Meeting Minutes: The attendees approved the minutes from the December 8, 2000 and February 8, 2001 Governing Board Meetings.

Treasurer's Report: The Chapter Fund balance is $5,196.22; this includes the $1,000 Scholarship Fund. The Chapter has received the $300 payment for a regional conference donation pledge from Kean University. The Treasurer made a payment today to the Chapter Newsletter Editor to cover printing and postage costs for the February 2001 issue of the Newsletter. There are no outstanding payables at this time. The Treasurer expects to receive the $5.00 per member rebate from National ASPA in May 2001 (based upon receipt date last year).

Membership: Mr. Joseph spoke about the winners of this year's Sloane Award for Public Service. He suggested that the Chapter offer the winners the five free annual memberships from National ASPA. This was discussed by the attendees. A decision was made to instead give these free annual memberships to the winners of the Chapter Annual Awards (once these winners are determined and announced). Mr. Joseph will ask National ASPA for an extension to the deadline for claiming the free memberships. Mr. Falterman suggested that, in the future, we consider giving these free memberships to elected officials (e.g., City Council members, Borough Presidents, Congressional Representatives) from the metropolitan area so as to cultivate relationships with officials such as these. A motion was made, and passed without objection, to pursue the extension of the filing deadline and give the free memberships to the winners of the Chapter Annual Awards.

National ASPA Conference: Mr. Van Ryzin said that the Chapter had been requested to donate $500 towards the cost of the reception held at the National ASPA Conference in Newark, NJ earlier this month. Mr. Van Ryzin suggested that a $300 donation would be a more appropriate amount in consideration of the Chapter finances. A motion was made, and passed without objection, authorizing the Chapter Treasurer to make a $300 payment to the National ASPA Conference as a donation. Mr. Falterman, as co-chair of the volunteer committee, requested that it be noted in the minutes that many Chapter Members, chief among them, Paula Gerard, Sybil Alexander, Dawn Roberts, Carolyn Hubbard, Bill Ciaccio, John Fava, and Ed Falterman, played a very active role at the National ASPA Conference in Newark. In addition, he asked that it be noted that John Fava was recognized for his 50 Years of Membership in ASPA and that, during the Mayors Roundtable Forum Session, special recognition was extended to Stephen Rolandi, Clifford Kirsch, and Ray Joseph for their efforts regarding the Conference. He further noted that the New York Metro Chapter was recognized in the conference program for its outstanding support of the Conference.

Student Essay Contest: Mr. Tinker gave the proposed topic for the student essay contest: "Public Service in the New Century: Identify a significant issue that you see emerging as a new challenge or concern for public service in the new century and discuss its value in our democratic society and its relevance to your personal experience." Mr. Tinker said that in the past the essay contest was open to students at Forest Hills High School, the High School for Leadership and Public Service, the Bronx High School of Science, and Cardozo High School. The topic was accepted by the Governing Board. Upon discussion it was agreed that the contest would be open to all high school students in the metropolitan area and an effort would be made to more widely publicize the event. Ms Gerard and Mr. Joseph suggested that Mr. Tinker contact Tom Sheaffer of the Public Service Academy for suggestions as to other schools to contact. The essay contest winners will receive complimentary dinners for themselves and one guest each, an award certificate, and a small gift (e.g., a book was given in earlier years). The student can have additional guests at the Student Ticket price. Mr. Jameson and Mr. Van Ryzin agreed to be, along with Mr. Tinker, the readers for the essay contest submissions. Mr. Tinker proposed a submission deadline of about May 7, 2001 but he will provide a firmer date.

Chapter Awards Dinner: Mr. Meyer said that the deadline for award nominations is April 15, 2001. The committee has already received several nominations. The Awards Dinner Committee proposed holding the event at the Evergreen Shanghai Restaurant. Mr. Meyer said that there will be a Cash Bar. Mr. Falterman said that the restaurant is wheelchair accessible. A motion to allow the committee to proceed with the business arrangements was passed without objection. A discussion followed on the ticket prices. One suggestion from the committee was $40 for Members, $50 for Non-Members, and $30 for Students. After discussion, it was decided that the ticket prices would be the same as last year: $45 for Members, $55 for Non-Members, and $35 for Students. The need for a budget was stated; Mr. Joseph suggested that two budgets be prepared for different scenarios. If each award winner receives complimentary dinners for himself and one guest (the issue of complimentary dinners for guests was discussed), there is the possibility for eighteen to twenty complimentary dinners including those for the keynote speakers. The Committee felt that the cost of award plaques was extremely high last year (over $600) and Ms. Hubbard suggested that costs could be reduced by printing the certificates. Mr. Joseph said that the deadline for running a notice concerning the Awards Dinner in PA Times is April 12, 2001. Mr. Falterman presented the list of people invited to express an interest in being one of the keynote speakers: Randi Weingarten, Willian Bratton, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Judith Kaye, Charles Rangel, Major Owens, Ronnie Eldridge, Jose Serrano, Matthew Goldstein, Harold Levy, Carolyn Maloney, Charles Schumer, H. Carl McCall, Nita Lowey, Mario Cuomo, Gregory Meeks, and Eliot Spitzer. Thus far, the Committee has received negative replies from Bill Clinton, Judith Kaye, Matthew Goldstein, Harold Levy, and Charles Schumer. Only Ronnie Eldridge has thus far expressed an interest in being a keynote speaker. The Committee is still awaiting responses from the remaining names. The Governing Board voted to invite Ronnie Eldridge as a keynote speaker. The Committee will continue to seek a second keynote speaker.

Chapter Bylaws: Mr. Moeller distributed a draft of a proposed revision to the Chapter ByLaws. He discussed these briefly and requested feedback responses. The proposed bylaws are consistence with the Chapter Constitution. Mr. Moeller felt that two issues, those of "associate members" for the Chapter and a Chapter Advisory Board, may need the most serious consideration and review. Mr. Joseph said that National ASPA has a position on Chapter Associate memberships and he will discuss this further at a later date. Mr. Van Ryzin said that the Governing Board will discuss the ByLaws more fully at the next Governing Board Meeting. Mr. Van Ryzin requested that the Governing Board review the proposed bylaws with an eye on the old bylaws (which were previously distributed) and then draft sections or at least develop ideas for new sections.

Programs: Mr. Van Ryzin requested Mr. Jameson and Ms. Gerard to arrange for an e-mail notice regarding the next Chapter Program Event to be distributed to the membership. Mr. Jameson said that he would do this using the e-mail listing utilized for the last Chapter Newsletter. He also agreed to include a "save the date" notice regarding the Annual Awards Dinner on June 7, 2001 on the e-mail message scheduled to be released regarding the next Chapter Program Event.

Chapter Elections: Mr. Van Ryzin asked for suggestions as to who should Chair the Chapter Election Committee. Mr. Joseph suggested that he contact Clifford Kirsch to act as Chair.

Chapter Newsletter: Mr. Jameson said that he was planning to issue a Newsletter in April 2001. Upon discussion, he agreed to hold publication until after the next Chapter Governing Board Meeting on April 26, 2001 so that the names of the Award Winners will be available for publication.

[The Meeting was convened at 6:15PM and adjourned at 7:54PM. The Meeting was held at Baruch College, CUNY, School of Public Affairs, 137 East 22^nd Street, NYC, Room 202. Attendees: Mr. Falterman, Ms. Gerard, Ms. Hubbard, Mr. Jameson, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Moeller, Mr. Tinker, and Mr. Van Ryzin. Minutes recorded by Mr. Jameson.]