Elaine Vavra C-222

Rick Frye C-045

Scott reported via teleconference. Chapter 400 is a concern to remain viable if members won’t serve as officers. Chapter 194 is in major concern status. Frank Trcka and Scott Volk have explored many alternatives to keep this chapter active. A survey was used to establish interest in a meeting in 2003. Scott Volk will be working with C400 & C222 for a joint meeting sometime the first half of this year.

Carl is working on the chairman’s charges. He has contacted two chapters so far. Carl expressed a concern for getting new people to commit to board positions in the chapters.

Ramesh will be in contact with chapters electronically and visit them once in 2003. He will be working on the chairman’s charges as well.

All chapters have submitted the Chapter Officer’s listing forms. Many chapter chairs are repeating their offices. Bryon will be working with chapters to increase office recruitment efforts. Chapter C292 will need help to increase interest in more participation.

Wayne is working with international on a new Region Structure and Strategic Plan as chair of the RCC Visionary Subcommittee. A decision is expected at the annual meeting in May to proceed with the proposed structure. Until then, it is not known if Regions will exist as we now know them or will they have a completely new structure that support the chapters. The proposed new structure is available for review on the SME web site. Not all the details have been worked out in the structure, as this is still a working committee. Wayne indicated many individuals would be needed in the new structure to assist chapters. Wayne will be working on his charges and contact chapters to determine their status on developing their own strategic plans.

A slate of officers will be provided per the SOP & SME Governance Documents. Depending on the new region structure that is proposed, a slate of officers may or may not be needed.

Charges will be addressed using communication links to student faculty advisors. Efforts are being made to get current addresses. Communication with the Senior Chapter Liaison will be established to deal with chronic and alert reports.

Eric reported he would establish communication with the Senior Chapter Liaisons including the State Coordinators. When the next chronic and alert reports come out Eric will be following up to remove them from the chronic and alert reports.

Rick presented a draft Region 9 Directory and passed it around for corrections. It will be mailed out very soon with corrections.

Barb has established the format for the bulletin and mailed the 4^th quarter bulletin on 2 Jan. 03 (129 copies). Barb will be updating the database to include student chapter chairs. The Web Master will be informed to include on the web page. Deadline for the March bulletin is 1 Feb. Barb reminds everyone that deadlines are critical to getting the bulletin out in a timely manner. Any duplicate names have eliminated and any address corrections are being taken care of. Barb submitted the Company of the Year Award information to headquarters and this will be printed in the SME News.

Barb reported they are in communication to update the web page.

Don emailed Mark Hoh and asked for copies of reports given at this board meeting along with other news releases regarding Region Activities. G. Pullin will to send to Don Williams hard copies of reports submitted for this meeting.

Plans are underway to have full compliment of workshops along with a possible "X&Y" workshop. The following workshops will be presented; Chapter Management, Professional Development, Membership Recruitment/Retention, Academic/Student Development, Senior Chapter Student Chapter Liaison & Faculty Advisors, Electronic Communications, and Bulletin & Public Relations. Also state coordinators meeting on Friday. Joe will be sending out forms for presenters at the COC.

Mark reported on trying to find the graduating students and get that information to the senior chapters in order to keep them involved. The chapter or member that gets a graduating student to join the senior chapter would receive $20.00 per student, which is a one-time $2,000.00 innovative funding program from headquarters for 2003. Two special programs received funds in 2002 (Chapter Revitalization $3,500.00 & The Iowa Cable Network $500.00) that need reports completed for the RCC meeting in May by Mark Hoh.

Louis reported he has been in contact with headquarters and has put a letter together to share with the chapters to encourage retention efforts. This was sent out to the chapters.

Dale has been in contact with the state coordinators and has asked for feedback and received one from Scott Volk. Chapter chairs will be made aware of the former member list and the at large list. Region 9 has lost 30 senior members this past quarter. Student chapters have gained 27 members since last quarter.

Mike has completed the Honor Awards Final Report for 2002 and working on the charges for 2003. Mike will be soliciting nominations from the Region for future awards. Teresa Hall from Region 9 did receive the Award of Merit for 2003 from International.

Frank will monitor Region 9 compliance to the Society Governance Documents. Any changes to Region SOP will be included in the 2003 revision distributed at the COC. Until then, changes will be recorded in the minutes.

Frank reported that Tom Linn is working with Chapters 45 and 428 to resolve some concerns. Frank and Scott have been working with chapter 194 to get leaders to step up and serve. Other chapters like 400 are experiencing the same problems of getting leaders. Frank feels some sort of incentive should be looked into.

Cary reported that the host committee has been meeting and they have a preliminary budget. Contacts will be made for speakers and guests. Electronic equipment needed for the COC can be provided at no charge by the Hotel. A reminder that the parking is not included in the Hotel charges and it will be $5.50/day. Tom Linn reminds us to remain flexible in planning the COC pending the outcome of the May meeting regarding the Region Structure (plan A & plan B).

Sheila Hilke provided a tour of the Radisson Hotel and adjoining Center. Facilities were deemed very adequate. Pending Region structure, more decisions can be reviewed after the May Annual Meeting.

Linn gave his report and it was concluded that the financial records have been maintained in an acceptable manner, and that the Treasurer, Chris Riegel, did an outstanding job. Audit performed 1/10/03 in La Crosse by Joe Kraft & Tom Linn. Tom Linn gave a brief demo on how to properly fill out an expense form for those present.

Ron’s report presented actions at the Nov 11 02 meeting held in Charlotte, NC. Dick Smith, RCC Chair and Wayne Frost Visionary sub-committee chair presented their latest plan to streamline and enhance SME’s local member and member engagement infrastructure. The report was accepted and the Board asked to further develop the implementation plans and budget for the 05/31/03 meeting. At large members will be automatically assigned to a chapter by 1/15/03 unless the member chooses to be at large. The SME President’s Theme for 2003 is "Member Engagement"

Vern has 4 individuals to submit for nominations for the 2003 elections and will do so by 15 March.