In attendance were: Cheryl Landes, Scott Smiley, Jane Henderson, Sherry Smith, Gayle Davies, Cathy Martz, Rebecca Brown, Albert Giesbrecht, and Maria Sosnowski.

The meeting was called to order at 1:50 p.m.

1.  Minutes
The minutes from the Fall 2007 meeting were already approved via email.

2. Reports
Treasurer – Scott Smiley provided the treasury report that was included in meeting attendee’s packets.  He explained the income and expense items on the 2007 financial report, and the finances for the Spring and Fall meetings in 2007.  Sherry suggested that we compare our figures with other chapters to see what they charge for meetings, and how their finances compare.  Scott said that this meeting had enough attendance to avoid running at a loss.  He also pointed out that attendance at the last few meetings has been lower than in the past – there have been only 20-something people at each meeting, where 2006 meetings were in the 40’s.  

Scott also mentioned the IRS issue of having the chapters obtain their own tax ID number rather than continuing to use the ASI number.  There is a session at the ASI meeting on this issue, and Scott will find out more then.

Scott also reported on the issue of a non-profit running a raffle.  The research he did on this topic indicates that there is no problem with doing that in Oregon.  Carolyn Weaver had previously confirmed by email that there was also no problem with our doing it in Washington.

3. Future Meetings
2010 locations – Cheryl pointed out that it is helpful for planning purposes for the attendees, speakers, and organizers to know well ahead of time where the meetings will be.  It was decided that in keeping with the historic rotation of sites that spring 2010 will be in Eugene and Fall of 2010 will be in Seattle.

2009 locations - For 2009, our chapter meeting will run with the ASI meeting which is April 23-25 in Portland.  Fall of 2009 we will be in Richland.

Spring 2008 meeting assessment - There was some discussion about the 2-day format of this meeting.  Scott read attendance figures, which indicated that nearly all the attendees were from Oregon.  22/27 were from Oregon, mostly the Eugene and Portland areas.  Only 4 were from WA, and of those 2 were in the Portland area.  There were also 2 who came from BC.  There was some discussion that the 2-day format made it more difficult for those further away to travel, and there were two members who indicated that they couldn’t come due to travel difficulties.  There was agreement that we should stick to the one-day format for now, especially since we should focus on making it easier for the people farthest away.

4. Chapter bylaws
Cheryl pointed out some questions and inconsistencies that she has noticed in our bylaws.  There was some discussion of the need to update our bylaws.  Maria pointed out that Mary had raised that as an issue, and that we need to get ours in line with ASI rules.  Scott mentioned that ASI has a chapter relations liaison and that we could check with that person about updating our bylaws.  Cheryl agreed to follow up on that.

5. Chapter Newsletter
Gayle asked about interest in the newsletter and whether people read it.  All responded that they did.

6. President’s agenda
Cheryl indicated that as part of her term of president, she wants to engage members east of the mountains.  With her travel schedule, she will be organizing some events such as dinners and invite local members to join her.  Also, there was discussion of the Montana Festival of the Book, which will take place on October 23-25 in Missoula.  It has already been agreed that we will have a table there. The cost is $75 for non-profits.  Joyce Brusin and Cheryl will attend and host the table, and ask for volunteers closer to the event.

7. National ASI Issues
Scott suggested that with ASI coming to Portland in 2009 that our chapter can/should be involved in helping out.  After the 2008 meeting, we should offer to help with the 2009 meeting.

Action items
Scott will pursue the IRS issue of separate tax ID numbers for chapters of ASI rather than being under the ASI umbrella.
Cheryl will follow up on updating our chapter bylaws.
Scott will let national know that our chapter can help with the 2009 meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Maria Sosnowski, Secretary