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Montana Chapter of ASPIRE
State Meeting Agenda
Sunday, October 8, 2006

  1. Call meeting to order – Angelina Levandowski
     
  2. Pass out moderator packets to volunteers – Diane Jordon
     
  3. Minutes from the State Meeting, April 3 & 4, 2006 were passed out and approval for minutes was asked for by Angelina Levandowski.
  4. Changes to Minutes:

    • Rene Dubay was added to the list for attending COE Policy Seminar.
    • A correction to the spelling of Rob Russ was made to Rob Rust.
    • Correction of Rob Rust’s name should have been Bud Sather in the call for nominations section.
    Motion to Approve Minutes made by: Marty Foxman Seconded by: Ray Carlisle
     
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. State Budget was presented by Annette Kankelborg Motion to Approve: Dan Benge Seconded: Ray Carlisle
     

  7. Committee Report:

  8.  
    1. Presidents Report – Angelina Levandowski


    2. Angelina introduced Jamie Schell, Talent Search Director at the Commissioner’s Office of Higher Education as the new State President and Ilene Cohen, Assistant Director Student Support Services, U of M Western as the new Secretary/Treasurer, and Mica Slaven-LaMothe, Director, Math Science Upward Bound, as the new President-Elect.

      Angelina announced that this was the end of Dan Benges’ 3 year commitment as, President Elect, President, and Past President. Angelina thanked Dan for all the outstanding work he has done for the State of Montana, especially all his governmental relations and keeping everyone informed on the current status of TRiO programs in Washington D.C.
       
    3. Treasurer’s Report


    4. State Budget was presented by Annette Kankelborg Motion to Approve: Dan Benge Seconded: Ray Carlisle
       
    5. Presidents Report/Regional Update: Angelina Levandowski


    6. Annual Report – Presidents/Report will be given at the State meeting in Helena.

      Angelina thanked Lynn Farris and her staff for all the work they did in putting the Regional Conference together. Angelina thanked Barb Sullivan for all of her work with the website and keeping it up to-date for everyone.

      Dr. Arnold Mitchum visited Montana this past summer and was able to go to the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education and meet with Sheila Sterns. Angelina gave an update about the regional Board Meeting.

      The Regional Student Leadership Congress needs 88 students to attend in order to make budget. The Student Leadership Congress will be in Riverton, Wyoming and will cost $125.00 per student. The region is looking for someone to chair Student Leadership Congress next year. If anyone is interested, please let Angelina know.

      Maureen Hoyler, COE Vice President gave a presentation to the regional board regarding the Upward Bound Absolute Priorities that are required in the new Upward Bound grant cycle and what is required to participate in the evaluation.

      Hans, one of the contracted evaluators, is going to present the study on the effectiveness of Upward Bound and the methodology that is going to be used.

      Amy Verlanic said that the methodology proposed is not an appropriate in an educational study involving human subjects. She encouraged everyone to attend the meeting and question Hans.

      Florence Garcia said she doesn’t think that being antagonistic is the appropriate venue to present to Hans as he is an educational professional.

      Amy Verlanic supported this thought and stated that this is the message that COE is also supporting.

      Angelina Levandowski talked about wanting the plan to be equitable.

      Dan Benge said that he wants to know what he is looking for? What is this methodology he is looking for. Data is already available. Mathematic Study – If students did have aspirations was based on one question.

      Rob Rust stated his concern that this is not going to be limited to Upward Bound.

      Ray Carlisle posed the situation that this could happen is SSS and to imagine signing up double SSS students and on serving ˝ and asking the ˝ to be a control group.

      Amy Verlanic said the battle is not that we don’t want to participate but how do you ensure that this is ethical.
       
    7. Membership Report: Dan Benge


    8. 74 professional members of ASPIRE. Encourage staff to renew membership and encourage students to be members. Goal is to get 20 student members. Dan and Angelina are off the charts for support.

      Project membership $100 goes to region. Project funds can be used to pay Project Membership.

      Personal memberships can be paid out of In-Directs or personal funds but not out of grant funds.
       
    9. Governmental Relations: Ray Carlisle


    10. Twelve Day War – 1983, we are now dealing with an administration determined to eliminate TRiO. This administration has tried to eliminate both Upward Bound and Talent Search. We need to get information out, the Higher Education Act has not been reauthorized in the last two years. Hopefully after the election in November we can get the Higher Education Act re-authorized.

      State associations will become as important as regional associations. Meeting in Helena is another opportunity to present ourselves to the legislature to gain support. Please encourage all ASPIRE members to attend.

      TRiO Fact Book- 2007 § Number of Students by ethnicity § Break-down by eligibility § We need this information by December
       
    11. Indian Advocacy – Angelina Levandowski


    12. Angelina thanked Deborah Yarlott for the putting together the opening ceremony.

      Function of the Indian Advocacy – How many natives are students Support from Tribal Governments.
       
  9. Old Business

  10.  
    • E-Business – Mike McGarvey
    • Wayne Davis – Web Blog – Message Board
      Robbie Sullivan – When do we call for a question?
      Dan Benge – We do have it in our minutes that we can conduct e-business
      Rob Rust – Propose we accept this.
      RuthAnne Shope – Seconded
      Barb Sullivan is willing to set up discussion board.
    • Angelina Levandowski – Filed the $20.00 fee to set up as a state regional organization.
      Non-profit status will be worked on by: Brandon McLean Darlene Jordan Dan Benge
    • Re-imbursement request for Ray Carlisle: Coordinated dinner for Arnold Mitchum, Pat Williams and Rene Dubay and paid for this out of his own pocket. Motion to reimburse: Rob Rust Seconded: Dan Benge
    • Heather Licht – Announcement Rose will be going to Boise to direct Youth Empowerment. Heather is taking up a collection for anyone who would like to put in for a going away gift.
       
  11. Meeting Adjourned

Montana Chapter of ASPIRE
State Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 9, 2006

Jamie Schell called the meeting to order.

Montana members voiced their appreciation for Angelina Levandowski for her year in the presidency and all her hard work.

Carol Gritts gave an overview of project membership and that this is an allowable cost for programs. The goal for the coming year is to have 20 student members from our state.

  1. Old Business

  2.  
    1. State Meeting
    2. It is not possible to pick dates at this time as we want to strategically plan our meet around the legislature. There needs to be a decision about what our objectives are in meeting with the legislators and that will decide the meeting time and activities.

      Jamie will survey the membership to find out what people’s needs are in terms of workshops for the conference.

      C-Vent registration will be used for the spring conference. Lynn Ferris volunteered to help with the programming of it. The payment part is already taken care of.
       

    3. TRIO Day Activities:
    4. Jamie asked that each program send a synopsis to her of what they did this year on TRIO day and she will submit it to the Aspirations chair for publication.
       

    5. COE National Policy Seminar
    6. Jamie and Amy are planning on going at this time. If anyone is planning to attend please let Jamie know and she will coordinate travel plans.
       

  3. Other items of business
  4. Barb Sullivan asked that programs be responsible for keeping their staff information up to date for the on-line directory. Her email address is b_sullivan@msubillings.edu.

    Student Leadership Conference- the registration fee is $125.

General Meeting Adjourned and committees met individually.

 

Montana Chapter of ASPIRE State Business Meeting
Monday, April 3, 2006
Approved on 10/8/06 - Missoula, MT

 

Meeting: April 3, 2006 – 8:30am

Angelina Levandowski, called the meeting to order.

Introduction of Officers: Angelina Levandowski, State President, Jamie Schell, President Elect, and Annette Kankelborg, Secretary/Treasurer

  1. Treasurer’s Report
  2. State Budget was presented by Annette Kankelborg

    Motion to Approve: Dan Benge

    Seconded: Ray Carlisle
     

  3. Committee Reports
     
    1. Membership Report - Dan Benge

    2. Amy Verlanic gave an explanation of membership at both the regional and national level.

      Institutional membership can be paid out of project funds.
       

      • Regional membership can be paid out of project funds.
      • Subscriptions can be paid out of project funds.

      • Professional memberships can not be paid out of project funds.
         

    3. Governmental Relations – Ray Carlisle

      Ray thanked Dan Benge for the “TRiO Fact Book”

      Introduced Sandy Merringer, GEAR UP Director and Annette Walstad, GEAR UP program manager from the Montana Department of Higher Education, and thanked them for attending the conference.
       

    4. Indian Advocacy – Angelina Levandowski

      Angelina introduced Florence Garcia and asked her to join the Indian Advocacy committee.
       

  4. Other Reports

    1. Policy Seminar Update

    2. COE Policy Seminar, 5 Montana members attended: Dan Benge, Angelina Levandowski, Amy Verlanic and Michelle Watson. Overall Policy Seminar was a success.

      Ray Carlisle wanted to thank Dan Benge for all his work; Dan was successful in getting a commitment from Denny Rehberg.

      Overview of Policy Seminar

      • Novice provision, $100M increase, Restoration of UB/ETS, Hill visits)
      • Department of Ed Update

      • (Slating for ETS EOC Competition, SSS APR, Upward Bound/McNair Proposals) Talent Search will be announced at the end of April, 2006.
         

    3. Upward Bound Olympics – Mike McLean

       

Meeting started:
April 4, 2006 9:30AM
Approved on 10/8/06 – Missoula, MT

  1. Old Business

  2.  
    1. E-business discussion – Mike McGarvey
       

    2. Review of approved minutes over e-business

      Mike McGarvey gave a report on conducting e-business using the Roberts Rules of Order.

      • E-business requires 25% of the membership
      • E-Business using Roberts Rules of Order was established in 1995.
      • Australian Optical Society uses e-business to conduct business: http://aos.physics.mq.edu.au/OnlineMeetings.pdf

      • Members are asked to register their presence

      • The secretary will declare either a quorum or without a quorum (25%)

      • Votes are registered within 48 hours.

      • Published vote

      • Appropriate business
         

      Dan Benge stated that the budget needs to be approved 60 days after the State President takes office.

      Dan asked Bud Sather if he approved.

      Brain Pilcher brought up opposition with the language usage: Roberts Rules of Order; this is a Rule of Motion.

      Angelina explained that you would need to be a paid member to receive e-mail for discussion on e-business.

      Amy Verlanic asked that we have Mike McGarvey put this together and we could vote on this at the next meeting in the fall, since this would be a change in the by-laws.

      Motion to Approve: Rob Rust

      Seconded: Tracie McDonald
       

  3. New Business

    1. Non-profit 501-C3 status for Montana Chapter of ASPIRE

    2. To Become a State Chapter you need to:

      Amy Verlanic explained what this means for our state:

      • This tells individual state you are real.

      • Then you apply for 501 (c).

      • Own State
         

      Pros and Cons:

      • Less liability to the Region

      • It would be easier for each state to do fund raising.

      • Each state would be accountable for their own books.

      • Would save 1/7 of what Region pays for accountant.

      • Regional Accountant out to bid at this time.

      • State treasurer would take care of funds.

      • Streamline paperwork.

      • State Initiative.

      • Only ASPIRE and MEOP haven’t become state run.

      Mike McGarvey asked how much do we spend on lobbying?

      Amy Verlanic gave a more detailed explanation.

      Charlene Herron asked who would be in charge of paperwork.

      Dan Benge and Angelina Levandowski.

      State treasurer would be in charge of own paper work.

      RuthAnne Shope gave an explanation of the difference in duties for this office.

      Ilene Cohen believes it costs $600.00 to file for a non-profit.

      Rob Rust motioned to file as an organization. We can look into it and then have the opportunity to file as a 501 (c) or withdraw.

      Motion to move: Robbie Sullivan

      Second: Tracie McDonald

      Lynn Farris called the question:

      Filing $20.00 would become the Secretary/Treasurer duty.
       

    3. MT TRIO Alumni Association – Amy Verlanic

      Amy Verlanic wrote a proposal to organize an alumni association, out of the 54 proposals submitted, 4 were granted.

      This is a $2,000 grant.

      This is to create a stand alone entity

      The first alumni luncheon was held Saturday, April 1st, 2006.

      Eleven alumni came for the reception.

      Amy thanked the directors for sending her their alumni information.

      The purpose of this is to teach students to align themselves with TRiO.

      Angelina Levandowski stated we need to tap into our alum in order to prove our success.

      Heather Licht wanted a definition of how you define the information needed.  What information are you looking for? TRiO directors need to define who their alum is.

      Angelina Levandowski asked if this money would be part of the State institution.

      Money was allocated to send student to policy seminar, but didn’t have time.

      Heather Licht does not track by addresses or e-mail and believes most tribal college programs are like this.

      We need to come up with a “blurb” for students as they graduate that would be easy for them to remember.

      Association needs to be alumni driven.

      Regional Conference – Full page add.

      Motion to move: Teri McAnally

      Seconded: Ray Carlisle

      Motion Carries:
       

    4. Call for Nominations for President Elect:

      Angelina Levandowski explained what running for a State President requires and the benefits of serving.

      • Opportunity to serve on Regional Board

      • Three year commitment

      • Traveling to Policy Seminar

      • Term actually will not start until 2008

      Call for Nominations for President Elect:

      Heather Licht explained her barriers to running for president:

      • She loves the State Organization

      • She does not love the structure

      • The organizational structure is torture

      Bud Sather wanted to know where it is stated that it needs to be this way.   When he was president he ran it his own way, and anyone can change it to run their own way.

      Jodi Abbott called for a show of hands of who absolutely wouldn’t run for president elect.

      Angelina Levandowski would like to nominate Mica Slaven-LaMothe

      Angelina Levandowski was asked what are her other commitments?

      • Full time Upward Bound

      • Part-time graduate school

      • Single Parent with a 2 year old

      • Has lots of help

      • Certain sacrifices, but feels she is teaching her son the importance of civic duty and the value of work.

      • Ground work for her son

      • The position is a little bit challenging, but she has had a lot of support.
         

      How much time per week?
       

      • Dan Benge and his staff have put a lot of things in place to make the position more streamlined.

      • Most of her time has been spent on putting state meeting together.

      Jamie Schell gave her perspective on this position and the duties of president elect.

      Teri McAnally said we should not just look at seasoned positions.

      Mike McGarvey suggested appointing a nominating committee made up of Angelina Levandowski, Dan Benge, Amy Verlanic and Brian Pilcher.

      Dan Benge stated that there are people in this room that would be great leaders.

      Mica Slaven-LaMothe graciously accepted the position.
       

    5. Nominations for officers

      Angelina Levandowski called for nominations for Secretary/Treasurer.

      Brian Pilcher nominated Ilene Cohen

      Motion to move: Rob Rust

      Seconded: Brian Pilcher

      Any other nominations?

      Put to the question

      Affirmative: All for Mica

      Neighs: None

      Moved that Micas Slaven-LaMothe is the next president elect.

       

MT Chapter of ASPIRE State Business Meeting
Salt Lake City, Utah
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Approved December 1, 2005 – (Includes changes from E-business discussion 11/3/05 to 11/17/05)
(Changes indicated in red font)

Meeting I: 3:00-4:00 pm

Dan Benge calls the meeting to order.

Dan Benge announces that the minutes from the April 2005 state meeting were sent via email and approved via e-business in May 2005.

Dan Benge gives the Regional Board meeting update.

There is discussion on the different Committee Chairs for the Region including TRIO Day Chair, Publications Chair, Student Leadership Congress Chair, and LDI Chair. The membership is encouraged to get involved in the various opportunities either as a committee chair or as a committee member. It is important that we have Montana representation on every ASPIRE Committee.

Michelle Gasek discusses her role on the Awards Committee.  Dan requests that Michelle continues to serve on this committee again and she accepts the assignment.

Dan reminds everyone that the Student Leadership Congress is coming up.  It will be held in Salt Lake City November 2nd through the 4th. Please contact Kimberly Coon-Domacilio of Salt Lake Community College for more information.

Dan discusses the various types of memberships available to projects and personnel. The differences in Institutional Memberships, Project Memberships and Professional memberships were discussed. Dan explains the importance of Institutional Memberships to support COE efforts and Project memberships to support ASPIRE work. Dan states that as a Membership Chair and a member of the Development Committee, he will be contacting projects and their institutions to encourage them to become active members especially because of the issues TRiO faces in Washington D.C.

Dan announces the idea of including ASPIRE Professional Memberships as a part of the Regional Conference Registration Fee. Discussion takes place about the advantages of this arrangement.

  • Motion #1: Ray Carlisle moves that the Montana Chapter of ASPIRE support the concept that conference registration fees and ASPIRE membership fees be lumped together for future conferences.  Ilene Cohen seconded the motion and the motion PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Lynn Farris gives some updates on the COE national meeting.

Michelle Watson gives the Treasurer’s report. Financially, MT ASPIRE is solid however; there are a few items that still need to be reconciled from the state meeting. Michelle is working with the RuthAnne Shope, Regional Treasurer, to reconcile the account. There is discussion of whether or not a line item for TRIO Day activities should be added to the state budget.  More specifically, if Flathead Valley should be reimbursed for the receipts they submitted for TRIO Day.

  • Motion#2: Terry McAnally moves that Flathead Valley get paid for TRIO Day activities. Rob Rust seconded the motion and it PASSED. (Florence Garcia abstained.)

Dan Benge gives the President’s report and highlights some major accomplishments including the TRiO Fact Book, the Web Site and a successful state conference.

Angelina Levandowski briefly discusses state planning. She distributes a survey to get ideas for the upcoming 2006 state meeting.

The meeting is adjourned.

MT Chapter of ASPIRE State Business Meeting
Salt Lake City, Utah
Monday, October 17, 2005
Approved December 1, 2005 through e-business

Meeting II: 4:30-6:00 pm

Dan Benge calls the meeting to order.

Dan distributes a sign-up list for volunteers for the regional conference in Missoula.

Dan steps down as Montana ASPIRE President. He thanks everyone for his role. He is now in charge of the membership committee and he gives a brief report. Membership in the state and region has increased. Brian Pilcher distributes a sign-up sheet for people interested in contacting someone that is not a member. Amy Verlanic announces that Montana took 2nd with student memberships and encourages everyone to talk to students about becoming a member.

Angelina Levandowski takes over as President of MT ASPIRE.

Ray Carlisle gives the Governmental Relations Committee report. He talks about the success of the TRIO fact book, he persuades members to be thinking about students for the future fact book and to consider their stories; he encourages programs to volunteer for a project visit from a member of Montana’s congressional delegation and announces that Policy Seminar will be in March.

Angelina gives the Indian Advocacy Committee report. She is looking for someone new to chair the committee.  Please call or email her if interested. She suggests that the committee work on getting tribal colleges to pay membership dues.

Lynn Farris, Regional Conference Chair talks about the 2006 ASPIRE Regional Conference in Missoula, Montana. She will introduce "TRIO Works, Investing in Our Nation’s Future" as the theme to the Regional Board. There is discussion for ideas on decorations, speakers, breakout sessions, entertainment and outings.

Dan Benge talks about E-Business procedures. Bud Sather wants clarification on the Operational Guidelines for E-Business.

  • Motion #1: Lynn Farris moves that there be a 25% quorum added to the Operational Guidelines under Section B: Conducting Business through Email. Heather Licht seconded the motion and the MOTION CARRIED.

Section B now reads: Business may be conducted between state and regional meetings through email. Any items requiring a vote or membership approval will be emailed to all voting members of the Montana Chapter of ASPIRE. Members will have ten days to discuss and respond to any vote able item through email. A 25% quorum will be required to determine the outcome.

  • Motion #2: Bud Sather moves that the $200 line item in the state budget allocated for TRIO Day be used for the state TRIO Achievers at the state conference. Rob Rust seconded the motion and it PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mike McGarvey states that he has done some research on conducting e-business in regard to Roberts Rules of Order. Dan requests that Mike head a committee to review this information and make recommendations for improving our current system. Mike accepts the role.

Dan Benge discusses needing a corporate development committee chair for ASPIRE. The rationale for having someone from the state is largely due to the State hosting the ASPIRE Conference. Darlene Samson volunteers to chair the committee.

The meeting is adjourned.

 

MT Chapter of ASPIRE State Business Meeting/Program Meeting
Helena, Montana
Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Approved Minutes (June 6th 2005)

Meeting I: 8:45-10:00 am

Dan Benge calls the meeting to order.

Dan Benge provides the conference agenda overview and introductions.

Dan Benge gives the president’s welcome. He stresses the need for continued support of the Upward Bound and Talent Search programs on the federal level

The new incoming board elections open. Dan Benge announces that Wallace Bearchum, President Elect has left to take on a new position, and that members must select a new President Elect, an incoming President Elect, and a Secretary Treasurer. Nominations for the incoming MT ASPIRE Board are entertained. No one is nominated or comes forward.

  • Motion #1: Ray moves to hold nominations for the following business meeting on Wednesday April 6, 2005 at 8:00 am.  Donna Hoyt seconded the motion and it PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dan Benge announces that Regional President, Steve Bauman has resigned and President Elect, Amy Verlanic will step into his place.

Dan Benge gives the Regional Board Meeting update. The 2006 the Regional Board meeting will be in Missoula, Montana on October 7th - 10th. The Holiday Park Side is reserved for accommodations. Lynn Farris will be Conference Chair. Members are encouraged to volunteer any assistance. Ruth Anne Shope briefly discusses a motion that was passed to create Project Memberships instead of using the term Fair Share. 

Michelle Watson gives the Treasurer’s Report.

Dan Benge gives the President’s Report. There is discussion of the new ASPIRE website. It can be located at http://www.msubillings.edu/upb/aspire/index.htm, and the board would like to find a permanent location for the website. Dan proposes establishing a committee chair person to aid in the planning of future state meetings. Robyn Wingo suggests appointing someone to this position. Dan will check the bylaws to see if the president is allowed to appoint someone on his own.

Charlene Herron and Brian Pilcher give the Membership Committee Report. Membership pins are available to all new members that haven’t received them. Charlene announces that the past president will automatically resume the Membership Committee chair.

Angelina Levandowski gives the Indian Advocacy Report. Dan Benge announces that Angelina is resigning as chair of this committee.

Ray Carlisle gives the Governmental Relations Report. The TRIO Fact Book is discussed along with the importance of programs staying involved in the fight to keep Upward Bound and Talent Search programs alive. 

Dan Benge discusses Other Business. He encourages programs to give him any information about TRIO Day events or activities that were held.

The meeting is adjourned.

 

MT Chapter of ASPIRE State Business Meeting
Helena, Montana
Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Approved Minutes (June 6th 2005)

Meeting II: 8:15-9:15 am

Dan Benge calls meeting to order

Lynn Farris discusses the upcoming 2006 Regional Conference in Missoula. She asks the group for ideas on what they would like to see at the conference.

Please email Lynn Farris with additional ideas for the conference.

The new incoming board elections re-open. Brian Pilcher nominates Annette Kankelborg for Secretary/Treasurer. Annette is not present to accept the nomination.

Brian Pilcher states that she will accept the nomination.

  • Motion #1: Ray Carlisle moves to elect Annette Kankelborg by acclamation. Charlene Herron 2nds and the motion PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nominations are taken for the incoming President to replace Wallace Bearchum and for President Elect. Kelly Kirschke nominates Robbie Sullivan. She declines the nomination. Michelle Gasek nominates RuthAnne Shope. She declines the nomination. Amy Verlanic nominates Rosemary Hugs. She declines the nomination. Dan Benge suggests for time to think about nominations. Pearl Yellowman Caye nominates Angelina Levandowski. She declines the nomination.

  • Motion #2: Jane VanDyke moves that the President create a nomination committee of 3 people to recruit a candidate for Incoming President and President Elect. The committee could then release the information by May 30th 2005. Donna Hoyt 2nds the motion and the motion is PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Discussion takes place about the duties and responsibilities of the officers.

Angelina Levandowski declares her decision to accept the nomination for incoming president to replace Wallace Bearchum.

  • Motion #3: Ray Carlisle moves to elect Angelina Levandowski as incoming President replacing Wallace Bearchum by acclamation. Rob Rust 2nds the motion and the motion is PASSED UNAMIOUSLY.

  •  

  • Motion #4:  Mike Miller moves to withdraw motion to create nomination committee.  Rob Rust 2nds the motion and the motion is PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mike Miller nominates Jamie Schell for President Elect. She accepts the nomination.

  • Motion #5:  Brian Pilcher moves to elect Jamie Schell as President Elect by acclamation.  Donna Hoyt 2nds the motion and the motions is PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dan Benge talks about e-business.

  • Motion #6:  Brian Pilcher makes a motion to amend the operational guidelines or bylaws to allow for business by email. A minimum of 10 days will be allowed for response to a proposal. A simple majority of the responses will determine the outcome.

Discussion takes place about what percentage of the members must email in order to make a decision. Concern comes up about every member receiving the e-distribution not just the directors. Dan Benge will create a member distribution list so that everyone will have the opportunity to vote on e-business.

Mary Lukin 2nds Brian Pilcher’s motion and the motion is PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting is adjourned.

 

Montana Chapter of ASPIRE State Meeting
Jackson Lake Lodge, Moran, WY
Meeting I:  3:30- 5:00, Sunday, 10/03/04

 

Note: The Sunday minutes were lost when the laptop the disc drive failed. Please contact us to restore anything from your report that is not in the minutes. Apologies from Mica and BKP for any omissions.

BKP Pilcher (BKP) calls the meeting to order. He reads the minutes from April meeting and they are approved. Thanks are received from Estelle Hill, who received $750 from the Montana Chapter of ASPIRE to participate in a study abroad program.

BKP gives an update on May Regional Board Meeting: He encourages attendance at regional business meeting and calls attention to regional development paperwork in the registration packets. He encourages State Chapters of ASPIRE to increase membership to a minimum of 50% of TRiO personnel or 10% above current membership levels. There is also a need to provide for student memberships.

Nominations for President Elect and Secretary Treasurer are entertained. RuthAnneShope nominates Wallace Bearchum for President elect. Seconds. Wallace accepts his nomination. Angelina Levandowski nominates Mica Slaven-Lamothe for President Elect. Mica is given until the Tuesday meting to decide if she will accept or decline the nomination.

Michelle Watson is nominated for secretary-treasurer. She accepts the nomination. There are no other candidates and BKP entertains a motion to elect her by acclimation. The motion carries.

Committee chairs give their reports:

Membership- Charlene Herron

Meeting Planning- Dan Benge distributes a survey (yellow) and asks for input on the state meeting next April

Development (Fair Share)- Linda Ornowski

BKP asks members to consider a change from election of state officers at the fall meeting to election at the spring meetings to allow new officers to plan ahead of time to attend the new board training offered before each fall conference. The dates of the terms would not change. We will vote on this at state meeting on Tuesday.

BKP announces there is a need for members on regional committees.

The membership broke out for committee meetings. The membership to reconvene at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

 

Meeting II: 4:30-6:00 pm, Tuesday, 10/05/04

Rene Dubay distributed packets of information about P-20, a pre-K-through-grad school initiative. Rene will be staffing the committee on dual enrollment. Ray Carlisle is involved in the strategic planning process and explained that it is vital that MT ASPIRE/TRiO stakes a place at the table early in the process. Robyn Wingo of EOP at UM-Western announced she is on a P-20 sub-committee looking at the MT writing assessment requirement and she is working on a project offering training to help students prepare for writing assessments; she will make more information available at the April state meeting.

Mica Slaven thanks Angelina Levandowski for the nomination and says she would accept a nomination to serve in the future but believes it is unnecessary to spend time voting when someone has already accepted a nomination to serve as President Elect. Ray Carlisle makes the motion to elect Wallace Bearchum as President Elect by acclimation. Rene Dubay seconds.

Wallace Bearchum introduces himself as an ETS coordinator from Lame Deer and a Northern Cheyenne tribal member and makes a statement of looking forward to serving as President Elect.

Michelle Watson thanks everyone for her new role as Secretary/Treasurer and thanks everyone in Billings for their support and mentorship.

Charlene Herron of Membership committee reports there are currently 145 ASPIRE workers in Montana and 77 ASPIRE members, which puts us at 53% membership. She proposes that we adopt two of the regional membership guidelines: 1) that the past president becomes the Membership committee co-chair (BKP agrees) and that we combine the Membership and Development committees.

Dan Benge of the Meeting Planning committee collects the yellow surveys and asks that those who have not completed a survey to mail theirs to him as soon as possible. He offers thanks to Robbie Sullivan (not present) for standardizing the nomination process for TRiO Achievers; the nomination forms and criteria sheets are disseminated.

Dan and BKP review the cost of the April state meeting last as $90 per participant up to 3 participants per program and additional program workers at cost. Dan asks if members prefer a flat rate of $75 per participant and after some discussion it is decided that spring meeting registration will remain the same as last year.

Dan previews the tentative agenda for discussion; the tentative dates are Tue-Wed April 5th and 6th 2005. The location selected is Jorgenson’s, because Jorgenson’s is a popular spot for the legislators to go. Alan Thompson will try to get the same band to play for the Legislator’s hour as in 2003.

Dan announces the committee is pursuing Tom Mortenson of the Pell Institute as guest speaker for the April state meeting. He will speak for free but MT Chapter of ASPIRE would need to meet his travel costs. Rene may be able to assist with this. The intent is to have Tom speak in the morning for MT Chapter of ASPIRE and once more in the afternoon at a more public venue, such as Helena College Of Technology (HCOT) and invite educators and P-20 stakeholders.  In this light, Dan proposes the theme of the conference to be Access to Higher Education.

Current needs for the conference are: assistance for Michelle Watson with registration, a coordinator for the TRiO Achiever’s luncheon, and a workshop session coordinator. Amy Verlanic remarks that Jorgenson’s gives a kickback on the number of rooms rented, so for attendees to consider staying there as a contribution to MT Chapter of ASPIRE.

Linda Ornowski of the Development committee reports that a new way to reach regional Fair Share id called Project Membership. The hope is that this will satisfy the requirements to qualify as a project expense, such as COE membership.

Ray Carlisle, chair of the Governmental Relations committee, announces that he is coming up on his three year chair  term. They would like a new chair to come forward in the next year. The committee is producing a new MT TRiO fact book and the work on that will begin in January. They have received a one-time COE initiative grant to fund the new fact book.

Angelina Levandowski, Co-Chair of the Indian Advocacy committee reads the vision statement written by the committee this year. One of the goals of the committee is to promote awareness of native American/Indian student perspectives and needs, and to ensure that there are training opportunities for those working with Native students at all conferences. None were offered this year at regional ASPIRE.

BKP urges ASPIRE members to work with the SAF on College Goal Sunday (contact Garth Ferro: (406) 444-6597).

Amy Verlanic announces that there are two suitable locations in Missoula for the 2006 regional ASPIRE meeting and requests feedback for the idea of hosting it there.

BKP gives the treasurer’s report. We spent $1100 more than we had come in, due in part to the $750 we voted to contribute the Estelle Hill’s travel. MT Chapter of ASPIRE currently has $2880.52 in the budget, which puts us close the year-end target budget of $3000.

Proposed By-Laws change to electing officers in the spring instead of the fall.  Bud Sathers moves. Second by AM.

BKP thanks all for the marvelous opportunity to be State President and says he learned very much and it was an honor. He looks forward to continuing this work in the committees. Dan Benge presents BKP with a plaque of recognition.

Dan remarks he is looking forward to doing the hard work ahead.

Arleen Adams will be leaving TRiO in a year when she finishes with the SKC training grant.

Rob Rust moves to adjourn. BKP seconds. The meeting is concluded.

Respectfully submitted, Mica Slaven-Lamothe  -  MTS