Nancy Roberts, President, called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were not read.

Treasurer's Report:
The treasurer’s report was accepted. (See attached)

Committee Reports:

• PACT – Renie and Conrad will meet with the Idaho Congressman on April 12.  The issue at this time is Home Care.
• Membership – David is the new membership chair.  Nancy drafted a letter to send to persons who have not renewed their membership.
• Delegates report – Renie stated the summer forum is June 12, The resolutions needing decided upon will be addressed at the next meeting.
• Newsletter – Nancy stated we received $150 from Norco and $100 from Mednow.  The next issue goes out in April.
• Nominations – Nolan Bybee is the new chair.
• Bylaws – No report.
• Camp Super Breathers – There are 40 counselors and 10 campers signed up.  Need to look for more campers.  There are 30 scholarships available.
• Fall Conference – The Nevada Society did not wish to participate in the planning.  The new dates for the conference will be August 22-23 at Cactus Pete’s in Jackpot Nevada.  David had downloaded some information on how to plan a conference.  This will be passed on to each conference chair.

• Website – A motion was passed to have Pam Lambert continue as the web master and to pay her yearly.  She will also pay the bills yearly and submit a bill for all the services yearly to be reimbursed.
• Asthma Summit is September 23-24 in Boise.
• Disaster Response – Lande stated that all persons who wish to become part of this team must pass a security check.

• International Fellow – Nola will no longer be doing this.  After Conrad volunteered BSU, a motion was made to have BSU pick up this project.
• Nominations for Life and Honorary Membership – The deadline has passed for this year, but the following names were suggested for next year,  Tom Gable, Conrad Colby and Paul Gauer.
• President’s meeting – The AARC is sending the president-elect all the information that the president gets in order to help get the president elect get ready to take over the president’s duties with a better understanding of what is expected.  David stated one of the big concerns he learned about is the societies tax status.  Duke will look in to finding this out.
• Scholarship – The deadline for application was changed to August 1.  The committee to select a winner will be composed of Nancy, David and Ramona.
• Other – Duke will look into having discussions via a private site on the internet. Duke also reported that there is a Respiratory Therapist that works at St. Joe’s in Lewiston that has colon cancer.  There will be a golf tournament benefit for him on May 4.   His name is Gene Reel.  The ISRC will send $200.00 to help him out.

Respectfully submitted,

Ramona Sailor
ISRC Secretary Elect

President Nancy Roberts called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer was unable to attend.  The report is attached.  A motion was made to renew CD # 2 for 6 months.  This will make it due about the same time as CD #3.  At the next meeting it will be discussed as to what to do with them.  Renew them as CD’s or invest them elsewhere.

PACT Report:  Renie and Conrad reported that more grassroots involvement and more public awareness of respiratory issues is needed.  Idaho has no key congressmen on health care related committees, but congressman were made aware of issues to vote on.

Membership:  Nancy sent letters to 12 non renewers, 3 of those did renew their AARC membership.  David Blakeman has the student list to contact.  10 new members have preregistered for the conference.  Renie has called the Idaho hospital Respiratory Therapy departments and has talked to 16 of them.  There was a lengthy discussion on how best to keep people informed.  Suggestions were to call department directors at work and send a letter about the website to directors.  Nancy will e-mail board members with a letter she will draft.

Delegates:  Renie went through the resolutions that were brought up for voting.  A motion was made that when there are resolutions to be decided upon, they will be communicated to the department heads to discuss them with their staff to help increase contact and feedback on the issues concerning respiratory therapy.  Dr’s  offices and DME’s will be included.  They will also be made available on the website and put into the newsletter. 

Newsletter:  The next issue will go out after the conference with pictures.  Pam Lambert will put it together.

Nominations:  There is at least one name of a person running for each office needed.  There should be results by the next meeting.

Bylaws: No report

Camp Super Breathers:  There were 24 campers.  It was successful, fun and there were no incidents.  There will be pictures posted on the website.

Fall Conference:  Due to company policy, the public awareness events will not be allowed.  It was decided to give $250.00 too the speakers as an honorarium.

Old Business

Scholarship:  There have been no applications turned in.

Disaster Response:  The application will be made available at the conference as well as on the website.  There still is not enough people to have an Idaho team.

International fellow:  Idaho will be getting a Dr. from India late in September.

Message board on the Internet:  Nancy asked that board members use this as a communication tool.

Credit card:  Tabled until the next meeting.

New Business

Duke Richardson has moved to Colorado, but will finish out his term as treasurer.

Tom Gable brought to the board’s attention, that a food service bill for the conference two years ago remains outstanding.  A motion was made to pay it.

COPD Awareness: November is COPD Awareness month and Respiratory Care week is October 20-26.  All the paper work has been submitted to the governor’s office.  A date needs to be set to have a group of respiratory therapist’s come to the statehouse to witness the signing.  Carmen Griggs will notify the governor’s office to set a date.   The board members will be contacted with the date.

Licensure for Polysomnographers:  A lengthy discussion  about this ensued  What has been proposed is to open the Respiratory licensure bill and include polysomnographers in it.  A motion was made to not support this bill as written.  There was one abstention.  We will get a panel consisting of one polytech who is certified, one who is not, two respiratory therapist’s and an educator to put together a proposal to respond to this.  Nancy will contact Mary Leonard of the Idaho State Board of Medicine to begin this process.

The meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting will be decided upon at a later date.

President Nancy Roberts called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer was unable to attend.  Nancy read a letter from Tom Gable, that stated that the food service bill for the conference held two years ago in Boise will be picked up by St. Luke’s.  The CD’s will automatically renew  when the maturity date is reached,  nothing needs to be done.  There will be more discussion on different ways to invest these at the nest meeting.  Renie’s request for reimbursement for the last three meetings she has attended as delegate has not been replied to.  Nancy will contact Duke.  David suggested that we obtain a specific form and policy that delegates can use for reimbursement.  AARC has something we could use and modify for our own use.

PACT:  There is a link in the ISRC web site to access the Capital Connection from the AARC.  Follow the prompts and you can e-mail your congressmen or their address is listed so that you can write to them. Renie would like everyone to at least look at it and then get involved with contacting your congressmen on issues that will affect your job.  Nancy read a letter requesting that the ISRC endorse a specific candidate.  The consensus was that as a society we cannot endorse specific candidates.  Everyone needs to find out the issues for themselves and vote accordingly. The governor wants to use the tobacco fund to help balance the state budget.  He and the congressmen need to be contacted about leaving this fund for what it was intended.  David will send Pam Lambert something to put on the web site.

Membership:  There were 12 new members from the fall conference.  Nancy will contact non-renewers again at the end of this year about renewing.

Delegates:  Renie stated that membership is down by 200 since last year.  She has the resolutions that were voted on in the International Congress this year.  Contact her if you would like to know about them.

Newsletter:  Nancy just sent one out to all the ISRC members.  If anyone else would like to take over the job of getting the newsletter put together, contact her.

Election results were as follows:  Director at Large-Keith Goodwin, Treasurer-Renae Palmer, Secretary-Ramona Sailor, President Elect-Nolan Bybee 

Bylaws:  No report

Old Business

Fall Conference;  There were about 50 people in attendance and just over $1,400.00 was cleared.

International Fellow:  The ISRC picked up the tab for dinner and a gift for the doctor we had from India.  A good time was had by all.

Licensure Issue:  Nancy read a letter that stated that the proposal to open the Respiratory licensure bill to include polysomnographers has been withdrawn.  Jody Lester will head up the committee to address this issue.

COPD Awareness Month:  The governor was too busy to fit this into his agenda this year.  Nancy will try to get some public interest announcements in the media for this year.

Crediit Card:  Tabled until next meeting.

New Business

Bob Roselle sent in his letter of resignation as ISRC delegate, due to health issues.  A motion was passed to accept his resignation.  Nolan Bybee will finish out the term.  Nancy will draft a letter of thanks to Bob and will have it available for everyone to sign at the next meeting. 

Open discussion

The AARC needs people to help review clinical practice guidelines.  If you are interested contact Kris Williams at the AARC.

Nancy will look into the cost of getting the treasurer’s books audited.

Rob asked that sympathy cards from the ISRC be sent to a local respiratory therapist who lost her son in a accident and to the family of a local respiratory therapist who passed away recently.

Nola and Lande stated that visits to the ISRC web site dramatically increased after the fall conference.

Many thanks to Nancy for all her hard work and dedication this past year.

David reviewed Connie and Nancy’s goals for their terms and brainstormed some ideas about how to get more people interested in the ISRC/AARC and how can we do what we state in the mission statement.  More on this at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be decided on at a later date. 

Respectfully submitted,
Ramona Sailor

President Elect Nolan Bybee called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s report: Nolan presented a 2004 projected budget, with the addition of the scholarship money.  $5,800.00 was cleared from the fall conference.  The asthma camp did not get the $200.00 that was to be sent to them.  Nolan will look into this.  A motion was passed that the officers of the board are the budget committee and are to decide where extra funds are to go, since the ISRC now has extra money.

PACT: No report

Committee Reports:

• Membership:  The AARC feels that personal contact with members whose memberships are expiring is very important.  Renie will be doing this.
• Delegates:  Rob read the resolutions and the following were voted on.  61-03-23 no, 57-03-24 yes, 75-03-26 yes, 57-03-28 no, 21-03-29 no, 31-03-25 yes, 75-03-27 Renie and Nolan will decide.  If you wish to know what these resolutions are, contact Rob or Nolan.

$250.00 will be sent to the AARC’s disaster fund and $250.00 to the International Fellow program.
• Newsletter:  The next edition will come out in January or February 2004.  Send any noteworthy items to Tom.
• Nominations/Elections:  Some people who want to run for office, are not being asked to.  A possibility to facilitate knowing who wants to run would be to have several representatives from around the state on the nominations committee. This will be considered for next year.
• Bylaws:  No report

• Idaho has a Doctor coming and she will be here later in November.
• The fall conference will be in Lewiston on September 9-10, 2004

• The American Lung Association, the State Asthma Coalition and the ISRC will be putting on a Asthma Certification Educator class in Idaho in the future, it will not be able to be held in Lewiston as part of the fall conference because of the location.  It needs to be more central, probably in Boise.
• The decision to sign the Revenue Sharing Contract from the AARC was tabled.
• Nancy Roberts submitted two names to the State Board of Medicine for a public member.
• Committee chair assignments: 
• Tom Gable-newsletter and bylaws
• Renie Johnson and Conrad Colby-Nolan will contact for PACT members
• Renie Johnson-Nolan will contact for membership
• Ramona Sailor-public relations
• Martin Gaither-fall conference 
• Michele Andrew-nominations
• Rob presented the Strategic Plan for Tobacco Prevention and Control in Idaho.  Contact him if you would like as copy of this. 
• Michele explained how decisions were made for the Millenium (tobacco settlement) funds.  The Coalition for a Healthy Idaho goes over the grant proposals.  The CDC has 9 guidelines that are applied to the grants.  If the grant proposals have all nine guidelines, they are sent to the millenium fund legislators, who make the final decisions.  There are currently no funds available, the fund was used to help with the tight state budget.

Respectfully submitted,

Ramona Sailor
ISRC Secretary

President David Blakeman called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s report:  David will contact Nancy Roberts to get the books transferred to the new treasurer. 

PACT:  A motion was passed to send two people to the PACT meeting in March.  David will contact Renie to see if she is still interested. If she is not David will e-mail the board to send him nominations within a week.  Conrad is the other person going.

Membership:  No report

Delegates:  No report

Newsletter:  Tom Gable volunteered to take over this job.  It was discussed about putting the conference registration in the summer newsletter and sending this one out to all the  RT’s in the state and the other newsletters to only members of the ISRC.  This will be decided by Tom and David.

Bylaws:  Tom reported that Nolan cannot be a delegate because of holding an elected office.  He is already included in the delegation by being the President elect.  The vacated spot can remain unfilled.

Annual Conference:  Idaho Falls is planning on having it this year.  Nolan Bybee and Terry Hale are co-chairs.  There is talk of having the conference split between Thursday and half of Friday.  No date has been set yet, but will be sometime in August.

Old Business: 

COPD awareness:  Con will contact the governor’s office to get this done this year.

Credit card:  It was decided not to get one, since the president and treasurer are in the same part of the state these next two years.

New Business:

There is no activity to report on the sleep tech licensure.

Con reported on the following.  Debbie Hill, a congresswoman wants to propose a $1.00 per pack cigarette tax increase.  The plan for this money will be 1-Getting a tobacco control plan. 2-Providing financial relief for prescription’s for the elderly. 3-Getting more Idaho children covered under health insurance (CHIP).  4-Replenishing the tobacco fund, so that the interest will maintain the programs.  The AARP, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association have endorsed the following statement:  The following organizations endorse a significant increase in the Idaho tobacco tax with the majority of the revenue being dedicated to programs that improve the health of Idaho’s citizens.  It was decided that the ISRC would also endorse this statement.

SueAnn Reese from the Coalition for a Healthy Idaho gave a presentation on what CHI is and what it does and can do.  She asked if the ISRC as a group would become members.  Someone would need to attend the quarterly meetings and there maybe a chance to serve on ad hoc committees.  A motion was passed to have the ISRC  become a member and we will discuss at the next meeting what our role will be in this organization.  See attached for further information on the Coalition.

The next meeting will be in April. Time and location to be announced.

Respectfully submitted,
Ramona Sailor

President Nolan called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer:  No report

PACT:  Renie read a letter from the AARC about HR 2905.  This is the bill for recognition of Respiratory Therapists under the Medicare Home Health Services Benefit.  A lot of work needs done yet, but everyone can help by logging on to Capital Connection either on the AARC or the ISRC web site and sending a message to your legislator in favor of this bill.  At the PACT meeting in Washington D.C. the delegation only got to meet with the aides.  The legislators were out. See attached for more information.

Membership:  Nolan has brochures about the advantages to joining the AARC.  Everyone was encouraged to take some and pass them out to non-members. 

Delegates:  Rob cannot go to the HOD meeting in June.  Dana will go.  Renie read the only resolution and the vote was for a yes.  See attached.

Newsletter:  Tom is collecting items for the next one, which will be in 2-3 weeks.  If you have any items of interest let him know.

Nominations:  There is a need for a president elect.  Let Nolan or Michelle know if anyone is interested.

Bylaws:  No report

Old Business

Martin reports that speakers have been lined up and they are sending out flyers to all the hospitals as a promotion.  The registration forms will be following.

Dana reported on the State P
resident’s conference in Dallas.

The Asthma Educator’s conference is in August.  Contact Con or Michelle for more information.  There are still some openings.

New Business

The Coalition for a Healthy Idaho and the Association for a Tobacco Free Idaho will be meeting May 20 in Boise.  Contact Rob for more information.

The next meeting will be at the fall conference in Lewiston.

Respectfully submitted,
Ramona Sailor

President Nolan Bybee called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer:  See attached financial report.  A motion was passed to take $3,500.00 from savings and add the money gained from the conference and put these into a CD, putting in a minimum of $10,000.00.

PACT:  The senate finance committee is sponsoring bill 2707 and they are trying to make it revenue neutral.  Contact your senator to support this bill.  March 5-6, 2005 is the next PACT meeting.

Membership:  The AARC was offering 3 month trial memberships.  The deadline was Sept. 30. 

Delegates: The House of Delegates will be meeting for two and one half days, instead of 
 two as was previous.

Elections: Results as follows:  President elect-Chad Rye, Vice president-Linda Erfurth, Secretary-Mary Kimbel, Treasurer-Marty Gaither, Director at large-Kelly Dwello.  Positions to be filled next year are president elect, vice president and delegate.

Bylaws: No report

Old Business

Renie went to the House of Delegates meeting in June.

The fall conference was a great success and big thank you to Marty Gaither for pulling it all together.

There will be another Asthma Educator’s conference again next year.

Coalition for Healthy Idaho: No report

New Business

The ISRC scholarship was awarded to Raquel Bravo.

Respiratory Care week is October 24-30.

The place for the 2005 fall conference was discussed.  It was decided to look at the conference evaluations to see if any place was mentioned more often.

There is a House of Delegates meeting in December as part of the International Congress.

The next meeting will be November 5th, 2004, in Boise at the BSU Health Science Riverside building, at 7:00 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,
 Ramona Sailor

Dana called the meeting to order.

Past minutes were approved.

Treasury report: In the checking accout $9,000, In savings $4,000, In CD $3500, In another CD $7200 and from the 2005 ISRC Conference $2,000.

No pact news

Membership: It is up around 40,000 members. Membership committee to maximize membership. Motion passed for the Delegate to either call, send a letter or email to expiring members to keep membership going. Chad Rye
will get a copy of the member list to the delegate. Also discussed advertising membership in the Mountain Air newsletter.

Delegate: Rob Devinaspre discussed in great length one resolution. The resolution is regarding VA hospitals and licensing. For further details see Rob.

Newsletter: Coming to a mailbox to you! Thanks, Tom! The new officers are noted in this issue and if you want to place a article  please contact Tom Gable.

Conference Update: Lynda and Mary gave an update on the 2005 ISRC state conference. Lynda reported the banking summary and Mary discussed the evaluation form results. 

Motion Passed for the 2006 ISRC Conference is to be held in Lewiston, ID. September 14-15 2006.  The Committee members so far are Chad Rye, Dana Hagestad, Carla Edmunson and Greg Pilcher.

Bylaws: no changes

Coalition for a Healthy Idaho: Con not present, no new news.

Please get your travel expense reimbursements to Dana!

Elections: Tom was the last elections chair. We need a new nomination committee or chair each time.

RT week 2005: Discussed events/highlights in Lewiston, Idaho Falls and Boise hospitals.

ISRC Website: Let the ISRC president know if mistakes are found on the website. 

Disaster: Lande brought up that the AARC wants a disaster RT representative at the local level. Can be either a ISRC member or AARC member. The person volunteering can decide to be on a national list as well. ISRC president will contact hospital directors to encourage/recruit RT's to get involved.

HOD: San Antonio meeting Chad, Dana, Renie, Rob, Ramona all looking forward to attending!

Smoking Cessation: Lynda was one of 15 RT's across the country to attend the Dallas summit. She gave us an update. Basically nationwide we need to increase participation with RT's teaching smoking cessation. We
discussed getting the word out via our website. If interested please contact Lynda Erfurth.

Philanthropy: Kelly discussed the need to broaden advertisement for our Wainwright scholarship. ($500) We need more applicants. We agreed to sponsor BSU in state research  ($500) Disaster fund we support every year ($500) Also agreed to help provide a grant ($500) to the AARC International fellowship program candidate. 

AARC contract: Dana discussed this year's contract. Motion passed to sign.

Other Mike Glee from the Idaho State Board of Medicine is looking for new RT candidates for open postions. To nominate persons of interest please send their CV/resume to Dana Hagestad. 

Also discussed a new critical care certification under adult care. 

Next board meeting to be Friday, February 26, 2006 in Boise at BSU at 7 p.m. or via teleconference depending on winter weather/driving condidtions.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
 

Mary Kimbrel, RRT, AE-C
ISRC Secretary

Chad called the meeting to order.

Previous meeting minutes were approved.

Treasurer report given by Carrie. She read and gave an update on the financial report. 

PACT-Chad gave an update on temporary permit/prorate fees for polysomnographers.

Membership-Carla printed out addresses of current ISRC members so Chad could send out renewal reminders for memberships.

Delegates-Carla/Chad are going to the HOD upcoming meeting.

Newsletter-Kudos to Tom for the last newsletter! Also if any RT's have subjects of interest/article you would like to submit contact Tom Gable.

Nominations/Elections- Dana reported that we have pending nominations for Delegates, VP, President-elect, Secretary and Director at Large. Get your nominations to Dana ASAP!

Bylaws- No new changes.

OLD BUSINESS:

Board of Medicine RT representative is Steve S. the new ISU program director.

Discussed possiblity of getting a student representative from Idaho State to be on the ISRC.

ATTENTION: Contact the ISRC for the Donna Wright memorial scholarship for RTstudents! This is a Great Opportunity!!! For more info contact ISRC president Chad Rye. This is open for ISU and BSU students.

NEW BUSINESS:

Chad reported that on a grant review to be done through B.I. so we can have more funds towards the state conference. 

There is one speaker lined up so far, if any ideas/suggestions for State Conference contact Chad Rye.

The conference is to be held at Williams Conference Center at Lewis and Clark College, September 14-15 2006 in Lewiston ID.

Asthma Camp- Michelle said there are 30-35 scholarships available and we need kids. So please recruit those Asthma kids for camp!!!!

ISRC logo- Lynda Erfurth has graphic artist in the family that may help embellish the details of either Mark Wood's design or our old logo for the ISRC.

Miscellaneous- Northern Idaho is behind on a possible pandemic/disaster plan we discussed what the southern Idaho hospitals had come up.

Open Discussion- Carrie brought up info on California College student issue she's dealing with and has decided to take it up with NBRC.

Next meeting at the State Conference in Lewiston ID.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Kimbrel RRT, AE-C

Chad called the meeting to order.

Last meeting minutes approved.

Treasurer Report: Carrie presented 3rd and 4th quarter financial reports and updated us thus far on 2006 ISRC conference earnings and expenditures. We also discussed renewing our medical director's annual dues and we decided possibly changing medical director's to include a new proactive candidate.

PACT: Conrad not in attendance.

Membership: Chad reported it is looking good. Discussed ways to recruit and retain memberships.

Delegates: Carla discussed the resolutions and we held an open forum on which way she could vote on these resolutions at the HOD.

Newsletter: Tom states it is in the press. Look for it in your mailbox soon!

Nominations/Elections: For 2007 Chad Rye-Past President, Michele Andrews-President, Brandi Johnson-
President-elect, TJ Wing-Vice President, Elena Ilyusha-Secretary, Dana Hagestad & Greg Pilcher-Directors at large, Kelly Dwello & Carla Edmison-Delegates, Carrie Massey-Treasurer. As for an ongoing student representative, it is up to the ISRC president to appoint and approve a student representative.

Bylaws: No new business.

OLD BUSINESS

RT Scholarship: We are missing scholarship essays (applications) via ISRC website. We need to check with Pam Lambert and see if she can find out what happened. Otherwise applications can be sent to ISRC president. We have three applications already.

ISRC logo: Our newly revised logo will be further edited to have the "ISRC" logo be in the center of the design. Otherwise look for it in the future on pens and t-shirts. 

Sputum Bowl: It was discussed about BSU students participating and putting together a team.
 

NEW BUSINESS

Chad passed around a copy of a state pandemic event letter to the governor to include RTs and showcase the importance of our profession if such an event occurred.

BSU Scholarship: BSU has a $5000 RT scholarship and you need to have $10000 in the account to keep the scholarship going. We need member/alumni/vendor donations. Tom will put a memo in the newsletter.

Job openings: Chad has been receiving request to advertise job listings and there is a place on the ISRC website for job listings. They just need the approval of the ISRC president first. 

Motion approved by the board for a $200 donation on behalf of Carmen Griggs,a longterm ISRC member.

State Conference: Chad will discuss @ the national meeting with Dr. Cavelli and others from Coeur d' Alene to see if they are still interested in hosting next year's conference. A decision will be finalized in February at the next board meeting.

The next meeting will be held in Boise, February 23, 2006 at 7:00 pm, place to be announced.

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Kimbrel RRT, AE-C
ISRC Secretary

Michele called the meeting to order.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

Treasurer report read by Carrie Massey for April ‘07-June ’07.

Elections Committee: Officers for 2008 starting in January: 

Steve Schaal- Director at Large
Carrie Massey- Treasurer
Niki Stephens- President Elect
Ramona Sailor- Delegate

1) AARC is working with the credentialed sleep specialists and their organizations to avoid
adversity between groups.  It will ensure that all healthcare professionals working in sleep 
are competent.  This was passed.
2) Competency tests for RT’s to administer moderate sedation.  This was voted down.  However, it resolved that the AARC survey the membership to see if there is enough interest to proceed with development of a roundtable group to support the RT’s role in the delivery of moderate sedation.  This was passed.
3) Resolved that the AARC adapt age appropriate care verbage into clinical practice guidelines and other organization statement.  This was voted down.
4) Resolve that the HOD create an additional HOC committee to investigate the issues surrounding transition from two NBRC (CRT and RRT) credentialing exams to one NBRC exam.  This was passed.
5) Resolution concerning training paramedics.  It was voted down due to the fact that not all states have the same education for paramedics and not one single body oversees the paramedics from state to state.  Also, they did not ask for help.

Disaster Guy:  Lande Lambert not present.

Legislative/PACT: Conrad stated that Senator Crapo wants to change Medicare Part B, which will effect 
1300 RRT’s outside the hospital.  The RRT’s would be paid @80% of what the MD would get paid.  Senator Crapo is very favorable for this.  The board members need to call Eric Rasmussen to ask Sen. Crapo to vote on this bill. 

Newsletter:  the most recent newsletter was sent out.

OLD BUSINESS

News from AACVPR on Rehab legislation.  There is a new bill with changes for 
Cardiopulmonary Rehab.  More info to follow.

NEW BUSINESS

Funds:  Carrie and Michele addressed ways to reduce costs. 

1) A recommendation was made to hold the November meeting or have a teleconference. 
Michele will notify the board later.
2) Carrie will do a comparative analysis to see if we can purchase a non-for-profit stamp from US Postal Service.  However, the mail will need to be mailed from the same place.

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted,

Elena Ilyusha,  RRT
ISRC Secretary

• HOD Report to ISRC Board. Two resolutions presented by Kelly Dwello:

House of Delegates Resolutions:
#94-08-24
Author:  Sandra McCleaster; Eric Adams
E-mail:  sandy-bob47@comcast.net
Phone Number:  201 998-4125
Author's State:  New Jersey
Co-Sponsors and Their States: none
• Resolution: "Resolved that the AARC provide the option of direct deposit of state affiliate's quarterly revenue sharing checks into affiliate's checking account."
• Rationale: Revenue sharing checks have been found to occasionally "go astray" with changes in officers, etc. There are obvious benefits to direct deposit:  less opportunity for revenue sharing checks to be lost or misplaced; safety and security of electronic transmission; improved institutional effectiveness.
• Impact of Resolution:  Affiliates, Executive Office
• Implementation Cost:  minimal
• Ongoing Cost:  Approx $200/yr
• Relationship to AARC Strategic Plan:  Increase organizational effectiveness
#80-08-25
Author:  Dan Maddalino
E-mail:  dmaddalino@aol.com
Phone Number:  561.966.5301
Author's State:  Florida
Co-Sponsors and Their States:  TBA
• Resolution:"Resolved that the AARC Chartered Affiliates Handbook (latest edition 1/08) be revised to delete: Officers duties Sections: Treasure, line VII; Secretary, line X, and from the General Infor mation Form, line #6 to no longer require the submission of budget information to the AARC. That the AARC cease requiring such information from the chartered affiliates, effective immediatly."
• Rationale:As stated in the Chartered Affiliates Handbook "The relationship between the chartered affiliates and the AARC must be strong and continuous. The chartered affiliate is charged with the responsibility of generating local activities that extend the Associations' numerous benefits to members. In return, the Association provides services that assist the chartered affiliates to carry on their functions with maximum efficiency and effectiveness". Nowhere in this or any other statement does providing the AARC confidential, proprietary financial information advance these goals.  Whereas, many chartered affiliates are State authorized corporations, And whereas the financial planning and focus of these corporations may be private information, Therefore the required sharing of this private financial information of these State authorized corporations with individuals who serve on the Boards of other State authorized corporations is seen (by the AARC) as a blatant conflict of interest. This practice must cease and all requirements and reference to requirements to do so must be stricken from the Rules and Policy's and Procedures of both the AARC and those State incorporated chartered affiliates.
• Impact of Resolution:  General Membership, HOD, Affiliates, AARC Officers & BOD
• Implementation Cost:  Approximately $2500
• Ongoing Cost:  Minimal
• Relationship to AARC Strategic Plan:  Increase organizational effectiveness
• Emergency Preparedness:  Lande was not present
• Election Committee:  Dana and Michele not present
• Membership Committee: Ramona not present
 

• Election Results Update: Due to Nikki’s ?? leaving George was brought in as President Elect this year.  Michael cannot be voted in yet, but on January 1st, 2009 he will be appointed President Elect.  Brandi will mentor George and   Michael on the responsibilities of their roles and they will both be sent to The President’s meeting in March of next year. 
• Most of the conference earnings have been transferred into the ISRC account. Brandi reported that she still needs to transfer an amount into the ISRC primary account from a secondary account.
• PACT:  Rennie ??? requested to continue her representation of Idaho, however, Conrad tried to contact her but has not had a reply.  Motion on the floor to remove Rennie from PACT Representation because of her change of address and state (she now lives and works in Oregon).  Motion was seconded and passed.

• Kelly suggested that we should have a Conference Committee, and Brandi suggested that the President Elect should take charge of the future conferences. It was also suggested that Conrad should be on the ISRC Conference Committee. 2008 ISRC Conference: Brandi presented with the earnings from this year’s conference.  Approximately, $6,440 was earned from the conference.
• Budget for 2009: Kelly sent a budget format form to Brandi and Carrie for 2009 using estimates from the previous years which included income and liabilities for the following year.  ISRC needs to schedule a business meeting to decide on the budget for 2009.  Brandi will decide on the budget and present it at the meeting.
• Thanks to TJ and the BSU students for the highway cleanup.  On October 4th, 15 sophomores with TJ went up to highway 21 Mile market 41-43, just north of  Idaho City.  Six to seven large bags of garbage were collected.  All the supplies were donated by Idaho Dept. of Transportation.  Great job TJ and Company!!! Brandi suggested that the board should participate in the clean up as well. George volunteered to meet with TJ to discuss this.
• Members to sit on IBOM:   Brandi submitted three names, Lynda Erfurth, Carrie Massey, and Nancy Roberts. There are two seats vacant at this time.
• The AARC Foundation yearly sponsors an international fellow to come to U.S. for two weeks to spent time in hospitals and attend the national convention. This year however, we will not have and international fellow. Brandi submitted an agreement to AARC to continue ISRC’s participation in the organization.

Elena Ilyusha, RRT
ISRC Secretary

• Ramona gave her report on new NBRC licensing regulations, new sleep certification, and AARC update. 
• Kelly gave his report on the executive part of the session and resolutions.  The following are resolutions:
• Treasurer Report: Carrie presented the report for Jan. ’09- March ’09.  Fourth quarter report for 2008 correction to add Kelly’s HOD costs. 

• Carrie Massey reviewed fiscal 2009 budget.  Brandi recommended changing newsletter allotment; Tom suggested it stay the same.  Kelly recommended increasing the HOD expenses, due to the increase in travel this year.  Conrad suggested including expenses for plane tickets to DC for the PACT meeting.
• PACT: An effort is underway to pass S343 and H1077, which if passed by both th US House and Senate would make it possible for RTs (baccalaureate and RRT) to practive under the general license of a physician, and receive 85% of the physician’s usual fee. General license emans thath the physician does not have to be physically present when services are delivered, but must be in communication with the therapist.  If passed as written, it means that RTs could conduct asthma education, smoking cessation, home consultations, and spirometry as just some of the examples of the kinds of practices for which reimbursement to the RT would occur.  PACT emmebers will be lobbying on the Hill on March 10th for the passes on the two bills.  Sending letters, e-mails, and FAXes to Idaho’s Senators and Congressmen in support of these two bills would be very helpful.  An easy way to support both bills is to go to AARC website and click on Capital Connection to write your comments. 
• Rennie Johnson is no longer a PACT member.  Formal thank you for good service will be sent out in next newsletter.  Brandi will now join Conrad in PACT.
• Carrie Massey & Richard White are part of the board for the ISBM for Respiratory Therapy.  First meeting they will sit in on is February 19th, 2009.
• President Elect position was filled. The new president elect is Michael Allen.

• ISRC conference:  The conference is to be held in Twin Falls.  Location for conference is still undecided.  Decision was made to continue to keep the conference two days.
• Student board member will graduate in May.  Her position will need filled.  Brandi will find new student to fill position from BSU.
• Steven Henagar College is trying to set up new program.
• AARC International Fellow ’09- George is willing to act as a host for the fellow.  Kudos to Boise for hosting the AARC fellow.
• With regards to having a job site link on the ISRC web page, it was recommended to keep links up for a few months then rotate them out.  It was also recommended to add links to local hospitals.
• Kelly recommended that policy and procedures be initiated.  He suggested coming up with a grievance policy soon.
• Open Discussion:  To have ISRC membership, one must have an active Idaho license, AARC membership, and only affiliate with one state. It is possible to have affiliation with one state and be a patron member in another for a small fee.
• Kettering is going to be in Idaho Falls in April.  Be sure to let your RT students know.

Mendy Burns
ISRC Secretary

Meridian

Respectfully Submitted,

Mendy Burns
ISRC Secretary

Delegate Report, Kelly Dwello
The 2009 Summer HOD meeting was held July 20-21 in Marco Island FL. The following is a summation of the discussions during that meeting which was of interest to this delegate and the Idaho Affiliate. CoArc has separated from CAHEP and is preparing to be an independent accrediting body for Respiratory Care/Therapy Programs this fall. Affiliate Presidents are encouraged to contact their state regulating boards and ask/receive answers to the three polysomography questions that were sent to them earlier in the year. It is important to know where your state regulatory boards stand with respect to credentialed respiratory therapists needing additional credentials to practice sleep medicine. It is the AARC position that additional credentials by a separate body (AASM) are not necessary and is in opposition to any legislation that supports or requires it. Reminder that World COPD Day is Nov. 18 and AARC has PR kits to assist in communication to public. Affiliates encouraged getting their constituents and patient customers to write congress in support of HR 3220, HR 1077 and S343. AARC has been commissioned by the federal government to provide a ventilator inventory survey. The AARC is shooting for a 90% response rate. Good Luck! Vision 2015 Progress: manuscript coming out in October 2009, with the 3rd meeting next spring to address educational needs for the profession. Asthma Educators Certification Prep Course is now online. If Idaho has signed the revenue sharing agreement then 10% of the revenue for therapists registered from this state taking the course will be given to the state affiliate as part of the revenue sharing plan. A new COPD Educator Prep Course will be made available on-line later this year. HOD asked the state affiliates to consider providing in their budgets donations for AARC Disaster Relief, International Fellowship Scholarships (ARCF) and Bill Bitzel Memorial Scholarship (ARCF) (once this scholarship is endowed affiliates may apply to get funds to begin a student meeting) Received presentations on affiliate best practices which included: on-line elections, annual strategic planning retreats, joint state educational conferences, engaging high school counselors, and student poster presentations at state meetings. And of course, the ever present challenge to increase your affiliate membership. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your senior delegate.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mendy Burns
ISRC Secretary

Pact Report: Brandi and Conrad went in March to a PACT meeting.  Senator Crapo’s secretary has been very helpful.  There is a template at AARC.org for letter related to Medicare Part B.  The AARC’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) initiative under Medicare Part B will allow respiratory treatment provided in the community, by a respiratory therapist under the “general” supervision of a physician, can receive reimbursement of as much as 85 percent of the allowable amount under physician fee schedule for reimbursement.  This initiative will recognize respiratory therapists as qualified health care providers that will aid the community in furnishing medical and healthcare related services.  In addition, under this initiative, the RT would have to be a “registered” respiratory therapist and hold a bachelor’s degree.  The qualified respiratory therapist could be independently contracted, and potentially work for more than physician.

It is important for this initiative to be supported and lobbied for by all respiratory therapists, because recognition by Medicare of Part B will enhance both the profession and the respiratory therapist individual.  This change could further enable us collect data on other services that RTs may provide.  This initiative will also aid us in collecting data that supports the worth of respiratory therapist services and the benefits that result in better clinical outcomes.
How to help: the more members of Congress hear from their voters the better the chances that this initiative will be passed.  There are a few ways to help.  You can log onto the AARC website, AARC.org, under government affairs, and click on capitol connection.  This allows you to access a template for a letter to Congress.  Enlisting patients to write, working with physician community to gather support, and encouraging family and relatives to vote are also ways to help.

• Idaho membership:  There are pre-paid vouchers that allow savings if members register in a group.  To increase membership, consider adding something to the newsletter about what the ISRC does and how it helps represent the interest of respiratory therapists on a state level.  Another possible way to increase membership is to promote it in the schools and possibly get a Facebook page.  Current membership is 33 percent; our goal for membership is 50 percent.
• AARConnect is a social network for AARC members only.  It allows you to interact with other AARC members around the world, get clinical questions answered through a help line, find old friends and conduct business.
• For COPD day, in October, the AARC is supplying free peak flow meters. 
• “Year of the Lung” is a movement that aims to offer widespread support to more than 160 nations in improvement in lung health.  The goal is to increase the importance of lung health on the public health agenda.
• Elections for secretary, vice president, and president elect will begin.  Nominations must be in 120 days prior to annual business meeting.
• CoARC changing to exam-based program outcomes.  Respiratory therapy programs will now be evaluated by an entry-into-practice exam, as are all other health care professions.
• CoARC will begin posting RRT, as well as CRT credentialing success for each program when the new CoARC website is unveiled in 2010
• Summer respiratory meetings: Marco Island, FL July 16 – 18, 2010
• For elections- George will head up elections committee.  Dana will aide George with elections and ballots. 

• Peak performance USA is used in schools to promote asthma education.  Justin will give it a trial run in Twin Falls the next school season.
• The expense request form has been reformatted, with corrections.
• Student representative is needed.  Brandi will look at Steven’s Henager for a candidate.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mendy Burns
ISRC Secretary

• Why haven’t there been any AARC dues deposited into our account since July? Check was probably deposited into the wrong account.
• There was an additional amount of $100.00 in the bank that is reflected in the budget report.
• Brandi’s expense forms will be submitted for PACT travels.

Ramona was not present, but sent an e-mail stating that there was nothing to report.

• 2011 conference – May 19th  8-5 pm, May 20th 8-5.
  • The conference will be featuring:
    • Chief speaker Ken Thizten, an AARC fellow
    • Dennie Bingman from Drager
    • Several physicians from IRMAC
  • Flyers to be coming out soon.  Pam Lambert is to post registration forms on the website.
• One of Idaho’s finest respiratory care practitioners- Tom Gable, recently retired.  Tom was involved with the ISRC since the beginning.  His retirement party was last night.  We wish him well.

• Election Results
  • President Elect- Mendy Burns
  • Secretary- Brandi Johnson
  • Director at Large- Carla Miller
  • Delegate- Kelly Dwello
• PACT- bills were written but nothing was in legislation yet.  The bills must have two sponsors from house and two sponsors from senate.  We are hoping that Senator Crapo will co-sponsor with the New York senator.  Every state was represented.  Idaho needs to increase productivity by sending in more e-mails and letters to senate.
• Open Discussion

Respectfully Submitted,

Mendy Burns
ISRC Secretary