Business Meeting Minutes
Spring Meeting April 11,2008
Senator Inn, Augusta
Present: Julie Barnes, 'Maria Sirois, Gary Chalot, Susan Palumbo, Louise
Pelletier, Tracy Allen, Rena Gels Birch, Amanda Poulin, Mary Fleming,
Kathy Beers, Alycia Fenner, Annie Rodrigue, Mary Downing, Barbara Smith,
Jen Courtois, Sandra Barth,Susan Young, Cindy Hale, Jean Rocap, Elaine
Blackwood, Theresa Hainer, Cindy Young.
1) Minutes from 1/16/08 reviewed (by those with great eye sight) and
approved
2) Sandra Barth – has agreed to step into the position of
President-Elect which was vacated by Roberta Damren
3) Beacon Award – the nominating committee and past Beacon award winners
will work to determine the next Beacon Award winner.
4) Committee Reports –
1) Nominating Committee (C. Young) – Last day for nominations can be
accepted for officer positions (president-elect, treasurer and
secretary) will be August 19, 2009. Ballots will be distributed to
members by September 19, 2009 – members attending the fall meeting in
Portland can choose to bring completed ballots with them – all ballots
will be tallied on October 19, 2009 and new officers announced at the
Annual Meeting in Portland, Me October 20, 2009.
2) Legislative Committee (L. Pelletier – by default) – currently no
chair due to resignation of Roberta Damren. L. Pelletier is looking for
someone to take over the position of chair of the Legislative Committee.
A letter was sent to L. Pelletier by AADE regarding coverage of CDE’s
with medicare – it is suggested that we send a signed copy of the letter
to our senator. The chair of the legislative committee would be
responsible for keeping up with this.
3) Communications Committee – (R Gels-Birch) – B. Smith is web master
and has been updating the website. At this point in time it is being
used only by members – but the goal is to have patient’s access it as
well; so they can locate a diabetes educator near their home or work.
Communications Committee is also working on brochure that markets
Certified Diabetes Educators, our skills and education that we offer
diabetes patients. Changes have been suggested to the content; plan on
using 2 colors of print and to print it on off-white paper. Also
discussion on where to place the flyers; pharmacy, grocery store, town
office, doctors/dentist offices, and/or your own practices.
4) Strategic Planning Committee (L. Gordon & J. Courtois) – Conference
10/19/08 – 10/21/08 at Eastland Park Hotel in Portland Maine. Speakers
reviewed for upcoming conference and will be available on the MeADE
website, once the speakers and slotted times are finalized. Committee is
thanked for the time they have spent and hard work that has gone into
organizing this event. To preview the conference go to the MeADE
website. http://www.mainediabeteseducators.org
5) Bylaws (S. Barth) – Synopsis of changes presented and will be voted
on tonight by attending members. Fiscal Year and elections of officers
has changed to align with AADE. In the coming months; the bylaw
committee will begin discussing developing policies and procedures. S
Barth also welcomes any member that would be interested in joining the
Bylaws Committee.
6) Finance Committee – (B. Smith) – Proposed expenses outweigh proposed
income. Part of this is due to the change in our fiscal year to match
AADE’s fiscal year – so there are less membership funds coming in this
year. Skype might offer a way to save some money on conference calls (it
would not replace current system). She is also looking for someone with
accounting background – someone who is familiar with filing taxes for
nonprofit organizations - that would be willing to assist her with
filing taxes.
7) Membership Committee – (L. Pelletier) – BD paid for membership cards.
The membership committee has created a survey – which Lou is handing out
tonight – looking for input into ways to improve membership.
8) Regional Reps Update – founding members felt that this was an
important subject when they formed MeADE. Since Maine is such a large/
diverse state - this would be a good way for people in the “same
locales” to get together and network. Nothing has really happened with
the Regional Reps and the concept of networking. There is confusion
about what a “region” is. One idea was to have the map on the website
and/or visible at the October meeting – and on Sunday (10/19/08) of the
conference – have members from the 5 regions get together to discuss
opportunities to get together and network.
Announcements –
Next phone conference call is Wednesday 7/16/2008 at 7pm.
AADE annual meeting is August 5 – 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C.