The meeting began with coffee and conversation from 9:30 until 10am.  Spring-Williams Byrd, Burke County Extension Director, welcomed everyone, along with Glenda Burgess and Dawn Snyder, to the Waldensian Winery in Valdese.  Dr. Deborah Crandall followed Spring with the administrative updates going on in Extension.  She mentioned how proud she was of Carol Horne, who served as our Secretaries Association’s state president.  Deborah went on to say that it is a very difficult budget time for the state, national and local governments.  Hopefully the recession will be coming to an end within 2-3 years.  Deborah also mentioned about the positions that are vacant in extension and those positions will be prioritized as they are being filled.

Members then enjoyed storytelling and music by provided by Sharon Clarke a local resident of Burke County.  Afterwards we toured the Waldensian Winery.  Members spilt into groups of two and 2 of the volunteer workers from the winery gave us a tour.  We found out that our actual meeting room used to be a chicken house used by the farm many years ago.  After the educational and history tour, members had delicious lunch catered by Giovanni's of Valdese.  It consisted of lasagna, salad, and a delicious piece of cherry topped cheesecake, along with tea or water to drink.

After lunch Dr. Deborah Crandall recognized and handed out certificates to those in the West Central District who had service awards for the 2009 year.  They were as follows:

 

5 Year Awards: 

            Sue Bugg, Gaston County

            Glenda Burgess, Burke County

            Fran Little, Catawba County

            Jamie Miller, Alexander County

            Judy Moore, Lincoln County

            Dawn Snyder, Burke County

  

10 Year Awards:

            Joyce Dorsey, Lincoln County

            Cindy Gustashaw, Gaston County

            Deidra Hicks, Iredell County

 

 20 year Awards:

            Connie Holshouser, Rowan County

    

25 Year Awards:

            Nancy Miller, Catawba County

  

30 Year Awards:

            Sandy Kanupp, District Office

After the service awards were presented, volunteers from the Winery offered sample tasting of the wine.  They brought around alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mad in the winery for members to sample if they would like.

Because of the time frame, Glenda suggested that we move onto the business meeting and that members would have a chance to visit the winery gift shop afterwards.

 

AGENDA:

Julie Campbell, WC District President, called the NC Cooperative Extension Secretaries Association – West Central District meeting to order.  A motion was made by Nancy Miller for the agenda to be approved.  Sandy Kanupp seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

ROLL CALL:

Jamie Miller filled in for Michelle Ham to do the roll call:  Those in attendance were: Alexander – 2; Alleghany – 2; Ashe – 0; Burke – 3; Caldwell – 2; Catawba – 3; Cleveland – 2; Davie – 2; Gaston – 3; Iredell – 3; Lincoln – 1; Rowan –2; Rutherford – 2; Surry – 0; Wilkes – 0; Yadkin – 0; Fletcher – 1; Guest – 0.  The numbers above included retirees.

Minutes from the May1st, 2009, meeting, in Ashe, were sent to every member via e-mail.  Fran Little made a motion to approve and accept the minutes.  Carol Horne seconded the motion.  The motion carried.     

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Treasurer, Nancy Miller, gave everyone a copy of the Treasurer’s Report.  The beginning balance from the May, 2009, was $8,359.73.  The report showed that $7,000 was removed from the account and placed in a CD, drawing 2% interest.  The balance as of September, 25, 2009 is $930.86.  We also have $30.18 in a Share Account.  A motion was made by Fran Little to approve the treasurer’s report.  Sandy Kanupp seconded the motion.  The motion for the treasurer’s report carried.  

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Finance- Nancy Miller, See above in Treasurer’s Report

Rules & By Laws- Karen Robertson, No Report

Professional Improvement- Fran Little thanked all of the Professional Improvement committee members who had helped out this past year.  There were 13 applications sent in for the Herter O’Neal Scholarship.  The state recipient was from our district.  Gabriella Mendieta from Ashe County received the scholarship.  She is already enrolled in New York University-Fordham.

The Professional Improvement Scholarship from our district was awarded to Annie Thompson and Sandy Kanupp.  Congratulations to both of you! 

Public Relations- Carol Horne- No Report

Membership- Joyce Dorsey- No Report

Reflections- Deidra Hicks, the scrapbook is here on hand available for everyone to view.

Nominating- Jamie Miller, one person was nominated to serve as secretary for the West Central District Secretaries Association.  That person was Leslie Brown.  Nominations were taken off the floor for Secretary, Treasurer, and 2^nd Vice President positions.  Those willing to accept the office positions were Dawn Snyder, Treasurer, Leslie Brown, Secretary, and Joyce Dorsey, 2^nd Vice President. 

Staff Senate- Fran Little along with Sandy Kanupp represented the WC District Secretaries Association serving on the Staff Senate.  Since there was no travel money available, Fran and Sandy have been unable to attend any Staff Senate meetings.  If anyone has any concerns or needs anything addressed, please feel free to contact Fran or Sandy.

SRERSSA Update- Carol Horne gave an update on SRERSSA.  There are changes in the making.  There has been a name change to The Extension Research and Support Staff Association (TERSSA) and members didn’t get the opportunity to vote on that.  If anyone has concern they can e-mail Tracy Brown, Campus. 

Following the committee reports and updates, Jamie Miller installed the new 2009-2010 officers for the West Central District:  They are as follows:

            Advisor - Julie Campbell

            President - Fran Little

            1^st Vice President- Sandy Kanupp

            2^nd Vice President- Joyce Dorsey

            Secretary- Leslie Brown

            Treasurer - Dawn Snyder

OLD BUSINESS:

The Horn of Plenty was held in Catawba County on August 28th, at the Science Center.  There was a total of 12 West Central District Secretaries who helped out serving lemonade, iced tea, water, and some that helped with scooping ice cream and preparing the potato salad. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Joyce Dorsey mentioned that at the WCATS meeting, and idea for everyone to get their picture taken & send to Deidra Hicks.  Also, you need to include your name and home address in case a card would need to be sent.  

FALL MEETING INVITE:

Caldwell County will be hosting the Spring Meeting in 2010. A date will be announced at a later time.  Everyone is invited.

The meeting was adjourned.

Submitted By:  Jamie Miller, Alexander County, filling in for Michelle Ham.