Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Directors

of South Dakota RehabAction

by Teleconference, June 9, 2004,

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Board President, Rich Gardner.

Roll Call of Members Present: President, Rich Gardner; President Elect, Alan Vandenburg; Past President, Kim Crossan; Treasurer, Bernie Grimme; Secretary, Linda Lockner; Board Member, Margie Helgeson. Board member, Dan Rounds was absent.

Rich reviewed the agenda and asked if there were items to add. Discussion of a policy for handling requests for financial assistance was added to the agenda.

Reading of the Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of March 8 were reviewed. Kim moved, and Bernie seconded to accept the minutes. All in favor.

Treasurer’s Report: Bernie presented the treasurer’s report for the year and the financial report for the Mid Winter Conference. He said that membership in the minus column does not include APSE memberships—23 members @ $25.00 subtracted from the Provider Account. Mid Winter includes only the expenses in the calendar year. The shirts item shows a minus because of APSE members getting them and stock on hand. Training includes breaks that we sponsored for the Independent Living training, Support Staff training, and New Counselor training. We have already started making partial payments to some of the speakers for the upcoming Fall Conference. Rich asked if APSE will keep a separate Fall Conference account. Bernie said it would and added that the fall conference is traditionally “provider” training, whereas the Mid Winter Conference is DRS training.

Margie moved, and Alan seconded that the treasurer’s report be accepted.

2004 Fall Conference Budget: Bernie explained the fall conference budget he had sent the board members. Planners are estimating 100 to 150 conference attendees. He said that there will be help from the DD Council and CTAT in either money sponsorship or providing speakers. We are dovetailing with the Business Leadership Network for one of the Conference luncheons. Details need to be worked out. For example with the cost of registration, the fee should be low enough to attract providers to the conference. Bernie said that the cost to RehabAction will be about $1500.00. The organization can expect a little profit.

Margie asked if there will be a RehabAction Board meeting or membership meeting in conjunction with the Fall Conference. Bernie said that having a general membership meeting would provide an opportunity to do some marketing and hospitality for RehabAction. Rich said we could consider picking up the cost of a social to promote membership, but we will check to see if the APSE group is planning anything. Rich asked how much it costs to sponsor a social. The social at the March meeting, which included some expensive door prizes, cost $977. We will check with Dan Rounds before we firm up any plans. There will be another meeting before the Fall Conference.

National RehabAction Convention: Rich asked about attending the National Convention. He will contact Jack Duncan for more information about dates and location. These logistics would be a factor in how many board members could attend.

Committee Reports: Rich called for comments from the officers and committee reports. Kim, as past president, said that things are looking good for the Fall Conference, but he had nothing to add to the discussion. There were no committee reports.

Unfinished Business: Rich said that the Board would defer consideration of a funding request until after the Board discusses a policy for handling requests for financial assistance. This falls under new business.

New Business: Financial Support Requests: Rich said that we have been approached for requests for financial support for various activities pertaining to the disability community. Rich suggested that we keep our focus on training rehabilitation professionals and marketing efforts for potential members. After discussion, Bernie made a motion to consider requests for financial assistance to agencies in the area of training for rehabilitation purposes and individuals with disabilities. Training requests will be sent to the president for consideration at the next board meeting. Alan seconded the motion. All in favor.

Rich said that he had gotten a request from Jan Nordby for assistance with the Rapid City National Disability Employment Awareness Month activity to be held in October, 2004. There was discussion on the background of the request and the history of previous sponsorships from APSE and RehabAction. Linda Lockner moved, and Kim Crossan seconded the motion to approve the request of the Rapid City NDEAM Committee. A headcount was conducted for voting: Kim: no; Alan: no; Bernie: no; Linda: yes; and Margie: no. The motion failed, and the funding request was denied.

Next Meeting: Rich will call the next meeting of the Board in August or early September.

Adjournment: There being no other business, Rich entertained a motion to adjourn. Margie moved, and Alan second that the meeting adjourn. All in favor.

Respectfully Submitted, Linda J. Lockner, Secretary