state arts action network

State Arts Action Network
Meeting Minutes
Saturday June 2, 2007
8:30 am – 9:45 am
Chair: Gretchen Johnston
Vice Chair: Sheila Smith
Staff Liaison: Jay Dick

Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel
Red Rock V
3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Attendees:
Gretchen Johnson, Chair, Washington State Arts Alliance
Sheila Smith, Vice-Chair, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
John Barsness, Montana Arts
Drew Buchholz, ArtServe Michigan
Lisa Caretto, California Arts Advocates
Donna Collins, Ohio Citizens for the Arts
John D’Angelo, Kansas Citizens for the Arts
Michael Gaines, Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies
Allen Hoffman, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism
Pamela G. Holt, Maryland Citizens for the Arts
Anne Katz, Arts Wisconsin
Deb Mikula, ArtServe Michigan
Betty Plumb, South Carolina Arts Alliance
Lisle Soukup, Illinois Arts Alliance
Tommy Usrey, Louisiana Partnership for the Arts
Judy Weiner, Alliance of NY State Arts Organizations
Jay Dick, Americans for the Arts

Not Attending:
Ellen Morgan, Kansas Citizens for the Arts
Alene Valkanas, Illinois Arts Alliance

Guests: 
Stan Rosenberg, SAAN Consultant 
Jonathan Katz, President of NASAA
Jeanine L’Ecuyer, Director of Communications for AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano
John Ostrout, Director of State and Regional Partnerships for NEA
  
Introductions/Housekeeping 

Strategic Planning Update:
• Stan Rosenberg provided an overview of strategic planning
• Each of the 6 areas in the Strategic Plan were presented

SAAN Council Elections

General Comments:
• Judy mentioned that SAAN is not very diverse and that we a loosing a base of power by not reaching out to minorities, etc.
• She posed whether or not we could bring in other minority groups into SAAN or create an alternative membership area for them
• Lisle added that the lack of diversity is also within the major organizations, not just in advocacy
• Judy said that we need to get these other communities to get them involved
• Donna wondered how non-council SAAN members receive information and it was discussed that more action needs to be taken to send Powerpoints to the Network
• Lisa asked what duties there are for a network member
• Betty suggested adding a third annual meeting for the Network
• Gretchen suggested reviving the weekend retreat
• Judy pointed to Jonathan Katz stating that state arts agencies need to support members of the SAAN, but he said that he would prefer that his states do not individually support SAAN members
• Jeanine L’Ecuyer introduced herself and discussed her 20 years in local TV news, her communications company, and now working for Gov. Napolitano 
• Described her experiences with a 9/11 Memorial and examples of Jose and Virginia

Adjournment: 
• Gretchen and Sheila adjourned the Council Meeting after Gretchen gave her farewell to the organization