West Virginia Rural Health Association

Board of Directors Meeting – at Braxton Learning Center

June 25, 2007

 

Members Participating:         Elaine Bowen, Norma Bowyer, Patricia Crawford, Sara Jane Gainor, Mazharullah Shaik, Michael Thompson,

                                                Alicia Tyler, April Vestal, Lynn McCormick     

           

Not Participating:                   Susan Griffith Chapman, Jeff Graham, Hilda Heady, Lew Holloway, Sally Richardson

Guests Participating:             Melissa Wheeler, Johnna Beane, Sandra Pope, Lisa Scarberry 

 

Agenda Items

Discussion

Board Actions

Call to Order

Patricia Crawford called the meeting to order at 10:15 am. 

 

Roll Call

There were 9 members and 4 guests in attendance.

 

Minutes

Minutes of the 5/31/07 conference call meeting were presented and approved.

Motion to approve minutes

(Thompson/Gainor)

Motion passed

Treasurer’s Report

Members received the report via email. The May financial report reflects the Louis Gorin Award for Sally Richardson and membership certificates.

 

Motion to approve treasurer’s report

(Vestal/Bowyer)

Motion passed

Old Business:

 

 

NRHA Skill Building Session

Patti Crawford gave board members packets of information she received at the session. The 1997 manual, “Strategies for Success,” is being updated and Patti is on this committee. There were workshops on many relevant topics and opportunities for networking with other states. She commented that our fiscal policies are in good order. Many other state associations are 5013C organizations, which limits their capacity to lobby. Patti noted some creative approaches, such as in South Carolina and Idaho. She learned more about how states are using the NRHA dual membership program. WV did not get a $750 travel stipend, as expected. It was budgeted in the TA grant and Patti will work to resolve this issue. 

 

NRHA Dual Membership Pilot Program

Patti spoke with Angela Broderick at the NRHA Skill Building Workshop. Angela did not think it was a good idea for us at this point. It is only for new (national) individual memberships, not organizational members. NRHA covers all the mailing and marketing costs. NRHA membership cost is $200. Texas is offering dual membership for $159, less than the national alone. They also offer a “3 for 1” for new individual members to get their state conference, plus state and national memberships. Sandra will ask for clarification from ***** about whether we could offer a similar conference/membership deal. We have 127 total members (including ~ 12 organizational members). We should have a clearer picture to make a decision at the July 23 board meeting.

 

New Business:

 

 

Mid Year Report on Regular TA Grant

Patti shared a report she prepared on the TA Grant activities due to Amy Elizondo on 6/29/07. Monies were expended for travel to the NRHA Skill Building Workshop, membership certificates, and indirect expenses to the WV Primary Care Association.  No monies have been spent yet on board strategic planning or community forum activities. Patti suggested the TA grant budget line items be shifted to cover needed expenses. Sara Jane Gainor, April Vestal, and Sandra Pope all felt such changes were feasible. The $9,500 grant funds must be spent by

11/30/07. We need to get moving on the forums because that is the largest budget item.   

 

Silent Auction at WVRH Conference

Lisa Scarberry spoke about silent auction plans and the new flyer. The theme is “Christmas in October” due to the success of the giant Santa last year. Handcrafted jewelry and items were also popular. Each board member is responsible for bringing at least two items. Last year we had 72 items and made $1,693 profit. There was interest in “instant sales” and WVRHA umbrellas and mugs were mentioned. Notices will be sent to solicit items from community health centers and various businesses. The flyer will be revised and sent to the WVRHA membership. Melissa pointed out there is a room available for the auction throughout the conference and it can be locked up. Plans are to run the auction October 23-24 and announce winners on the 25th. Jeff Graham will help with pre-auction item storage and staffing during the auction.

 

Update on Rural Community Health Forums

·    Johnna Beane from the WVU Institute for Health Policy Research (WVUIHPR) joined the

   meeting. She reviewed their written proposal to the board. Johnna and Gail will conduct forums

   in up to 7 potential locations in July, August, and early September. Two dates are already set.

·    RHEP and AHEC will help host and promote the forums. Board members are needed to

   give the welcome and introductory comments.

·    The goal is a max of 50 participants per site and include health consumers, practitioners and a

   mix of backgrounds. Participant demographics will be collected.

·    Questions/issues outlined by the Policy Committee will be brought up one by one via

   PowerPoint and ask participants for their feedback. Participants may bring up additional issues

   and will rank the issues.

·    The WVUIHPR will prepare a written summary of forum results in September.

·    The board discussed the budget and how many forums we could afford. The proposed cost from

   WVUIHPR does not include rooms, refreshments, logistical costs. Three scenarios were

   Presented, reflecting three different recording techniques – by hand, by audiotape, and by court

   reporter.

·  A motion was made and approved for scenario #2.

·    The budget consists of $5,000 from Northern AHEC, ~ $2,900 - $4,500 from the TA Grant, and

   $2,689 from a NRHA TA grant for report preparation (See next item.)

   Sandra mentioned that AHEC may also provide some funding.

·  A flyer for the 7/24/07 forum was discussed. It can be used for other forum locations to help with consistency and association branding. 

 

Motion to contract with WVUIHPR as proposed in scenario #2 for 5-7 forums for an approximate cost of $8,807

(Gainor/Thompson)

Motion approved

 

 

Technical Assistance Grant Funds– Board Resolution

Patti presented information about a NRHA technical assistance grant opportunity to support the forums as a strategic planning activity for the state association. A motion was made and approved. Patti will submit the request.

Motion was made to contract for technical assistance with Gail Bellamy, Ph.D. and the WVU Institute for Health Policy Research staff member, Johnna Beane, to facilitate 5-7 community forums to collect data on prioritizing rural health needs and prepare a summary report information from which will be presented at the annual rural health conference 

(Bowen/Bowyer)

Motion approved

Community Forum Planning Discussion 

The board discussed the community forums. (See attached notes.)

 

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 2:04 pm

 

 

Submitted by Elaine Bowen

Approved 7/23/07 by the Board of Directors

 

Please Note Future Meeting Dates: 

 

July 23, 2007 Braxton LRC

August 27, 2007 conference call

September 24, 2007 Braxton LRC

October 22 or 23, 2007 WV Rural Health Conference, evening meeting prior to conference

November 26, 2007 conference call

December - - TBA - - if necessary