NASCOE National Convention

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Myrtle Beach, SC

Call to Order: Dan Root called the meeting to order

Memoriam-Laura Scholte:  Slide show done to honor the employees who passed away in the last year.

President’s Report-Dan Root:  Discussed the past two years as a president.  The first thing that he had to contend with after being elected was FSA Tomorrow.  NASCOE has worked hard to rebuild the relationship with Washington DC. 

·        3 legislative conferences and the Secretary of Ag addressed NASCOE twice and this was an indication of his interest in NASCOE’s opinion.

·        In the process of building a relationship with NACD

·        State Office Restructuring Plans: NASCOE will support plans that the state associations approve

·        Membership has lessened from over 11,000 members four years ago and now down to over 8,000 members.  This is mainly due to less employees.

·        Robert Redding aids in helping guide NASCOE in legislative items

·        PAC- this proves a little contribution gives NASCOE a stronger voice with Congress

·        Conservation Administration: FSA should administer this program but we need the administrative resources to accomplish this.

·        Need to eliminate duplication of services, ex: crop reports being taken by 3 agencies.

·        Staffing: There is not enough money in the budget to get more staff, however, NASCOE will continue efforts to rebuild those numbers.

·        FSA Tomorrow: this was a very stressful time and the board worked many hours on that issue.

·        He has tried to set the stage for the new leaders.  Our strength is in the membership and we all need to have one, unified voice.  The Board cannot do things alone, membership must help.  FSA Tomorrow is a good example of what can be accomplished when all the members work together.  “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”  Insert NASCOE for “country” and that is what NASCOE is all about and what members need to think about.

·        Need to continue to work with legislators, build the PAC, need to look at dues and decide if they will cover costs.  With lower membership and higher costs, the Board will have to look at this in the near future.  We need to keep our message strong and work as a majority.

·        Thanked the Board and all the members for their hard work and support.  He also recognized all the committee chairpersons.

Resolutions:  Shawn Rafferty, Parliamentarian:  Reviewed the proposed changes in travel policies.

Midwest Travel Policy:  Proposed Policy change is to allow the Area Exec to have 8 people attend the Rallies and National Convention and get reimbursed, due to the fact that many areas have separate people in charge of Awards, Emblems and Scholarship Committees and they could not all get reimbursed under the current rules.

NASCOE Travel Policy:  Clarification on travel statements for Distinquished Service Award Winners and Publicity Award Winners.  See Statements

Secretary’s Report-Darlene Schouten: 

·        She discussed the organizational meetings for the national convention.  Please send any address changes and associate member changes. 

·        The 2008 convention will be held in Omaha. 

·        She discussed the negotiation sessions and the relationship that has been established with management in Washington DC.  The negotiation meeting was in Savannah, GA, and the consultants wrote up the items that needed to be sent to Washington.  The negotiation session went very well and everything was very organized.

·        Exec meeting was held before the legislative conference.

·        The Secretary sends out all reports and keeps the mailing list current.  The Secretary is the National Convention Chairperson. South Carolina has done a wonderful job with this convention.   The South Carolina folks did a great job in organizing and hosting this convention.

Treasurer’s Report-Larry Segars:

·        Thanked South Carolina for their hospitality and their great amount of heat!

·        Finished the year with over $394,000, this is less than the normal $400,000 balance, but NASCOE is still in good financial shape.  Costs are increasing and dues are less each due to declining membership.  Within the next few years the Board will have to take a look at the amount of dues.

·        Visibility of NASCOE is at an all time high due to legislative conferences, etc and this is very beneficial to members.

·        Plans are in place to transfer all records to the next treasurer.

·        Sends monthly reports to the Execs and they are reviewed at that time.

·        Had a clean audit last year and expect the same for this year.

·        Be sure to contact the treasurer with any changes in the states.

·        Thanked everyone for their support.

Selection of 2009 Convention Site: Tennessee put in a bid for the 2009 convention in Gatlinburg, TN.  A motion was made and seconded to accepting Tennessee’s Bid.  All yes, motion carried.

American Corn Growers, Larry Mitchell, CEO:  He described his position with the American Corn Growers and the work involved in the development of the farm bill.  He discussed crop surpluses, crop prices and the proposals for commodity payments in the farm bill.  There has to be a portfolio of crops dedicated to energy and used for Ethanol.  There are concerns about the new compliance rules and the use of “statistical sampling” method to determine spotchecks.  He remarked on how certain issues are headlined by the media and they force the focus off the real issues that FSA is dealing with.  There will be hearings later this year on crop insurance issues. There has been 2,000 spotchecks on AGI for millions of farmers.  This caused a lot of concern with Congress regarding the few actually checked. There is an attempt to privatize grain inspections for export.  This is a real concern about this because it would directly affect grain prices in this country.  Chairman Obey got all appropriations bills passed before the August recess.  The Senate has also passed some bills.  This congress is moving along with business.  Office closings must be monitored closely because it doesn’t make sense to close an office before the farm bill is passed. He discussed certain aspects of the proposed farm bill and the affect it will have on FSA and farmers.

Q: will we have a farm bill? A: there will be a farm bill, but it remains to be seen if the new farm bill is in place.  Otherwise, the bill reverts to the old farm bill.  He feels the Senate version is farther along than most people think.

Q: Where did he think the money will come from for IT?  A: He didn’t know where the money come from the Corn Growers are aware of the dire straights of IT. 

Committee Reports:

Publicity: Cindy Peterson: Laura Scholte, the NASCOE webmaster met with the committee to describe ways to enhance state sites.  Discussion was held on newsletters and the honorable mention awards because areas do not have such an award.

Recommendation to discontinue the Honorable Mention Award and removed from the Publicity Manual.

Benefits: Becky Zirpel:   Benefits descriptions are available on the NASCOE website.  She recognized all the area chairpersons.  Jim Mace attended the committee meeting and described policies available.  There is a plan that will be available for health insurance for college students. They will ask to renew the contract with JM Marketing for another 2 years.  JM Marketing offers the best prices and coverage available to NASCOE members as compared to other vendors.  There are some significant discounts available through cell phone companies. There are many other benefits available that are outlined on the NASCOE website.

Dental Insurance with JM Marketing: the policy is a group policy for NASCOE. There is a $.50 per pay period per person sent back to NASCOE for each participant.  This will continue to be offered to members only, but participation needs to increase in order to keep premiums low.

            Long Term Care: want this open to family members but will be paid by employee

Travel discounts: There will be website available and 4% commission would come back to NASCOE for anyone who would book travel through this site.

Recommendations

1.      Travel Company-approval to establish NASCOE’s very own travel company for membership and families

2.      Improved Health Benefits-secure new policies for short term Major Medical Coverage to member’s students reaching 22 years of age

3.      Improved Long-Term Care Benefits-long term care benefits extended to parents and in-laws of members, as long as premiums are paid through employee payroll deductions

4.      JM Marketing Inc. Contract- approve 2-year contract of services available to members through JM Marketing with wording changed to include NASCOE membership be provided to JM Marketing to determine eligibility of benefits

5.      Legislative Committee Suport- continue addressing changes in benefits received under member’s health insurance plans including raising maximum coverage age for children; influencing government to lock in percent of premium paid by Agency rather than locking in specific dollar amount and continue pursuit allowing FERS employees to receive retirement credit for accumulated Sick Leave hours in addition to Windfall Elimination and pursuit of PT Reclassification.

Awards/Scholarship/Emblems: Herb Sorley: Emblems: sold over $29,000 in emblems, commissions are over $1800 on those sales.

Auction: reaped over $5,000 in benefits, largest amount received to date.

Recommendations:

1.                         The Committee recommends that NASCOE fund a $200 pre Area Scholarship Award for NASCOE members taking college courses to improve their knowledge and skills to further their career with FSA.

2.                         The Committee recommends that NASOCE eliminate all financial requirements from the Scholarship application and score sheet.

3.                         The Committee recommends that the Host state or Host hotel provide for avenues for shipping scholarship auction items.

Membership: Frank Bender:  Discussion was held at the committee meetings regarding ways to promote strong membership.  There were packets from states that had some good suggestions on ways to build membership.

            Recommendation:

1.      Develop a membership packet to be distributed to each state.  Packet would contain NASCOE information, invitation to join NASCOE, thank-you for joining NASCOE letter, benefit information, etc

2.      Update the current “An Invitation From NASCOE” Brochure

3.      Work closely with the National Benefit Committee to provide updated benefit information.

Programs: Shelley Odenkirk: Had 79 issues sent in and got responses on 65 of those.  Program committee takes care of negotiation items that deal with program issues.  The committee took 47 of those items to Washington DC to discuss during the negotiation session.  The form seems to be working well and will not be revised at this time.  Washington DC representatives were present at the Area Meetings and answered many questions.

Recommendations:

1. The National Program Committee Chairperson should be made a permanent member of the NASCOE negotiations processes with WDC FSA officials, as they have annually determined to be for the previous three years.  We recommend this would be added to the Executive Committee Policy.

2. The National NASCOE Executive Committee have communication with the NASE/NACS boards to suggest there be only one process to forward farm program efficiency issues to WDC.   Also, to request WDC forward any efficiency issues sent to WDC not through this joint process be forwarded on to the NASCOE Program Committee Chair for review/concurrence.

Legislative: Trice Smith/Mike Mayfield: Robert Redding spoke at the committee meeting and described the farm bill process.  Tammy Eibey, CAPWIZ Coordinator, gave a report on CAPWIZ and outlined how to use it and what was available through this system.  Everyone can use CAPWIZ, you do not have to be a NASCOE member.  Cliff Fussell gave a report on PAC and how to set up an allotment.  He described what an efficient legislative tool this was for NASCOE.  Kevin Dale spoke on the Coalition Partnership efforts and the award given out this year to John Starnes. Office closure was discussed at length.  The legislative action plan was outlined and discussed. A fly-in is scheduled on Sept 11-12 to meet with key congressional personnel.

            Consensus from the Area meetings was to continue the following:

1.      NASCOE’s Conservation message

2.      Pursue Risk Management oversight and administration

3.      Continue on push for additional staffing

4.      Be proactive on reorganization issues

5.      Continue to help and support the NAFEC organization and stop the erosion of County Committee authority

All Committee reports were accepted as submitted.

Report by Area of Election of Area Executive Committee Persons and Alternates:

NWA: Kerry Smith thanked all the area committee chairs.  Good people make the leaders shine.  “The greatest challenge facing an organization must be looked up as an opportunity.”    “If you just sit there, you will get run over.”  Keep these quotes in mind.  Keep positive attitudes and be proud of what you do.

Exec:  Cindy Peterson           Alternate: Cindy Hall

SWA:  Myron Stroup thanked many folks for their help and support. There were about 20 members present. 

Exec:   Keith Whiteneck         Alternate:  Kevin Dale

MWA:  Mark Van Hoose discussed all of the issues that have been presented during the convention.  If you want to be successful, surround yourself with good people.

Exec: Jon Williams                 Alternate: Charlene Neukomm

NEA:  Keith Richmond reported that all areas and employees have the same concerns.  There were about 22 in attendance.

Exec:   John Lohr                    Alternate:

SEA:   Morris O’Quinn: Had good area meetings.  Concerns identified: staffing levels and the need for help; lack of training;PT classification, IT problems, restructuring plans, and purchase cards. He recognized all the area committee persons.  The area is at 89% membership.

Exec: Cliff Fussell                Alternate:Perry Dykes

            Area reports were approved as read.

Discussion of NASCOE Business

Review and discussion of Proposed Travel Changes

Resolutions

            1. NASCOE will reimburse Area Committee Chairs, Alternate Executives, and Negotiation Consultants $250 to attend the National Convention and $150 to attend their respective Area Rally.  This reimbursement would be limited to a maximum of 8 committee chairs per area as approved by the Area Executive.

     Voice vote taken, All yes.  Resolution passed.

                        2. Proposed Policy Statement for Distinguished Service Awards: national winners under the Awards program for Distinguished Service shall be paid the lesser of a round trip plane ticket from their respective home state capital or mileage to the site of the National Convention purchased according to NASCOE Travel Policy.  In addition lot the above, $250 shall be awarded to each winner to assist in defraying the cost of attending the convention and up to $30 to help offset the cost of the required photograph provided they attend the entire National Convention

                        Proposed Policy Statement: The national winner of each category (Best Newsletter, Best State Website, Best Single Issue and Best Article-Humor and Best Article-Human Interest) of the NASCOE Publicity contest shall be paid the lesser of a round trip plane ticket from their respective state capital or mileage to the site of the National Convention purchased according to NASCOE Travel Policy, plus a banquet ticket, and up to $30 to help offset the cost of the required photo provided they attend the entire National Convention.

    Voice vote taken, all yes, Resolutions passed

                        3.  Shawn Rafferty read the resolutions regarding:

                                    RASCOE, NAFEC, Appreciation to South Carolina for hosting the National Convention

     Billy Wayne Denison read the resolution regarding COC system

The resolutions were approved as read.  A motion was made andseconded to accept the resolutions.  All yes, motion carried.

Nomination and Election of NASCOE Officers:  Elections will be held by secret ballot and Dan Root explained the process.

Nominations were made for the following positions and election results are listed:

Secretary:  Darlene Schouten-MN.  She was elected Secretary by acclamation.

Treasurer:Mary Johnson-SD and Shelley Odenkirk-OH. Nominations were closed and the area Execs distributed and collected ballots.  Shelly Odenkirk won the election.

Vice President:Myron Stroup-KS and Mark Van Hoose-OH.  Nominations were closed and the Area Execs distributed and collected ballots.  Myron Stroup won the election.

President:Bonnie Heinzman-WV. She was elected President by acclamation.

There will be a meeting for all the new officers and execs immediately following the convention.

Adjournment at 2:30 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Esselman-Baird