1997 Annual RCML Business Meeting Minutes

The business meeting attended by 47 members was opened at 12:25 by President George Bright.  George welcomed those who were attending an RCDPM conference for the first time.

It was noted that minutes of last year's meeting had been posted since noon on Thursday.  A motion for approval of the minutes was made and seconded; the minutes were approved.

Ginny Usnick, Vice President for Conferences, thanked David Boliver, the 1997 General Conference Chair, and Jayne Fleener, 1997 Program Chair, for their work on the Oklahoma City Conference.  Plaques were presented to David and Jayne.  Anna Graeber reported that the call for proposals for the 1998 twenty-fifth anniversary meeting in College Park, MD were available and explained the special themes for the conference.  Pat Lamphere is preparing a proposal for a 1999 conference in College Station, Texas.  Proposals are being sought for conferences in the year 2000 and later.

Jane Schielack's Vice President for Publications report was given by George Bright.  While illnesses have delayed recent issues of FOCUS, the issues are in preparation and are forthcoming.  Sincere thanks were extended to both Jean Schmittau and Newsletter editor, Dawn Kidd, for their work on behalf of the organization.

Sue Brown presented the treasurer's report.  The general treasury budget is now reported by calendar year.  For 1996 the figures are:
 

BALANCE 1/1/96	$15,044.14
Income
Membership	4,539.00
Interest	300.05
Expenditures
Publications	$3,072.82
Conference	1,684.06
Operations	174.72
Membership	478.04
Balance 12/31/96	$14,473.55

Conference income for 1996 was approximately $1,500.  A motion to approve the treasurer's report was moved, seconded, and passed.

George Wyer, Membership Chair, reported current membership of 198.  George Wyer thanked Dawn Kidd and Sue Brown for their cooperation.  He noted that changes had been made in the membership database.  George Bright asked how members would feel about having names, business addresses and e-mail numbers on the RCDPM web site.  He noted that sometimes people objected to this because of e-mail junk mail.  An unofficial show of hands indicated that many members were uncomfortable with the idea.  There was a request that RCDPM board members put their addresses on the web page.  The executive board will give further consideration to these issues.

Bill Speer, as chair of the 1996 Nominations Committee, reported for and thanked the committee members, Sue Brown, Ginny Usnick, and Alan Zollman.  The results of the 1996 elections were:
Secretary:  Kathy Litz
Vice President for Publications:  Jayne Fleener
Conference Committee:  Dan Brahier and David Davison

The 1997 Nominating Committee will be seeking nominees for the offices of President-Elect, Treasurer, Vice President for Conferences, and two members for the Conference Committee.  George Bright, who as Past President serves as Nominations Committee Chair, distributed candidate information forms and encouraged nominations including self-nominations.  Once an initial slate is secured, that slate and a call for additional nominees will appear in the newsletter.

George Bright thanked outgoing officers Jane Schielack, Vice President for Publications, and Anna Graeber, Secretary.  Plaques were presented to each.

George Bright then presented the new president, Bill Speer.  Bill thanked George Bright for his service as President and presented him with a plaque.  Bill also thanked George for his acknowledgment of Ryan Speer's work in constructing the RCDPM web site.

None

David Davison noted that our recent attempts to discuss the possibility of joint meetings with AMTE, and AMTE's decision to hold their first conference next week should raise the discussion of RCDPM's mission and goals.  A motion was moved and seconded that the Executive Board consider the possibility of discussion of a name change and organizational directions.  In response to questions, David Davison noted that the phrase "diagnostic-prescriptive" seemed particularly troublesome in this day and age, but that the mission itself was not troublesome.  The motion carried in a voice vote.

Bill Speer thanked Dan Brahier for his work on the Musings column.

Bill noted that he will ask and it is anticipated that Jean Schmittau will stay on as FOCUS editor and Dawn Kidd as Newsletter editor.  Both of these are appointed offices.  George Wyer has agreed to continue as Membership Chair.

Bill noted that because RCDPM in incorporated in Ohio, the organization needs an Ohio address.  Since Bill's next residence is uncertain, Dan Brahier has agreed to use of his address as the organization's address (530 Oak Knoll Drive, Perrysburg, OH 43551) and Dan has agreed to serve with Bill Speer as co-archivist.

There was no other new business, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 pm.