Minutes of Meeting

September 27, 1999

State House, Montpelier, VT

Room 11 -- 1:30 p.m.

1. Richard Watts reported on media advertising in 15 community newspapers and radio ads to run on WXXX, a Burlington station popular with youth. Task force members discussed media contacts: Karen Kitzmiller will be on Switchboard Oct. 7 and has spoken with AP and Times Argus about coverage;

Bill Sorrell will be meeting with Free Press editorial board and has spoken with Rutland Herald and several radio stations; Ann Seibert was on Jeff Kaufman's radio call-in show.

First forum and youth forum will be taped and be made available to community television stations.

2. Forum flyer. Richard Watts reported that the print run of the promotional flyer for the forums had been increased from 7,000 to 13,000 to respond to several new lists. Bill Sorrell commented that it was important that the forums be attended by a wide range of interests and that they not be seen as gatherings of only anti-tobacco activists.

3. Five hundred posters will be distributed. Philene Toarmina wanted posters sent to her.

4. Sue Minter reviewed the forum process, the use and training of facilitators, and the roles of task force members. There will be videos and posters with key points in the rooms. Richard Watts will write introductory remarks for the forum chairs to ensure that each gathering receives the same initial guidance and direction. There will be an exit survey on public reaction and support of the task force plan to divide the settlement into three major components and to create an independent board.

The forum chair will synthesize the discussions in closing remarks and will list ways for people to remain involved in the issue. All forum attendees will receive a short follow-up report on the task force's findings.

5. Conference call scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9:30, to discuss forum draft report and final report. Karen Kitzmiller, John Hughes, Brian Flynn, Julie Brill, Philene Taormina, Ann Seibert, George Bellerose, and Brian Leven to participate.

6. Coverage for the hearings was agreed to as follows: Oct. 5 - Rep. Ann Seibert, Oct. 6 - Bill Sorrell, Oct. 7 - Sen. Elizabeth Ready, Oct. 12 - Rep. Karen Kitzmiller, Oct. 13 - Kay Perkins and either John Hughes or Brian Flynn, Oct. 14 - Sen. Helen Riehle, Oct. 15 - Rep. Ann Seibert.

7. The task force also scheduled meetings as follows: Oct. 12 at Spaulding High School from 5:30 to 7:00, Oct. 15 in Windsor over lunch from 11:00 to 1:00 (place TBA), Oct. 28 in the Ethan Allen room of the statehouse over lunch from 11:00 to 1:00.