DIANE AHRENS
BOARD OF RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MARY LOU GRAHEK 316 COURT HOUSE
ASSISTANT TO COMMISSIONER ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102

612-298-4145
May 9, 1991

Maureen Byrnes

Executive Director

National Commission on AIDS
1730 K Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20006

June Osborne, M.D.

The University of Michigan
School of Public Health

109 South Observatory Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029

David Rogers, M.D.

Professor of Medicine

Cornell University Medical College
1300 York Avenue, Room A-127

New York, NY 10021

Dear June, David and Maureen:

I may have mentioned to you at our last meeting that I will not
be able to stay for the second day of our San Francisco meeting
because of my son’s college graduation. In the event that there
is some form of "Commission business discussion" scheduled that
day, I would like to put in writing some concerns I have about
the Commission’s third year.

It is clear that our schedule is "tightening" in the home stretch
in order to produce our comprehensive report.

However, since we are to continue for a third year, it is
important that we find some opportunity to plan ahead. Maureen
has suggested, in her letter of May 1, that we schedule September
26 and 27 to plan the third year’s activities. That will follow
by several weeks the release of the comprehensive document and
its press conference.

It would seem important that the focus of our third year be
determined before the "press conference" on the report since the
press will clearly want to know what we intend to do in the third
year.

 
May 9, 1991
Page two.

It would also seem important that the focus for our third year,
as well as the process and format we use, be arrived at by a
consensus of the total Commission prior to the press conference
and report release.

My sense is we do not have agreement particularly on format and
process and that has led to considerable frustration of
Commission members in the past. We now have a fresh, new year. I
hope that we can, as a group, discuss our focus and the process
we will use to become informed, digest the information, and
arrive at our conclusions.

We have exceptional individuals on the Commission and each
represents a wealth of experience ina variety of communities.
We are blessed with dedicated and capable staff that reflect a
balance of rich experience and fresh approaches.

What we now need, to prepare for the third year, is a couple of
days together to reach agreement on content, process and format.
Late September may be the best we can do, but then what are we to
say at the press conference in early September to the public
about our next year’s focus? Decisions on that focus should be
thoughtfully planned by the entire Commission.

I do note on my calendar that August 15 and 16 are scheduled for
a Commission meeting. Could we use these days for a "retreat"
type setting in a relaxed atmosphere, where our third year
planning could take place?

I have no doubt each of us has ideas as to the focus of our next
year. I know there are concerns about the format and process we
have used. We need time to deal with these issues as a total
Commission and reach consensus as a total Commission. We need to

"come together" as a Commission and reason with one another. But
that takes time.

Last evening my husband switched to a cable channel and there was
June speaking to a conference on Human Rights. June, you were
marvelous, as usual, in your presentation. But it made me
realize the enormous demands this epidemic and this Commission is

requiring of your time. There are also great demands of David
and Maureen as well.

We may want to add another dimension to our discussion. Should
Commission members be utilized in different ways to forward the
work of the Commission and if so, in what areas? Could some of
the load be shared or should it be shared? At least it may be
time to consider possibilities.

 
May 9, 1991
Page three.

I look forward to a fresh new year together -- listening,
hearing, learning and communicating with various communities and
each other.

With warmest regards,

Diane Ahrens
Ramsey County Commissioner
District 4

DA:pah

cc: AIDS Commission Members