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Minutes of the US Western Division Annual Staff Meeting
March 28 - 31, 2008, Sacramento

Kelley Baer, by phone as she was able
Bill Dunn, Adjunct staff, as needed

The Communication Skills department held a department meeting immediately preceding the Staff meeting to revise the Communication Skills training materials and program.

Becky Hugh and Bill Dunn (adjunct staff) met preceding the staff meeting to review the books together, complete financial reports, and to streamline some current accounting practices. As per internal protocol, Rosetta Bartels reviewed bank activity and statements.

Staff Meeting:

Board Actions

Two conference calls were held with Barbara Emanuel, Executive Director, to discuss and learn more about the recent board actions. Board members Diana Lewis and Joel Getzendanner were able to join in one call. Staff worked through the actions focusing on Leaders, Areas and Area Networks using a variety of exercises to help visualize some of the ways actions may be implemented. The staff developed plans for providing additional information, education and support to Leaders and Areas about the development of Area Networks; the options available and the implications of various options.

TEAM08

Staff reviewed TEAM08 plans to date, uploaded the registration materials to the website, and made final program plans in conjunction with TEAM08 workgroup. The scholarship committee will begin work following this meeting. Each department will continue work post meeting to plan specific programs for department day. Board members Jane Tuttle, Cathy Liles, Diana Lewis and LAD co-Director Karin Gausman have accepted invitations to attend TEAM08.

Financial Reports

The staff reviewed a detailed report of the current fiscal year-to-date. Discussions about current fee structures and distinguished Leaders were a part of the budgeting process. Several budget options were reviewed and a budget was passed that will be published separately from this report in eConnect as well as on the CN. The current fee structure will remain in place for the time being. Funds have been identified for a grant to each Area, increased scholarships to TEAM08, funding separate from LLLI for Area Network development, and funding to facilitate face-to-face meetings with staff members and Areas Leaders. A protocol was developed for prorated fee rebates for Areas choosing to develop and/or connect to another entity during the upcoming fiscal year.

The final report for fiscal year 06-07 was accepted and an amended report from 05-06 was accepted. Work has begun on the annual report for the current fiscal year so that it will be reported to Leaders and LLLI in a timely manner.

eConnect, Publications and web         

Peggy Wiedmeyer and Deirdre Knowles have identified needs for more assistance in these areas and will facilitate a search for Leaders to assist in optimizing and delivering support and product. The next issue of eConnect was planned with a deadline of April 15th for article submissions.

Departments

Each department shared how it is working to improve and deliver support. Highlights, innovative ideas, and success stories from Areas/departments were shared.

LLL USA Meeting

Representation from USWD was discussed and pending further information from the Executive Director, Deirdre Knowles and Becky Hugh have agreed to attend the May meeting on behalf of USWD.  Additional funds for Leaders and staff have been included in the budget to augment available funding from LLLI if/as needed. Additional criteria and information are needed from LLLI before funding plans can be defined and/or implemented.

Next USWD staff meeting

The staff will next meet in person in conjunction with TEAM 08, June 18-22 in Phoenix, AZ. The staff will continue to meet on a weekly basis via conference call and once a month with the Executive Director and Associate Director via conference call.