Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Directors

of South Dakota RehabAction

by Teleconference, January 23, 2006

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Board President, Alan Vandenberg.

Roll Call of Members Present: President, Alan Vandenburg; Past President, Rich Gardner; Treasurer, Bernie Grimme; Secretary, Linda Lockner; Board Members, Lisa Pearce and Nikki Moir. President Elect, Margie Helgeson, was absent.

Reading of the Minutes: The agenda was reviewed, and the minutes of the meeting of September 26, 2005 were reviewed and approved as posted.

Treasurer’s Report: Bernie presented the treasurer’s report. The board had been e-mailed written copies prior to the meeting. Bernie explained a couple of items: (1) that SBVI had used SDRehabAction as a fiscal agent for their Peer Support conference and that (2) Mid Winter and Fall Conference monies may cross over calendar years. We ended up with a balance of $25,983.57 at the end of the calendar year. Bernie also went over the Fall Conference expense sheet. We ended up $1,079.37 short between income and registrations. Nikki moved, and Rich second that the treasurer’s report be approved. All in favor.

Membership Report: Bernie said that as of now, there are 103 registered members and added that there are always some coming on and going off as memberships are renewed or allowed to lapse. He added that Mid Winter and Fall Conference are times for picking up new members and collecting renewal dues.

ARA N Consortium Meeting in Texas: Rich reported on the ARA N Consortium Meeting held in The Woodlands, Texas. He said that although the consortium lost Oregon, it is doing okay. He said that Oregon’s state director has pulled back all support for ARAN. Texas is going strong and has a lot of money. Jim Hale, the new ARAN president is from Texas. Rich is still on the board. He said that Margie, who also attended the meeting, was nominated by Arkansas to be on the ARAN board. Rich said that Catriona McDonald was at the meeting. He is happy with the information that she is getting out to the board members. Bernie suggested that Rich pass along Catriona’s news to the SD RehabAction board members. Rich gave a heads-up that with Oregon gone from ARAN that the other states may be asked for donations for the national organization. We previously kicked in $1500. Rich thought that the request might come up in the spring meeting. Rich added that Texas kicked in $5,000 the last time the request went out.

Board Membership Nominations: Bernie said that he will send out the announcement for election of officers to take place at the annual meeting in March. The slate of candidate will include President elect, secretary, board member and member at large, and treasurer (a three year term.

Mid Winter Conference: Bernie said that the Mid Winter Conference will be held March 6-8 at the Ramkota in Pierre. The cost of registration will be $100. Speakers will include Joe Marrone: “Raising Expectations on Employer Relations;” Thomas Golden and Dave Miller: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly—SSA and Work Incentives;” Matt Markve: “Ethical Dilemmas;” Jean Tuller: “Family Support;” Alan Davis, etc. Rich asked if Grady could extend an invitation to DDS to the Mid Winter Conference.

March 6 will be RehabAction night—a meeting and social. Hors d’ oeuvres will be served in the courtyard area of the Ramkota. There was a discussion of having a cash bar vs. “bathtub beer.” The later option was chosen to save money. Bernie brought up the suggestion that RehabAction could show a movie in the Ramkota theatre on the second night. There was discussion but no unanimity. Rich asked about door prizes. Rich moved, and Bernie seconded that we offer one door prize at the annual meeting, the cost not to exceed $150. This will go to a member of SD RehabAction. All in favor. Nikki offered to select and purchase the door prize and bring it to the meeting.

Bernie brought up the recognition awards for members of at least one year who have gotten certification in their field, such as CRC’s, in the last year. He will send out an e-mail to the members to make sure we don’t miss anyone. The awards will be conferred during the meeting.

2006 Fall Conference: Bernie said that he and Dan Rounds have been discussing plans for the Fall Conference to be held in Spearfish at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. The dates are October 17-19, 2006. It will be a 2 ½ day conference. The Holiday Inn Convention Center can accommodate up to 750 people. Rooms have been blocked out at the Holiday Inn Convention Center hotel (145 rooms) and the Fairfield inn and Quality Inn (50 rooms each). Bernie said that we can anticipate in the neighborhood of 140 to 200 people to attend. CTAT has been contacted for speakers and financial assistance. They are also looking at local talent, like Dr. Robert Arnio, for possible speakers. Alan said that the Developmental Disability Council might be contacted to fund a speaker that they deem relevant. The idea was mentioned of inviting ARAN to meet and piggyback off Fall Conference.

Other: Bernie passed along that the Region 8 people who met in Cheyenne in November appreciated the help with the break from SD RehabAction. He also said that the provider recognition at the Fall Conference really went over well. He said that there were comments at the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative’s annual meeting in December that Bob Markve had been recognized.

Adjournment: Alan asked if we should meet again as a board before Mid Winter Conference. The date of February 21 at 2:00 CST was set for the next meeting. Alan asked if there was other business. Being none, Alan adjourned the meeting. All in favor.

Respectfully Submitted, Linda J. Lockner, Secretary