WEST VIRGINIA RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

 

Monday, August 29, 2005

Phone Conference

 

Present: Elaine Bowen, Rosie Cannarella, Patti Crawford, Sara Jane Gainor, Sharon Giles, Dick Meckstroth, Al Michaels, Sandra Pope, Phil Schenk, Henry Taylor, Alicia Tyler, April Vestal and Sonnie Strader.

 

Absent: Sister Rebecca Fiddler and Dave Sotak.

 

Guest: Susan Anderson-Borror.

 

Roll Call & Approval of Minutes: The roll call was taken by Sonnie Strader, Secretary.  Sandra Pope moved that the minutes from the July 25 meeting be approved, as presented.  Motion was seconded by Elaine Bowen.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

Unfinished Business

 

Update on Benedum Grant by Sandra Pope & Alicia Tyler - Sandra reminded members of the $10,000 grant from Benedum that will be used to pay health professional stipends to attend the WV Rural Health Conference, scheduled in October.  Estimated cost for each attendee is $573.00, which includes lodging, meals, registration and travel.   Alicia Tyler announced that an additional $5000 has been identified for stipends.  Total funding should fund 26 stipends.

 

April and Sharon have been working to finalize a written agreement with DRH regarding costs associated with awarding the stipends on behalf of WVRHA and the process to be used.  The process is in place and is being reviewed by Joe Thornton.

 

Deadline for stipends is September 16.  Sharon Giles, Patti Crawford and Alicia Tyler will review the applications. 

 

New Business:

 

Quality Initiative Membership Forum & Speakers / Al Michaels:  Discussion was held regarding the number and type of forums the board is planning to hold next year. Al said that he knows two presenters the WVRHA board could possibly get to do forums on Quality Performance Improvement.  Cost would be about $600.00 per forum.  

 

Sandra Pope moved that the board support Al’s idea for a quality forum and that the idea be turned over to the policy workgroup to finalize plans for a forum, to be held by the end of the calendar year.  Approval of the motion would not guarantee that WVRHA would use the two speakers that Al mentioned. Motion was seconded by Sara Jane Gainor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

WVRHA Sponsorship for WVU 3rd Annual WV Job Fair / April Vestal: April reported that she had received a letter from Elaine Mason regarding the WV Job Fair, scheduled September 23.   In the past WVRHA provided $300 to sponsor the Job Fair. April asked if the board wanted to sponsor the event again this year.  Board members inquired if WVRHA sponsors other Job Fair’s such as WVSOM or Marshall, and also if the sponsorship fee would allow WVRHA to set up an exhibit.   April replied that WVRHA has not been asked to sponsor Job Fairs by WVSOM or Marshall. She said the names of sponsors would be prominently displayed at the Job Fair.  She was not sure if we could set up a display but would find out.

 

Sharon Giles said there is $2000 in the WVRHA budget to provide sponsorships and exhibits.  A discussion followed regarding forming a committee to discuss the types of events WVRHA might be interested in sponsoring. Some members questioned the necessity of forming another committee or turning the issue over to the membership or communication committee.  It was decided that in the future sponsorship issues will be decided by the communication committee.

 

Rosie Cannarella moved that WVRHA pay $300 to sponsor the WVU 3rd Annual Job Fair, providing that WVRHA can set up an exhibit or have brochures available.  The motion was seconded by Alicia Tyler. No further discussion.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

A discussion was held regarding Dr. Henry Taylor remaining on the WVRHA board following his resignation from the WVHEPC and moving his residence to Baltimore MD.  Dr. Taylor expressed an interest in staying on the board and said that with his consulting business in Franklin, and research, he would still be spending time in WV.  However, he will do whatever the board feels is best for the organization.    It was decided that Dr. Taylor would remain on the board unless there is a change that prevents him from being active.  Dr. Taylor will email his new contact information to board members.

 

Financial Report / Sharon Giles: The Association’s bank balance at the end of July was $12,105.94.   Membership fee of $150.00 was received from Lincoln Primary Care Center.  Expenditures for renting a post office box, stamps and keys were $186.00 leaving a current balance is $12,069.94.  Outstanding expenses include the $1000 sponsorship fee for WVRHC and $300 sponsorship fee for WVU Job Fair.

 

Committee Reports

 

WVRHA Day at RHC by Sandra Pope: Sandra reported there is nothing pending or not settled. They are compiling changes to program and will get them to April by September 2.

 

Fund Raising / Phil Schenk: There will be a golf scramble the last day of the RHC.  There is a new email address, wvrhgolf@cchsconsulting.com, and committee will be sending out fliers and a registration form.  To play, need 1-4 players.  Phil said that anyone interested could register to participate in the golf scramble. They do not have to be attending the conference. The golf scramble starts at 1:30, which will avoid the lunch issue that occurred last year.  Because the golf scramble will end late in the evening there will be a push for participants to stay over Friday night, but there will not be a reduced room rate.   Cost for the golf scramble is $270 for a team of 4, or $67.50 per person.  Fee covers everything, including a lot of giveaways.

 

A brief discussion followed on also holding a silent auction during the RHC.  Phil said the idea is not impossible but to give him a couple of weeks to work on the details.

 

Policy Committee / Dave Sotak: Dave was absent.  Phil reported the committee had met but he did not have his notes with him.  The committee basically discussed what direction to go in order to develop topics/areas to support.  Tabled report until next meeting.  April will develop a paper to gather comments/ideas regarding topics to support at the RHC.

 

By-laws Committee / Patti Crawford: August 26 is the deadline for by-laws ballots to be returned. Sandra said 32 of 105 ballots have been returned.  Ballots returned were all in favor of the amended by-laws.  After the voting process is competed an official dated copy of the by-laws will be sent to members by email.  Hard copies will be available at the RHC.

 

Communications / Sharon Giles: Alicia Tyler has been working with Derrick Day to post meeting minutes on the WVRHA website and also make other changes and improvements.  The goal is to make it a useful website.  Currently there are issues with some links disappearing after you them.  It was also noted that the date listed for the RHC, on the website, is incorrect. 

 

Sharon reported that in order to separate the Association from AHEC, a post office box was rented.  The new WVRHA address is PO Box 11362, Charleston, WV  25329, email address is wvruralhealth@yahoo.com.

 

Nominations Committee / Sandra Pope: Sandra expressed some concern regarding the two vacant offices.  The Treasurer position is vacant due to the resignation of Steve Galvachick, in addition the President Elect office has not been filled.  Sharon Giles is currently acting as treasurer and has agreed to fill that position.  Sandra recommended the board appoint Sharon Giles as Treasurer. 

 

Patti Crawford moved that the board accept recommendation of the nominating committee that Sharon Giles fill the Treasurer position.  Motion was second by Sara Jane Gainor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

The person appointed to the President Elect position will serve until December 31 and then would become President effective January 1, 2006 and serve in that position for one year.  After serving as President the person would serve as Past President for one year.    Sandra reported that Sara Jane Gainor and Al Michaels have both expressed an interest and willingness to serve as President Elect.  Both candidates will be asked to submit one paragraph regarding why they want to serve as President Elect.  Sandra will then email their response to board members for a vote.

 

Membership Committee / Rosie Cannarella: The NRHA requested an updated WVRHA membership list so they can forward e-news to the general membership.  Sandra said there would no longer be a need for her to forward e-news to WVRHA members.   Copies of the amended by-laws and membership forms will be available at the RHC.

 

Future Meeting Dates:

 

September 26, 2005 – Conference call 10:00 a.m.

October 26, 2005 – Face to face meeting  during the Rural Health Conference.  Time to be announced later.

Exploring opportunity for face to face meeting for strategic planning session on November 7, from 10-3.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sonnie Strader, Secretary