Present:   Sharan Gillies (209) 481-7515 sharnongillies@sbcglobal.net
                Araceli Vega (209) 366-1529
                Susan Flores (209) 744-9719
                Ampao Espinoza (209) 745-7658
                Jaime Espinoza (209) 745-7658
                Kristin Noack (209) 745-5530
                Robin Fischer (209)
                Rob Patterson (209) 323-0727 pastorob@gmail.com
                Joe Patterson (19) (951) 552-8280 joepk15@hotmail.com
                Daniel Patterson (16) (209) 323-0800
                Barbara Payne (first 5 minutes) oldetownegift@softcom.net


Absent:    Maribel Speth-Adams (209) 745-7544 mspeth@softcom.net
                Janet Munoz (209) 745-5110 5munoz@sbcglobal.net
                Tracy Smith (209) 744-9195 goodbuyforu@yahoo.com
                Patricia St. James (209) 744-4502 pstjames@galt.k12.ca.us
                Rachael Roberts (209) 744-8620 galtnews@herburger.net
                John A. (209) 570-2231 mrmagoo_95632@yahoo.com


At today's meeting (3.19.05), we discussed Youth Culture in Galt (and the diversity of subcultures within affinity, ethnic and socio-economic groups).

Other than Sharon Gillies, all participants were first-time attenders.

Barbara Payne took us to the Conference Room and started by sharing her vision for the use of the film "Napoleon Dynamite" as one avenue for reaching out to the young people of Galt. She suggested that we could have a 'tether-ball tournament' as an event that ties in with the film (and to decorate the ballroom to recreate 'the dance' scene in the film). She was then 'taken' from the meeting (never to return).

Left without Barbara's leadership, most of our meeting was involved with 'brainstorming' the Napoleon Dynamite event (tentatively scheduled for a Friday night).

Rob Patterson expressed great admiration for the idealism which has generated so much community involvement to this point. He strongly suggested that we 'dig deeper' and explore other relevant tie-in value of the movie's characters:

Pedro Sanchez (latino)

Lafawnda (african-american)

Napoleon (anglo)

Kip (culturally transformed)

Further brainstorming suggested that tongue-in-cheek 'rumors' could stir up enthusiasm for the event. Appearances by other additional pop-culture icons could attract a wider range of young people from the diverse subgroups within Galt 's Youth Culture).

We discussed popular movies, music and ways to stir up attention:

2 Pac sightings (2 Pac was a hip-hop artist; rumors abound about his death and questions arise about many post-partum release of CDs)

Use of www.myspace.com
            was mentioned; earlier discussion of a thematic website was further explored:

Patterson led discussion and brainstorming of timely, relevant coverage of daily Galt youth interactions, upcoming events, photography, Jay Leno-type neighborhood walks with short video-interviews of 'your neighbors'.

Timely uploading of these digital photographs and mpeg film clips is most important for building a large audience. For this reason we should feature the youth; scripted and edited by the youth, etc.

Robin Fisher brought balance to the rapid-fire ideas by reminding the group of those who would not want any photography of minors on the web.

The group consensus was that we need more discussion with emphasis on mutual respect among us (as adult community leaders) before launching a website or any public event.

It was recognized among us that there are many different groups represented in Galt, and multiple avenues must be used in order to reach them. It is necessary to find the best balance between popular culture and things that attract youth and the need for exercising prudence in any decision.