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UU 9th Grade Trip Steering Committee
7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 28th, 2006
First Universalist Church of Denver

Next Meeting
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 17th, 2006
Jefferson Unitarian Church


In attendance: Jessy Hennesy, Jenny Bridges, Melinda McGann, Brenda Helms, Mitch Pingel, Betty Pingel, Mike Johnston, Jan Harbert, Shelly Elliot, Carrie, Mia

• Orientations
  
  
  • All orientations have been completed
  • Suggestion was made by Boulder DRE that we charge $25 extra and make all 9GT meals vegetarian. After some discussion it was decided to keep meals as they are for this year.
  • Mitch has parent emails for every Tripper, and expects to have Tripper emails for those 6 or 7 who failed to write theirs in.
  
  
• Tripper Numbers
  
  
  • Currently there are 44 potential Trippers including 29 females and 15 males.
  
  
• Current R.A.s (as of this meeting)
  
  • Women
    • Gail Abbott
    • Jenny Bridges Hennesy
    • Brenda Helms
    • Marty Dawley
  • Men
    • Cliff Cox
    • Dave Douglass
    • Mitch Pingel
    • Matt Ashcraft
      
  • Chuck Kuscher has applied to be an RA. Is from JUC, no experience with kids listed, but has worked with college-aged students. A reference letter is still needed, along with a letter of permission from his son, Forrest.
  • A Fort Collins RA seems necessary for years when 1/3 of the Trippers are from Fort Collins. Sandi is searching for an applicant.
  • Other possibilities:
    • Donna Martin's daughter
    • Lauren Jurgenson (1974 Tripper)
    • Linda Short (Mitch will follow up)
    • Gaia from Colorado Springs (Jenny will follow up)
  
  
• Finances
  
  • Budget is based on 47 Trippers
  • Currently nearly $3000 in account with $736.96 in outstanding checks
  • Checks have been received from 3 Trippers
  • Annual donation letters are to be mailed soon
  • *Anne Semlack is concerned that Fort Collins may cut their 9th Grade Trip donation.
  • Cheyenne and Fort Collins are discussing a joint fundraiser.
  
  
• Bus
  
  • Last year People's Choice charged about $6500.
  • Coach (where Mitch now works) would charge about $8000, including bus driver's salary (about $1400), which Mitch would donate back to Trip.
  • Mitch investigated our paying per mile (in which case the driver is not paid) but this would be more expensive.
  
  
• Classes
  • Our first 9GT class (Boulder) immediately follows the Social Action Con (JUC).
  • Jenny will work with Emily Sealy to communicate with 9th graders who have not registered for 9GT, and to facilitate transportation to 9GT class
    
  
  
• Trip
  
  • School Visits
    • Decided to try to go back to Tiis Nas Bas this year if possible given the success of last year's experience.
    • Will contact Mrs. Elk River, last year's host, to coordinate our visit.
    • We will, of course, maintain an ongoing relationship with Delphina John, who will continue to be a good resource for future years.
  • Hopi
    • Arrive Saturday, April 14th at noon
    • Meet Bertrum at about 2:00 p.m. for field trip
    • Plan for sack lunches and/or dinners to allow for extended educational experience with Bertrum, sunset viewing, relaxed day. Will discuss details at future Steering Committee Meeting.
    • Wallace and Bertrum could do their program either Saturday or Sunday night.
    • Visit Hopi High on Monday and stay for early lunch with students in cafeteria.
  
  
• Spirituality on 9GT: Is there enough?
  
  • Current Spiritual Pieces
    • Drumming Circle
    • Worships
    • Farmington Closing Worship
    • First Universalist Good-bye
    • Recognition Service
    • Bertrum and Wallace's program
    • Sunrises/Sunsets
    • Etc.
  • Decided that we would review evaluation to see if it would make sense to add additional wording to better capture the Òspirituality pieceÓ. (Mitch)
  
  
• Minister's Meeting (reported by Reverend Mrs. P.)
  
  • Discussed fundraising, Trip fees, communication with ministers.
  
  
• Trip Promotion
  
  • Shelly would like to include 9th Grade Trip information in a summer program for 8th graders at her church.
  • 8th graders could be invited to the Trip Recognition Service
  • Could do a curriculum piece on 9th Grade Trip to be done at the end of the 8th grade year.