ESP Alpha Omicron Chapter
Executive Board Meeting
July 20, 2007
3:00-4:15 p.m.
Conference Call

Meeting called to order by Fred Davis with the following people calling in: Karen Vines, Rich Stup, and Vicki Lewis.

Minutes were reviewed and approved as submitted.

Secretary's Report:
Discussion on the deadline for the Fall newsletter is September 19. Fred will submit an article detailing the awards from the meeting in Charleston.

Vice President's Report:
Karen reported that more committee chairs and vice chairs had been filled. Chairmen terms are for two years. Karen talked to Lee Miller at NACAA and he indicated that he would start now to promote the awards program. Forms will be posted on the ESP website, and Karen will make contacts with the chairmen to get them started on awards submission. Recent email indicates that Sandy Hall is working on the nominating committee to get a secretary.

Fred discussed the professional development opportunity he has discussed with Claudia Mincemoyer. He will contact Claudia to firm up the idea and make a presentation to Daney. This is for the Extension Annual Conference in October. We may need to use other means for Professional Development like distance learning, or a road show (like last year's Diversity program).

Treasurer's Report:
Balance in Checking account: $6,173; Savings $5,354.08; two mutual funds: $7,614.89 and $6,895.80. Address has not been changed on these investment accounts. Discussion about the increase in dues to $60.00. The membership form will be posted on the website with the new dues schedule. Rich will send us the current paid membership figure. Rich had a request from Natalie Ferry, a recent retiree, who asked that the money which would be used to purchase her retirement gift be used for the PA Scholarship Fund.

President's Report:
Next meeting will be on August 15 in State College (Prospector's) and the association will pay for dinner. Marilyn Corbin will be invited to visit about membership ideas to attract and retain.

Fred discussed Faye Strickler's request for goodie bag items. Fred will go to Sam's and get some things, and Karen will get some stickers from the PSU bookstore.

At Extension Annual Conference, the ESP meeting will be a luncheon on October 19 that will extend to 2:30 or 3:00. Fred has been working with Amy Gregor and lunch will be a soup, salad, and sandwich buffet for $15.00. Daney has contributed $200 to each association to offset the cost of the meetings. Costs for the PACAA breakfast and PEAFCS meal are higher. One registration will go out through conferences and short courses. At the JCEP dinner on Thursday evening, Fred, Holly Hedstrom, and Claudia Mincemoyer will be presenters of the Staff Assistant award, the Friend of Extension, and scholarship. Time will also be allowed for comments from Nancy Crago, past president of National ESP. Fred clarified for Rich that the association covers the cost of the meal for the awardees, but not for guests. Sometimes these guests (spouses, etc.) may be sponsored. Fred will work on the agenda with Karen and Beth and get it printed

Fred discussed the JCEP Regional meetings, which will change this year and ours will be held in Orlando Feb 5-7. He is interested in talking about reallocating money so that members can have more of their travel costs reimbursed. Perhaps we could use the money that has been allocated to PILD for these meeting. Figure of $3-400 was mentioned.

Galaxy national conference is September 14-18, 2008 in Indianapolis.

In ESP business, Fred mentioned that all our submissions for national committees were accepted except one. These committee members get $200-250 for travel.

National meeting in Charleston in September. Discussion about who will be voting delegates. Karen will send an email to find out who is going and will let us know. Karen will serve on a panel at the national meeting: "Turning a Ho Hum Chapter Into a Thriving One"

Question about whether or not to change bylaws in order for new staff to join earlier in their career. Karen mentioned a web survey to see what chapter membership thinks.

Old Business
Fred got a nice letter on our Chapter recognition. We now have two $25.00 awards and can use these monies for state awards. Karen will contact committee chairs.

New Business
2009 National meeting will be held Sept 13-16 2009, in Fargo, North Dakota.

Guy Temple, who heads up the Extension Memories project, has asked for seed money to help with start-up costs. Since we did not use $500 for PILD support, could we use it for this project? Fred will get more details.

Respectfully submitted,
Vicki Lewis, Secretary