PERSONS PRESENT:

Dean Forrester, President

Wayne Stickler, Vice President

Rosie Gallagher, Secretary-Treasurer

Ronda Bozek-Smith, Publicity Chair

Kathy Nelson, Director District 3 & Awards Chair

Rita Mills, Web Chair

Jessie Engelhardt, Director District 2

Connie Wilkinson, Director District 4 & Membership Chair

Aaron Stockberger, Director District 5

Kay Lumsden, Legislative Chair

Bob Thompson, Convention Chair

Marlene Chesney, Director District 5

Blain Becktold, Director District 3

Joann Bullard, Director District 1

It’s been a hectic year and FSA Tomorrow Plan is now dead. NASCOE was a core stopping point in getting the word out to Congressional and Senate contacts. A trip to Washington was made with NASCOE leadership putting together talking points for each state member to meet with their respective congressman and senator’s. It’s back to each individual State Office to put together a plan to stay within budget. There is no guarantee that the SED will include employee associations in developing the new plan. It’s apparent that with the projected budget (supposed to be out to state offices Jan. 20^th) that something has to happen. In Michigan the Dickinson/Iron Office has already been closed.

Directors were asked to send the membership chairs Ellen Wilson & Connie Wilkinson an email if they are aware of a new employee in their district or a retirement. This will be a key way in targeting new employees for membership.

Dean will not be running for another term as president. He stated that he has never regretted the time spent on the association. Individuals spend many hours to work toward employee benefits and interests. Once you become an active member, you in it for the long run.

The association currently has $9,971.55. An extra trip to Washington was completed in October for the FSA Tomorrow Plan. We sent six individuals to the full legislative conference in February (Dean Forrester, Ronda Bozek-Smith, Wayne Stickler, Kay Lumsden, Connie Wilkinson and Kathy Nelson). Also, we send three individuals to the MWA & NWA Combined Rally in Nebraska in April (Wayne Stickler, Kay Lumsden & Rosie Gallagher). We attended the Ohio State Association Convention in Columbus, OH (Ronda Bozek-Smith & Rosie Gallagher). No additional equipment was purchased.

The Legislative Conference for 2006 will also be a full conference and we will be sending four individuals (Wayne Stickler, Dean Forrester, Ronda Bozek Smith & Kay Lumsden). This will take place February 28^th thru March 1. NASCOE has determined that with a new Farm Bill coming in 2007 that it was important to give a full force hit on issues this year.

A motion was made by Wayne Stickler to provide $50 a day for those individuals attending the legislative conference to cover meals, transportation and parking. The motion was supported by Marlene Chesney. The motion passed. Blain Becktold stated that a general letter drafted for members to send to congressional and senators prior to the Legislative Conference would prove to be very beneficial at this time.

Ronda’s main goal is to get the Web site up and running with a place for the newsletter, reports for the president, vice president, secretary, committee chairs and district directors as well as a dues chart and many other things. Rita Mills is working toward that end and we hope to have it up and running soon.

As part of her retiree’s responsibilities she attended the MIRASCOE convention in Clare this spring. She took pictures and got a lot of email addresses. The next newsletter will be sent to those who gave her email addresses and will be mailed to those who gave her updated addresses.

Blain suggested that Directors send monthly emails to the publicity chair on what’s happening in each district. Wayne suggested to spot light a State or County Office employee.

The following awards have been distributed since the MASCOE convention on May 14, 2005:

Sharon Graham – Genesee, 2500 hours

Tim Stein – Arenac/Iosco, 1000 hours

Rita Baker – Lenawee

Phylis Paquin – Dickinson/Iron

Linda Wright Mauk – Kalamazoo

Zella Freiburger – Sanilac

Jane Goethels – Wexford

Ron Weaver – Mason/Oceana/Lake

Judy Snook – St. Joseph

To date She has not received any applications for the distinguished service awards or for the scholarship. Please encourage members to apply or make nominations. DSA nominations must be sent to her by February 1, 2006. Scholarship selections must be submitted to the Area Chair by March 1^st. Please submit scholarship applications to Kathy no later than February 15^th. To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a family member of a MASCOE member who has a minimum of 5 years membership, unless the member is a newly hired employee.

No nominations to date. These awards have no deadlines.

The NASCOE Officers and Exec’s have approved a special extra mile award program for the year. The award will be for relatives of our NASCOE members that have served or are serving in the war. The Special Award includes any relative of NASCOE member, not just members or their children. The Extra Mile Award Certificates will be presented to the State Chair at the national convention.

For more information or forms for the above awards, go to nascoe.org or contact Kathy Nelson at 231-924-2230 ext 2 or email at kathy.nelson@mi.usda.gov

She has run into a problem with downloading and uploading with her dial up connection site on line. She plans to have links to the NASCOE page, store, JM Marketing, Pictures of Directors, newsletters, membership applications. Hopefully, the site will be up and running. There is a fee of $162.21 for the domain name and a $40 host fee. Then only a $107 annual fee will apply (no pop ups!).

A new flyer and welcome packet is being completed. This will be sent to every office in the hopes of gaining new membership. The committee is also looking for information on how long individuals have been members. A insert will be included with the packet to each office to garner this information.

There is an issue with the current dues withholding on the FSA-444. Since the STO now enters in the withholding amount, the association has been informed that if an amount changes for an individual, a new FSA-444 must be completed with the amount of withholding entered on the form. Dean stated that he would check with the MWA executive Mark VanHoose about the FSA-444 and work with the STO on resolving the current issue.

A motion was made by Blain Becktold to continue with the current dues structure, supported by Marlene Chesney. The motion passed.

A motion was made by Kay Lumsden to allow those individuals who are not current members to pay ½ the dues amount by March 15^th. Supported by Kathy Nelson. The motion passed.

A motion was made by Wayne Stickler to provide a free room at the 2007 State Convention for 2 nights for members on dues withholding or paid dues by July 1, 2006. This would be non transferable and no cash equivalent. The drawing would be held on August 30, 2006. Supported by Connie Wilkinson. The motion passed.

The 2006 Convention will be held on April 22^nd at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. Bob indicated that a special invitation should be sent to NACS and MACS representatives to attend and speak.

Bob Thompson and his wife have donated a hand made super twin red, white & black with red thread quilt for a raffle item.

Entertainment ideas were discussed with possibilities of a Texas hold’em poker or yuchure tournament or a talent contest . Jessica Engelhardt and Marlene Chesney volunteered to work the registration table. Kathy Nelson volunteered to head the Hospitality room. Ronda Bozek Smith volunteered to head the fund raising. Wayne Stickler volunteered to be the convention co-chair.

A motion was made by Rosie Gallagher to allow expenditures for the convention to be approved without director approval not to exceed $800. Supported by Wayne Stickler. The motion passed.

Legislative, Kay Lumsden

The 2005 Legislative conference, Wayne; Connie; Kathy; Ronda; Dean & Kay traveled to Baltimore, MD and Washington DC for the legislative conference. It was a new experience for everyone except Dean & Ronda. The Legislative team made several important contacts with Michigan Senators and Representatives and their Aides during this visit.

Items discussed during the 2005 Legislative Visit:

Animal ID – FSA would like to be involved in this process with APHIS since we already have the GIS ability to record and track the animals.

Retirement benefits between CSRS and FERS

Staffing Needs

FSA Tomorrow: In September 2005, Kay emailed a letter out to the Board, District Director’s and members to send to Michigan Representatives which explained what was going on the FSA Tomorrow.

She asked that any MASCOE member who has a contact or relationship with a congressional office or aide to let the association know, so that issues can be sent thru them.

NASCOE has added a programs/inefficiency Chairperson at the National Level. On the NASCOE website you can find a form to complete or email address to inform NASCOE of program inefficiencies. As long as the issue is not a State issue, the NASCOE representative (Jake Bourquet, WI) will contact either WA or KC directly and discuss the issue for possible change. Check out the NASCOE website for more information.

Dean has sent out an email to the membership for anyone who may be interested in volunteering to chair these two areas.

Districting for Directors: A discussion was held on how it is getting harder to get participation for director elections. The possibility of redistricting and having only 4 districts with a director at large position was put forth as an idea.

Dean provided the following information on the District and CED’s available for current elections:

District # of CED

8.5

8.5

8

8

11

After further discussion it was decided to bring this issue up at the upcoming convention in April and get member input.

Delegates:

A motion was made by Dean to have Ronda and Wayne be the delegates for the National Convention in August (Clevland OH August 9^th-12^th). Supported by Connie Wilkinson. The motion passed.

A motion was made by Dean to have Kay Lumsden & Wayne Stickler be the delegates for the MWA/NWA in May (Excelsior Springs, MO May 5^th-6^th). Supported by Marlene Chesney. The motion passed.

A motion was made by Blain Becktold to reimburse an additional 2 rooms at the MWA Rally. Supported by Joann Bullard. The motion passed.

A discussion was tabled on what incentives the association would provide to have more membership at the National Convention in August in Clevland, OH. A motion was made by Blain Becktold to make a decision on incentives at the upcoming State Convention. Supported by Connie Wilkinson. The motion passed.

Therefore, a meeting of the directors will be necessary before the State Convention. At 5:00 pm on Friday April 21^st a meeting will be held at the Doherty Hotel.

New Business

Joann Bullard stated that MACS and NACS are talking about a Zone Meeting. She asked if MASCOE was invited to attend this meeting.

Blain Becktold had two emails from members

Val Gillespie, Clinton County asked if When SED submits plan for office closures can he submit the exact FSA Tomorrow Plan? Will NASCOE be able to make suggestions or take part in the plan process? Answer was provided by emails sent to membership by Dean, the SED does not have to include input from employee associations, but Dean is hoping that Bruce does include MASCOE.

Printing payment statements and having to file them in program folders. With NPS not sending offices payment statements for programs via the web, is it necessary for office to file all of the DCP direct and CC payment statements? This item will be forwarded to the Programs Inefficiencies on the NASCOE Website.

156 EZ do you need to print these? This will also be forwarded to Programs thru the NASCOE Website.

Financial Inquiries: To get the information for producers on payments; refunds or receivables. This was discussed and it appears that you need to ensure that you are printing the 1099 G Option.

The 2004 Directors Meeting Minutes were approved.

A motion was made by Blain Becktold to adjourn the meeting. Supported by Connie Wilkinson. The meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.

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Dean Forrester, President

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Wayne Stickler, Vice President

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Rosie Gallagher, Sec-Treasurer