July 19, 2007 ESP Board Meeting

Minutes of the
Epsilon Sigma Phi Board Meeting
Thursday, July 19, 2007
(Via CentraOne Conference)

Present: Mark Stillwell, Bev Maltsberger, Rhonda Gibler, Janet LaFon, Nancy Flood, Sandra McKinnon, Sandy Stegall, Tom Henderson, Wilma Jean Lower

Called to order 3:12 PM.

Minutes: Minutes are posted to the web site; Sandra moved to accept, Janet seconded; motion passed. Treasurer’s Report accepted as posted, Tom moved, Bev seconded; motion passed.

Bev Maltsberger, Rex Ricketts, Sandy Stegall, Mark Stillwell, Bev Coberly, and Mary Anne Patton will be attending national meeting – John Parker may also attend. Bev Maltsberger and Mark Stillwell will represent us as our official delegates. Sandra McKinnon will have Bev Maltsberger make our presentation at the national meeting.

Discussion on National Dues increase: Our state dues would need to go to $60 active and $250 life to cover the increase in National dues (National dues went from $30 to $40 active; $150 to $200 life). We are caught in a squeeze on the dues; our rates can’t go up until we have a vote. Some people have already paid to join for the next year at the lower rate. Sandy asked if we could do a vote by electronic survey. Sandra mentioned she was not sure that we could use that method to vote, but a resolution needs to be reached as she will be soliciting for members. Nancy mentioned by-laws speak to “state” dues, these are national dues – can we just pass this on without a vote? Sandra suggested if people enroll by August 31 they pay the old rate; after September 1 the higher rate as we still have to pay the higher rate.

Nancy motioned that our 2008 dues be increased to reflect the national increase in dues, Sandra seconded, motion passed. The new dues will go from $50 to $60 returning members; $55 to $65 new members; $200 to $250 life members.

Rhonda motioned to accept payments already made for 08 at the 07 rates on payments made prior to 7-19-07 (Bonita Williams, Helen Swartz, Rick Sparks, Kimberly Keller). All payments made after 7-19-07 will be at the new rate. Nancy seconded the motion; motion passed.

Committee Reports:

Awards - information in ESP newsletter; has a September 1 due date.

Loan and Fellowship - article in newsletter; no questions.

Membership - runner up in NC for chapter of merit. Sandra needs a list of potential members; she also asked for potential members for the committee – someone on campus might be a good idea. We currently have 17 members from Columbia; maybe Dr. Ouart could give an endorsement statement.

Memorials/Courtesy – a list was sent out via e-mail about losses since annual conference meeting.

Professional Improvement – no report.

Retirement – Tom reminded John Parker to get spring and fall meetings in the newsletter. He also mentioned that there was an announced cost of living adjustment (COLA) on university retirement payments.

Nominations – change in officers will take place in October; we need to get announcement in the next newsletter.

Public Issues – we are encouraged to support CREATE 21 – delicate in Missouri because of NIFA (National Institute for Food and Agriculture) proposal. The newsletter had a link to CREATE 21 in it asking folks to learn about it but not advocating support.

Bev mentioned deadline for the newsletter could be September 21; with the newsletter out the last week of September.

Mark said he could have report from national meeting; deadline for others would be September 7^th; out first part of the last week of September.

Tom said the state scene politically is very crucial. Appropriations are still low after budget cuts. ESP could have some positive interaction with legislators to assist; better to have interactions at local level than just in Jeff City.

Sandy said by October we hope to have an initiative that we can talk about. After the July Board of Curators’ meeting we will know whether our proposal makes the University cut.

Janet gave the Annalist report. Photos from the last Galaxy conference are on the web.

Mark thanked Bev for the outstanding newsletter.

The Extension Golf Tournament is being worked on by Tom and Steve Henness. Tom is going to find out the date.

The Galaxy Conference is October 10-11, with the ESP Annual Meeting being held the morning of October 11^th. Subject matter associations will have time together the first afternoon. Mark asked if there was any interest in having a speaker at our October meeting? Nancy suggested something around the legislative initiative.

Should we serve ice cream again this year at some event? Everyone thought it was a good idea. Mark has some supplies – executive committee would supply the labor.

Meeting adjourned at 4:17 PM.

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