Minutes of the RehabACTion Meeting, Fall Conference, Brookings, SD, 10/11/05

Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by Alan Vandenburg

Board Members Present: Rich Gardner, Alan Vandenburg, Bernie Grimme, Nikki Moir, Kim Crossan, Lisa Pierce

Minutes of Last Meeting: Alan entertained a motion to approve. Bernie moved and Nikki seconded that the minutes be approved. All in favor.

Officer's reports -- President's Report:

South Dakota Chapter Activities Update: Alan Vandenburg gave an update. Our past president Richard Gardner is now ARAN President. (Jack Duncan) Lisa Pierce has filled Randy Christianson's slot on the board of directors. We have concentrated most of our efforts towards keeping members informed on what is happening nationally with VR. I would like to think that our letters phone calls made a difference in the last legislative session. We have sponsored breaks at SBVI Peer Support Training, support staff training and the ADA celebration in Sioux Falls. We plan to sponsor a break at the next meeting of Administrators at Region 8 agencies in November in Cheyenne, WY. We are hoping to have a slate of delegates attend the Fall ARAN board meeting in Texas as a show of support. We have contributed $1500 towards the National organization in an effort to help keep dues at the current low rate.

Treasurer's Report: Treasurer, Bernie Grimme provided treasurer update. Discussed as of January report on web, membership profit, and balance of $28,438.15. Alan entertained motion to approve treasurer's report. Jerry Raabe moved, and Rich seconded the motion that the treasurer's report be accepted as presented. All in favor.

Report on Fall Conference: Nikki Moir reported on Fall Conference going well. Discussed she is thinking of what to do and what theme for next year.

ARAN Report: ARAN President Rich Gardner gave report. ARAN would like to keep annual dues low to retain members and gain new members. Each state is an entity of its own and decisions are made at the state level with the organization. Rich reported South Dakota should be proud as it has the 2nd largest state membership per population level. Rich reported for the ARAN National Consortium Meeting in Texas in November, attending will be Rich Gardner, Marjorie Helgeson, and Alan Vandenburg. If anyone has any issues they would like presented to please contact these members.

Introduction and report from Catriona MacDonald: Rich Gardner introduced Catriona MacDonald, who has been hired as the American RehabACTion Network as a legislative liaison to strengthen ARAN's ability to advocate for the public Vocational Rehabilitation program. She is currently president of Linchpin Strategies LLC. Rich invited all members to attend Catriona's break out session on 10/12 and presented her with a South Dakota RehabACTion shirt. Catriona spoke that it has been very busy in Washington, DC but there are many issues stalled and stated our voice needs to be heard in Washington. Catriona spoke of major issues of the Reorganization of Regional Offices to Washington and the impact of loss of jobs to the staff in the closed offices as many are people with disabilities. The impact of the reorganization would also mean no annual on site visits to State Offices and no on site reviews, to name a few. They are following the WIA reauthorization and the impact this would have on VR services in each state if the legislation included the WIA Plus block grant. Catriona spoke of following the progress of appropriations bills that would provide funding for VR. Many bills are not moving forward and are stalled. Complicating funding is the argument in Washington over how to fund and use monies to assist with the victims of Hurricane Katrina and the war in Iraq. This could mean more domestic services cuts. Director Grady Kickul gave the SD update of the value of Catriona MacDonald as a lobbyist bringing more awareness and information regarding these important issues. Grady spoke of the Reauthorization of Regional Offices as difficult times and we are in the third year without reauthorizing WIA and the intent to press with WIA Plus and how dangerous and threatening that could be to Rehab programs. South Dakota is hopeful to avoid an Order of Selection as demand for services is increasing and we are serving more than the increase COLA rate. Grady stated the negative focus is the reorganization, appropriations, and order of selection but stated the positive focus is our commitment, quality of services, and quantity of outcomes. Grady encouraged everyone to continue to keep providing good services.

Provider Awards: Bernie Grimme announced the provider awards were to be given and noted that much of our outcome success comes from direct result of providers and believed this to be a 50% partnership between the VR counselor and provider. He spoke of the 4 nominations and requested the following awards be given: Sherry VanLiere as outstanding provider, presented by Deb Brinkman; Loni Broton as outstanding provider, presented by Vicki Nelson; Chris Fliginger as outstanding provider, presented by Julaine Arient-Rollman; Bob Marvke as outstanding leadership program development, presented by Ron Rosenboom.

No Old Business or New Business.

Meeting Adjorned: Alan entertained the meeting to be adjourned. Rich Gardner moved the motion and Nikki Moir seconded. Meeting adjourned.

Minutes taken by Lisa Pierce, Secretary Pro Tem