Hello From the President

Greeting, it is hard to believe that May is just around the corner. Just wanted to provide you a little update regarding what has been happening. On January 12-13, 2001, I attended the Council of Chapter Presidents Meeting in San Antonio. We were updated on current activities at the national office. Focus in 2002 is recruitment and retention. Presidents were also challenged to make sure that the chapter submitted all of the required documentation.

On January 30, 2002, the Board of Directors met to develop a plan for the upcoming year. Highlights of the meeting include: Wanda and Jill will initiate a nominating committee which will be responsible for the slate of candidates for the fall elections; it was decided that we would do a needs assessment to determine what laboratorians are looking for from CLMA. Larry and Karen will be in charge of this program. Objectives for year 2002 were defined. For complete minutes see the website.

Hope to see you in Pierre. Twila

Design a Logo Contest

Congratulations to Kay Knoblock and Karen Jepperson for their winning design for our Logo Contest. Too See it look at the top of the Newsletter.

Information Update

The Board of Directors is in the process of contacting all of the current Siouxland CLMA members to update the information on the CLMA database. If you have not already been contacted, you be in the near future.

Website

CLMA-Siouxland.org is the Website for Siouxland CLMA. We would like to start using this for as much communication as possible. It will help us to save postage. The website includes a calendar which can be used to list all events that laboratorians might wish to attend. If you are planning and educational event, or know of an event that should be listed. please contact Bill Hofer at 605-328-5458 or e-mail at hoferb@siouxvalley.org. Also, look to the website for minutes of meetings, agenda for upcoming meetings and regulatory updates. If you have any suggestions for upgrading the site, please pass them along.

CLMA Management Award

Time has passed quickly since the fall meeting in September, but just wanted to say congratulations to Kathy Winter, Osceola Community Hospital, Sibley, Iowa the recipient of the 2001 CLMA Management Award. Her laboratory staff submitted her name. They noted her high commitment to the laboratory, employees and patients made her an outstanding manager.

It is again time to submit nominations for CLMA Laboratory Management Award, which will be awarded at the fall meeting in Rapid City. Nomination forms can be found on the CLMA Website, if you do not have access to the website, contact Twila Henning and she will fax you one. The Siouxland CLMA Management award is given for contributions to the forward movement, education support, business management, and customer relations of the clinical laboratory profession. This is a truly great way for you to honor your laboratory manager, supervisor, a co-worker, or some other laboratory professional that has fostered the laboratory profession in the Siouxland area. Send nominations to Twila Henning by June 30, 2001.

DigiScript

Did you know that your membership to CLMA includes an online education resource? CLMA has partnered with Digiscript, Incorporated; to record the most popular educational sessions at the 2002 National Conference. This will allow those of you who do not attend the conference to view those recorded sessions on the CLMA website. This added value is part of your membership fee.

Spring Meeting State Meeting

The joint CLMA-SDSCLS meeting will be held in Pierre, SD, on May 23, 2002, at the Ramkota Convention Center. Excellent speakers are scheduled. The registration form is attached. A big "thank you" to Kari Nornes for all her hard work, in coordinating with SDSCLS for this meeting. Watch the website for the CLMA noon meeting agenda.

Mark Your Calendars - Fall Meeting

September 25-27, 2002, the fall joint CLMA-SDAHO meeting will be held in Rapid City. The Committee is currently planning the program. Keep watch for additional information

New By-Laws