Michigan Reading Association Board Meeting
August 13, 2014
Holiday Inn Downtown
310 Pearl St NW Grand Rapids, MI
11:30-1:00
Board of Directors in Attendance:
Dee Halstead
Lisa Rivard
Lynette Suckow
Elizabeth Gates
Trish Sippola
Barb Hammond
Bena Hartman
Tamara Campbell
Leoni Rose
Board of Directors Absent:
Mary Howell
Karen Allmen
Sean Kottke
Sue Sharma
Amelia Bean
Rosemary Grier
Nancy Jaskiw
Celeste Harris
Mary Cooper
Bridget Rise
Lori Ulewicz
Committee Members Invited and Present:
Patricia Edwards
Leoni Rose
Nancy Fairchild
International Reading Association (IRA) Members Invited and Present:
Marcie Carter Post
Tiffany Sears
I. Call to Order…………………………………………………………………………………….
 Called to order at 11:28
D. Halstead
II. Officer Reports
A. President..……………………………………………………………………….. D. Halstead
1. Board Forms
a. Conflict of Interest Policy. Asking that it be signed and held in the
office.
1. Lisa Rivard: some people may have to check with work, first; (she
is here partially on work time).
2. Dee: Could be signed later and scanned. Asking that it be
returned in a week.
b. Civil Discourse Policy: Please sign.
c. Board Member Commitment form.
1. Mary Cooper: question about weather-related absences, and her
position on the Board.
2. Marcie Post (IRA): suggested we invest in technology that would
enable board members to participate (conference call line).
3. Beth Gates: suggested that we wait until November.
4. Dee: will put it on a Google doc for discussion, and questions until
the November meeting.
2. Committees for 2014-2015.
a. Mary Howell: interested in chairing the governance committee,
and will enlist the help of Tami Campbell.
b. Bridget Rise: interested in participating on this committee.
c. Rosemary: question to Marcie Post re; responsibilities
d. Marcie: charged with compliance with laws; committee periodically
reviews bylaws/policies/procedures, oversees annual evaluation,
orientation and ongoing board training, elections.
e. Marcie: suggested the chair be someone who would be on it for more
than one term. IRA recommends a non-officer be the chair.
f. Rosemary: committee may be a way of streamlining committees.
Tami moved to add a governance committee; Barb Hammond seconded.
Discussion: Lisa Rivard: questions over how committee members are chosen. Dee
Halstead: recommended that the past president chair the committee, with Tami
Campbell. Lisa Rivard: asked that we consider having neutral parties involved.
Sue Sharma called for executive session. Rosemary Grier seconded. 11:55
Nancy Fairchild, Patricia Edwards, and Leonie Rose exited.
Session resumed at 12:38
Sue Sharma moved to eliminate Ethics and OPC committee, and to establish an
Evaluation Committee; Celeste Shelton-Harris seconded.
Discussion: The evaluation committee will bring evaluations back to the board. Dee:
Clarification requested. Sue: The board would be the evaluation committee
Sue Sharma, amended--moved to eliminate the Ethics and OPC committee; the
Voting Board will complete the evaluations and ethics concerns.
Discussion: Tamara Campbell suggested to table the evaluation process for now.
Celeste Harris: clarification - perhaps dissolve the committees, and have the board look
at the process. Tamara Campbell: agree. Celeste: Suggestion that we dissolve the
committees, and have the board look at the process.
Sue Sharma moved to dissolve the Ethics and OPC committees, and to have the
Board be responsible for the evaluation and ethics concerns. All in favor.
Motion approved.
Dee: Due to shortage of time, will move to Budget for Michigan Reading Journal
B.
Treasurer Report
1. Budget Committee
Lynette: Budget committee met last night to discuss the Michigan Reading
Journal (MRJ)
-Would like to develop MRJ online
-Three issues per year, with professional articles, and research that can be
taken into the classroom
-Would like a graduate student added to assist (the total cost would be
$18,000; MRA would be responsible for $11,000)
Budget Committee: Motion made to use the 2013-2014 budget overage of $8,008.00
to enhance publication of the Michigan Reading Journal (MRJ), as follows:
$11,000
MRJ Printing Services
3,000
MRJ Layout and Design
1,000
MRJ Copy Editing Services
2,000
MRJ Postage
11,208
MRJ Journal Development
$28,208
Total
Dee explained that this needs no second, as it comes from committee.
Discussion:
Question as to how this might impact grants? Lynette: it will not affect grants, but it
is hoped to positively affect membership through the quality of the journal.
Question: Will it be online? Lynette: Patricia Edwards will be the driving force.
Patricia: yes it will be online, and will include voice from teachers (we will need a
teacher’s column), and a voice from the Michigan Department of Education (MDOE).
Dee: due to shortage of time, suggested that conversations end, and decision be made. Any
further questions? Seeing none, Lynette was asked to re-read the motion.
Motion re-read, as stated above. All in favor. Motion approved.
Dee: Really quick vote - three consent items:
1. Accepting May Minutes
2. Board appointees and approval
3. Lisa’s committee, and commission for the next year
Lisa explained there are 3 positions that rotate, and would serve for 3 years
(2014-15 through 2016-17). Dee: are we doing a conference committee? Lisa:
suggested to let strands develop.
Dee: With consent items, also motion to approve Board of Directors, minus board
appointees, however keeping Patricia Edwards. All in favor. Motion approved.
III. Announcements
A. MRA Award for Outstanding Professional Development from the IRA at the
Leadership Conference in Tampa.
B. Thanks given to the Board for due diligence, and also to Tiffany Sears and Marcie
Post (IRA).
Beth Gates motioned to adjourn; Sue Sharma seconded. All in favor. Meeting
adjourned.
Next Meeting
November 14-15, 2014
Crowne Plaza Lansing West
The Michigan Reading Association is a dynamic and diverse organization whose mission is to promote literacy.