Winter Executive Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2010

President Kathy Adams opened the meeting at noon.

Present were S/T Don Snow, Paulette Lowry, Dawn Anderson, Editor Clark Reed, Deb Johnson, Dennis Kelley, Past President & Executive VP Dick Fleming, Loretta McNichol, Area 1 National VP Ken Kinson, Michael Renkert.

Excused were Tina Bowen (medical) Paul LaFleur (jury duty) Pam Lewis & Kathy Hayes (coverage).

Kathy opened by thanking Mike for his work on the website and directed everyone to keep updated by using it.

Kathy reported on the district leadership telecom. Clerk shortage? Use RMB, if approved job will be posted on e-reassign no new hires for foreseeable future. FLSA still being violated by exempt PM contribution expectations of over 4 hours per day. Ken said this is still being worked on at national level. Dennis K added Maine has had success with stopping erosion of hours/service in small offices by leveraging political pressure by Senators Snowe and Collins. CFS was discussed and it is broken and no fix in sight.

Secretary Treasurer Don Snow reported chapter stands to lose approximately $5000 for 09. Loss attributed to loss of membership and unusually high cost of sending 3 officers to Alaska for national Convention. A one time withdrawal to cover loss and balance budget will occur at end of January when CD matures. Final spreadsheet to be published in next newsletter and on website.

Legislative Chair Dick Fleming has schedule already set for DC. Travel logistics to be handled again by S/T Snow.

Editor Clark Reed set 1/18 as deadline for next newsletter. New software is needed and President Kathy authorized purchase of same. Clark and Don to handle details.

Time and Place Committee Paulette Lowry reports her and Claire White are moving forward with solicitation process.

Convention Co-chair Clark said plans are moving forward with Tina. District support is doubtful but it was agreed that invitations will still be sent to district and area leadership.

PAC- no report Paul L excused

Service Rep- no report Pam L excused

Membership Chair Mike Renkert will leverage Paulette L and Bert Nelson for help. He will have access to chapter database soon.

PM Rep/National VP Ken Kinson reported Postmaster stupidity is still number 1 reason people are getting into trouble. Lazy and poor controls, inappropriate behavior with help, sharing passwords etc. National office moving forward with class action for FLSA violations.

Area VP’s were brief in reports with discussion on working with no budgets, dealing with threats from POOM and district, over managed etc. Another training session on SOV/CSAW would be beneficial and possibly area VP’s could be trained to down flow info. Development of a calendar/form for PM use to track actual hours working was discussed. No one offered to work on it and no committee was formed, maybe a good session for convention?

New Business was discussed openly and previous ideas about saving $$ by forgoing per-diem etc while on chapter duties was dismissed as a violation of by laws. Chapter finances are healthy and should hold up through these lean times.

Meeting adjourned at 1:30