The Winter Board Meeting for GAIT was held in Macon at the Hutchings Career Center on March 15, 2008, at 10:00.

Board members present were:

Michelle Lenderman, Giselle Escobar, Ann Grantham, treasurer, Leslie Wantland, Lee Ann Kelley, and Dianne Dees.

Michelle called the meeting to order and welcomed all board members. Copies of the minutes from the previous meeting were shared and the minutes were approved as presented (ML made the motion, GE seconded).

The treasurer's report was given by Ann Grantham and was approved as given and will be filed for audit (motion to accept the treasurer's report: DD, seconded by ML).

There was discussion of the web hosting fee which has been paid by Ginny Harrell with reimbursement from the organization. GH has renewed the domain name for the organization.

A word of thanks and applause was given to Lee Ann for her work and the success of COMO 07.

Committee Reports:

Awards   (Juanita Buddy and Suzanne Mittenwei)

Announcements will be posted to GAIT and GAMEDIA listservs about the scholarships. There is one applicant already.

Publications   (Gordon Baker)

Gordon will be sending out new GAIT Connection, will send out new officer information.

Student Media Festival   (Gordon Baker and Michelle Lenderman)

Georgia Public Broadcasting will host the SMF again. The date is set for April 25, 2008. There will be 50 stations this year. There is an expected entry of 900 projects this year. Judges are needed; Gordon also expressed an interest in getting IT or LM graduate students to assist with the SMF.

There will be a link to the information for the SMF placed on the GAIT website. Dates on current forms will need to be changed. GAIT/ GLA will pay for the parking permits for the judges. Those projects receiving a Superior rating will be eligible for International competition which will be in Orlando this year.

Government/Legislative   (Ann Hamilton)

There is a need to be aware of email alerts that are sent out to support federal funding for America 's libraries and Improving Literacy through school libraries. There was a good turnout for Library Day and those in attendance were able to share GAIT information.

MSOTY (Ginny Harrell, Ann Grantham & Lea Ann Kelley)

GAIT needs representation at the Summer Institute for selection of MSOY. LAK, DD, and GE agreed to attend and help with the selection process. April 1 is the deadline for submitting system MSOY to District.  During COMO GLMA and GAIT both support the costs of the MSOY. Even years, GLMA pays expenses of the award plaques and checks for district winners (50.00) and MSOTY (200.00). In the odd years, GAIT supports the expenses. Certificates are to be given the enablers.

2007 MSOTY: Linda Martin.

The names of the enablers and District winners are needed.

A question was raised about the limitations on number of times a person might be selected as district winner. It was decided to check with Gordon for clarification. It was reported that there are no limitations on the number of times a person might be selected as a district winner (Gordon Baker, May 17, 2008).

Business & Industry (Brett Eaker)

Brett Eaker attended the North Carolina AECT meeting and is interested in getting more technology people involved in the GAIT organization, plans to share a the next meeting.

K-12   (Catherine Olivier)

No report at this time.

Higher Education   (Gordon Baker)

Gordon attended a conference for Directors of Libraries.

Leadership & Dev.   (Lea Ann Kelley)

Membership is currently 215. As Ginny Harrell is retiring, a new membership chair will be needed Summer 2008.

Grant scholarships were awarded to Betsy Razza and Kathy Vanderbilt. They will be requested to send documentation and a report about their projects in May and also encouraged to present their projects at COMO 2008.

Business:

Regarding the technology mini grants : send out the applications. Set a June 1, 2008 deadline. 2 grants to be awarded each year. A review of grant applications will be held during the Summer Institute 2008.

There was some discussion of setting a fee for not submitting the report for the technology mini grant but was decided against. Instead, the applicant will not be eligible to apply for any future technology grants.

Regarding the web page redesign: The timeline for the present revision was reviewed and discussed with the suggestion being made to request a quote from Chris Stadler for the cost of the redesign. A May 1 deadline was set for the quote. During the discussion it was determined that a standard web design program such as Dreamweaver or some other commercially available software be used to create the template that could then be used by other members who could maintain sections of the website. The board members recommended an August 1 deadline for the deadline for the new webpage. The current graphic was designed for and belongs to GAIT. If possible the graphic could be incorporated in the new webpage.

Regarding updating the GAIT handbook : There are sections that need revision. Contact Gordon to begin the revision process. Last revision was in 2002. GAIT Connection now online. There is also web page management responsibility to consider. Publication committee may need to be renamed Publication and Communication Committee to include the webpage and GAIT Connection.

LAK to email Gordon about officers who need to be replaced this year.

Regarding COMO : Steering committee has had 2 meetings so far. Classic Center now has a catwalk connecting the buildings, also has ceiling mounted projectors for presentations. GAIT is responsible for the programs this year. Proposals will be accepted beginning March 24. Theme for COMO : COMO 2.0 (20 th anniversary of Joint Conference). Already have 25 + authors. Author reception is scheduled for the Railway Station, not using the big auditorium this year. 60 rooms are reserved, have 1-2.-3 bedroom options. Hotels will have special conference rate, early registration begins in May. GLMA responsible for key note speakers. Carmen A. Deedy has been asked. Other possibilities: Vicky Davis, Sharon Draper.

Due to the changes in progress at Jekyll Island it is not under consideration for a conference site at this time.

GLA: Registration and author signings.

GLMA: Chairmanship

GAIT: Program proposals.

In the year that an organization is the chair that organization's treasurer is treasurer for COMO .

Next meeting of the GAIT board will be May 17 in Macon at 1:00. COMO steering committee will meet at 10:00.

Respectfully submitted,

D.Dees