Call to Order:   President Nancy Flood, called meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Participating were:  Nancy Flood, Mark Stillwell, Bob Schultheis, Marsha Alexander, Jo Turner, Rhonda Gibler, Sandra McKinnon, Jill Ollar, Wilma Jean Lower and Cathy Allen

Minutes – There were no additions or corrections to minutes as posted on web.  Bob moved and Rhonda seconded to approve.  Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report – Distributed by Bob Schultheis.  See materials distributed.  The Regular Checking Account balance is  $879.79, the Money Market Account balance is $5026.11, there are $461.54 in outstanding checks, leaving a balance in available operating funds of $5,444.36.

Bob asked if Nancy was requesting additional reimbursement beyond the $300 from National ESP, to cover cost of attending North Central JCEP.  Nancy responded no and indicated that any additional funds available should be used for the upcoming PILD conference.  

Marsha moved and Sandra seconded to approve the report.  Motion carried.

Committee Reports - Nancy

• Awards – Marsha Alexander – Awards committee prepared an article for the spring newsletter and reviewed the current by-laws. With annual conference dates being moved, Marsha requested guidance from the Executive Board on how and when to recognize award winners.  Jo responded UMEA is considering hosting a Galaxy Conference and that would be an appropriate time for recognition.  It is important to make sure we meet all national deadlines, if we postpone state awards until fall.
  
  All board members should review the awards and encourage colleagues to apply.  Jo suggested individuals who have been nominated for other awards and have a prepared packet, to submit their packets for ESP awards. Mark reminded everyone of the ESP National awards page on their website.
   
• Loan and Fellowship— No report

• Membership—Sandra McKinnon – Explore forming a membership committee

  Purpose – Members will consider strategies to:

  1) Recruit members in our back yards

   2) Encourage involvement of current members and Life members

    3) Promote ESP by answering the question “What’s in it for me?”

             To Do:

  -         Ask board for committee member volunteers or suggestions from each region

  -         Form committee by April 15

  -         Make contact with Lincoln University re: eligible members

  o       E-mailed Rhonda Gibler for contact person

  -         Increase marketing efforts

  o       Suggest when new chapter ESP newsletter issue is out that a blurb w/web link be put into Weekly News

  o       Involve all members in a recruitment campaign

  §         Provide all members with promotional materials (brochure)

  §         Incentive?

  -         Submit Chapter of Merit form to national by May 1st

  o       Submit article to Weekly News
   

• Memorials/Courtesy— Wilma Jean Lower- submitted written report.  Wilma Jean mentioned the continuing struggle to get information and wondered if it might be due to the privacy act.  Cathy Allen will be forwarding information on Ray Parsley.
     
• Professional Improvement—Rhonda Gibler – The professional improvement committee, comprised of Wendy Brumbaugh, Bob Broz and Terry Egan will be meeting the afternoon of March 27^th to discuss ideas of the $1,000 mini-grant.  Rhonda asked for additional ideas to take to the committee.  Nancy suggested an inter-generational speaker and Sandra suggested a program on boosting morale in a changing organization.
   
• Retirement – Jim Ollar – Regional retirement sessions have been organized for this spring.  The dates appear in the newsletter.  Jo reported $765 was collected in Tom Henderson’s honor.  Jo thanked Jim for coming up with the successful idea and suggested a note be sent to Tom thanking him and letting him know of the success.
   
• Nominations—Jo Turner – Jo will be putting a committee together. 
   
• Anniversary – Nancy Flood reported.  Pat Buchanan has agreed to serve on the committee.  The committee is planning to host the celebration at annual conference opening lunch, when retirees are present.  They also plan to incorporate the memorial service.

Old Business

JCEP- Mark and Nancy attended JCEP held in St. Louis.  They felt very positive about MO Extension at the NC regional meeting.  MO ESP committees seem to be in-line with national, except for global relations and public issues.  Mark & Nancy are collecting ideas and brainstorming to add global relations.

Future ESP National Meeting

Nov. 14, 2006 - Annapolis, MD
Sept 15, 2007 - Charleston, SC
2008 - Galaxy III, Indianapolis, IN
2009 - NC Region - location to be determined

New Business

By-laws- Committee members include Jim Ollar, Rex Ricketts, Miranda Duncan and Nancy Flood. Board members having suggestions should submit them to Nancy in writing.

Bob made a motion to recommend aligning MO committee structure with National ESP structure. Rhonda seconded.  Motion carried.

MO Galaxy Conference- UMEA will meet via CENTRA April 20^th to discuss hosting a Galaxy conference.  Bob & Cathy will represent ESP.  ESP members seemed favorable to host a fall Galaxy conference.

PILD- Mark will be representing ESP on April 24-27 in Washington D.C. Nancy thanked Jo’s office for providing $500 for each attendee.

Newsletter- The newsletter has been mailed to retirees and is currently available on the web.  The next newsletter deadline is set for August 1… but will be evaluated at our June teleconference and may move the date up to June 15, depending on award application deadlines.

Announcements:

| Home Page | Officers | Committees | Members | Benefits | Loan & Fellowship | Awards |
| Minutes | Newsletters | Photo Gallery | Bylaws| Handbook | Associations | Archives |

Web Manager:  Bob Schultheis Webster County Extension Center Email comments to: schultheisr@missouri.edu Last revised: 11/05/09