President John Kinsella, and Members of the ACF Elected National Board of Directors:  I respectfully submit, for your review and discussion, the following State Rep notes from an investigative meeting held at Convention in July 2007:

Cc: Ms Heidi Cramb, Director of Operations, ACF Headquarters

As you all know, there has been a great deal of conversation, speculation and a keen desire to establish a workable ACF State Representative or Coordinator to support the national officers in their work. The appointed or elected state rep would concentrate their efforts on a local and personal level with ACF Chapters.  Any and all information from ACF Headquarters would come from the Regional VP's and operating directions would also come from the BOD to the State Rep for implementation locally and state wide.  Memos and directives should be in writing and all reflect the exact wording to ensure consistent direction in every state.  The ACF National President might appoint an individual at ACF Headquarters to over see and disseminate directives from the BOD to the State Reps.  State Reps would report, in writing, directly to their Regional VP as to their activities in their resident states. 

Chef Lucardie and I were asked to facilitate a Task Force to address this concern.  Unfortunately, Chef Lucardie has "bowed out" of much of the ACF extra-curricular activities for personal reasons.  His time and research, meetings and input proved invaluable to me and this project.  He is missed!

I will soon attach a list of the over 45 men and women who attended the ACF Convention's State Rep round table meeting in Orlando.  I guess we were all surprised at the turn out and profound interest held by the ACF membership, coast to coast. 

I extend many thanks and our Task Force's gratitude to Chef Harry Brockwell, WRVP.  Also to Chef Mark Wright, NERVP, who serves as Board liaison for this task force/study group?  Thanks to Ms Cramb for visiting the assembly.  Additionally, Chef Brockwell's wisdom and insight added a great deal of fodder for us to consider in our round table discussions.  The West is a vital and vibrant part of the ACF and exclusion, in any form would be a serious disaster.  Chef Brockwell talked about how the State Rep program is working in specific geographic regions in the West….Hawaii and Alaska are doing very well with their State Rep programs….they're very active and contributing a lot of ACF information to their respective state's memberships.  California is more difficult, of course, because of distances and the number of state chapters….but agreeably, the state rep concept is doable with the right program in place (and some money with which to operate.)

There was over 90 minutes of taped notes and good continuing side bar conversations following the round table.  I have condensed what I believe are important "bullets" for you to review.  I am, of course, available to elaborate on any or all if you run into questions or concerns.  Where ever this initiative goes is in your collective hands.  It was suggested that similar meetings be held at every regional conference to broaden the input from folks who could not for one reason to another attend the National Convention.

The meeting was called to order and opening remarks were made by Chef Mark Wright, NEVP and State Rep Task Force Board Liaison.  Further opening remarks were offered by Chef Lucardie summarizing the Florida ACF Task Force exploratory meetings.  I offered the report of the 5 states' rep attending the exploratory meeting held at Paul Smith's College in New York State (attending State Reps hailed from Maine, NH, VT, NY, & NJ.) It struck everyone on how close the two meetings paralleled ideas and discussions.

I pointed out that there would be no secrets with held from the ACF membership once the project was completed and approved.  I operate with an open book policy. I also suggested that no idea or thought would be stifled….everyone's ideas are important and in some way could build on the other suggestions brought to the table and construct a solid foundation for the BOD to consider.  Diversity of opinion often leads to a better conclusion and a sound foundation to any project. If all impressions can better deal with potential problems or difficulties and squelch rumor and dissent! 

It was unanimously agreed upon that the State Rep be the mediator, the extended arm, as it were, between the National BOD, Regional VP's and the local ACF Chapters.  It was also pointed out that there has to be some kind of financials in place to off set state rep expenses, possibly a line item budget, in order for the State rep concept to work effectively with the travel, lodging, etc. necessary to conduct ACF business in their respective states. 

In order to save the expense of an election (one possible way to select a State Rep) it was proposed that the Regional Vice Presidents appoint a willing person to serve as State Rep or coordinator in their resident state.  In some cases where there is just one chapter in a "smaller" state, possibly one State Rep could serve geographically adjacent states.

Some suggestions were made as to how the funds could be raised or allocated and will be briefly discussed later in this report. The State Representative's duties would include all or some of the following:

1. Disseminate information from the BOD by a comprehensive news letter, Regional/State web page, blog or personal visits to the chapters (where possible and reasonable)  [Here in NY I offer the EMPIRE STATE INFORMATION STATION and NJ has a comprehensive informational venue as well….not sure who else has a similar source, WRVP, Chef Harry Brockwell has a very extensive and informative newsletter.]
2. Visit each ACF Chapter across the rep's home state at least once yearly.
3. Communicate important up-coming business, such as by-laws change proposals with the chapter officers so they better understand the direction the BOD are intending to lead us in.  It was the consensus of most individuals attending the round table meeting that very often the recommended changes to be voted upon at the BOG meeting are vague or at best not fully understood and confused "new" chapter presidents' votes can easily be swayed ("listening to hallway rumors & suggestions from agendized parties!")
3a    Directives from the National BOD through the Regional VP's and ACF Central Headquarters must be "handed down" to each State Rep with wording and substance exactly stated on all matters.  This will allow the right "news" to reach the local chapters and leave little room for state to state (radical members) babbling, gossip and misinterpretation.
3b  One of the current responsibilities of the Regional VP's is to visit each chapter in their region al least once yearly.  In the case of the NE, Chef Wright would have to spend almost all of his available time seeking out over 60 NYS chapters, and Chef Brockwell as well with the other VP's, the travel and time away from home and work would be daunting let along expensive.
4. The State Rep would help organize and "coordinate" the state ACF Junior Culinary Competitions and the same the competition site could serve as the location of a state informational/educational forum.  This forum should, for practical purposes, be held prior each regional conference in order to educate/inform those attending on the matters before the entire ACF assembly
4a. If the State Reps are to be required to attend and hold meetings at the Regional Conferences, it was suggested that there be additional dollars added to the Regional VP's budget to accommodate this requirement
4b Likewise, if the State Rep needs to attend the National Convention, some consideration should be afforded them to off set the ever raising cost of the convention. (Registration, travel and possibly lodging).  We here in New York, at the initial meeting at Paul Smith's College talked about possible fund raisers or even where there can not be a fund raiser, individual chapters/members could "chip in" some to help create a purse for the rep.  With careful planning, this concept can work! Local purveyors can also be solicited for financial help. The amount for each chapter would depend on active member enrollment (per capita)

5. The State Rep should be permitted to carry a proxy or proxies for chapters in their state unable to attend regional or national meetings. (Right now it only a member of the chapter is allowed to carry a proxy…what if no one from a chapter can attend, a vote is lost and some disregard for the chapter is assumed locally, likened to an unwanted voice silenced by no fault absence.
6. The coordinators should be able to help the new chapter presidents and reinforce ACF programs and their changes to the veteran presidents.  It is again reaching out from the Board table to the local chapters…..communication!  This IS the answer to many of our ACF woes, as stressed time and time again by all levels of membership who have a sincere love for this organization. Ignorance breeds discontentment and negativity, we all know it.
6a  State Reps must receive all information, budget reports, last convention minutes, proposals, etc. along with the Chapter Presidents so that they are well informed of what's going on before the conferences and convention and be better prepared to share and explain the issues with the chapters.  The State Rep should be "treated" like a chapter president with every shred of information available and at their disposal in order for them to effectively inform/educate the local ACF chapters.
7. It would be the State Rep's job to receive a new Chapter's Charter.  So often chapters people do not/can not attend a presentation at the BOG meeting at Convention or Conference and to receive this important document and via the over land mai lroutine is impersonal and leaves a "bad taste" for the ACF Board and Headquarters' management team among the rank and file chapter members.  Upon receipt of the new Charter, the rep would personally deliver and present the Charter, with appropriate ceremony, representing the BOD,  at a local chapter meeting
8. Should there be a serious disaster, such as 911 or Katrina, an earth quake, etc. the State Rep should act as local coordinator (and be trained in such matters) and work in tandem with the ACF National Disaster Relief Task Force who are trained, and experienced in organizing and executing relief for the affected locale and individuals.
9. Be sure that there are opportunities for interested members to participate in the Certification Practical Exams in their state and organize, advertise and promote, vigorously,  all ACF programs.
10. Encourage all Chapters to host Practical Exams and hold Evaluator Training seminars to promote and increase the numbers of qualified local evaluators (bringing judges is an almost impossible expense for a small, remote chapter, as you know.)
11. Develop a comprehensive calendar for the state to include all activities being planned by any and all chapters within the state (encourage input from each chapter so their activity will be included in the calendar)
12.  Finally, but possibly the most important matter brought up at the meeting is the make-up of the BOG at the general meetings at Conferences and Convention.  Chef Kinsella casually mentioned a thought to me and asked that I give the idea some attention.  I didn't need to!  One very articulate attendee elaborated on the idea….that idea?  A senatorial format at the BOG meeting.  There could be a maximum of 51 votes (state reps or their assignees…or elected "senators" from each chapter to represent all the state's chapters at the BOG meeting and cast a pre- planned or determined vote agreed to in advance by the chapters in their state (during the state wide forum I spoke about a paragraph or so ago) in an educated, professional manner.  The idea was very well received, but the assembly asked that more research and discussion on this idea follow before a final decision is made and "cast in stone."  I assured them the BOD would look very carefully at this matter and render a collective up or down decision after reviewing the all data presented by this Task Force and Regional member's contributions, input and suggestions.

For now, I offer you these outstanding suggestions and comments from your ACF constituents, colleagues and friends for review.  This Task Force still has a lot of work to do in each region to customize the program, gather more local input and suggestions that fit the life style and geography of the regions.

Chef Kinsella recommended that conference calls be made to conduct the business of this Task Force by appointed, interested people from each region, So far, except for Chef Lynn Krause from St. Louis (whom I personally asked to participate in her state as ACF rep and serve on this Task Force) there has not been any assigned people from the South (since Chef Lucardie resigned) or from the West.  I intend to solicit the chef (who's name slips me right now) from Alaska to join us on this State Rep research Task Force.  He is full of great ideas that are logical, doable and honestly, supportive of this ACF initiative.

Respectfully Submitted,
Chef Don Antinore,
CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC
New York State Rep & Facilitator for
The ACF National State Rep Task Force