Members Present

Guests Present

Partners Present

Approval of Minutes

Correspondence

Unfinished Business

1. Benedum Community Technology Minigrant Project

Meetings have been held to simplify the application process. The application has been reworked to about 2 pages. Work has been completed on the training sessions and the evaluation piece. A meeting was held on April 11, 2007 at 2 pm at the Municipal League office in Charleston. Selection of speakers and facilitators is the next topic to discuss. It is anticipated that this will be the last meeting to wrap up the application and to get the application out. Tentative application due date is July 1. The next meeting is May 23^rd at 10am. All members are encouraged to attend.

2. Election of Officers

Officers were elected at the last meeting. Marcel Fortin – President, Robert Johnson – Vice President, Connie Lupardus – Secretary, Jerry Edens – Treasurer. Thanks to all that volunteered to serve. Terms will begin July 1f, 2007.

3. AllianceWV.org Website

Additional links have been added to the website. Check the resource area. Plans are in place to provide non-profit listings for the minigrant project. This would facilitate the location of local non-profits for teams applying for the grants. Other ideas as to provide video taped links of presentations important to the Alliance are being considered. Anyone having access to presentations and have a desire to post for others to view will be considered. Space is available for Champions that want to post items about their service areas. Please contact Steve Reynolds if you are interested.

4. Coal Connectivity Grant

Projects working with Coal companies are ongoing. Anyone interested in setting up meetings with coal operations in their communities to discuss how the Alliance can help in getting broadband to their remote sites, let me know. I would be very willing to make a presentation outlining what is happening.

5. Senate Bill 748 - Etopia

Bill was passed and subsequently vetoed by the Governor. The veto message is attached.

‘In light of these new relationships and the tremendous promise they hold, however, I am reluctant to approve Enrolled Senate Bill No. 748. Specifically, this Bill creates an extensive administrative structure. This structure was fashioned prior to the establishment of our new partnerships, which are quintessential public-private partnerships that have heretofore developed organically, with the needs of the State’s people being matched with the gifts and talents of the parties involved. Imposing an additional layer or structure on top of these relationships will likely result in the duplication of efforts, the inefficient allocation of scarce resources, and the introduction of inconsistencies in the still-maturing process that could restrict the growth and progress of the alliances.

To avoid creating unnecessary impediments and to allow these partnerships to be truly fruitful, approval of this Bill would be unwise. Accordingly, for the reasons set forth herein, I veto Enrolled Senate Bill No. 748.’

The Alliance will, most likely, play a significant role in these efforts. Not for profits are to be the facilitators for the broadband initiatives and the Alliance and the Community Connect Foundation have been instrumental in moving this legislation forward and will remain active in any efforts that advances technology and broadband in rural communities.

New Business

An application to storehouse at Believe in WV is being processed for the Alliance to assist in distribution of goods. Check out believeinwv.org and click on storehouse icon. Products are available to non for profits for their organizations and constituents. Anyone interested in getting items need to contact Marcel and an appointment will be scheduled to go to the Cross Lanes location.

Distance Learning Telemedicine grant application. Anyone having interest in creating a proposal should begin immediately as the deadline is June 11^th. Ron Mellon (USDA) Ronald.Mellon@wdc.usda.gov is the field representative for the program and can provide assistance. Marcel is available to assist on preparing the grant, if requested.

Reports: Community Reports

The reports presented last meeting showed the progress from the champions in attendance.

We need to hear from the others so we can share experiences and best practices.

Speaker:

Conference call meeting – no speaker

Next meeting:

May 16, 2007 Conference call meeting