The conference call for the American Agricultural Economics Association Foundation Governing board began at 3:00 p.m., May 19, 1999. Foundation President Joe Coffey began the discussion.

1. The February 19, 1999 minutes were presented to the board and approved.

2. A recommendation for a full membership mailing, regarding the AAEA Foundation fundraiser in Nashville, was discussed. The mailing will announce a matching contribution program. Effective June 1st, cash contributions to the AAEA Foundation, with the exception of the Paarlberg and Raup Clubs, will be matched one-to-one, up to $25,000.

3. Joe Coffey began discussion on the Foundation breakfast to be held at the 1999 AAEA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 11. Invitations will be extended to AAEA Foundation Board members, AAEA Executive Board members, Appreciation Club honorees and sponsors, travel grant recipients, Eagle Award recipients, Leadership Donors, and other key friends of the Foundation. A brief program involving selected attendees will be presented.

4. A Foundation Board orientation was scheduled for the Nashville Meeting, on August 8, for new board members. Existing board members are invited to attend.

5. The agenda for the Foundation Board meeting on Sunday August 8, from 3-5 p.m. was discussed. Newly elected board members will be invited to attend.

6. The Foundation Board will have a booth at the Annual Meeting for fund raising. Free business card lamination will be offered as an incentive. Board members will be asked to sign up for participation during the Board Meeting.

7. Board members agreed to review comments from Appreciation Club sponsors and bring their recommendation as to ways to address their concerns for recognition. Joe Coffey appointed Laurian Unnevehr and Paul Christ to summarize and present the recognition requests. The board also agreed Association awards should be named as AAEA awards, rather than named in honor of an individual.

8. Mike Boehlje presented the Foundation's Vanguard financial report. The board agreed to continue fund raising efforts to provide a cushion toward possible stock market declines.

9. Lona Christoffers gave a financial report on the Appreciation Clubs and the Capital Campaign. Board members agreed they would not send additional mass mailings for the Leadership campaign, although board members will continue soliciting.

10. Discussion on travel grants was postponed in Jane Luzar's absence. Communication to the board members will follow at a later date.

11. It was announced the AAEA Executive Board has decided to delay the Congressional Science Fellowship until the year 2000. The funds for the Fellowship will be carried over to 2000.

12. A discussion on the support for African Agricultural Economics was brought to the board by Joe Coffey.

The conference call/meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. A possible conference call will be announced at a later date. The next official Foundation Governing Board Meeting will be Sunday, August 8, from 3-5 p.m., in Nashville.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna French Dunn
Executive Director