**Minutes of Meeting**

**Executive Board**

**Conference Call October 5, 2004**

**[Present:]{.underline} [Others:]{.underline}**

Rick Chapman Paul Pierson

Steve Hoesel Gayle Edwards

Mike Wisdom Clarke Becker

Mary Randolph Bill Morgan

Smith Covey Joe Dudick

Dianne McSwain Diane Ley

Gloria Royce-Bennett Steve McHenry

Cheryl Hinckley Angela Camos

D. Scott Truman Barbara Nelson

> Ella Ennis
>
> Sharon Colbert
>
> Tedd Buelow
>
> Jen Larson
>
> Nate Watson

**[Process decisions made:]{.underline}**

The 9/7/04 EB meeting minutes were approved as presented.

**[Issue decisions made:]{.underline}**

None.

**[Other discussions:]{.underline}**

1.  NRDC Update:

    a.  Tom Goldsmith resigned as chair of the NRDC, effective
        immediately. Smith Covey will serve as chair until a new one is
        elected at the October 18 meeting.

    b.  On the October 18 meeting agenda, NRDC members will examine the
        Strategic Plan and the March 2004 Consultation notes. Not all
        Task Forces established after the March 2004 Consultation are
        full or have active leadership; NRDC members would like to help
        fill leadership gaps. Also, the NRDC would like to co-chair Task
        Forces with interested SRDC representatives.

2.  OCD Updates:

    a.  Financial Status

        1.  USDA extends thanks to VA and HHS for a successful transfer
            of funds. These funds have not yet been obligated to the
            Councils until the FY2004 closeout process is completed and
            the system is opened for FY2005.

        2.  OCD obligated FY2004 funds to all Councils.

    b.  Federal Recognition

        1.  Virginia and Georgia are provisionally recognized Councils.

        2.  Oklahoma is now fully recognized.

    c.  NRDCC

        1.  Mary Randolph reported that Tim Ryan reported on several key
            activities regarding progress on NRDCC creation.

        2.  Will the list of NRDCC members be made available?

    d.  Other

        1.  OCD reported that USDA staff were unable to complete the
            NRDP Annual Conference follow-up survey due to the Federal
            Paperwork Reduction Act on survey release. PRA officers and
            Mary Randolph will complete the survey.

3.  Other

    a.  Jen Larson will email out a link to the NRDP Leadership Matrix.
        Please make the appropriate additions and corrections to this
        document.

    b.  The NRDP Executive Board will meet via conference call with
        James Stevens, Chuck Akers and a USDA representative later this
        week to address the Alaska concern raised by James Stevens.

        1.  Dianne McSwain reported that other states may have had
            trouble in the past with this process. Is anyone else aware
            of other states voicing concern?

        2.  Possibly, this could help clarify the USDA funding and
            appeals process.

    c.  Joe Dudick reported that PRA has not sent any questions for use
        at the presidential debates; however, they have sent language to
        both political parties for consideration in party platforms.

    d.  Public Comments

        1.  Notes from the Rural Veterans Health task force will be sent
            out to the task force members today.

        2.  VA and HHS have a high-level meeting arranged to discuss the
            needs of rural health for veterans. This meeting may have an
            impact on the feasibility of Dr. Weeks's proposal.

        3.  Responses to the CRA email are appreciated. Please continue
            to give feedback.