Minutes of Meeting
November 18, 2002

The meeting was called to order by President Liz Hoffman at 10:05 am CT. Present: Liz Hoffman, Randy Hiatt, Vernon Jiles, Mike Beach, Sara Cunningham, Wayne Erickson, Phyllis Brunken, Carol Larsen, Shirley Schall, John Stritt, Gloria Vavricka, John Horvath, Wanda Kjar Weekley, Max Thacker, Art Tanderup, and Pat Hoffman.

Max Thacker motioned, with Shirley Schall seconding, for approval of the minutes from the October 30, 2002 meeting. Motion carried. Max gave a treasurer's report: $2926.93 in checking; $8000 in a CD.

Shirley Schall noted a membership renewal form is posted on the NDLA web site.

Liz asked the members about reimbursement for members who need to be reimbursed for mileage or rooms. After discussion, Sarah Cunningham moved that NDLA utilize an email reimbursement request procedure that is approved by the president. Wayne Erickson seconded. After discussion, Phyllis Brunken moved that NDLA use the IRS standard for mileage reimbursement and that we pay for round trips if the member requests that and that the email procedure is used for reimbursement. Wayne again seconded. Motion carried.

Liz opened discussion of the strategic planning retreat. Pat still awaits information from Halsey and from the Jay Novacek Ranch. As soon as she gets it, she will forward on. Liz will check into Mahoney. Dates were discussed; March appears to be a likely time.

Discussion was held about forming committees. Liz suggested committees for the following: conference, legislative, membership, nominations, professional growth, awards, finance, etc. Discussion followed, including comments from Art that strong committees need input from whole organization; Sarah, suggesting membership is a committee that needs members and help now; Max, noting that he and Patty Carstens are the committee members of membership and they could use assistance; and Pat Hoffman suggesting that all Board members take on a committee assignment, particularly those who are not involved in the conference planning committee. Liz asked Art to take the lead on the membership committee and the following board members said they would help: Max, Patty, Sarah, and Pat.

Discussion was held concerning the need for NDLA stationery. Max volunteered the services of the graphics department of UNMC. Pat moved and Sarah seconded that Max's UNMC group design the stationery. Phyllis moved that the stationery be digital; Sarah suggested both digital and print; the motion carried with those amendments.

Max reminded the group that December 10 there will be a Teleheath Technical Workshop focusing on hardware.

For more information, contact Max.

Liz asked for statewide news reports, and the following members reported:

Mike Beach noted that NITC has formed a statewide synchronous video network work group and he is head of the committee to pick members to serve on the work group. He also noted NET is working on data casting.

Wanda mentioned she attended a public service commission meeting and requested funding for telehealth for line costs.

Vernon reported his focus is currently on security applications.

Phyllis reported her pod should be up and running by January 1.

Carol Larsen gave the group an update of all the work done thus far on the conference. The dates we had originally picked will not fit with UNK's student center's schedule--we were unable to use the student center at all. Carol suggested alternative dates of May 28-30 and told of the feedback she had received thus far. The only group that would not be free would be the Omaha Public Schools (still in session). The group discussed that the main audience of our conference is probably not K-12 teachers. Pat noted that the vendors she contacted would prefer to have a central location where the conference and vendor area can be together. Max motioned we change our conference dates to May 28-30, Vernon seconded. Motioned carried. Liz asked Carol to notify all the motels and see about conference rates for attendees.

The conference theme, as chosen by the conference planning committee, is "Tying it All Together." The schedule includes pre-conference workshops on 5/28; welcome, keynote and sessions with a box lunch on 5/29; a special event the evening of 5/29; and a breakfast speaker, sessions, and closing on 5/30. Carol noted that Tom Osborne's office has been contacted to see if he could be a keynote speaker.

Carol asked Pat to ask vendors for giveaways at closing on Friday. Suggestions for giveaways included techie items; a membership to NDLA, and free conference registration for 2004. Liz asked the group to see if we can include the USDLA in our conference in some way. Discussion was held concerning suggestions for the conference including: desert in the vendor area; tables for eating in the vendor area; packets with cards for each vendor to stamp when attendees visited booths.

Pat reviewed the draft of the first vendor letter, to be mailed the first week of December. Board members offered suggestions including adding her email and phone number, web site address, and a suggestion for the receiver to forward the letter to the proper person if he/she is not the one who would be interested in the conference.

Discussion was held concerning posting the RFP for the conference on the web site. Shirley thinks she can have it online by December 9. Wanda mentioned using chamber of commerce volunteers to help with registration during the conference.

Liz thanked all for attending and reminded them of the upcoming meeting on 12/18/2002 at 9 am CT.

Meeting adjourned at 11:45 am CT.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Hoffman, acting Secretary