OK ALLIANCE - MINUTES OF THE MEETING, 10/25/02

Vice-Chair Melissa Mills called to order a meeting of the OK Alliance on at 4:40 PM.

MINUTES REPORT

• Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented.

CHAIR REPORT

• No Report

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

• FINANCE: CHIP BERGQUIST -- Chapter balance stands at $1,309.89. A question was raised about the OK Chapter’s account not bearing any interest. Mr. Schneider stated that he believed that was a function of the current checking account not charging any fees. A motion was made by Mr. Tom Bishop that the Finance Chair investigate moving the OK balance to an interest bearing account, seconded by Mr. Schubert and passed unanimously.
• NATIONAL REPORT: TOM BISHOP -- Two Central States members were elected to the National Board -- Melissa Mills and Frank Clark. National conference in Houston did well. Trade show and ad sales were up, but registration was down. This caused a net reduction of $30,000 in anticipated revenues. The National Office had eliminated all travel and office expenses to make up for the reduction. Public policy has been quiet due to the election year and the aftermath of the 9-11 tragedy. Mr. Bishop reminded everyone in this election season not to get in the mind set that one political party will benefit access and the Alliance more than the other.
• INFO SERVICES/LIST SERVE: BRIAN VONDERSCHMIDT -- No report.
• CONFERENCE PLANNING: JOHANNA PERRINO -- Spring 2003 Regional Conference in Covington, KY; Fall 2003 Regional Conference in Akron, OH. Ms. Perrino is looking suggestions for single day workshops.
• GRASS ROOTS: MELISSA MILLS -- Four attendees at the conference are here on scholarship.
• PUBLIC POLICY: FRANK CLARK/TOM BISHOP -- The Ohio Legislature passed right-of-way language similar to that which was struck down by the Supreme Court. Due to its infringement on home rule, suits by individual cities may be filed on this legislation. Mr. Clark is looking for someone to replace him as Public Policy Chair.
• EDUCATION: ROD SWARTZ -- Mr. Swartz hopes to work with Ms. Perrino on a distance learning workshop, once their system is up and running at his facility.

A motion to accept the reports was made by Tom Schubert, seconded by Tom Bishop and unanimously approved.

OLD BUSINESS

• None

NEW BUSINESS

• Mr. Schubert reported that the Region is continuing the attempt to create an updated access center mailing list. The new plan is to contact vendors selling to newly created centers. Mr. Schubert requested that anyone dealing with a vendor ask for any information they have on new access centers.

NEXT MEETING

• The meeting will be held at 2002 Central States Spring Regional Conference in Covington, KY.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:14 PM

Submitted by:
Thom Schneider