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Houston Institute for Culture
Planning Meeting, 2004
Location, date TBA



The forthcoming planning meeting will be scheduled to best suit the availability of everyone interested.


AGENDA

I - Board of Directors [The board must ensure accurate reporting to government, but it can do much more. It is time for us to explore increased involvement of the board.]

- identify interested members
- explain responsibility of board
- explore more local participation
- retreat for planning goals and strategies?
- community meeting to assess community needs?


II - Fundraising [When we started the organization, our on-line presence brought us 12 - 14 visitors per day (22 on a good day). We now have 600 - 800 visitors per day (3,000 on a good day). We need to apply this success to our fundraising. Interest is at an all time high, but we can't keep up with demand for services we offer or requests for assistance, and will have to grow to serve the community better and make our projects work well.]

- serving a very important role in Houston
- assess our most valuable programs
- plan future activities/justify funding
- develop promotional materials
- research appropriate sources
- utilize existing systems, new promotional materials and programs
- sponsorships and cooperative efforts


III - Accomplishments

- 100,000 on line visitors late October through early November (Traditions of Mexico)
- educational programs in schools, universities and community centers
- featured in the Wall Street Journal
- intern from Oxford University
- studies on leisure interests and volunteerism
- successful educational adventures, like August trip to Navajo Nation Fair, Fiesta de San Lorenzo
- Day of the Dead materials used extensively in schools nationwide
- Day of the Dead research in Visible Magazine
- increased visitor interest in Houston cultural activities during Super Bowl
- stories appeared on Channel 13
- what projects/goals/measures of success next?


IV - Educational and Promotional Materials

- educational display materials
- consider new logo designed by Albert Chan
- banners, graphics and business cards
- educational Public Service Announcements for radio
- material for volunteer fairs


V - Conference on Globalization

- involved in planning with HPJC Globalization Working Group
- keynote speaker, Kevin Danaher, with Global Exchange
- our topic: The Case for Localism in Media, Business, Economy and Culture
- other involvement: immigration, Ruben Martinez, author of "Crossing Over"


VI - Goals and Strategies

- review mission statement and goals
- determine what is at stake/value of the organization
- improve response to requests
- increase volunteers/events and volunteer fairs
- funding, co-sponsorships
- forums (address wide range of issues)
- more avenues to diversify interests? CAY, honors, media
- on-line orientation project for 2004? (alternate with Report?)
- more ideas?


VII - Projects

- possible I-15 immigration project, Las Vegas to Salt Lake City
- good response to "Hispanic Experience" and "Traditions of Mexico" sections
- working with more community artists - artists with similar concerns, Ben DeSoto, other connections
- "Cultural Concepts" - Ashley
- cultural education youth camp, interest increasing, needs leadership
- Louisiana Project progressing slowly, needs leadership
- local documentary work - interviews/historic sites like 1940 Air Terminal
- planning reorganization of artist/organization listings
- many website improvements underway
- organization/presentation of legal materials


VIII - College Affiliate Organizations

- make efforts like Afghan Women's Project accessible to university audience
- improve student participation in forums
- better understanding of issues
- increased involvement



If you know of any artists or organizations that would like to be listed, please help us spread the word.
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings

Upcoming meeting information and updates can be found at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/meeting

Thanks for your support,
Mark



Houston Institute for Culture is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural education and awareness through cultural activities. Our goal is to provide free and low-cost events, services and classes for the community. The organization's sphere of interest is Houston, the regions that have affected Houston's cultural history and the international origins of Houston's diverse population. Membership is free and all events and informational resources are open to the public.