WESTERN NEW YORK REGIONAL DELEGATE REPORT
JULY 2000

This will most likely go down in history as my briefest report ever. I know you are all psyched! Per our June RSC, I will spend the bulk of my alloted time today conducting a brainstorm session on the following: topics for the Northeast Zonal Forum, to be held next weekend and the potential of a regional inventory and/or strategic planning process.

ZONAL FORUM (NEZF)/July 22-23, Harrisburg, PA/Mid-Atlantic Region ***begins at 9:00 am

For those of you who are unclear, zonal forum are sharing sessions-and can be business sessions-where regions in close geographic proximity come together to discuss issues of mutual concern. We are at a turning point with the NEZF where we are divided as to whether we want to create a more formalized structure. This will constitute a major portion of our discussion at the July NEZF. We need to come to a regional conscience on this today, as well as a conscience on other topics to be discussed at the NEZF.

Some zones, particularly those in other countries, have become more structured and provide services. Is that what we want the NEZF to do? Let's talk about it…

Topics for July Zonal Forum meeting

1. Function and purpose of our Zonal Forum: Where are we going?
2. Strengthening our ASCs
3. Discussion of the Ad Hoc Committee
--Do we allow non-RD/RDAs to serve as Trusted Servants at the NEZF?
--Should the NEZF accept voluntary collaborative funding?

Zonal Funding

In August 1999, an Ad Hoc committee was established. I serve on this group. This was a heated and contentious issue at the January NEZF. The WNY region needs to discuss the potential of voluntary collaborative funding much more fully than we have, as discussion on this topic will be a major part of the NEZF in July 2000. I need to go on the record as stating that while our region-in a very informal straw poll-voted against this idea, I am in a predicament. I see the merits to voluntary collaborative funding and although I stated very clearly that our region was opposed, I still spoke favorably based on my work with the Ad Hoc Committee.

Next Zonal Forum meeting
January 13-14, New Jersey

BUDGET

Please refer to verbal report. …NEZF expenses.

RSC INVENTORY/STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

I am presenting this idea to gather input from others. Do we want to conduct an RSC inventory? I have some information to share. Please see the two attached documents (Note: those of you receiving this via e-mail will only get one document, the other is not digitally available to me). I have attached the strategic planning/idea list generated in June 1999. Are these still issues that we want to pursue?

WORLD POOL RESUMES

Have you filled yours out??? NA needs you!!!

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact me at 881-1080