ADP Steering Committee Meeting
March 6, 2008, 3:30-4:30pm
Present: Parvez Ahmed, Berrin Beasley, Heather Burk, David Jaffee, Heather
Patterson, Martina Perry, Ralph Sawyer, Mark Smith, Nancy Soderberg
Announcements
Nancy Soderberg called the meeting to order at 4:35 and thanked members for their
involvement with recent ADP initiatives. She gave an update on Matt Corrigan’s
condition and asked for volunteers to take over some of his ADP responsibilities during
his recovery.
o Heather Patterson volunteered to handle the City Hall tour(s) this summer.
o It was decided that Matt Corrigan may be well and able to handle press
involvement and Florida Times-Union tours; David Jaffee offered to help with this
if that is not the case.
1.
Jacksonville Week in Review (Martina Perry)
Martina Perry attended the event and reported to the committee. Only two students
attended, but she felt it was a worthwhile opportunity. She indicated that the issues
discussed were the resignation of city councilman Jay Jabour, Saint Johns River
issues, and a preview of the next legislative session in Tallahassee.
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Nancy Soderberg asked whether it was something that would be recommended
in the future and inquired about the reason for the low turnout. Martina Perry
indicated that the requirement to be there early in the morning may have been
unappealing to students.
Berrin Beasley suggested that it could be targeted as coursework for
communication majors who are early in their program of study. She also
recommended better promotion for next year and possibly asking government /
political science professors to promote the opportunity to their students. Nancy
Soderberg agreed with this idea and suggested setting up 2-3 separate dates
each semester.
David Jaffee indicated he felt there would not be a lot of attraction for students
because their role is more passive and observant than hands-on.
Nancy Soderberg suggested having students make a presentation on one of the
issues discussed; having them dress professionally and take the opportunity
seriously. She recommended that two committee members develop a more
participatory event for the fall.
Berrin Beasley suggested that Joanna Norris (Marketing & Publications; host of
WJCT show In Context) might have suggestions on how to get students more
involved. She suggested that the event be cancelled for next year if a more
participatory WJCT opportunity could not be achieved.
2.
John Parmelee’s Presentation: Unlocking the Meaning in Candidate
Framing
Berrin Beasley reported that Parmelee’s was a worthwhile presentation. Research
was presented, followed by a Q&A session. She felt there was good participation for
such an event.
David Jaffee stated he felt the venue caused problems: it felt formal and distant and
was not very conducive to discussion. He felt that there was a good mix of faculty and
students represented.
Berrin Beasley stated that she would ask John Parmelee to do something similar in the
fall since it is an election year.
Nancy Soderberg reported that Jim Zogby of Zogby National Polls is scheduled to
speak locally at the World Affairs Council in October; she would like to try to secure
him for a UNF ADP event and suggested that it might be beneficial if he collaborated
with John Parmelee and Paul Harwood in presenting on the topic of polling.
3.
Sunshine Week (Berrin Beasley, Parvez Ahmed)
Berrin Beasley reported that the initiative was participatory challenged: 26 expressed
interest, 11 came to training, and only 1 had completed the nearly-due audit form. She
recommended cancelling the poster session and would recommend doing training
instead of audit in the future.
David Jaffee suggested adding an electronic version of the training packet to the ADP
website for future reference.
Parvez Ahmed reported on the panel discussion. Joe Adams from the Florida TimesUnion expressed interest in coming, and he is also trying to secure someone from
Gov. Crist’s office and Barbara Pedersen, President of the First Amendment
Foundation in Tallahassee, as speakers. He suggested possibly having Joe Adams
be the moderator, and said the date may have to be changed due to panelist
availability.
There was discussion about recruiting student involvement:
o Mark Smith suggested asking faculty to bring their classes since the event is in
the middle of the day.
o Nancy Soderberg noted that the expertise of the panelists may be used as a
lure for students and faculty to participate.
o Heather Patterson suggested that the group try to get the event featured in
Spinnaker if possible.
4.
Rally in Tally (Mark Smith)
Mark Smith reported that the event has been cancelled for logistical reasons and that
it was not favored by SG. He indicated he felt that current legislative issues such as
reforming Bright Futures and budget issues are being viewed as somewhat longterm, and feels that consequently there isn’t much student appeal: students don’t feel
the issues will affect them or that they can make much of an impact at this time.
There was discussion about how to mobilize SG units since there are annual
elections and short terms with which to plan events and get students interested.
5.
Marcia Ladendorff’s Film Screening: Does the Media Turn off Young
Voters?
It was reported that the event will be April 24 from 5-7pm in the Fine Arts Center
Recital Hall.
Martina Perry reported that she is waiting for feedback and upon approval she will
proceed with fliers.
6.
National Global Youth Service Day (Heather Burk)
A handout was distributed. Heather Burk reported that she sits on the student
committee that meets every Friday at 10am in 10/2451. There are currently 12
students involved, and they represent approximately 50 additional people who will be
involved in NGYSD. They have planned all on-campus activities since NGYSD is
right before finals week. Their goal is to develop unique, minimal time-commitment
opportunities, i.e, booths, letter writing to congress, CDRC project, local elementary
students working with UNF Media Literacy class. A big focus has been reducing
student waste and encouraging recycling through a partnership with Housing. They
are working to possibly bring charity trucks to campus on move-out days; the
logistics are being worked out.
Mark Smith noted that he can provide Heather with draft letters for the letter-writing
campaign if desired.
7.
National Security and the Next President Panel (Nancy Soderberg and
Parvez Ahmed)
A flier was distributed. It was decided that the ADP will promote the event.
8.
City Hall Tour (Heather Patterson)
There was discussion about whether to proceed with or postpone this event, since
it’s being planned for May and July.
 Nancy Soderberg stated she felt that student participation is key.
 Heather Burk and Mark Smith suggested incorporating the event into a
summer Intro to American Government or Poli-Sci course.
 Nancy Soderberg suggested that once instructors for the courses are
determined, a committee representative could talk with them and set up
appointment(s) with City Hall.
 She also suggested that the committee try out opportunities this year and
tweak them as necessary; then, when it is determined what works best,
offer those opportunities every semester.
9.
Other News and Events
A. Berrin Beasley reported that UNF economics professor Harriet Stranahan will be
make a presentation on political redistricting in the fall. She has spoken with her
and will get more info when available.
B. Nancy Soderberg distributed a flier about an anti-violence theatrical event, The
Vagina Monologues. She asked the committee for their thoughts on whether the
ADP should promote it. It was concluded that it would be cost-prohibitive and
possibly not the right fit for an ADP event, but that the Lazzara Theatre or
Women’s Center might be good offices to promote it. ADP members were
encouraged to distribute the provided fliers to help promote the event in a small
way.
C. Nancy Soderberg reported that Madeleine Albright will be in Jacksonville at the
Florida Theater for an upcoming Democratic Party fundraiser. She added that
the ADP could not formally endorse it because it is a partisan event, but felt it
would be worth mentioning to faculty and students.
D. Fall Ideas
1.
Ralph Sawyer suggested an issues forum be held sometime in
September for discussion of the election, current events issues and
political issues.
o Mark Smith felt that students would be interested in this event.
o Berrin Beasley suggested that it be open-mic for students.
2.
Heather Patterson reminded the committee that the Jacksonville
Chamber of Commerce will be having a hob nob event in August. There
was discussion about it being a positive opportunity for students, but
concern over the timing of it since it will be during intercession just before
Fall term.
Meeting adjourned at 4:30pm.
Minutes submitted by Melody Taylor