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California Branch Planning Meeting

In attendance: Director Danny Miller, Director Jackie Gomez, Director Trina Davina, President Maxine Lynch

Discussion began with a report by Jackie that she has contacted representatives at 4-H and that 4-H takes a summer break. We will connect back in the fall when they start up again.

Trina recommends we contact home and charter schools to try to see if there is an interest, as a chinchilla project could meet goals in class like English writing, history with the study of chinchilla history, and potentially science. Jackie will be looking into this possibility.

Maxine showed the Empress 2-level workbooks that we have that are based on the 4-H rabbit project model.

Jackie is ordering some of the 4-H rabbit books so we can further examine the format so we can develop an Empress Youth Chinchilla Project. Danny confirmed that an Empress project might be the way to move forward, rather than working within 4-H or FFA.

We are wondering if Sandy can set up an information page on the website for youth program information. After-meeting update with Sandy: Sandy has an adaptation of the old site updated and within a day or two we should be able to see what she has been working on.

Maxine and Jackie are taking the lead to develop the Empress Youth Project with Danny helping where he can. After-meeting update: Maxine used AI to develop a cover page for Book 1. This appears to be a much faster way to design these books — very promising! Maxine and Jackie are working out details and will report back at our next meeting (maybe with a new Book 1!).

Maxine needs to contact Alexa Caplan about adding Jackie as an admin on the California Branch of ECBC FB page.

Maxine presented a resolution for a new Empress logo that updates the old logo and makes it meaningful for today's chinchilla breeder. Unanimous decision to submit the resolution.

Northwestern Branch folks are expressing a desire to maybe work more closely together at hosting events. More discussion and thought needs to be done before any proposal is made.

Trina reported that within a few weeks she will have more answers about potentially holding a fall field day.

Next meeting is scheduled for Sept 13 (Sunday) at 11 AM Pacific time.