MISSOURI ORGANIZATION FOR

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

September 13-14, 2003

Branson, Missouri

Attendees: John Koenig, Candi Barker, Cassie Hopkins, Mary Lou Vehige, Sharon Smith, Renee Setina, Tim Randolph, Jo Anne Edwards, Cathy Williams, Barb Parkhill, Cindy Drebenstedt, Nancy Reddig, and Shelly Zafe.

Call to Order – President Cathy Williams called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm.

Secretary Report - Shelly Zafe: Passed around meeting minutes from April Spring meeting in Jefferson City; Announced meeting minutes and leadership directory available on line on the MoCLS website.

Treasurer Report - Nancy Reddig/ Renee Setina:

Checking balance as of April 29, 2003 $17, 614.35

Credits: Advance Ads $793.06

July 2002-June 2003

Debits:

May Board Meeting: $584.94

Legislative Day 906.18

Membership 33.58

NMLW 264.88

Hotel deposit 2004 meeting 1000.00

Silent Auction 118.94

National meeting 1862.75

Deposit Sept. board meeting 100.00

Computer 1252.50

TOTAL $6,123.77

Current Checking balance: $12,283.64

The Morgan Stanley Fund as of 6/30/02 is $5,884.81

12/31/02 is $5,290.66

3/31/03 is $5,103.74

6/30/03 is $5,814.80

No money has been transferred into CDs.

Books will be turned over to new Treasurer at this meeting.

Laptop budget line item will be added to budget.

CMN money and student raffle money will be given to Renee.

Executive Secretary Report - Nancy Reddig: no report

President Elect Report - Barb Parkhill: no report

Past President Report - Sharon Smith: report as follows:

Thanked everyone for participation on last year’s board
At national meeting, MoCLS won a second place award for membership retention
National meeting was good with excellent sessions

President Report - Cathy Williams: written report as follows:

Attended National meeting in Philadelphia, including President’s council, House of Delegates, and President – Elect Seminar.
Missouri placed 2^nd in the membership retention category at >99% retention of current membership. Danyel Anderson should be applauded for the great job she did as Membership Development Chair.
At the president’s Council, the candidates were introduced fro Region Directors and Nomination Committee. John Koenig is now the Region VI Director. The student from Nebraska was elected as the Student Forum Chair. The National Student Forum Chair is Robbie Peete.
At the House of Delegates, the biggest issue concerned the future of the profession and whether we should move the entry level position at the Master’s level vs. BS degree. NO OFFICIAL POSITION STATED BY ASCLS.
Legislative issues: We are still concerned about the possibility of instituting the lab co-pay. It is part of the Medicare prescription bill and the Senate version includes the co-pay. This would be a nightmare for labs in trying to bill and collect for small amounts that cost more to bill than you get. Both bills are in committee to reach a compromise between the 2 versions. Contact your senators and representatives and voice your concerns. LEADERS OF AARP SUPPORT THE BILL.
On the state level, we have joined to form a coalition with ASMT, CLMA, and AMT to form the “Missouri Coalition for Laboratory Personnel Licensure. Hopefully, we will have other groups join us. We met in August in Jeff City to organize. We would like to have 2 representatives from each organization on the coalition with 2 at large representatives. Carole Truby-Bisges will serve as the liaison to the Lobbyist (Mike Mickelson). Anyone may attend the meeting and voice opinions during discussion times. We felt that too many people on the coalition would make it hard to make decisions. We hope to have the bill ready to introduce in January at the Senate level. This afternoon, we will divide into discussion groups to look at sections of the Illinois bill and the model bill from ASCLS to see what we like and dislike about these draft bills. We will need to decide who will be the representatives on the coalition from MoCLS. The next meeting is Oct. 4^th at St. Mary’s in Jeff City. The cost (to begin with) will be $12,000 plus $2,000 for expenses that will be divided between the groups. We will need to have the first $6,000 by December 1^st. Carole will go into more detail later.
We have had several new members join: Charles Casey from Joplin, Jo Anne Edwards from Springfield. We have 2 new student reps, Casey Hopkins and Stacey Overstreet. Jason Toelke from Springfield will also be joining the board as Immunology/immunohematology SA Chair. I think the legislative issues will help in getting new members.
Another issue that we may need to address this year is the possibility of a name change to ASCLS-MO as National has encouraged. However, if we are going for licensure, it may be better to wait until after that happens than to change our name in midstream.
$600.00 assessment fee for Region has been given to Nancy to be paid.
Hannah Zane may be a new member interested in joining MoCLS.

Region VI Report - John Koenig: no report, but there is discussion about ASCP planning to go with continued competency i.e. continuing education. It will happen, but still under construction; CAP does not support licensure; Elissa recommends talking to Pathologists about licensure issue and gaining support; Neil Kumor has moved Region VI websites to ASCLS web server.

First Year Board Member - Sandy Claussen: – no report

a. Cape Girardeau/Poplar Bluff Ann Green – no report

b. Columbia, Jefferson City Carol Truby-Bisges/ Michael Black

c. Hannibal/Kirksville Heather Tritsch – no report

d. Kansas City Sandra Claussen: no report

e. Springfield/Joplin Chris Nutt: no report

f. St. Louis Tim Randolph: no report

Second Year Board Member - Lucia Johnson

· Please let Lucia know the names and contact information for the SA chairs. My recommendations for activities for the SA chairs this year are:

1. Notify members in your SA about the upcoming meeting and encourage them to post information in their labs. We want both member and non-members to know about our Spring Conference! As soon as an announcement is available, print on color paper (to make it more eye-catching) and post everywhere.

2. Poll members in your SA about topics/speakers for the Spring Conference program. We want a program that is both topical and meets the need of laboratory professionals.

3. Send each member in your ASCLS membership application and encourage them to recruit one member in the upcoming year. Encourage them to place the membership application and the most recent issue of ASCLS TODAY on a bulletin board in their laboratory. The ASCLS membership motto is Each one – reach one! We can double our membership using this simple method! Membership applications can be obtained by the MoCLS Membership Chair. Great membership information is available at the ASCLS web page.

Scientific Assembly Chairs:

a. Biochemistry/Urinalysis./Ligand - vacant

b. Education - Mary Lou discussed eliminating entry level status for CLS. There is not much support, but there is support for advance level degree; CLEC will be in Milwaukee Feb. 26-28, 2004. Mary Lou will be the Chair for the 2005 Annual meeting in Los Angeles. Poster presentations are due in January for annual meeting.

c. Hematology/Coagulation - Cindy Drebenstedt/ Tim Randolph

Tim’s written report is as follows:

· George Fritsma received a small grant from the E&R fund to develop a listserv for the Hematology/Hemostasis SA.

- Please send Tim e-mail addresses of the hematology supervisor at your institution and all other hospitals in your area.

- Tim will send a group e-mail explaining the benefits of the listserv and inviting them to subscribe.

· Susan LeClair announced two requests regarding the ASCLS Consumer website:

- She is requesting volunteers to join the question response teams

- She is asking for volunteers to write test descriptions to be posted on the static page of the Website.

· Susan LeClair announced the development of the scientific writer’s mentorship Program.

- Experienced writers will pair with willing inexperienced writers to assist in the completion of a publication. Mentors will be awarded second authorship for their efforts.

· Cheryl Caskey is the editor of ASCLS Today and has announced the addition of a new “scientific page” to the newsletter. She is asking for ideas and authors to write short (<900 word) articles about items that directly impact the bench tech.

· Bunny Rodak and George Fritsma volunteered to serve as SA co-chairs for another year. They request that there be an SA coordinator for each state who will serve to coordinate the state SAs like they coordinate the SAs at national.

· Mary Ann Dotson was awarded the Kendall Award in Hematology this year.

· Bunny and George are still collecting opinions as to whether the SA system should be reorganized.

· Lucia should publish article about SA written by George Fritsma from ASCLS website.

d. Immunology/Immunohematology - vacant

e. Laboratory Administration – vacant

f. Microbiology - vacant

g. Phlebotomy Claudette Millstead – no report

h. Industry - vacant

2. Third Year Board Member- Candi Barker

Committees

a. Awards Sharon Smith – no report

b. Bylaws Renee Setina – no report

c. Government Affairs Jo Anne Edwards – no report

d. Membership Danyel Collins – no report

e. Missouri Scholarship Fund Tom Reddig – no report

f. Public relations (NMLW) Melissa Stith – no report

g. PACE Lucia Johnson – written report as follows:

· Spring Conference program committee chairs should forward me PACE information as speakers are confirmed. This includes the two PACE forms: one with program information and one with speaker with credentials.

h. Publications Lucia Johnson – written report as follows:

“There once was a newsletter for Mo-Class.

Publication could be a pin in the ass.

To help Ms. Lucia

Say hurray and ah-ha

See the next page & let your deadline not pass.”

Lucia does not have names of all the responsible people so please fill in the gaps on the SoShowMe deadline chart. Any and all input on the newsletter would be appreciated.

i. Spring Meeting Candi Barker/ Shelly Zafe

Meeting Details:

Location: Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield, MO

Dates: April 28, 29, 30, 2004

Room rate: $95

Theme: TBD

Committee Chairs

Co-Chairs: Shelly Zafe and Candi Barker

Program: Jody Gross and Terry Jo Gile

Registration and Finance: Donna Duberg

Social: Candi Barker and Beth Zeibig (David)

Exhibits: Bette Stanley

Silent Auction: Tom Reddig

Publicity: open

Next planning meeting: Oct. 4^th

CLMA – St. Louis asked for a written contract for the Spring Conference. A contract was drawn and signed by Cathy Williams to be presented to the President of the CLMA- St. Louis Chapter.

k. Leadership Development Tom Reddig – no report

Past meeting: Carole Truby-Bisges

Splitting funds – Heart of Missouri - CLMA was unhappy about how profits were split from the spring meeting in Jefferson City. They were told profits would be split by number of attendees from each organization: Total profit = $3,035.35 - $1,000.00 seed money Profit $2,035.35 (MoCLS) and CLMA = $941.

Program Committee: Diana Inman, Carole Truby-Bisges (Publicity and Chair)

Breakdown of Help:

8 CLMA chairs member (Carole counted several times)

5 MoCLS chairs

But leaving Carole out:

5 CLMA chairs

0 MoCLS chairs

Committee members:

8 CLMA

No MoCLS

1 AMT (Diana Inman)

5 Non-member

There was no help from MoCLS members when asked to volunteer for Chair.

Silent Auction profits were all kept for MSF.

Mary Lou moves that the profits from the 2003 spring meeting be split 50/50 with CLMA. Renee seconded the motion. Motion approved.

- Gifts were given out to speakers, thank you cards will be sent out to speakers on Spring Meeting letterhead.

- Alvin Teft- Lab Manager, Moberly Lab – treasurer, new check will be written with Carole’s signature.

- Marilyn Mahon’s committee consisted of retired techs and volunteers from tourist convention bureau.

- Carole held a Thank you - bbq at her house for all the help with Spring Meeting.

3. New Business:

A. New Tax exempt letter name – it was decided that it would be better to wait until after a decision on Personnel Licensure has been made.

B. Missouri Coalition for Laboratory Personnel Licensure- the following have joined the Coalition effort:

Carol Truby-Bisges

Cathy Williams

Renee Setina

Jo Anne Edwards

C. Discussion groups for licensure issues:

1. Getting info to grassroots

a. E-mail – link to website re: licensure

b. Mailing lists – NCA, ASCP, MoCLS, CLMA, AMT

c. Key contacts in facilities

d. In-services off-site

e. Bulk mail permit

· Content of mailing and e-mail link:

What does licensure mean?

How will it affect my job?

How will this benefit me?

What will it cost?

Why should we do this?

Contact?

Recognition as a professional

2. Collaboration with groups outside healthcare field:

- AARP

- Anti-terrorism org.

- Farmer’s groups

- Churches

- Newspapers/Media

3. Collaboration with groups within Healthcare field:

ASCLS, ASCP, CLMA, AMT, AACC, AAB, ASM, AABB, ASH, CAP, MHA, MSP, CLEC

- Who are the enemies?

MHA, CAP, AAB? ASH? AACC? Healthcare administrators,

Rural clinics, POL’s

4. What do we expect for the lobbyist do for us?

a. Presenting the bill to senate and reps

b. Entertaining the senators and reps

c. Sponsor – Carl Vogel in JC

5. Standards

· Credentialing/Education level – 2) Associate and Bachelors, MT/CLS, MLT/CLT, categoricals, MLT/AMT

· Grandfather current lab employees

· Continuing Education

- must have NCA – 35/3 yrs

- ASCP – 36/3 yrs

- AMT – 15/yr

- Least common denominator: 12/yr

· Licensure reciprocity; But being careful about timing of effectiveness

· License renewal limits = 2 years

6. How administered:

3 yr terms (no more than two consecutive terms)

1 Medical director as defined by CLIA or pathologist

2 CLS

2 CLT

1 public member

1 position with lab orientation

7. Who will represent MoCLS on coalition?

Jo Anne Edwards

Barb Parkhill

Cathy Williams

Renee Setina

Alternates: John Koenig, Candi Barker

D. Money for the Coalition – discussion to be continued on Sunday morning.

Meeting adjourned 17:37

Sunday, September 14, 2003

Call to order - Meeting began at 8:50 am.

D. Money for the Coalition

- discussion re: putting up the deposit of $6,000.00 from MoCLS only up front, with the understanding that other coalition groups would support us financially after the session has began

- Worst case: All money to Coalition comes from ASCLS

- Worst case: Expenses for Coalition

- Worst case: Bill doesn’t pass first session

- Fund-raising

- Informational district meetings

- Check on 5016C Tax ID#

Mary Lou motions that MoCLS donate $6,000.00 to the Missouri Coalition for Clinical Laboratory Personnel Licensure to be used for coalition expenses to include payment to the contracted lobbyist.

Barb and Nancy second the motion.

Motion approved!

E. Fund Raising committee:

- Tim Randolph will be the St. Louis District Rep. and establish fund raising efforts for the Coalition. Send e-mail list to Tim of St. Louis med techs.

F. Calendar

- Nov. 1 and 2 Region VI Council meeting, Barb, Cathy, Cassie & other student and John to attend in KC

- Nov. 8^th MoCLS fall meeting in Jeff City (try to get lobbyist to be there)

- January 31^st – Jeff City or Columbia; Snow day: February 7th

- Carole will speak at the Spring 2004 conference giving an update on the Coalition.

Meeting adjourned at 11:07.

Respectfully submitted,

Shelly Zafe