raven Maps be interested in licensing your Washington State map for such a use? The printer, Berry + Homer of Philadelphia, would prefer Adobe Illustrator files in CMYK format, DPI of any linked files needs to be a minimum of 100 dpi at full size, and crop marks indicating final trim plus 1/4" bleed.
GRCC was unable to place an order for the branded pencils to be ready for the Puyallup Fair. Richard contacted Marketing Innovations in Burien, Washington. They located a firm that could have the pencils delivered the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17. The cost breakdown follows.
Heidi had a 2' by 6' banner containing our logo in color with black text created by Mpressions in Tacoma for $99 plus $8.91 sales tax for a total of $107.71.
Tim created 11" by 17" signs containing the rules for being on the giant map.
Chris Shearer of NGS contacted Richard indicating there could be potential problems with the WGA reimbursing his class expenses. Therefore, Richard stated he would not be accepting any reimbursement from the WGA for the Certificate Program in Fundraising Management.
Emily M. Schell, Ed.D., a visiting professor at San Diego State University, has been appointed by National Geographic as our Alliance Liaison. She would like to schedule an all-day planning meeting on one of the following Saturdays:
It was the Board's consensus to schedule the meeting for Saturday, November 1. Dr. Schell has been notified. Richard will be creating a draft agenda.
This year Geography Awareness Week is November 16 through November 22. Meghan will report at the next meeting the activities WGA has planed for this week.
The preliminary staffing schedule is:
| Date | Time | Staff |
|---|---|---|
| September 18 (Thursday) | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Tim Schultz, Richard Kennedy & Heidi Morgan |
| " | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Barbara Purn |
| September 19 (Friday) | 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Richard Kennedy & Heidi Morgan |
| " | 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Pat LeRoy |
| September 20 (Sat.) | 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Meghan Hoyer & Kyle Dye |
| " | 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Pat LeRoy, Rachel Rummell |
| September 21 (Sunday) | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Robin Larson, Kristen Walker |
| " | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Meghan Hoyer, Tim Schultz & Elizabeth Reyes |
Richard has received 32 tickets for admission to the Fair. The tickets were mailed to the persons above, except board members, on Monday, September 15. Also included were a letter of instruction and a map of the Puyallup Fair showing the Pavilion and the free parking areas. He also made a signup book.
Meghan is coordinating the shipment of the map and NGS handouts. She also detailed the activities created for the giant North America map.
Heidi rented stanchions and chain from Alexander's Party Rentals in Tukwila for a total of $89.62. She also made name tags.
The mailing address insert for the September 2008 edition of the National Geographic Magazine, delivered the week of September 14, contained the following notice to the right of the subscriber's address:
This will be distributed in the Seattle region that covers the greater Puget Sound area and includes about 3% of the magazine's US subscribers.
The following press release was distributed on September 14 to:
 |
WASHINGTON GEOGRAPHIC ALLIANCE |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Richard Kennedy secretary@washgeo.org
SEATTLE (Sept. 14, 2008)—A giant National Geographic map of North America, measuring 26 feet by 35 feet, will be at the Puyallup Fair in the first floor of the Pavilion (building 17) from Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 21. The National Geographic Giant Traveling Map brings with it rich content and exciting activities to enliven the study of geography, making it a fun, interactive experience.
The North American map is the third in National Geographic's Giant Traveling Map series. Africa began touring in 2006, followed by Asia in 2007. In the 2008-09 school year, more than 75,000 U.S. students will have the unique experience of walking on a National Geographic Giant Traveling Map.
The new giant map, designed for grades K-8, tours with a trunk full of accessories, including interactive games, geography adventures, atlases and books that teach students about the physical characteristics of North America as well as its rich history and varied cultures. The map is based on the National Geographic reference map series and on the North America map in the "National Geographic Atlas of the World, 8th Edition."
Some of the activities included are "A Tale of Twenty Cities," in which students explore the physical and economic reasons behind the locations of North American cities, and "Grocery Store Geography," in which bean-bag-tossing skills are called upon to test students' knowledge of where foods are produced in the continent.
"Experiencing a map of this size can really awaken a student to the power of maps and the limitless depth of geography," said Dan Beaupré, National Geographic's director of education partnerships. "Whether they are using the map to learn place names or to compare state-to-state CO2 emissions, students are physically involved in a hands- and feet-on way that makes geography into an event. The result is an experience that is a cross between geography and gym class."
This National Geographic Giant Traveling Map is being sponsored by the Washington Geographic Alliance, a non-profit Washington State corporation dedicated to promoting geographic literacy in our state. For details, see www.washgeo.org.
###
Undergraduate or graduate level credit for the Summer Institute needs to be investigated.
The annual meeting of the WGA Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the home of Richard Kennedy and Heidi Morgan, 18825 6th Avenue SW, Normandy Park, Washington.
A special meeting of the WGA Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 in the home of Richard Kennedy and Heidi Morgan, 18825 6th Avenue SW, Normandy Park, Washington. The time will be announced later.
The next regular meeting of the WGA Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the home of Richard Kennedy and Heidi Morgan, 18825 6th Avenue SW, Normandy Park, Washington.
Currently there is no meeting scheduled for December 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
/ss/ Richard T. Kennedy
Richard T. Kennedy
Secretary
Approved October 14, 2008