WEST VIRGINIA RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

BOARD CONFERENCE CALL

Thursday, March 25, 2004

Participants: Richard Meckstroth, Hilda Heady, Henry Taylor, Sandra Pope, Renate Pore, Steve Gavalchik, Sara Jane Gainor, April Veltal, Sister Rebecca Fidler, Rosie Cannarella, Sharon Giles, Phil Schenk, and Sonnie Strader.

Absent: Patty Crawford, Job Barker, Dave Sotak and Julie Lejeune.

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 by Sandra Pope, President. The purpose of the phone conference was to discuss the Retreat Agenda, other updates, old business and pending issues.

Approval of Feb. Minutes: Richard Meckstroth moved that the February 16, 2004 board meeting minutes be approved as submitted. Seconded by Sister Rebecca Fidler. All in favor. Motion carried.

501©3 Status: Following a discussion regarding WVRHA applying for a 501©3 tax-exempt status, Renate Pore recommended the quickest and easiest thing for WVRHA is to contract with the Community Voices Partnership as our fiscal agent. WVRHA would pay a 9% fee for fiscal management. Community Voices Partnership would provide services such as, making deposits, provide insurance and provide monthly budget reports. Renate stated that she felt Community Voices Partnerships is also a good option for RHA because it is a new organization and not associated with any one type of provider or specific activities.

WVRHA would collect membership dues and make all decisions regarding policies and operation of WVRHA.

Steve Gavalchik moved that WVRHA contract with Community Voices Partnerships for one year, for fiscal management of association funds. Seconded by Sister Rebecca Fidler. Following discussion of the motion, Sandra Pope will check with Community Voices Partnerships to see if WVRHA receives any grant that limits us to less than 9%, CVP will honor it. All in favor. Motion carried.

Updates:

RHA Membership: Rosie Cannarella stated that according to the records WVRHA has 62 paid memberships. Including 26 individual members, 1 student member and 35 organizational memberships. She reported there is an issue regarding members who are listed as non-paid for 2004, when in fact she knows some of the dues were collected at the WVRHA Conference, in October.

Phil Schenk moved that the membership committee work to get the issue of members non-paid resolved before the board retreat, scheduled for April 19. Second by Sister Rebecca Fidler. All in favor. Motion carried. Sandra said the executive committee will assist in resolving the issue.

Sonnie will draft a letter regarding renewal of WVRHA membership and send it to Jane Knoll.

Skill Building Workshop:

Sandra Pope, Renate Pore and Norma Bowyer attended the NRHA Policy Institute Recap meeting held February 23-25, 2004 in Washington D.C. Sandra gave a brief report on the Skill Building Workshop they attended. She also forwarded WVRHA board members notes from the small group discussion regarding how to develop Board members and motivate board members into action, plus a web link to view information and pictures taken at the conference.

Richard Meckstroth will attend a meeting in DC on June 15-16, 2004 regarding Oral Health Issues.

Hilda Heady confirmed that David Sniff, of the NRHA Board of Trustees and Allen Morgan will speak at the WVRHA Annual Conference, October, 25-27, 2004, at Stonewall Resort. David Sniff will talk about Rural Hospitals. Allen Morgan will discuss legislative updates, advocacy and rural health policies.

WVRHA Newsletter: Renate stated the WVRHA newsletter is about ready to go out. She currently needs a brief bio from Steve and Sonnie. She would like for all board members to submit a brief bio to be used in future newsletters. Renate would like bio’s to include a quote from each board member regarding “why” RHA is important to them.

WVRHA Retreat, April 19, 2004:

Renate discussed the following agenda for the WVRHA Board Retreat scheduled on April 19, 2004 at the Days Inn, in Flatwoods.

9:00-10:30 a.m.: Dialogue of WVRHA relationship with Key Partners. Decide who we should invite to meetings. Know mission/goals/issues of key partners. Identify how to help the partners and how to avoid duplication. (Renate Pore)

10:30-11:00 a.m.: Cover the Uninsured Week – May 10-16, 2004 (What role does WVRHA want to play?)

11:00-11:45: Discussion on WVRHA Conference, October 25-27 at Stonewall Resort.

11:45 – Noon: Membership report

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Developing a Vision for Rural Health in WV

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Rural Health Day at the Legislature (April Vestal)

3:30-4:00 p.m.: Committee Appointments and Wrap-Up (Sandra Pope).

Hilda stated that as President Elect of the NRHA she will have many speaking opportunities and would welcome ideas. She is currently scheduled to speak at the Rural Women’s Health Conference, October 28-30 in Hershey, PA. Her topic will be the Raw Spirit and Resiliency of Rural Women.

Adjourn:

Dick Meckstroth moved to adjourn the meeting. Second by Rosie Cannarella. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Sonnie Strader – April 9, 2004.