Committees
TGAGNOI could not survive without the help of its membership's contributions. Listed below is an outline of those committees which are currently active. Please take a look and if any of them interest you, please click on the "Get in Touch" button at the bottom of this page. Someone will contact you to answer any of your questions.
Bylaws Committee
We are seeking help with preparing a re-write of our current bylaws, which has become increasingly out of date. After the Bylaws Committee agrees on proposed amendments, the amendments must be submitted to the Board for approval, and then presented to the general membership for a vote. Our curent bylaws can be found on our website under the "About Us" tab. This committee is chaired by the 1st Vice President, Randy Bibb.
Business Development Committee
This committee will network with area businesses in an effort to garner support, partnership and growth opportunities for TGAGNO. This committee will focus on coordinating with others to grow, stabilize and maintain our organization at a high level of professionalism. This committee will work with the President, Dianne Honore.
Community Outreach Committee
This committee will seek opportunities to support and collaborate with our tourism and hospitality entities to serve our community. We will seek ways to promote and support other tourism entities, non-profits, and ethnic groups. This committee will report to the President, Dianne Honore.
Educational/Seminar Committee
This committee will help plan our annual Educational Seminar. This committee would determine the central theme or topic of the presentations. Once decided upon, speakers are to be obtained and scheduled. Logistics, such as the venue location, food and beverages will be coordinated. Our annual seminar is usually held in July. Promotional materials will be provided to the webmaster for publication on the website. The chair of this committee is the Standards and Education Coordinator, Frank Perez.
Meeting Concierge Committee
This committee will assist with meeting logistics. Specifically, managing food and beverage requirements, setup at the venue, check-in and registration, 50/50 raffle and door prizes, and setup and service of food and beverages. The committee would normally report to the 2nd VP, but since that position is currenty vacant, they would report to the Board President, Dianne Honore.
New Member Committee
The New Member Committee's focus is on recruiting, celebrating, and retaining new members. Specifically, this committee will engage and welcome new members via letters, emails, or phone calls. They will greet and engage conversation with new members at meetings. They will plan and organize celebrations to welcome new members. This committee will be headed up by our Membership Registrar, LeaLea VanWinkle-Gisler.
Newsletter Committee
The monthly newsletter, "Membership Minutes", is meant to inform membership of current events and initiatives within the organization. We would like to expand content to include stories of general interest, i.e., historical tid-bits, tour guide helpful hints, a "member of the month" highlight, games/puzzles, trivia, and notification of upcoming local events, seminars, tours or other activities within the tourism and hospitality industry. You could be a part of bringing this content to fruition and help make our newsletter one that everyone will look forward to with anticipation. This committee chair is the Newsletter Editor, Barbara Giangrosso.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for soliciting nominees for each Executive Board office in election years. Any full member may submit qualified names for nomination, but the Nominating Committee makes the final decision on nominees and qualifications. A Nominating Committee member shall be ineligible to be a candidate for any board position for the upcoming term.
A Nominating Committee of not less than three (3) and no more than five (5) full members will be selected by the general membership no later than the August membership meeting. The slate of candidates shall be presented to the members at the September meeting. The election of officers will take place at the October general meeting.
Research Committee
This committee will keep a pulse on the current tour industry, i.e., what is happening in the world of tourism today. What tours/attractions are popular? What new tours are being developed and how are they being received? What are some facts, figures, statistical measures of tour activity in the area? This information will be used to develop educational programs and schedule speakers for monthly meetings that will appeal to these new trends and interests in the tour guide community. This committe will work with the 2nd VP (Programs Chair) and the Standards and Education Coordinator.
Sustainable Tourism Committee
Sustainable tourism minimizes socio/environmental impact, supports local economies, and preserves cultural heritage. This committee will delve into ways to achieve this and prevent overtourism which can negatively affect the day-to-day lives of local residents. They will explore ways to promote truthful, historical storytelling with smaller groups. This committee will work with the 2nd VP (Programs Chair) and the Standards and Education Coordinator.
Trip Committee
The Trip Committee assists in the planning, organizing and execution of our annual field trip. This day trip is usually held in late September or early October. Our day gets off to an early start with coffee and beignets at our meeting place - the City Park Cafe duMonde. Then, we are off to places of historical or cultural interest to our tour guides, loaded with fun along the way. Lunch is provided, along with snacks for the bus ride. The day will end at dusk, but not before an on-board happy hour gets us back home. Recent itineraries have included old-town Covington, St. Francisville, Angola Prison, Mississippi Gulf Coast, New Iberia, and the River Parishes, just to name a few. The chair for the committee is the 1st Vice President, Randy Bibb.
Volunteer Committee
TGAGNOI is proud to give back to the city that gives us so very much. We all make our living from sharing life and history in New Orleans – it is our responsibility to give back to her. The Volunteer Committee seeks out opportunities to volunteer in ways that are not only vital to the community but also fun and interesting. We volunteer regularly at WYES-TV, assisting with the Morgus Madness and King Cake and Conversation events. Serving on the committee and volunteering for community service projects are open to all TGAGNOI members. This is the best way for us to show that tour guides play an important role in the preservation of our city and its environment. The committee chair is Kathy Dean.