Discover Life in America

Attendance:	Mary Johnson Williams	John Pickering		Frank Harris
		Becky Nichols		Charles Maynard		Don Barger
		Chuck Parker		Dana Soehn		Joe Abrell
		Karen Ballentine	Chendra Conklin		Kevin Skeeters

Absent:	Tom Kiernan, Peter White

• Introduction of Kevin Skeeters, Summer Intern who is working for DLIA until August 21, 1998.
• The meeting was begun by discussing press coverage from CNN, U.S. News, and a Smithsonian article coming out this fall.
• Executive Director Job Description
  The committee reviewed the Executive Director Description and will gather more input before finalizing. The need for professional help is critical to effort need is immediate and the following decisions were made:
  1. Charles Maynard will be the search committee chair.
  2. Approval of the candidate by the board can be done by email if required.
• Organizational Structure
  Standing Committees and recommended chairs are:

   
   		Information				Stephanie Ramsey
   		Education 				Glenn Bogart
   		Communications				Tom Kiernan
   		Development/Fundraising		
   		Science					Peter White/Mike Sharkey
  		Nominating				Rex Lowe
  

Committee Responsibilities -- Agreed that committees should shape their own work plans with some guidance from the Board.

A survey of Board members will solicit input on tasks and relationships of committee chairs. All will be expected to develop calendar as part of work product.

• Board Composition
  Continue to solicit board members necessary to carry out project.
• By Laws
  Tabled for further input
• Not for profit status
  It was agreed that DLIA can operate under the umbrella of the Friends of GSMNP for legal and accounting purposes. To do so saves money and time while we deal with organizational issues.

  DLIA Treasurer will set up appropriate accounts and record keeping to meet legal requirements.

• Terms of Office
  The existing list of Board members numbered down the page for random and staggered terms. See the following list.

   
   		George Briggs			1 year
   		Glenn Bogart			2 years
   		Boyd Evison			3 years
   		Frank Harris			1 year
   		Norm Johnson			2 years
   		Tom Kiernan			3 years
   		Meredith Lane			1 year
   		Rex Lowe			2 years
   		Charles Maynard			3 years
   		John Morse 			1 year
   		John Pickering			2 years
   		Susan Riechert			3 years
   		David Scanlon			1 year
   		Mike Sharkey			2 years
  		Elizabeth Skillen               3 years
   		George Stuart 			1 year		
   		Peter White			2 years
   		Mary Johnson Williams		3 years
  

• Task list
  Reviewed "brainstorming" task list from initial board meeting. Items listed still relevant, expectation is that it is an evolving list.
• The Nature Science Center
  Conceputal Plan presented regarding what a long-term vision might be concerning facilities as they relate to accomplishment of DLIA goals. Adequate laboratory and residential space to conduct ATBI, educational facilities in Tremont, Purchase Knob, Science Station (lab/dorm) on the south side of the Park, and a mainstream educational/entertainment complex to be developed in high tourism area. Conceptual plan is still in developmental stages.
• ATBI
  The committee determined that a meeting needed to be held to write science plan, establish database structure, and review twig structure.

  John Pickering will coordinate a meeting in Gatlinburg December 14-17. Undetermined how many participants there will be, but efficiency, cost, and time are factors to consider.

  John Pickering will apply for National Science Foundation grant for meeting.

  Database project stalled at moment and needs funding and equipment.

  Policies Regarding overhead, rate compensation, web pages referred to Science Committee to draft.

  Next Executive Committee Meeting scheduled for Friday, September 27 from 10:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. in Knoxville. Location to be determined.