West Virginia Rural Health Association

Board Meeting

February 16, 2004

Embassy Suites

Charleston, WV 25305

 

Present:          Steve Gavalchik, Patty Crawford, Richard Meckstroth, Norma Bowyer, Julie Lejeune, Hilda Heady, Sandra Pope, April Vestal, Renate Pore, Phil Schenk, Henry Taylor, Dave Sotak, Rosie Cannarella and Sonnie Strader.

 

Absent:           Joe Barker, Sister Rebecca Fidler, Sara Jane Gainor and Sharon Giles.

 

Meeting was called to order at 4:35 by Sandra Pope, President.   Members were asked to introduce themselves, tell where they are located and what they do, state their interest in rural health, reaffirm their commitment to the organization, state if they felt there was any conflict in serving on the board.

 

According to the WVRHA By-Laws the initial Board of Directors shall have seven or eight members serving a one year term and seven or eight members serving a two year term.  Subsequently, all Board members shall serve staggered two-year terms, with the exception of the President, President-Elect and Past President, who will serve one year terms.

 

To determine who would serve one and two year terms, board members drew straws from an envelope containing an equal number of short and long straws.   Absent members received the remaining straws in the envelope (all short).  Members serving a one year term are: Joe Barker, Sara Jane Gainor, Sister Rebecca Fidler, Sharon Giles, Julie Lejeune and Dave Sotak.   Members serving two year terms are: Patricia Crawford, Rosemarie Cannarella, Steve Gavalchick, Richard Meckstroth, Phil Schenk, Sonnie Strader and Henry Taylor.

 

Sandra Pope gave a brief overview of WVRHA formation and growth, beginning in October 2002 with an informational meeting and development of a steering committee, held at Jackson’s Mill.  An Interim Board was elected from the steering committee that has assisted in forming a rural health association which will allow us to serve in advocacy of rural health issues for both state and national issues.

 

During the WVRHA membership meeting, held at Pipestem State Park on October 27, 2003, a discussion was held regarding the process for the election of officers. Nominations for board members at large were accepted and approved. Nominations were open until December 1, 2003. A list of the nominees was mailed to the general membership, along with a nomination form.  On December 15, 2003 a ballot was mailed to vote on the nominations, with a deadline of January 9, 2004.   The elected board members and officers were announced on February 10, 2004, by Sandra.

 

            Rosie Cannarella, will remain chair the Membership Recruitment.  Rosie stated that much of focus during the first year was developing membership materials and recruitment.  Discussion followed regarding ways to expand membership.  Such as; developing talking points, educating people about the mission and purpose of WVRHA and sending emails to other groups.   A breakdown of the current membership will be reported at the next board meeting. 

 

Discussion followed on defining a legislative agenda for policies/issues for the November 2005 National Regulatory Session. Renate Pore suggested the board schedule a retreat with an agenda to start early to identify and lay out a legislative agenda.  A policy agenda workgroup was formed, including: Henry Taylor, Steve Gavalchik, Dave Sotak, Phil Schenk, Hilda Heady, Julie Lejeune, Norma Boyer and Richard Meckstroth.  The group was charged with identifying legislative policies/issues and selecting a couple of main themes for discussion at the upcoming board retreat.

 

Sandra said that in the coming year WVRHA needs to take a more active role in activities during Rural Health Day at the Legislature.  We need to determine a specific event or series of events.  Such as a breakfast, display, presentation/information on WVRHA activities, plan something with the interims, etc.  

 

A work-group phone conference was scheduled for Thursday, March 25, beginning from 1:00-3:00pm.  Sandra will make arrangement for the call.

 

Monday, April 19th was chosen as the tentative date for a one day board retreat.  The location is Flatwoods.

 

Renate briefly covered the Legislative Summary and list of Websites included in the board packet. 

 

Options for a 501©3 non-profit status was tabled until the next board meeting.  Sandra asked members to review an e-mail memorandum included in the board meeting packet, addressing the Organizational Status of the WVRHA, and email any comments to her.   Renate stated that WVRHA does not need a 501©3 status unless we want to receive grant money.  She said it might be best to work through another 501©3 clinic, etc.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Julie Lejeune, second by Henry Taylor.  Motion carried.  Meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted by: Sonnie Strader, Secretary

Date: February 22, 2004