The EIIP Planning Team met via conference call on Friday, May 29, 1998, 12:00 Noon EDT. Planning Team members were asked to review the entire '98 EIIP Strategic Plan with special note of implementation target dates related to short and long term planning tasks.

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Avagene Moore, EIIP Coordinator.
Participants: Vernon Adler, Beth Armstrong, David Butler, Louise Comfort, David Crews, Kevin Farrell, Chip Hines, Avagene Moore, Amy Sebring and Vern Wingert.

Amendments to the Agenda: None.

Where are we re: 98 plan?: The EIIP has made very good progress this year with the guidance of the Strategic Plan. The Virtual Forum has grown in content and opportunities for interaction; participation in online sessions continues to grow and interest in the site is shown by hits and users (1000 hits per day and users from the global community.) We have two interns that are vitally involved and interested in the success of the Partnership and the Virtual Forum; their support of activities and completion of assigned tasks has been of great assistance. There is always room for growth and we continue to expand our outreach. As we enter the last quarter of the fiscal year, the planning process for the next year is critical, especially in regard to financing continued growth and support of the web site.

Quick Looks at:

• WMD and possible role for EIIP - Robert Coullahan: Bob was unable to attend; will be discussed at later date.
• EIIP Virtual Forum Progress - Amy Sebring: Amy overviewed status of site and plans for future technical growth; statistics from Virtual Forum software were shared with meeting participants.
• EIIP Panel / '98 Technology Conference, Argonne IL - Avagene Moore: None of the meeting participants plan to attend the conference at Argonne; Planning Team members not present as well as conference planners will be contacted about EIIP presentation. The EIIP will also participate in the July Hazards Application Research Workshop in Boulder, CO.
• Other: Vernon Adler briefed the group on upcoming GDIN meeting at State Department July 16-17; also discussed the possibility of EIIP attending the meeting. Part of the GDIN agenda includes a report on EIIP Virtual Forum global activities, Partners, networking and involvement.

Actions necessary to draft 3-year strategic plan:

• What's the EIIP role? This part of the discussion resulted in comments regarding more promotion of the Partnership and the Virtual Forum; better coordination and integration of similar efforts that are ongoing by various groups, agencies, etc.; and potential of the EIIP Virtual Forum serving as a clearinghouse for emergency management initiatives.
• What's required: Human Resources/Cost? To achieve measurable growth, the EIIP has learned over the past two years that it is best to compensate work efforts rather than expect volunteers to do the work in committees or work groups. To maintain and grow the Virtual Forum web site requires the services of at least one full-time paid person in addition to the time paid for EIIP coordination and management. In addition, the EIIP faces a decision about its legal basis as an entity; several comments were made with no solution at this point.
• What are feasible funding sources? The discussion covered a number of sources including membership fees, sponsorships, advertisements, consortium agreements, grants, etc.

Options available -- draft report: Beth Armstrong, Vernon Adler, and David Butler volunteered to look at options and draft report on potential business models for the EIIP with advantages/disadvantages involved in the possibilities. (NOTE: David Butler wrote a good summary of the present situation of the EIIP and its need for additional funding sources, etc. to ensure continued growth and viability of the Partnership and the Virtual Forum web site. Avagene provided Beth and Vernon with list of potential grants and foundations.)

Timeline for activities: Actions taken related to business options are to be completed within a month or so. The Planning Team will be made aware as progress is made.

Assignments

• Beth and Vernon will research possible business models and prepare report for consideration by the Planning Team prior to next meeting.
  
  
• David Butler will draft brief text as status of the Partnership/Virtual Forum projected needs to ensure growth in the future.
  
  
• Avagene will provide short list of potential funding sources from the Internet as a starting point.
  
  
• Planning Team members are to provide any ideas/suggestions to Beth and Vernon.

July is expected to be a very busy month for everyone. Tentative date of Friday July 17 was set for next EIIP Planning Team meeting.

The EIIP Planning Team meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM EDT.