Minutes of The

NOTES FROM THE NATIONAL YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM (NYSP) TELECONFERENCE January 13-14, 2010

Participating Institutions, January 13

Alaska, Anchorage, University of, Sandra Cobb Carroll Albany State University, Robert Skinner California State University, Bakersfield, Lewis Neal Case Western Reserve University, Dennis Harris, Cal Long and Adrienne Eastbrook Monroe Community College, Mary Andrecolich Diaz Nebraska, Kearney, University of, Nita Unruh New Mexico, University of, Gloria Napper Owens New Mexico Highlands University, Gabe Blea North Carolina Central University, Michael Lawson Purdue University, Bill Harper Quincy University, George Meyer Rust College, Ishmel Edwards St. Thomas, University of, Bob Brown South Dakota, University of, Bruce Fischbach Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Randy Bonnette Toledo, University of, Ruthie Kucharewski Utah, University of, Josh Lawson West Virginia University, Bruce Wilmoth Wisconsin, La Crosse, University of, Garth Tymeson Yale University, Allison Cole and Brian Brown

Institutions, January 14

Alabama A&M University, Cynthia Clopton Alaska Anchorage, Cathy Dunham Case Western Reserve University, Dennis Harris, Dennis Rupert, Bill Harris and Me’lani Joseph Detroit Mercy, University of, Rueben Washington East Los Angeles College, Al Cone Harris-Stowe State College, Gary Glasscock and Marvin Neals Kansas City Kansas Community College, Carla Pestock University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Beatrice Nelson Mississippi, University of, Jim Gilbert New Mexico Highlands University, Lorraine Martinez Southern California, University of, Arman Varna Stillman College, Will Riley Voorhees College, Willie Jefferson Wisconsin, Eau Claire, University of, Andy Jetson

Additional Participants

1808845.1 NYSPF Teleconference Minutes January 13-14, 2010 Page No. 2 ______

LaDavia Drane, Legislative Council, The Honorable Marcia Fudge Rochelle M. Taylor, NYSP Foundation Dan Wexler, Wexler Walker Public Policy Associates Gale Wiedow, former NYSP Director

2009 NYSP

Ms. Taylor recognized 27 institutions that successfully sponsored NYSP in 2009. Based on their efforts, NYSP completed its 40th consecutive year of providing youth with The Right Start! Institutions recognized were:

Alabama A&M University North Carolina Central University Albany State University The Ohio State University California State Univ., Bakersfield Portland State University Case Western Reserve University Purdue University Coppin State University University of St. Thomas University of District of Columbia Southern University, Baton Rouge John Wood Community College University of Southern California Kansas City Kansas CC Texas A&M Univ., Corpus Christi University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of Toledo Monroe Community College Turtle Mountain Community College Morehouse College West Virginia University University of Nebraska, Kearney University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire University of Nevada, Las Vegas Yale University University of New Mexico

March 2009 Teleconference

The last telephone conference was held March 4, 2009. More than 70 institutions participated on the call. It was noted that 32 institutions were planning on hosting NYSP in the summer of 2009, contingent on securing necessary operating funds. It was also noted that many of the institutions no longer hosting NYSP were willing to host the program if appropriate funding could be identified. Based on the discussion, it was agreed that all institutions were interested in working on a national effort to seek refunding from the federal government. Ms. Taylor agreed to work with institutions as necessary and to contact Dan Wexler of Capitol Associates for guidance on ways NYSPF Teleconference Minutes January 13-14, 2010 Page No. 3 ______to proceed. Subsequent to the call, Mr. Wexler visited with several congressional offices and noted the importance of identifying a funding Champion in both the House and Senate.

White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sports

In June, 2009, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sports to recommend federal policies and programs to enhance opportunities and access for youth participation in sport, among other things. Mr. Wexler successfully met via conference call with office staff to introduce the National Youth Sports Program and had an in-person follow-up meeting to further outline NYSP’s mission and goals in the fall.

Case Western Reserve University Secures Champion

Subsequent to the March 2009 conference call, Mr. Harris secured support from key campus and community constituents to seek funding strategies for 2010. In securing support for the local program, Mr. Harris educated key staff members of congressional representative, the Honorable Marcia Fudge. After several meetings the Congresswoman agreed that NYSP is a viable program to help fight to eradicate childhood obesity in underserved communities. As a key advocate for reducing childhood obesity, Congresswoman Fudge instructed her staff to present NYSP to key staff members of First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as to work to secure the reauthorization and refunding of NYSP in the 2011 fiscal year budget.

Update from The Office of the Honorable Marcia Fudge

LaDavia Drane, Legislative Counsel to Marcia Fudge, updated participants on the Congresswoman’s commitment to revitalizing NYSP. As a result of this commitment, Congresswoman Fudge will introduce legislation to authorize $20 million each year for NYSP programs between fiscal years 2011 through 2021. It was noted that NYSP is currently authorized in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) at $15 million each year for fiscal years 1999 to 2003. Ms. Drane indicated that a Dear Colleague letter will also be circulated from the Congresswoman’s office to secure Co-Sponsors to support the reauthorization request. NYSPF Teleconference Minutes January 13-14, 2010 Page No. 4 ______

Ms. Drane requested the support of all institutions on the call to contact their congressional representatives to specifically request that they Co-Sponsor the reauthorization legislation when requested.

Update from Dan Wexler

Dan Wexler, former NYSC lobbyist with Capitol Associates, was introduced. Mr. Wexler updated the group on the importance of grassroots efforts to support reauthorization and appropriations requests for NYSP. It was stressed that any success in revitalization efforts will be directly linked to congressional representatives hearing directly from constituents on the need for NYSP in their districts. Mr. Wexler indicated he will assist institutions as needed to ensure the contacts and messages are being reached in congressional offices. Summary of Actions Needed by NYSP Projects

Ms. Taylor noted the following:

a. Theme for 2010: Revitalize and Modernize NYSP. NYSP has provided necessary direct services for youth for 40 years. It has operated with and without federal funds. Our request for the future is to revitalize and modernize the program in order to provide critical services for another 40 years.

b. 100 Institutions Strong. NYSP began in 1969 at 100 institutions. Our goal is to find 100 institutions that will not only support our revitalization efforts in 2010, but will commit to actively contact congressional representatives and other constituents to support our authorization and appropriations requests. Attached is a list of institutions that have made this commitment (Attachment No. 1). Please help us reach our goal by identifying contacts at NYSP projects in your state currently not on the list. You may forward contact information to Ms. Taylor or contact them directly and get them on board!

c. Updating Our Records. Each institution is requested to notify Ms. Taylor of the institution’s congressional district as well as the congressional district(s) of your recruiting area (if different) by February 12 th. Also, please provide the name of your congressional representative(s).

d. Institutional Commitments Will Help Our Cause! Institutions of higher education represent a major resource in districts and states. When Presidents and Chancellors speak about the importance of NYSP in their community, elected officials have a better understanding of and appreciation for supporting NYSP. Our efforts may be more successful if Members of Congress hear directly from campus CEOs. Attached is a sample letter of institutional support (Attachment NYSPF Teleconference Minutes January 13-14, 2010 Page No. 5 ______

No. 2). We request that a similar letter be prepared from each President/Chancellor. The letter should be addressed to your Member(s) of Congress in the House of Representative.

Please copy Ms. Taylor on each letter. This is important in order that we have a record of the contact. Also, we will be able to do additional follow-up in each congressional office that has received a letter.

e. Keeping Government Relations Staff in the Loop. Please make arrangements to let your government relations staff know about our revitalization efforts. Ideally, government relations staff should be directed to include requests for NYSP support during all meetings with congressional offices

Actions Subsequent to the Call

Ms. Taylor contacted an additional 34 institutions that were unable to participate on the conference calls. Of the 34 contacts, 32 institutions are supporting the effort and 2 are unable to continue to sponsor NYSP. We are still awaiting responses from an additional 26 institutions.

Next Steps

Ms. Taylor will notify institutions when the Reauthorization legislation and corresponding Dear Colleague letter is available. All projects will be asked to contact congressional offices to secure Co-Sponsors for the Dear Colleague letter.

Contact Information for NYSPF (a volunteer organization)

Rochelle M. Taylor National Youth Sports Program Foundation 4611 Hard Scrabble Road, Suite 223 Columbia, South Carolina 29229 T: 803-466-4691 F: 803-699-7262 Email: [email protected] NYSPF Teleconference Minutes January 13-14, 2010 Page No. 6 ______