Minutes

Conference Call: 1-2:30 p.m.

September 1, 1999

Present: From the Task Force: Chair Ann Seibert, Julie Brill, Brian Flynn, Karen Kitzmiller, Philene Taormina, and Brian Leven (legislative council); Consultants: Richard Watts, George Bellerose, Diane Meyerhoff.

1. Meeting Dates and Places

The sub-committee discussed and approved the following dates for public forums to review the Task Force's proposed tobacco control plan: Oct. 5, Brattleboro; Oct. 6, Rutland; Oct. 7, Barre; October 12, St. Johnsbury; Oct. 13, St. Albans; and Oct. 14, Burlington. These meetings would be at 7 p.m.

Members were concerned that southern Vermont, especially the Windsor-Springfield area, was not geographically represented. The Consultants was directed to explore holding an additional forum, a youth/student session, possibly at Hartford High School. The consultants said it would also attempt to include youth in all forums. In addition, area legislators would be invited to participate.

2. Stakeholder Groups

The sub-committee reviewed a list of advocacy groups, developed by the consultants, to be given advance notice of the forums. Members suggested some additional groups/organization/placements, such as school nurses, Adult Basic Education, VPIRG, PTO's and PTA's, the Headmasters' Association, college substance abuse counselors, etc. and postings in low-income housing and churches.

The subcommittee agreed that these groups would be instrumental in getting good turnouts for the forums. Consultants will investigate using Task Force funds to help provide transportation or day care to increase likelihood of attendance of certain groups. However, agreed that attendance will rely on some of the advocacy groups to turn out their members.

3. Draft Letter to Stakeholder Groups

The sub-committee reviewed and suggested changes to a draft of a one-page letter from the chair and vice chair alerting stakeholder groups to the upcoming forums. Suggestions included elimination of references to House Bill 310 and greater stress on the importance of using the settlement money to prevent and control youth smoking.

Richard Watts was to make changes to the letter for review by Ann Seibert before mailing the letter.

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4. Draft Meeting Notice/Mailer

Not all members had received draft copy and concepts for the 8.5" by 14" mailer. Members are to get comments to George Bellerose of the consultants (545-2035) or email p_bellerose@acsu.k12.vt.us by Friday, Sept. 3.

A rough dummy will be circulated to sub-committee members either Friday, Sept. 3, or Tuesday, Sept. 7.

A conference call may be set up for Sept. 8, if needed. Ann Seibert and Richard Watts will decide on Tuesday, if a meeting is needed. Schedule calls for the mailer to go to the printer at the end of week,

Sept. 10, and be ready for mailing, Sept. 20.

Estimated mailing: 7,000

5. Discussion of Option Items

Richard Watts discussed the estimated costs to hire a graphic artist to design and produce the mailer, executive summary, and final report. Based on several estimates, he said design should cost about $3,500 and printing about $4,500 of the flier, executive summary of report and final report. Advertising the forums in the media could run $3,000 to $4,000. The sub-committee approved the use of a graphic designer and urged using state services whenever possible. Watts said these expenditures fit within the overall contract budget.

6. Discussion of Purpose of Public Meetings

Subcommittee agreed on three suggested purposes of the meetings: 1. Generate comment on draft tobacco control plan/concepts; 2. Begin to engage and involve Vermonters in a new, comprehensive tobacco control effort; and 3. Raise the level of public awareness and support for tobacco control .

7. Discussion of Watts Contract

Sub-committee members discussed the consultants contract following the meeting with group members.

Upcoming:

Possible Conference Call of Sub-Committee

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999

(Note: There was no subcommittee conference call on 9/8/99. Subcommittee meeting will be held at the end of the Tobacco Task Force Meeting on 9/9/99)

Tobacco Task Force Meeting

9-12, Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999, Montpelier