EIIP PLANNING TEAM MEETING
Friday - February 20, 1998 - 12:00 Noon (EST)
HIGHLIGHTS

Agenda:



Roll Call & Call to Order

The EIIP Planning Team was asked to prepare for the 2/20 conference call meeting by reviewing the January Planning Team Meeting Highlights; the EIIP '98 Strategic Plan; and the Report on EIIP Development Survey Results.

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Avagene Moore, EIIP Coordinator.
Participants: David Butler, Kevin Farrell, Chip Hines, David Miller, Avagene Moore, Claire Rubin, Amy Sebring, and Ashley Streetman.

Amendments to the Agenda: None.

Old Business

Status of EIIP Server and Related Growth: Amy Sebring informed the group that the move of the EIIP web site is 100% complete; we are presently hosted by the National Fire and Rescue Magazine server in Raleigh, NC. We have secured new mail managing software and have plans to add a search utility and guest book to the site. Our outreach includes promotion of our discussion groups and mail lists as a mechanism to continue dialogues about live event topics, stay abreast of current issues in the field, and expand audience participation and networking.

Status of GDIN: From discussions with GDIN members, Amy informed the group that GDIN is currently organizing committees for the coming year. The GDIN Report is on the streets and their web site is up and running (http://www.disasterinfo.net). The EIIP will maintain contact with GDIN and report back to the Planning Team as further progress is made.

Update on EIIP Participation: Avagene attended the NEMA Mid-Year Meeting in Washington DC, February 8-11, reporting to NEMA's III Committee and meeting with other Partner representatives. The EIIP will be involved in the NCCEM Mid-Year Retreat at EMI, Mar 14-16; Intercomm '98 in Toronto, April 1-2; SALEMDUG Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, April 21-24; Virtual Fire & Rescue Expo (online) May 3-17; Community Family Preparedness Conference, EMI, Emmitsburg, MD, June 9- 12; and FEMA-ANL Technology Conference, Argonne, IL, July 20-23.

Claire Rubin offered to promote the EIIP Virtual Forum when she attends the International Emergency Management Society's (TIEMS) '98 Conference, May 19-22, in Washington, DC. Handout materials are needed for this and other upcoming events.

Status of Internships/Introductions: Two interns are officially onboard with a third in the wings; Ashley Streetman, University of Texas, was introduced to the Planning Team. Isabel McCurdy, University of Victoria, Canada, was not available for the meeting. Ashley is working as the EIIP Outreach Coordinator; Isabel has agreed to serve as the EIIP Librarian. Two other students are interested in working with us also; interviews are pending.

New Business

Expansion of Virtual Forum Online Events: The EIIP Planning Team agreed to an expansion of our Virtual Forum schedule to enhance participation:

  • The Brown Bag informal session will be moved to Tuesdays, 1:00 PM EST; this session has been used as an introduction to the Virtual Forum software, rehearsal of speakers, and follow up discussion for our weekly moderated online events. This Tuesday session will move toward more of a technical help resource.
  • The Wednesday 1-hour weekly moderated sessions will continue at 12:00 Noon EST with 15-30 minutes after the discussion for continuing Q&A as needed.
  • Thursday evenings, 8:00 PM EST, will be devoted to a 1-hour Round Table discussion of the Topic of the Week in the Virtual Forum.

EIIP Development Survey Report: Ashley Streetman, EIIP Outreach Coordinator, reported on the survey results. (The draft report was furnished to team members prior to the meeting.) Ashley compiled the results: The report went to 65 EIIP Partners and selected recipients. Twenty-one responses were received. The survey is posted on the EIIP Virtual Forum web site and other responses are expected. However, for the moment, the responses indicate clear consensus to some questions. The Planning Team suggested that the areas of consensus be the focus for immediate planning needs. The group asked that additional work be done on the report to refine the results, especially in the area of themes that may be concluded from the essay-type comments provided by respondents. Ashley and Avagene will provide a final draft of the report and a summary for the EIIP Planning Team and other Partner dissemination and use.

Discussion - Results re Long-term Plan: Discussion was brief due to needed refinement of the survey; however, education and training were two obvious themes indicated by the results. Survey results support and reinforce the EIIP position of being an advocate for familiarity of technology via the Internet.

Assignments
  • Meeting highlights will be posted on the EIIP Virtual Forum web site and disseminated by email to the Planning Team.

  • Ashley and Avagene will refine the EIIP Development Survey Report and Summary and circulate to the Planning Team; the Report and Summary will be posted and utilized as suggested above; this work is to be completed by the first of the month.

  • Planning Team members will review highlights, report materials and be prepared for the next meeting.

Next Meeting/Adjourn

The EIIP Planning Team will meet on Friday, March 13, 12:00 Noon (EST) by conference call. The Planning Team adjourned at 1:10 PM (EST).

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