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e Ms. Briner said that part of the promotion of the program would include a large event, incorporating the talents of famous people with ties in Eugene. She said that the City of Springfield would also be invited to join the project. She said that contacts the BATeam had already received from the community in regard to the Ambassador Program indicated there would be good support. e Responding to questions from Councilor Smith, Ms. Briner said that the promotional event would take several months to organize. Ms. Smith asked that the council be kept informed about and involved in planning efforts. Councilor Obie urged that an organizational structure for the Ambassador Program, including a chairperson and an advisory board, be formed and that leaders in the community be recruited to lead program efforts. Ms. Briner responded that the BATeam and its advisory group, the Joint Committee on Economic Diversification (JCEO), made up of representatives of the City of Eugene, University of Oregon, Lane Community College, Chamber of Commerce, and Lane Economic Foundation, would serve as the advisory group for the program. Councilor Obie did not feel that this was the most effective way to organize the program and emphasized that visible community leadership was needed. He said there were many people in the community who would volunteer to work on this effort through such means as staffing an information distribution booth at the City's airport. Councilor Hansen asked if there was evidence that such a program would get results and how much the program would cost. Ms. Briner responded that this was an innovative program and that there were therefore no concrete figures to use in predicting results. She said that the BATeam's budget for operational expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year was $80,000 and that a portion of those funds would be spent on the Ambassador Program. Ms. Briner said that the budget for the BATeam for the next fiscal year would be around $250,000 for the entire business assistance and marketing program. She gave the recent work of the BATeam with an industrial realtor in the sale of the Centre Court Building as an example of the type of assistance and success that the Ambassador Program could have. Councilor Obie reiterated his request that staff return to the council with proposals for an organizational structure and use of volunteer help before initiating the program. Ms. Briner said that the Chamber of Commerce had asked to take the lead role in recruitments for the program and that she would return to the council with details of the recruitment effort as they are developed. Mr. Gleason cautioned against publicizing initial efforts too widely, since response could produce overwhelming demands on the BATeam staff and resources. He stressed the need to allow the program to grow in size gradually as the BATeam acquires experience in handling program needs. Mr. Gleason also emphasized the need to work closely with the JCEO in coordinating the program. Mr. Obie disagreed and said it was important to have visible leadership and an organization from the start. Mr. Gleason said that it had taken seven months of sensitive discussions to develop the proposal before the council and felt that the fragile agreement might be jeopardized by council introduction of further requirements. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 19, 1983 Page 7