ICASE Executive Committee Meeting

March 15, 2007
Department of Education

(These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.) 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Adams (President), Pam Wright (President-elect), Cindy Pittman (Past-President), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Larry Bass (SW), Jim Murray (C), Cheryl Corning (SE), Lynn Gosser (E), Mary Beth Hamilton (NE), Pat Pierce (NW) 

MEMBER ABSENT: Patti Kem (NC) 

OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra (DEL) 
 
I. Approvals

A. Minutes ­ Tom Adams called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the January 30, 2007 minutes. MOTION: Lynn Gosser moved for approval. After a second by Mary Beth Hamilton, the motion carried. 
 
B. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket ­ Vendetta Gutshall distributed handouts for the February 2007 Financial Report. The February Docket was presented in the amount of $27,720.49. MOTION: Pat Pierce moved to approve the Docket as presented. After a second by Jim Murray, the motion was approved. The financial report showed $85,036.46 of the $167,650 budget had been expended to date.

MOTION: Pam Wright moved to make a $50 donation in memory of Bill Hafner. After a second by Jim Murray, the motion was approved. Vendetta noted she would issue a check to the Parish Life Center at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Carmel. 

C. Constitution Highlights ­ Tom Adams explained that officers met last evening to review a process leading to necessary revisions of the Constitution. Tom remarked all committee chairpersons are to hold active (voting or unified) membership. 

Tom noted the current ICASE Constitution allows the President to appoint a Parliamentarian as necessary. Tom appointed Gary Collings as Parliamentarian in his role as secretary. Members approved the appointment by consensus. Tom commented Gary Collings has begun a review of Roberts' Rules.

D. Strategic Plan (2006-09) ­ Lynn Gosser commented she and Pam Wright will meet to review the content and timeline of the Strategic Plan draft and will highlight items for any future constitutional revision. Cindy Pittman complimented both Lynn and Pam on their intent to continue to monitor the progress of the draft plan. 

Tom Adams proposed we revive the former Procedures (Operational) Manual for the Executive Committee. Members suggested a future version might be recorded on a disk and/or website. 

Vendetta remarked she, Cindy, and Gary have yet to meet regarding an ICASE presence and involvement from a national perspective. 

E. Membership Committee ­ Vendetta Gutshall reported the general membership listserv is ready once we decide how to proceed. Should this listserv become a benefit of membership? Is it desirable to differentiate listserv options for active (voting or unified) members from the general membership? These questions led to a discussion about restrictions for "post only" status for a designated person as a single point of entry for business items not general information postings. Members discussed their sensitivity to limit access to administrators' e-mail addresses. Members also noted the need for Roundtable Representatives to review lessons for e-mail etiquette within their respective groups, such as the difference between replying to only the sender of a broadcast message or replying to all recipients, which is often less desirable unless indicated by the message.

Vendetta recommended the Smekens proposal for professional development be tabled for further study. The proposal applies to topical conferences and not to Spring/Fall Conferences. The pending strategic plan might call for a Professional Development Committee and chairperson. In reply to a question, Vendetta noted Brady Smekens could be contacted by Roundtable Representatives regarding regional topicals. 

Vendetta reported Patron Membership will be reviewed this summer in regard to both sponsors and vendors. Tammy Ummel will be on the work group due to her involvement with vendors. 

Members also discussed the option of adding a Members Only section to the ICASE website. Vendetta noted the website can be re-tooled for access to restricted information by only "unified" members. She will review the details and potential costs with Brady Smekens and ways to differentiate the benefits of "unified" membership beyond the general membership status of the Consolidated option.

F. Committee Appointments 2007-08 ­ Pam Wright acknowledged her intent to begin reviewing committee and liaison appointments for next year. 

G. Proposed Calendar of Meetings 2007-08 ­ Members reviewed the February 14, 2007 calendar draft, which was taken under advisement until Pam Wright can resolve any date conflicts she may have with future board meetings. 

H. Roundtable Topical Proposals ­ Tom Adams reviewed the Master Schedule: Fall 2007 (Central), Spring 2008 (Northwest), Fall 2008 (East), Spring 2009 (Southeast). 

Larry Bass reminded members that Southwest completed its topical last Fall. 

Mary Beth Hamilton noted Northeast has done a series of topicals over the current school year. Pat Pierce commented Northwest is likely to continue the RtI theme for next year.

II. Reports: 2006-2007

A. Conferences/Activities 

1. Spring Conference 2007: February 15-16, 2007 ­ Pam Wright filed an invoice from the Radisson for $20,356.70. She will bring a summary of the conference evaluations to the next meeting. In spite of the inclement weather, the conference had over 300 participants. There were 45 no-shows and six requests  for refunds. Members agreed to issue no refunds as costs were still incurred for  guaranteed meals. The conference registration form also stated registration fees would not be refunded after February 9, 2007.

2. Fall Conference 2007: September 27-28, 2007 ­ Pam Wright reported she established a group rate for overnights at the French Lick Resort. Costs for the speakers will be underwritten by the IN-SIG project, which is collaborating on the program.

3. CEC/CASE Update ­ Vendetta Gutshall reported she has filed a group registration for members to attend the CEC Convention and CASE Fun Night. Tom Adams reminded members of the July 15-18, CASE Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. Members agreed to support the attendance of Tom Adams, Joan McCormick, and Lynn Gosser. All members were encouraged to attend this CASE seminar. 

Vendetta distributed a CASE flyer on the Top 10 Reasons to Belong to CASE, along with sample letters to Senators Lugar and Bayh regarding the 2007 joint funding resolution

4. Offer to IAPSS for 2008 Winter Conference - Tom Adams confirmed John Ellis (IAPSS) has accepted the offer from ICASE to pay the fee and related expenses for George Batsche to be a keynote speaker at the 2008 IAPSS Winter Conference on January 31, 2008 in Indianapolis. 

B. Standing Committee Reports 

1 Porter Scholarship ­ Cheryl Corning reported she has posted the 2007-08 applications on the University Forum listserv and mailed packets to others.

2 Recognition/Awards ­ A retirement/honorary service award is pending. 

3. Past-Presidents' Council ­ Tom Adams will chair this council after July 1. 

4. Nominations ­ Pam Wright remarked the nomination process is under review in relation to the Strategic Plan, as well as any future constitutional revisions. 

5. Roundtable Activities ­ No reports. 

C. Article 7 Work Group ­ This group composed of Executive Committee members met on March 13 to outline its work, with the next session scheduled for March 28. 
 
D. Report: Division of Exceptional Learners ­ Bob Marra announced Dr. Sharon Knoth will re-join the Division of Exceptional Learners as Assistant Director effective March 19, 2007. Her initial duties will include oversight of the due process and complaints system. Sally Cook has announced her intent to retire effective August 31, 2007. 

Bob reported he met last week with Representative Porter who may not allow S.B. 451 (emergency permits) to be heard in the House committee. The representative wants to be assured teacher standards are not being lowered. The Department of Education continues to review licensing options for teachers of communication disorders. Bob said he is also investigating the distance learning format for a master's degree program as well as the re-tooling of standards for bachelor's degree programs in communication disorders. Members were supportive of the DOE proposal to be shared with the ICASE Legislative Committee. 

In relation to the speech personnel shortage, Bob noted he has asked Mary Jo Germani (ISHA) to review what other States are doing to recruit and retain speech personnel. Bob has asked Gary Collings to facilitate a small group meeting to include several ISHA representatives, Pam Wright, and Lynn Gosser to: (1) discuss recruitment including financial incentives, and (2) identify stakeholders for a future forum. His intent is to convene a larger group of stakeholders from other professional organizations and groups to focus on the issues. Members endorsed his proposal as a viable approach to keep the discussions moving forward. 

E. Report: Public Policy and Legislative Committee ­ Tom Adams reported that S.B. 451 (Becker) passed the full Senate 49-0 and is now in a House Committee (Porter). The bill allows the Department of Education to issue an emergency communication disorder permit to an individual to serve the needs of certain students who are eligible for speech and language services. 

F. Liaisons ­ No reports 

III. NEXT MEETING: - No April 2007 in lieu of the CEC Convention (Louisville)
- May 17, 2007 (8:30 AM) DOE/DEL (Riley Room)