The meeting was called to order.

Board members present and accounted for:

Ryan Kirkpatrick, Brad Shipman, Alycia Zuehlke, Ian MacDiarmid, Katie Barrows, John Cox, Scott Scherer, Patrick Dugan, Dave Nelson.

The following items were discussed:

        I.      Bonfire Research Project

A.     The Bonfire research project is progressing well.  The Bonfire Coalition is in the process of surveying different academic institutions nationwide to find out which institutions have a bonfire and, if they do, how they build it.  Coalition members are currently surveying Big 12 Athletic Conference schools, Texas A&M University system schools, Ivy League institutions, military academies and senior military schools.                 

     II.      Shackathon Project

A.     Bonfire Coalition for Students suggested that Bonfire Coalition as a whole should push for more than a Bonfire constructed of the demolished buildings of a fall shackathon event.  The BCS believes that the Coalition should continue its Bonfire research and draft a Bonfire construction proposal based on the results of the survey.

B.     Board members agreed to pursue three political goals for Bonfire: indemnification, safety, and financing. 

   III.      Open Records Request

A.     Marc Barringer, Ryan Kirkpatrick, and Dave Nelson will request public information via the open records act to determine if there is a formal Bonfire memorabilia moratorium imposed on local businesses and craftsmen by Texas A&M University. 

  IV.      T-Shirt Sales Discussion

A.     Board members agreed to continue to sell the Pro Bonfire t-shirts on the website and to allow the BCS to control the shirt sales on campus. 

     V.      Bonfire Candle Molds

A.     The selling of Bonfire shaped candles were discussed as possible fundraiser.  Due to high start up costs of the project, the decision was tabled until a future meeting. 

  VI.      Bonfire Coalition Constitution Discussion

A.     The Coalition discussed certain points of the original goal statement and the Constitution of Bonfire Coalition and decided that the Coalition was progressing well in sync with its original purpose. 

VII.      Joint Ventures

A.     The Coalition board members agreed that it would be better if Bonfire Coalition and Bonfire Coalition for Students work on a Bonfire construction proposal independently of other organizations so that political leadership issues between groups would not arise.  Coalition board members agreed that Bonfire should be able to evolve beyond a shackathon or an Old Army trash pile design.  Bonfire should stand alone as the center of attention instead of it always being tied to a particular event or a particular organization. 

VIII.      Board Member Position Changes

A.     Vacant Positions:

Co-chair: Ryan Kirkpatrick was nominated for and voted into the position of co-chairman by a vote of six to four.

Vice-chair: Ian MacDairmid was nominated for and voted into the position of vice-chairman by unanimous consent.

Former Student Outreach Chair: John Cox was nominated for and voted into the position of Former Student Outreach Chairman by unanimous consent.

Planning Committee Chair: Katie Barrows was nominated for the position of Planning Committee Chairman.  The decision of nominations for Planning Committee Chairman was tabled until a future meeting.

Treasurer: The decision of treasurer was tabled until a future meeting.

Community Outreach: The board agreed that a Community Outreach Position should be created and the decision of Community Outreach nominations was tabled until a future meeting. 

  IX.       Future Meeting with President Gates

The Coalition would like set a meeting with Dr. Gates prior to his decision being made public to present the results of the Bonfire research project and prior to releasing the results to the press.  Tentative dates were suggested, but nothing is scheduled as of now. 

     X.      Spring Fundraisers

A.     Ryan Kirkpatrick and Scott Scherer formed a fundraising subcommittee to look into different fundraising suggestions.  Fundraising ideas currently include a barbeque cookout and a BC catered concert. 

  XI.      Committee Reports

A.     Chair-none

B.     Vice Chairman-none

C.     Treasurer-none

D.     Secretary

1.      Secretary’s note: the January 20, 2003 meeting was extended by a motion from the board.  The meeting session for two hours from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

E.      Sergeant at Arms

1.      Bonfire Coalition is planning to have a proposal to bring to the Campus Ministers Association about the same time that the Coalition gives its presentation to President Gates.

F.      Historian-none

G.     Former Student Outreach-none

H.     Current Student Outreach

1.      Bonfire Coalition for Students will help Bonfire Coalition plan for any fundraising events in the 2003 spring semester.

I.        Planning-none

J.       Publicity-none 

XII.      Open Business