NCIFT MEETING MINUTES

Director’s-At-Large Meeting Minutes August 9, 2021

Director’s-At-Large Committee 2021-2022:

• Jeff Sheasley-Dir. At Large
• Xi Feng-Dir. At Large
• WanChim Lim- Dir. At Large
• John Frelka- Dir. At Large
• Victor Hong- Dir. At Large
• Mathew Poon- Dir. At Large
• Christopher Ham- Dir. At Large

Attendees: 8/9/2021

• Parastoo Yaghmaee – President
• Ellice Ogle – President Elect
• Craig Rothe-Past President
• Bruce Ferree-Symposium Chair
• Terri Amerio-Bell-Treasurer
• Gabriela Swamy – Secretary
• Xi Feng-Dir. At Large
• WanChim Lim- Dir. At Large
• John Frelka- Dir. At Large
• Victor Hong- Dir. At Large
• Mathew Poon- Dir. At Large

4:30 PM Called to Order, Meeting called to end 5:31PM (PST)

Location: Virtual Meeting via Zoom. Meeting was recorded by Parastoo.

Minutes:

1.    Goals: increase membership and value (e.g. networking, seminars, thank you’s, etc?)

Parastoo explained the role of Director’s at Large. Ellice discussed on increasing membership and providing value. Ideas on short survey distributions to NCIFT members, gift cards for completing survey were discussed. Ellice is working on creating the questionnaire for the survey. Gabriella to share a recent questionnaire template with Ellice.

2.    Proposed 21-22 NCIFT calendar

The NCIFT calendar and the events scheduled for the year were discussed. The dates are yet to be finalized but the goal is to hold all proposed events across the year. 

Based on COVID conditions, events would be virtual or in-person. For instance. if the event is a seminar, a virtual mode might be easier to put together and more inclusive but if networking, then in-person (outdoor) is preferred. The latest CDC guidelines and the location will be checked before the event is scheduled. It was also decided that the Members-at-large will monitor the county guidelines for COVID and plan area events appropriately

3.    Speaker for NCIFT holiday party (IFT president)

IFT President will be invited for the NCIFT party to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of the section. 

Suggestion for speakers: Yan Can Cook, Alton Brown, Harold McGee

4.    Speaker/ topics for Processing Expo February 15-16th in Sacramento

Mattew Poon had a potential speaker in mind. He will confirm if the speaker is available and let Ellice know by September 1/2021.

The idea of having themes for speakers and event throughout the year was discussed. Group were in favor of having themes. The idea will be finalized in the September meeting.

The following themes were suggested during the meeting

• Cheese
• Chocolate
• Dessert
• Vertical Farming
• Cultivated meat
• Hemp and Cannabis 
• Alcohol – Wine
• Meal Kits
• Farms – Mushroom
• Nuts
• Cricket protein

5. Nomination committee

The following members volunteered to be in the nomination committee – WanChin Lim, John Frelka, Matthew Poon

It was suggested to reach out to other NCIFT members to join nomination committee. The guidelines for member selection will be reviewed once again and the committee members will be finalized.

6. Volunteers for Supplier’s Night

The following members volunteered to help Bruce with the Supplier’s Night event – Xi Feng, John Frelka, Victor Hong, WanChin Lim