Coordinator’s Report &
Meeting Minutes

2009 Annual Meeting

July 1, 2009

GranTree Inn Bozeman, MT 
 
 

Since our last Annual Meeting in Driggs on June 5, 2008, our coalition has been involved in the following program activities: 
 

• Serving as host coalition for the national Clean Cities Retreat at Big Sky.

 

• Conducting an “Alternative Fuels and Vehicle Workshop 101” in conjunction with the Teton County Conservation District.

 

• Refreshing the look of and information in our energy informational booklet.

 

• Keeping in touch with stakeholders and board members with periodic e-newsletters.

 

• Awarding two scholarships (Park County Biodiesel Co-op and Grand Targhee Resort) to the National Biodiesel Conference.  Coordinator also attended.

 

• Advocating for idle reduction in support of a local student-champion, who died last week in a road accident.  Willie Neal will be sorely missed.

 

• Communicating with Idaho Falls, Jackson area and State of Wyoming stakeholders.

 

• Acting as lead for a collaborative grant proposal submitted to DOE in late March for a Northwest Scenic Alternative Fueling Corridor.  The proposal was centered around interstate highways and involved five Clean Cities coalitions.  By retailer request, there was an emphasis on CNG.  We await news regarding awards-now expected in July.

 

• Presentations to Rotary, YBP and EPAC members.

 

• Execution of a newspaper ad campaign as part of a Teton Conservation District grant.

 

• Advocating for and participating in a State of Wyoming project planning workgroup.

 

• Talking with WY legislators re: energy efficiency legislation.

 

• Conducting a stakeholder meeting in Idaho Falls in January and learning about INL’s involvement in biofuels and energy efficient transportation.

In addition, your coordinator has been active in the Clean Cities Coordinator’s Council -there has been welcome strengthening of the Clean Cities program as a result of coordinator input.  Along with some additional responsibilities, coalitions are now eligible for $20,000.00 non-competitive operational support grants from DOE.  This is important funding, especially as local government funding has been cut over the past six months.   
 

The coalition also sent a letter requesting support from original MOU signers in order to secure coalition work.  INL and the Caribou-Targhee both expressed interest, although to date we have not received any money from them.  Others responded that it has been a difficult economic time for them.  Old Bill’s Fun Run, with very helpful match opportunities, is a venue for supporting the coalition for private donors.  Contributions designated to YTCEC may be sent to the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, www.oldbills.org between July 4^th and September 18^th.

Coordinator status

 While continuing to be committed to the mission of the Clean Cities program and coalition, your coordinator has notified the Executive Committee and board members present at the January meeting of the necessity for her to step down from the position of sole part-time contractor for personal reasons.  The Clean Cities program has become more active, our large regional area is not being well covered, we have lost administrative support along the way and added organizational responsibilities due to our non-profit status.  A review of job requirements and roles has been prepared for discussion by the board at this meeting with the hope of defining a new staffing configuration. 
 

Your coordinator recommends that at least one part-time staff person (or contractor) be located in each of the states encompassed by the coalition.  This will serve to strengthen networking, outreach, project implementation, sharing of skills, back-up coverage, fundraising and collaboration by staff.  It appears to your current coordinator that the current staffing does not serve the coalition region well or facilitate strong program.  It is possible to seek status for a co-coordinator from DOE.  Some critical mass is needed to make meaningful progress in deploying alternative fuels and vehicles in the region. 
 

At the January board meeting, those present agreed to seek an Executive Director, as a regular employee, to start by the beginning of the new fiscal year, October 1.  Your current coordinator is willing to assist with training of a new person and, should the board deem desirable, continue in a minimal co-coordinator role as part of a staffing team.  I believe, if the right people can be found, the coalition could function better with only 1.25-1.5 FTE’s, more widely dispersed over the coalition area. 
 

Today’s meeting will be important in determining the coalition’s course. 

Respectfully Submitted, 
 

Sandy Shuptrine