Meeting of the AdHoc Emergency Preparedness (Y2K) Group of Tompkins County Sept. 13, 1998


Present:

Linda Bailor, Terry Beasley, Katherine Bebe, Hope Bitzer, Steve Calkins, Jill Cicero, Christie Cox, Carla DeMilo, Carl Dundes, Brenda Irvin-Bryant, Gene Ira Katz, Laura Marcy, Robin Messing, Mary Richards, Terry Ricklefs, Midge Schreiner, Bob Yavits, Sarah ?

1. Introductions

T. Beasley recommended Countryside Magazine
Web Site: http://www.countrysidemag.com/

Subscription information:

COUNTRYSIDE is published 6 times a year. Each issue is 100 pages (or more). Subscription price is $18 a year, or 2 years for $30. Back issues are $3 each. MasterCard and Visa accepted.
Take your choice:


2. Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order (B. Yavits)


3. Moment of Silence (H. Bitzer)

4. Name of Group

H. Bitzer recommended that we not include the term Y2K in the name of the group. She'd like for it to be more generic. Ad Hoc Emergency Preparedness (Y2K) Group is a name that G. Katz has used. Discussion ensued as to the presence of the term Y2K as part of our title.

G. Katz moved that we call the group Ad Hoc Emergency Preparedness (Y2K) Group. S. Caulkins seconded.

H. Bitzer moved to add "Tompkins County" to the name. L. Marcy seconded.

M. Schreiner recommended putting Ad Hoc Emergency Preparedness (Y2K) Group of Tompkins County

Motion passed unanimously.


5. Committee Reports

6. Chamber of Commerce Mtg.

Nov. 19 (correction to last mtgs. Minutes) Women's Community Building (tentatively 5-8 pm) G. Katz was told that the purpose of this forum was for local businesses to assure the public that they were doing what needed to be done. G. Katz urged that if possible we have a presence at this forum. There is some question as to whether this mtg. will be open to the public. Sarah asked if the possibility of system breakdown is bad for business. G. Katz said yes. People are also afraid of a run on the bank.


G.Katz asked that a group be formed to attend and deal with the Chamber of Commerce meeting.: R. Messing, M. Richards, G. Katz, the following will tentatively be involved: C. Cox, M. Schreiber, K. Bebe

L. Marcy expressed concern about disability payments from Social Security. Westergard's web site contains 6 or 7 articles on a game theory about how to prevent bank rushes.

7. Networking within the Community

H. Bitzer said that as of now, this must happen through people talking to people. It is a very loose process. M. Schreiber recommended setting up speakers to visit other groups.

8. Emergency Preparedness Fair

H. Bitzer presented the concept of one day fair to be held before Thanksgiving.
This would include facts about:

An EPF (Emergency Preparedness Fair) Committee was called for by H. Bitzer: Sarah, C. DeMello, S Caulkins., B/ Irvin-Bryant, L. Marcy, K. Bebe, and C. Cox each volunteered.

L. Marcy has a project due for Pegasus. S. Caulkins will work with her. M. Richards also has a background with video and would help. B. Yavits suggested a regular program on the Y2K issue.

G. Katz reminded people about the letter writing recommendation of the Public Information committee. Letters to the editor should be brief so that they are not edited.


9. School Assembly Program

We need one or two teachers and PTA representative(s) to develop an informational skit that could go to the different schools. PTA could get as many kids as possible to the fair. S. Caulkins mentioned that the school already has 2 drama groups that could deal with this. M. Richards said that the Hangar Theater has groups that go around to the schools with dramatic skits. Jerrie Friedman has a drama group at TST BOCES has a drama group that goes to the schools.

The April edition of the Herald Examiner has an article called "The Millenium Bug" that has a nearly ready made skit within it. G. Katz and H. Bitzer will get this to Steve. Jill - suggested that because there are several groups that do dramatic skits, there may be several different types of programs, ie. one on emergency preparedness and one on Y2K. A presentation to the PTA must be prepared. C. DiMello: community announcements can be placed in PTA newsletters.

Paul Glover Forum on Y2K - Sept. 17 at GIAC 7pm

10. Cornell Health Fair

The fair will be held at Barton Hall on Wed. Sept 23, from 9 am - 4 pm. Red Cross will be providing folders. H. Bitzer & S. Caulkins will be there. G. Katz will provide articles for the health fair. B. Yavits will provide copies of our Brochure, Handout, and Mission Statement. Get copies of articles to Steve Calkins at the Alternative Community School before 11 pm.

11. FEMA study group

Maha Labbe needs help with this. FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Assistance agency. There is a lot of practical information that they provide. We need to wade through a great deal of information to get to the meat of this.


New business

The web site for new the Internet magazine is

http://www.y2knews.com


H. Bitzer has the Independent study course catalogue from FEMA. She encouraged everyone who can to take classes.

10. WEB Page

Lightlink is providing a site for us. B. Yavits will work on developing a web page.

J. Cicero can provide a 25% discount at Kinko's downtown when she is on duty from 3-11 pm copies - 25% off.

H. Bitzer's telephone number for question from people in this group is 564-9501.

11. New Business:

M. Ric hards felt that the food distribution system may be compromised. She is ordering berry bushes. If you have a sunny spot in your yard in which to plant trees or bushed, you may want to add to her order.

12. Next Meeting

Sunday, October 4, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Alternative Community School, 111 Chestnut Street, Ithaca, NY
Agenda for October 4 meeting: