RMNAAFA 2004 Business Meeting

On October 9th, 2004, the annual business meeting of RMNAAFA was held. There was considerable discussion about the future of the chapter, if we would try to keep a viable chapter of NAAFA in the Denver area, and, if so, how we would go about doing this.

It was generally agreed that although the chapter is not as active as it once was, there is a need in the Denver area for a local NAAFA chapter. The members would rather see the chapter continue in a reduced mode than to go out of existence. Some reorganization can be done to make operating in a reduced mode more viable.

Part of the difficulty that the chapter seems to have is that there is not as clear a division of labor as there should be. For example, Maggie said that a lot of press contact has come to her this year, because she is listed as the chairperson, and is the first name listed on the web page. She pointed out that the chairperson is often not sure how to handle the types of inquiries that she receives, which may include legal or health questions, requests for press interviews on certain issues, or requests for guest speakers at things like college classes or seminars.

It was decided that it would be a good idea to establish a new position that would be a person that would handle most dealings with the press. This person could call on other people in the chapter who were knowledgeable in specific areas. But, the press contact would field simple questions, and either handle interviews or arrange for another member(s) to do so.

A second new post that was created was that of a membership person. This person would handle requests from people who are want information about joining the chapter or the National organization.

In order to facilitate more effective dealings with the press, it was decided that a media kit that had basic facts and NAAFA official positions would be a useful tool. Angela agreed to assemble this kit.

It was agreed that the chairperson would remain the primary contact for the National organization.

Elections were held. The officers, elected and appointed, for 2005 will be:

• Treasurer/Secretary: Margaret Kent Hanby
  
• Chair: Janet Severe
  
• Vice-Chair: Sherry Goodwin
  
• Web Mater: Joe Obrin
  
• Press Contact: Carmen Cool
  
• Membership Person: Angela Dutro
  
• Historian: Patti Kelly
  
• Librarian: Margaret Kent Hanby
  

It was noted that Sherry does not necessarily respond quickly to her e-mails, but she is great at returning phone calls.

The local chapter dues will continue to be $1 per year. Since we are not mailing out a news letter, paying for a chapter phone line, or paying any internet fees, we really do not have recurring expenses. National dues are $25 a year, at the lowest level. You can be in the local chapter without being a member of National, but you cannot hold an elected chapter office.

We will start charging a fee for (most) events. We had done this in the past, and had gotten away from it, but it only makes sense to cover our costs, such as room rental and certain supplies. There will not be a different fee for members and nonmembers, since the membership fee is only $1 a year.

The idea of paying the National chapter membership dues for elected officers was discussed and approved. The chapter will pay the membership dues for Margaret and Janet this year. Sherry has already paid her dues, because she went to the National convention. The chapter has more than enough money in the bank to cover this expense.

The goals of the local chapter were briefly discussed. Primary among these goals were to provide support to other large people in the Denver/Colorado area, and to provide a press contact for stories regarding NAAFA or size issues. Providing a local presence through things like guest speaking at seminars or classes (to elaborate the NAAFA position) were also considered important. Finally, the continued social activities are clearly still important, even if we are doing them on a reduced schedule.

Sherry Goodwin was the only person who went to the National convention this year. She said that she had a change to speak to Paul Campos, who was there. Paul has offered to provide some help to the chapter, and has even offered to work on doing a book signing with us (for his recently published book, The Obesity Myth).

Sherry said that she had the chance to talk to the board of directors at National about our concern over the lack of support the local chapters have received in the past. She said that the officers seemed concerned, and we may see a response to this problem.

There are changes at the National level, in that there are no longer any paid positions at the National level, everyone is now a volunteer. There is a brand new chart online which displays contact information for various types of inquiries. Also, the last several (National) newsletters have been available online, and sent out as hard copy only upon request.

Upcoming chapter events are the Holiday Party and the Halloween Party. They were discussed in some detail, and information will soon be posted on the web page.

We also discussed the possibility of an indoor pool party and another bowling outing. These things are not likely to happen until after the first of the year. More information will be posted on the web page and the mailing list as it becomes available.

Carmen said that Marilyn Wann will be coming to CU on March 9th and 10th. Though this is not an RMNAAFA event, we will provide information to our members, and probably try to participate at some level. We will post the information we have on the web page.

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