In October 2007, a few 118ers proposed that there should be an "All GIGs meeting," a time for us all to come together and discuss things. The initial proposal had the following goals:
* To address the main challenges GIGs face with the end of PEPFAR
funding, and to share plans and ideas about how to prepare for this

* To touch-base with each other. Many GIGs have been collaborating
together this year, with dynamic results. We want to foster this
opportunity for collaboration and encourage GIGs to find ways to
support and cooperate on similar initiatives.

* To be trained by Peace Corps staff in how to facilitate and manage
small trainings, or mini conferences.
While I'd like to suggest backing away from that last point and the extra time (and PC staff involvement) it would necessitate, I think that the first two points remain valid reasons to get together and talk during the Mid-Service Conference. The ICT GIG would also like to have a discussion regarding our current array of web resources, regardless of whether or not the rest of the so-called "all gigs meeting" can happen (see P.S. for details).

Who
There are over 23 of the TH119ers who are now on a GIG, PRC, CEC, or TYT. John proposed having just 2 representatives from each GIG/committee to prevent the discussion from getting too ungainly, but that was up to each group to work out. A few people came and went as they had time. In addition, the beginning of the meeting also included Ren, Marilee, and Khun Teerapoj.

When
April 27th, 2008--the day before MSC officially started.


Minutes

I.Introductions by GIG/Committee
a. Group Summaries
i. ICT

• Did a phone survey of 118 and 119 volunteers to learn about how to make the most of Peace Corps online resources
• Mini-conference to train core group of 118 & 119ers about the wiki (all on PCVs own dime)
• Leapfrog newsletter

ii. CEC

• Focus on local craft groups
• With loss of conference funding, organizing smaller, localized modules

iii.HIV/AIDS

• Training with 120s at Wat and during counterpart conference
• Small conference in Nong Khai (only $2000, 50 attendees)

a. Difficult due to language barrier, because they tried did it with mostly Thai counterparts running it, but Phanutat and Jao had to really carry the conference

• Want to talk about collaboration with CEC, Youth, and GAD

iv. Youth

• Put manuals on website
• Conference August 14-17

v. GAD

• Conference in August 3-5, 2008 about development and the family

vi. TYT

• Great festival last Feb.
• For ideas about alternative funding sources, talk to Andrew Webb, who did a big PCPP grant

vii. PAC

• Finished the revision of the program (TCCO & CBOD)

viii. PRC

• In past, advise on VAST & TSPA
• Now doing HCC and advising on Friends of Thailand and any other grant people want help with

ix. VAC

• Handing over the torch to 4 new 119 members after MSC

II.Upcoming budget changes (Ren)

a.Losing $50,000 from TSPA

b.Losing $156,000 from PEPFAR ($47,000 left to spend before Sept 30, 2008)

c.140 person-meeting days for GIGs/Committees last year paid for by PEPFAR (172 meeting-person days total last year)

d.CEC & TYT currently completely unfunded

e. GAYSIA cut (having been folded into Sticky Rice), which adds some funding ($1,000)

f.Budget decisions made toward end of July

g.COST per person per meeting day averages THB 2,400

III.Website strategy

a.Temperature check: keep pcthailandgigs.org going for another year?

i.Yes

• The funding is available
• When looking for funding & directing people to a website, a traditional website like pcthailandgigs.org looks more professional
• All agreed to update the site more regularly

b.Survey feedback (Joe)

c. Discussion: what strategies should we implement to help volunteers identify/use resources online?

IV.Shift from conferences

a. Feedback on what happened with the HIV/AIDS weekend in Nong Khai

i.Have volunteers who come to facilitate the conference bring counterparts to help co-facilitate/co-train

ii. Get local NGOs involved – counterparts learn about them as potential resources

b.Are any other such modules currently being planned? No.

Suggestion: when inviting volunteers to help with HIV/AIDS or LifeSkills camps, have them come with counterparts, so as to share the experience with new Thai people

V.Brainstorm strategies to shift from meetings

a.Online chat (see GAD)

b.Conference calling (see John Jerger from ICT)

i.Through high-end phone

ii.Research conference calling services (that don’t require fancy phones)

VI.Collaboration opportunities

a.Feedback on what happened with ICT at HIV/AIDS conference: very positive experience overall

b. Brainstorming for the future

VII.Other topics?

a.GIG/Committee Presentations at PST II

i.Didn’t get any commitments from Ren/Marilee. Talk to them and Rumpai more about it.