WEST VIRGINIA RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

WEST VIRGINIA RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION<= /b>

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Monday, September 26, 2005

Present: Elaine Bowen, Rosie Cannarella, Patti Crawford, Sarah Jane Gainer, Sharon Giles, Dick Meckstroth, Sandra Po= pe, Dave Sotak, Sonnie Strader, Henry Taylor, April Vestal

Absent: S= ister Rebecca Fidler, Al Michaels, Phil Schenk and Alicia Tyler

Roll Call &am= p; Approval of Minutes: The meeting was called to order at 10:00 by April Vestal. Roll call was taken by Sonnie Strader. Henry Taylor moved t= hat the August minutes be approved, second by Dave Sotak. Following a brief discussion the m= inutes were approved with the following correction. The report for the August membersh= ip committee was given by Sandra Pope, rather than Rosie Cannarella.

Unfinished Bu= siness

Update on Ben= edum Grant (Sharon Giles): The committee received 23 applications for stipends to attend the WVRHC. Sharon reported that all applications will most likely be approved. She said the committee is trying to verify the cost of rooms with Stonewall Resort and working with applicants = to share rooms, where possible.   <= /span>

Voting on Pre= sident Elect Position (Sandra Pope) Sandra reported that there is tie for the President Elect position, between Al Michaels and Sarah Jane Gainer. Only half of the board members have voted. Sandra asked that board members that have not voted, to do so today = and recommended that if there is still a tie April will cast the deciding vote.=

Elaine Bowen moved that the board approve Sandra’= ;s recommendation, second by Dick Meckstroth.= All in favor, motion carried.

New Business<= o:p>

Strategic Pla= nning Meeting (April Vestal): There was a brief discussion to have an all day, face-to-face strategic planning meeting on November 7^th. The meeting would possibly be held= at the Braxton Learning Resource Center. Lunch will be provided. A subcommittee was formed to plan = the meeting. The committee includes: Henry Taylor, Sharon Giles, Dave Sotak, Sa= rah Jane Gainer and April Vestal.

Agenda Items = for October Board Meeting/Membership Meeting:&= nbsp; There will be a face-to-face board meeting on October 26, from 9:00-10:30 am. There were a c= ouple of suggestions for Agenda items: 1) an update on planning for next RHC and = 2) suggestion to invite special speakers to discuss the RH forums. Speakers suggested were Melissa Wh= eeler and Nancy Basle.

The membership meeting is scheduled on October 26, fro= m 5-6 pm. A suggestion was made to provide members with a calendar of events for the remainder of the year. A brief discussion followed regard= ing inviting members at large to the strategic planning meeting. A suggestion was made to invite key stakeholders, people who we are highly involved with.   Send any suggested names of = people to invite to April.

Financial Rep= ort (Sharon Giles): Sharon reported t= here was no change in the financial report. A balance of $12,069.94 remains.&nb= sp; April received a check for $750.00, as reimbursement for travel to a skill building workshop. Howe= ver, the flight was cancelled and she did not attend the workshop. April contacted Eli Briggs to see = if the check should be returned. Eli said to consider the money as a donation to W= VRHA.

Committee Rep= orts

WVRHA Day at = the RHC (Sandra Pope): Nothing to report.

Fundraising: = Phil Schenk was absent. April will contact Phil for a report and email it to board members.

Policy (Dave = Sotak):   The policy committee (Dave, Al, Phi= l and April) met on August 17.   The committee discussed presenting a white paper at the WVRHC conference, but h= ad not identified a policy issue to focus on and support.   The committee will try to ha= ve a face-to-face meeting this week, in Charleston. The white paper will be developed and presented to the board prior to the R= HC, for further feedback.

Bylaws (Patti Crawford): Revisions to t= he by-laws have been completed and approved. New version will be emailed to association members. Copies will also be available at the RHC.

Communication= (Sharon Giles): Nothing to report.

Nominations (= Sandra Pope): Sandra said the committee had a phone conference and plan to meet the night before the RHC.   Brochures and membership forms will be placed on the registration ta= ble at the RHC, along with a list of the association accomplishments. April will work with Sandra to put= the list together.

Future Meetin= g Dates:

October 26, 2005 (Rural Health Conference)

November 7, 2005 (Strategic Planning) 10am -3pm, Braxt= on LRC

Respectfully Submitted by Sonnie Strader

10/20/05