West Virginia Rural Health Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Days Inn-Flatwoods, WV

Monday, April 18, 2005

Members Attending: Dr. Rosemarie Cannarella, Patricia Crawford, Sara Jane Gainor, Sharon Giles, Richard Meckstroth, Sandra Pope, Phil Schenk, Sonnie Strader, April Vestal and Alicia Tyler.

Absent: Sister Rebecca Fidler, Steve Gavalchik, Dave Sotak, Henry Taylor, and Al Michaels.

Guests: Delores Wilder-representative from the Bureau of Senior Services; Dr. Kathleen Perkins from WVU and Norma Bowyer.

Roll Call/Approval of Minutes:

April Vestal called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Sandra Pope moved that the February, 2005 minutes be approved, with two minor corrections. The motion was seconded by Alicia Tyler. No further discussion. All in favor, motion carried.

Membership Report [Sandra Pope]:

Following the Rural Health Conference, held last October, WVRHA currently has 75 individual memberships (free & paid) and 11 organizational memberships. Total voting membership is 108. (3 representatives allowed per organization). A membership was circulated with a request to note any corrections or additions.

Sandra inquired if Board members had received the NRHA e-News she had recently forwarded to the board membership. She also mentioned the Quality Grant and other opportunities available. Dick Meckstroth suggested that it would be helpful if Sandra would somehow “note” the articles of interest when forwarding the e-News to members.

Norma Bowyer informed the Board that Senator Hunter told her that he was a founding member of WVRHA and that he asked to be billed membership dues as he wants to be a member of WVRHA. Norma also asked if we should carry blank membership forms to recruit.

There was a question regarding automatic membership in the NRHA, when you are a paid member of the WVRHA. Sandra explained you get “basic” benefits such as e-News, but NO VOTING PRIVILEGES.

Those registering for the state Rural Health Conference in 2005 will again be offered a WVRHA membership in the registration fee. Last year people had to check “yes” if they wanted to receive the WVRHA membership. Discussion was held regarding a default to automatically assume people will choose to be a member of the WVRHA. Sara Jane Gainor suggested free WVRHA membership if 1^st time member (new), but would not apply to current members.

Financial Report [Sharon Giles]: (Attachment-Balance Statement)

Finances will be transferred (handled) by Community Voices. Account balance as of 4/4/05 = $ 12,055.26. Outstanding expenses include: $75-$90 for Feb. meeting in Charleston, expenses for today’s meeting and $500.00 for Derrick Day (web page)

Patti Crawford moved to purchase a gift, not to exceed $250.00 and also to include a lifetime Honorary Membership in WVRHA) to commemorate Hilda at her NRHA reception, in New Orleans on May 19. The motion was seconded by Norma Bowyer. There was no further discussion. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

• WVRHA Day at Rural Health Conference [Sandra Pope]: Theme: Quality-The Future of Public Health. Alicia Tyler, Sandra Pope, Patti Crawford, April Vestal, Sharon Giles, Norma Bowyer, Susan Anderson Boror and Rosie Cannarella participated in a conference call to discuss plans for the conference. Format for conference will be similar to last year. Beginning with 8:30-9:30 plenary session, concurrent sessions, plenary speaker/lunch. Invited to speak: Forrest Calico, Tim Size/Wisconsin and Hilda (as leader NRHA Quality Initiative). Ideas suggested were to offer sessions throughout conference to address “quality” issues and to replace the legislative forum time slot with a focus on providers, or barriers to health issues, etc. Not making decisions yet. Will flush out plan and present to Board. (will be integrated) Norma wants input regarding people/issues that should be included in conference (Martha Walker-Chair of DHHR) (Medicaid issues).

• Fund raising [Phil Schenk]: Issues discussed: (1) need to identify what money being raised will be used for. For example: Target money for speaker at the WVRHA conference. (2) How much money do we need? Henry Taylor mentioned obtaining money through grant writing. It was also suggested that fund raiser- should be membership oriented (i.e., golf tournament); identify purpose/goals for money and to use funds for educational activities (CE’S, etc.)

Will send out an electronic version of the Vision Document. April can use the document to choose goals. List WVRHA mission on all document and send to general membership so they will know what is involved…

• Policy [Phil]: Phil reported for Dave Sotak. At this time the policy committee has not met. Dave requested face to face meeting. Committee members include: Renate Pore, Dave Sotak, Henry Taylor, Norma Bowyer and Sally Richardson. ….Needs email list in order to contact committee members and schedule meeting. Norma said this is what brought her to table and encouraged the Board to do something re: policy issue this year. Feels it is critical.

• By-Laws [Patti Crawford]: There was an impromptu meeting. Suggested revamping entire by-laws (researched other organizations by-laws.) Feels that the mechanism to elect President Elect is a pressing issue. Also suggested that President Elect should be “Board member.” By-Laws Committee includes: Sandra Pope, April Vestal, Patti Crawford (chair), Sharon Giles, Sara Jane Gainor and Sonnie Strader. Patti will review By-Laws and make changes in different colors and send to other committee members. Sara Jane asked why WVRHA does not have a President Elect functioning from last year. Suggestion was to re-write the By-Laws to state that the WVRHA Board chooses the officers. Sandra replied that this is what we are trying to do but were got off track as we were trying to increase memberships during the Rural Health Conference. Term of office is for the calendar year January through December. Brief discussion was held on identifying method by which to elect officers.

• Communication [Sharon Giles]: Reported that committee including: Sharon Giles, Susan Anderson Boror and Alicia Tyler have not met at this time. Brief discussion on WVRHA membership and communication. Feels that membership committee may be more appropriate for certain communication with general members of WVRHA. (i.e., sending out newsletter and encouraging membership) Philosophy behind WVRHA association is communication. Suggested maintaining web page. Will let membership as a whole how we exist. Committee is interested in what information membership wants communicated. What topics can we share with membership? Sara Jane suggested a “Calendar of Events”. Patty suggested sending an e-mail to general members about volunteering to participate on committees and also posting board minutes to web. RHA will contract with Derrick Day for the web site work. Committee can (may) decide what goes on/ the web site and provide guidance.

WVRHA President Elect [April Vestal]:

Discussion was tabled to next meeting.

Skill Building Workshop:

The workshop is scheduled for July in Kansas City. WVRHA has funds to send one member. Phil Schenk made the motion to send the President and President Elect. Second by Alicia Tyler no further discussion. Motion carried.

WVRHA Meeting Dates:

A brief discussion was held on alternating face to face meetings with phone conferences every other month. Phone conferences would take place the 4^th Monday at 2:00pm. {June will be a face to face meeting.)

Meeting was adjourned at 2pm.

Respectfully submitted by Sonnie Strader-June 14, 2005.