Members Present: Dennis Nelson, Marla Madison, Jerry Oliver, Sam Guerrero

BVCOG Staff: Christopher Hamilton

The meeting came to order at 1 p.m.

Sam informed the committee that Juan, the most recent addition to the Planning Council, is resigning due to health reasons.

The committee then began to discuss the three candidates. Ms. Harris and Mr. Benfer expressed their views regarding the candidates prior to the meeting. For candidate one, both Ms. Harris and Mr. Benfer stated they felt there is enough provider representation from the Concho HSDA and voted no. All other committee members voted yes, citing the 15 years of HIV/AIDS experience and the candidate's clinical expertise as an R.N. Mr. Oliver stated that he personally did not distinguish between providers or consumers in this matter, that input in needed regardless. Since the majority of the committee votes yes for candidate one, he will be recommended to the Planning Council for membership.

The committee then reviewed candidate two. All committee members, including previous input from Mr. Benfer and Ms. Harris vote yes for candidate two. The committee reviewed candidate three, and as with candidate two, all approved.

It was noted that at the next Planning Council meeting on October 11, the candidates will be voted on with the recommendation of the Membership Committee that all be voted in.

Next, the committee discussed the recruitment brochure. Mr. Oliver made a suggestion that mention be made of the incentive given to consumer participants on the council. Mr. Guerrero agreed with the suggestion. All approved of the brochure. Mr. Hamilton will incorporate the incentive suggestion and proceed with distributing the brochure. He and Ms. Harris are composing a letter to send to providers asking them to place the brochure in their clinics, offices, etc... Mr. Nelson offered to place the brochure in his clinic.

Lastly, the committee reviewed the policies and procedures draft. Mr. Nelson made a change in the document to 'soften' the wording regarding termination of members due to excessive absences. The re-wording will be incorporated in the draft. The policies and procedures draft will be presented to the Planning Council at the October 11 meeting for a vote to approve.

The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.