The meeting was called to order by Kari Nornes at 11:00 a.m.. in Sioux Falls, SD, at the winter seminar. Members present included Erica Boltjes, Bev Ulmer, Brian Ballard, DeeAnn Lovett, Wanda Dally, Steve Walhof, Rick Pudwill, Harold Eichman, Terry Erickson, Linda McDowell (new member), Twila Henning, Karen Jepperson, Mike Dott, Jill Hanely, Dianne Dell, Patty Buus, Mary Beth Sik, Mel Heinz, and Kari Nornes.

Minutes were approved from the last meeting held in September, 2004.

Larry was not present and has resigned his position because he is no longer a CLMA member. Karen Jepperson will be temporary Treasurer until January. Edited note (information was not available at the meeting):  the Checkbook Balance as of December 17, 2004 is $5561.97 This is after expenses and deposits from the seminar have been considered. It also includes the $110.00 deposit from National for the fall renewals of memberships. The CD is valued at $5810.85, issued on 11-26-04. (please see attached summary at the end of the minutes)

We have two new members—Sandra Hanson and Nancy Ellison. Also, Linda McDowell will be joining. We are recognizing John Kangas and Connie Thury for 5 years of membership.

Congratulations to President-Elect, Kathy Winter; Treasurer, John Kangas; and new Board Member, Connie Thury. Their terms will begin in January 2005.

The National CLMA/ASCP Conference and Exhibition is in Chicago, IL, from March 5-8, 2005. We discussed getting a van so that as many members as possible could drive to it since it is within a driving distance. Kari will let members know if there is a van organized for this.

We have submitted questions to Mark Toboll to find out the cost of changing the website. Members wanted to know how many hits we get to the website. For the auto email to add events, it was suggested that we send it to a member of the education committee to screen prior to having it posted on the website. It was decided to not include a list of local members since that is available through the National website.

Mary Jo Bonifas, President of the Board of Directors for the CLMA Political Action Committee, updated us. She encouraged everyone to find out what committee your congressmen are on for advocacy. If we get some meetings planned with them, we will let the members know.

Twila Henning, Past President and Regional representative for the survey, shared the survey the Chapter Leader Presidents initiated to discuss future of chapters. Some suggestions are:

• National communicate better with chapters
• New mission and vision statements
• Help chapters locally, not so much nationally
• Enhance communication levels
• Fund a knowledge center (PACE credits)
• Travel to regional meetings
• Offer a "virtual" chapter
• Have a national representative at every state each year at their expense

We are encouraged to become better advocates. It was discussed and decided to have the chapter send a Siouxland representative to National legislative symposium in Washington D.C. in March, 2005. All expenses will be covered for one person.

Our next meeting will be in May at the SDSCLS/CLMA meeting in Rapid City, SD.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Karen Jepperson, Secretary