Thank you to everyone that came out in support and solidarity last night at Arkansas Vape Advocacy Alliance’s first meeting on 3/15/17. Your help and interest is greatly appreciated as we move forward! In case you couldn’t make it, or just need a recap of last night’s events, below you will find information covered.
Last night’s meeting covered our immediate needs:
- Creation of a Board of Directors:
- Topher Kent
- Scout Stubbs
- Joshua Willingham (Willy)
- Quinton Alexander Cohen
- Laura LaBanca
- Troy Meuret
- BJ Davis
- Overview of recent legislation fought this session at the State Capitol
- HB1711 (T21 legistlation)
- SB285 (Amending the Clean Indoor Air Act to include vapor)
- Discussion and consideration of VTA Membership
- Price Tag of $10,000
- Benefits include:
- Support from national organization
- VTA assists in selecting a lobbyist (not funding)
- Access to tested public affairs strategies
- Guidance and “heads up” on upcoming legislation
- Access to VTA’s vapor defense database
- Access to VTA’s Policy Action Center for reaching decision makers
- Analysis of bills in our state from VTA’s team of experts
- “Pre-session” planning
- All members of AVAA are automatically VTA members
- Frequent webinars
- Discussion of the need for a lobbyist
- Bringing in membership from far-reaches of the state; they can contribute and stay informed
- Consumer membership (no minimum membership fee) and industry membership tiered pricing
- AVAA shows up to support municipalities when needed
- AVAA supports shops that support them
- AVAA logos for member stores
- Campaign to “support the shops that support your right to vape”
- Design and print other merch ex: t-shirts
Our next steps are for the board of directors to elect officers, which will happen Thursday 3/16. After our core officers are elected, Articles of Organization can be filed for our 501c. After our license is official within the state of Arkansas, donations can be accepted through our website arkansasvaa.org.