May 2003

MEMORANDUM

Registration information for the August 24-27, 2003, meeting of the Southern Region Program Committees is available on the PLN website at the following address: http://srdc.msstate.edu/03plc. We need you to notify your individual committee members (1862 and 1890) immediately concerning the details of the meeting.

There are a few items which should be noted in preparing for the meeting:

• On Sunday, August 24, at 4:00 p.m., the PLC will be meeting with each committee chair and chair-elect to discuss items of mutual interest. Be sure to let your chair-elect know of this important meeting. The meeting location will be available at the registration desk. Please plan to meet for at least two hours.
• Based on a PLC Review Taskforce report and approval by AEA and ASRED, this PLN meeting is jointly scheduled with AEA and ASRED. Administrative Advisors and other directors/administrators have been encouraged to participate in PLN activities. There is also a joint session for PLN and AEA/ASRED.
• You and your committee are responsible for the agenda for your Program Committee. We are encouraging that extra time for in-depth work to be allocated to meeting jointly with other committees and in preparation of Committee work plans. Of course, if you see the need for additional meeting time, you are free to meet in the evenings. However, schedules should be arranged through Bonnie Teater at the Southern Rural Development Center if you plan to utilize additional hotel meeting rooms. We have also devoted some time for individual committees to meet jointly on topics of mutual interest. Please make those arrangements among yourselves and notify Bonnie regarding these joint meetings.
• In planning, please remember that there are NO FUNDS to allow for paying of speakers for your individual committee meetings. If you do schedule a speaker for your committee, he/she will need to make their own room reservations and pay the registration fee if attending the entire meeting. Your USDA contacts will also need to make their own arrangements. We have not notified any federal CSREES staff that may participate in your committees. That is your responsibility to share the website and information with persons who need to participate in your meetings.
• Each of the committees will have an individual room set in conference style. If different arrangements are needed, contact Bonnie Teater at the SRDC immediately. Also, please let her know if you have equipment needs.