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July Town Hall Membership Meeting  

Thursday, July 18, 6:30 - 8pm

WYES, 916 Navarre Ave.

This meeting will be a town hall format to discuss TGAGNO's future and learn more about board responsibilities.  Please read the letter from the board below for details: If you cannot attend and want to send your thoughts to be shared, please send to nolaguideinfo@gmail.com or TGAGNO, PO Box 56505, NOLA 70156.  

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As mentioned in June’s Monthly Memo, 2024 has been very rough for the board as three board members resigned due to personal or professional reasons.  We’ve pulled together to cover their responsibilities, and remain 100% committed to planning monthly meetings and educational events. 


But the 2023-24 board term ends this year, so for the organization to continue, it’s imperative that a new board be in place for 2025-26.  Because of this critical situation, we are streamlining the nominating committee process and reaching out to members directly.  


Also, we feel it’s important for you to be aware of these issues:

  • For many, many years, board recruitment has been a struggle.  Nominating committee members have had a difficult time enticing members to volunteer.  In fact, all the current board members have served multiple terms – and in some cases many, many terms.  
  • Since 2016 TGAGNO’s membership numbers have decreased (except for a slight post-COVID bump in 2022).
  • While we’ve worked hard to plan memorable monthly meeting settings and content, attendance is on average only about 30% of the total membership.  (However, the bright lights, in terms of robust attendance and compelling content, are the annual trip and educational seminar.  So yay for that!). 

Since 1985, TGAGNO has been a vibrant community for tour guides, corporate partners, and tourism enthusiasts to explore, learn about, and celebrate the enchanting history and culture of New Orleans.  


Today, the harsh reality is that TGAGNO is on life support and needs a leadership infusion.  Is there a doctor in the house?  If there is no new leadership, this organization will cease to exist by the end of this year. 


Respectfully, 

Mary Eshenour, President                              Maria-Kay Chetta, Recording Secretary

Craig Henry, 1st Vice President Dianne Honoré, Standards & Education

Tara Schroeder, Treasurer & Membership Beverly Buisson, Corresponding Secretary


  Yes, I’m interested in serving on the board.  For a list of board descriptions, please see page pages 15-17 of your TGAGNO membership directory. Please note, according the bylaws, only full member tour guides may be on the board.  Please let us know via email or mail -- nolaguideinfo@gmail.com or TGAGNO, PO Box 56505, NOLA 70156.  


Positions of interest (optional)  

 President    1st Vice President     2nd Vice President      Treasurer     

 Membership    Recording Secretary     Corresponding Secretary   

 Standards & Education    Newsletter/Communications  


 

ABOUT TGAGNO

The Tour Guides Assoc. of Greater New Orleans, Inc. was established in April of 1985 as a non-profit 501(c)(3)* organization guides, all licensed by the City of New Orleans. Our membership consists of new, experienced, and volunteer tour guides from a variety of backgrounds. Members are ready, willing and able to perform a variety of visitor services. Many tour operators and a variety of companies providing services to our city's visitors are also members of the association. 


TGAGNO is dedicated to the continuing education of our membership and to promote the integrity of our profession. We strive to improve the tour industry and assure that each and every visitor to the Greater New Orleans area returns home with a high-quality and memorable guest experience!     

 

The mission of the Tour Guides Association of Greater New Orleans, Inc. is to represent, promote, and protect the common interests of licensed tour guides in the Greater New Orleans area by: 

  • Providing a forum through which members can continue their education and exchange information,
  • Promoting private, public and governmental awareness locally of the tour guide's role, and
  • Establishing a channel of communications between tour guides and the tourism industry.