The annual meeting of the Alpha Tau Chapter was held at the Holiday Inn Executive Select, Columbia, MO beginning at 7:05 a.m. Karla Spencer, president, welcomed the members and gave a short President’s Report.

Gail Carlson led a memorial service, consisting of two lighted candles, representing friendship and knowledge, and a thought-provoking reading, in remembrance of Extension workers who have died since the last annual meeting. These individuals are as follows: Bill Bock, Marie Corrington, Harriet Eckles, Dee John, Beryl Lycan, Lloyd Russell, Paul Schoene, Sue Smith, James Summers and Ralph Wehrmann. Mel Carnahan was also remembered as a strong supporter of education and Extension.

Business Meeting

The business meeting was called to order at 7:15 a.m. by Karla Spencer, president.

Secretary’s Report -- Minutes of the October 26, 1999 annual meeting were approved as distributed by Bob Schultheis, secretary.

Treasurer's Report -- Tom Henderson reported that as of 9/30/00, the savings account balance is $2,566.09 and the checking account balance is $501.08, for a total of $3,067.17. He indicated that with the chapter’s more active participation in professional development at regional and national levels, plus the greater number of retirees this year, the expenses to the chapter have been higher. He suggested that within the next two years, a dues increase may be needed to continue the current level of activities. Joan Hickman moved and Brenda Procter seconded to accept the treasurer’s report. The motion passed. A copy of the report is filed with the minutes.

Nominating Committee/Election report – Jim Ollar presented the nominees for the open offices on the state board. Nominees were Gail Carlson, President, Georgia Stuart-Simmons, President-Elect, and Roxanne Miller, Secretary, and Bob Schultheis, Annalist. There were no additional nominations from the floor. A motion to close nominations was made by Jim Ollar and seconded by Bev Maltsberger, and the slate of officers was elected by acclamation.

Loan and Fellowship Committee report -- Pat Snodgrass reported the fund received $57,300.24 in contributions in FY99/00 and now has a principal balance of $122,405.71 There was $1,750.00 in award expenses paid in FY99/00, with an income balance of $16,141.53 as of 6/30/00 available for future fellowship awards. Barbara K. Froke’s name was added to the Loan and Fellowship Fund plaque this year.

Professional Development Committee report – Joan Hickman reported Epsilon Sigma Phi helped host the December 1999 satellite program and is planning to host another one on Thursday, November 30, 2000. The topic will be "Anticipate Excellence - Pathways to Success," and will highlight Extension programs of excellence, including a submission from Missouri on "Water Quality in the Classroom." Regional host sites in Missouri for this satellite downlink are:

NE Region - Kirksville TCRC
EC Region - St. Charles Extension Center and Mineral Area TCRC
SE Region - Cape Girardeau Extension Center
CM Region & Campus - Boone County Extension Center
SC Region - Laclede County Extension Center & Howell County
SW Region - Green County Extension Center & Webster County Extension Center
WC Region - Eastern Jackson County Extension Center [Independence]
NW Region - Buchanan County Extension Center & Harrison County Extension Center

Awards Committee report – Brenda Procter reported there were eight nominations for the awards to be presented today. She thanked the committee for their work in evaluating the applications.

The awardees are:

1. Friend of Extension -- Reform Organization of Welfare (ROWEL) Education Association
2. Distinguished Service Award - Beth Burke
3. Outstanding Regional Extension Faculty - Beverly Maltsberger
4. Early-Career Service Award - Shelley Bush
5. Meritorious Support Service - Ellen Herndon
6. Retiree Service - Gene Olson
7. Special Service Award – Laura Ward

Membership Committee report – Rex Ricketts reported there are currently 90 active members (down from 109 in 1999) and 117 life members (the same as 1999). New life members are Dale Hagerman, John Hoehne, Wilma Jean Lower, Elbert Turner, Charles Rosenkrans, Bob Teegarden, Ron Powers, and Doris Littrell.

Retirement Committee report -- In Barbara Froke’s absence, Joan Hickman shared Barb’s one-page Retirement Committee Plan of Work/Report.

Gail Carlson introduced to the membership the proposed changes to the chapter bylaws. The changes were developed by a committee consisting of Gail Carlson, Jim Ollar, Dale Hagerman and Bob Schultheis. The bylaws were last changed in 1990, and the proposed changes redefine some officer and committee roles to better reflect the way the actual work is being accomplished. Tom Henderson moved and Joan Hickman seconded to approve the bylaw changes. After discussion, the motion was passed. A copy of the amended bylaws is filed with the minutes.

Rex Ricketts conducted the new member initiation of Bill Casady, Peter Scharf and Kelly Dyer, and presented them with a membership certificate and Extension Worker’s Creed.

Jim Ollar conducted the installation of the 2000-2001 ESP officers. They are as follows:

President: Gail Carlson
President-Elect: Georgia Stuart-Simmons
Secretary: Roxanne Miller
Treasurer: Tom Henderson
Past-President: Karla Spencer
Annalist: Bob Schultheis

Incoming president, Gail Carlson, received the gavel and president's pin from Karla Spencer. Gail presented Karla with a plaque, pin and gift of decorative candles in recognition of her term as president. Gail thanked Pat Snodgrass, Joan Hickman, Brenda Procter, and Rex Ricketts, all whom have already agreed to serve as committee chairs for the coming year.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 a.m.

Immediately following the annual meeting, the new Board met in executive session to discuss covering expenses for someone to attend the National ESP Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT on November 30, 2000. Tom Henderson moved and Bob Schultheis seconded for Missouri ESP to contribute up to $1000 to help cover costs. After discussion, the motion passed, with a recommendation that the person(s) going pursue other professional development funds to also help defray expenses.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Schultheis
Secretary