This meeting of Iowa Voices for Quality Child Care was called to
order at 6:45 on July 8, 2008 by Louise Rhode, Co-chair. This
meeting was actually rescheduled from June 17, which was
cancelled due to the flooding in Johnson County.

11 Members present: 
Louise Rhode, Brenda Nelson, Sandy Langenberg, Brenda OHalloran,
Patty Smith, Lyn Petersen, Diana Riahi, Mira Sahu, Allison Crawford,
April Kirchoff, Mari Howell-Verry, and 1 guest Alicia Weithers .

Brenda Nelson read the minutes from May, one addition: $59.36 was
spent on the pizza party to celebrate our 1st Anniversary at the May
meeting. Louise Rhode moved to approve minutes with addition, 2nd
Brenda Nelson, motion passed.

Sandy Langenberg gave treasurer’s report with a balance of $1537.83.
Only activity on the account for this month was the $216 collected from
members and paid out for the Applebaum Conference for a group rate.
Sandy mentioned that the $400 from the West Branch Lions club must
be used to complete the 501(C)3 process for tax exempt status.
Motion was made to approve treasurer’s report, motion passed.

Sandy also mentioned we should designate 2 representatives to attend
a fall meeting of the Lion’s Club to tell them a little bit about our group.
Louise and Brenda O volunteered.

Brenda OHalloran reported that the web site is up to date with minutes
and special event information. Brenda reported that there are now
handouts available on the website as well. She also distributed the current
3rd quarter newsletter with a nomination form insert to members present
and will mail others out soon, extra nomination forms were given to
Brenda N for filing and distribution at the next meeting if needed.

Patty reported that she now has all members information typed in the sign
in sheet so all that is needed is for members to initial by their name and
check to make sure address and phone contact is correct. Brenda O and
Patty will work to get attendance info on the website before August
general membership meeting.

Motion was made to have member information on website modified to
include the city of residence for each provider so our membership list can
be used more efficiently for referrals, motion passed. The new membership
forms will also be modified so members can request their names, phones,
and city be suppressed from the website if they choose.

Reminders:

IFCCA Board meeting was changed from Sept 13 to Sept 20. It will be held
at the Highlander Quality Inns & Suites at 9:30 for those interested in
attending.

1st Annual Picnic will be held on July 12, from 10:30-2:30, with major door
prize drawing at 1:30 p.m. Details for location are available on the web.
For more info contact Louise, April or Brenda Nelson.

Old Business:

Update on Appreciation Baskets: Allison reported she had gone ahead with
making and distributing the baskets on her own and in her own name.
Members who had purchased items for these baskets then brainstormed
ideas on how to use their items in another way to show the group’s
appreciation to 4Cs. Motion was made to have members purchase restaurant
gift cards near the 4Cs offices and bring to the August meeting so we
could collectively create a group appreciation basket to be presented
to 4Cs staff the week prior to their conference, motion passed.

Update on Sheryl Sueppel Memorial: Louise reported that Susan had
e-mailed a couple of suggested areas where we could contribute.
Lyn Petersen motioned to allocate $100 to 4Cs for the resource center in
Sheryl’s name, motion passed. Business tabled at 7:35, for 5 minute
break and then speaker Karen Veerhuesen-Langerud presented on
Preschool/Kindergarten transitions.

Business resumed at 9:15

New Business:

IFCCA memberships for the group’s representatives: Brenda Nelson
and Diana Riahi are due soon. Discussion occurred regarding the
change of officers on the IFCCA board and Brenda Nelson will contact
Kathy O’Neill to find out more information on how those positions are filled.
Both Brenda and Diana expressed interest in continuing on as
representatives. Motion was made to reimburse Brenda and Diana for
their membership fees as long as they are the group’s representatives
on the IFCCA board. Motion passed. (Only paid members can act as the
group’s representative)

Discussion occurred regarding membership dues and what they actually
cover and which events are open to all. The consensus was that group
membership entitles one to attend meetings with 6 offered trainings
per year (per the group survey results), receive quarterly newsletters,
attend special events at reduced member rates, have the right to vote
on non-structural changes, access to web with name listed for referral
and membership purposes, and if they attend enough meetings to
qualify as member in good standing (10 of 20 per year, per our voted
in bylaws) they can run for an officer position, vote for officer elections,
and present and vote on by-law changes. Since our group is a non-profit
corporation our general membership meetings must be open to the
public, but we do charge participants a $5 fee if they want handouts or a
training certificate and we also charge them higher prices on special events.

Next board meetings will be held Sept 6, 1-5 p.m. location TBA. and
November 1, 1-5 p.m. following the 4Cs conference, with the location TBA.

Next Special Event was tentatively scheduled for Nov 8, with time and
location and topic TBA. One idea suggested was another laminating party.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50.

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda OHalloran, Internet Services Coordinator