Our business meeting was preceded by the awarding of scholarships. Partners give scholarships to students who are pursuing a career in a medical field and who are in at least their second year of schooling for that career. On this date we awarded 20 scholarships which were given out by Carolyn Dray. At the same time the Richland Hospital awarded 23 scholarships given out by CEO, Steve Nockerts. Following this ceremony our business meeting took place.

Call to order- The meeting was called to order by Co-president, Rosalee Wheat.

Reports -

Steve Nockertsgave an update on the hospital project. He showed an exhibit which allowed us to see both the style of the furniture and the different textures and fabrics being used in the project. This project is on schedule and on budget. By the end of October it will be ready to move in patients into. Then OB will move to a temporary location on 2nd floor while the new OB operating room is completed. When that is finished OB will move back and renovation will begin on 3rd which will house administration. This should be completed within one year. Steve reported that the renal dialysis unit located in the old RMC building is now up and ready. They must began by seeing 1 patient for 1 month at which time the Medicare inspection will take place and certify the unit. Once that is completed, they can begin to see patients on a regular basis. They have 13 patients on their waiting list. Steve then reported that the hospital had purchased an electronic records system. This is a Meditech System which is used by 30 other hospitals in Wisconsin. There is a possibility that we may receive some stimulus money to use toward this system which will cost about 2 million dollars in total.

Minutes of 4-23-2009 quarterly meeting were approved as they appeared in the recent news letter.

Treasurer reportwas given by Patty Pulvermacher.

Figures show that the check book balance is $10,172.86. We have $70,942.21 in investments. Patty stated that by August or September the hospital will need the money for the patient room TVs that Partners agreed to provide. This amount will be at least $30,000. A motion was made and seconded to accept this report and it passed unanimously.

Claudia did not have a Public Policy report but did comment on the awarding of scholarships. She pointed out how important these are to the students who receive them and how often these people come back to practice in the community. This will be especially important in the future when it appears that there will be shortages in some of these fields.

The Foundation reportwas given by Deanna Gochenauer in Norbert’s absence. She stated that the First Choice Experience breakfast will be October 15, 2009. We are in need of table captains for this year. Please contact Norbert if you will be willing to be a table captain or know someone who might. This year’s breakfast will be held at the Phoenix Center.

Volunteers - Deanna reported that at her recent orientation she had 5 new teens. She also reported that by mid October volunteers will be able to have a tour of the new addition. She stated that the new volunteer Float position is working out well and is much appreciated. She now had someone on a regular basis for Monday, Tuesday and Friday. She is still hoping to get someone on a regular basis for Tuesday and Thursday. This volunteer makes the rounds of all the hospital waiting areas offering Magazines, Coffee, Tea or Water.

Salad Luncheon - Kay gave a short report stating that the entire final report was printed in the recent news letter. It is estimated that the Salad Luncheon had $1,200 left after expenses to put toward scholarships.

Eva Shilling - reported that the Geranium Sale netted $499 and that the Nut Man sale netted $206.

No Bake - Bake Sale - Kay reported that this year we went out 131 first letters and 49 second letters. Our expenses, including postage, were $133.09. This sale ended on July 15 and revenue after expenses was $1,347.91.

Scholarship Committee- Carolyn reported that the Scholarship Committee consisting of Lorraine Dalberg, Patty Pulvermacher and herself had met and selected 20 recipients for a Partners scholarship. These were given out at the meeting that preceded this one. She stated that this is a very rewarding experience and encouraged others to consider being on this committee.

Blood Bank- Kay reported that our next blood back is August 6. All the shifts have been filled and she thanked everyone who volunteers to help with this. She gave a special thanks to Ruth Ghastin who has been a regular volunteer for each blood bank every since Kay took over the job of staffing the volunteers for each blood back.

Rosalee stated that the next Executive Board meeting will be August 11 at 9 am in Pippin Hall. She encouraged anyone who is interested to attend. We are always looking for input and new ideas. She also reminded everyone to keep track of their volunteer hours so that they can turn them in at the end of the year. These hours are submitted to the state.

Other- Deanne reported that several people had suggested to her that we plan another volunteer trip similar to the one taken to the Dells this year. It was suggested that we might attend a Concert on the Square sometime. Eva explained the WHALE project. WHALE is for We Have A Little Emergency. She explained that parents of newborns are able to obtain a sticker for the child car seat which contains pertinent information regarding the child. In case of accident where the parents were not able to provide this information, it would be available on the sticker attached to the car seat. We were also reminded to place ICE (In Case of Emergency) information in our car and also in our cell phones. You are to place the person to notify in case if emergency and their phone number in your phone under the contact name of ICE. Anyone at the scene of an accident can then notify the correct person when they locate your phone. Some people also carry this information in the glove compartment of the car. Lorraine Dalberg stated that if anyone has old cell phones they can be turned in to a Partner member. It is then turned in and becomes a benefit for our military personnel.

Looking Ahead- Fundraiser scheduled for this fall are: Autumn Blooms on September 9 and 10, Bake Sale at the Richland County Bank on September 18. Also the Nut man returns on September 28 and Books Are Fun on October 29 and 30. Rosalee also reminded us that the state convention in Stevens Point will be October 6 through the 8 and the Western District meeting will be help on October 20 in Hillsboro.

The next quarterly meeting will be October 22 at 5:30 PM in Pippin Hall.

Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 7:00 PM

Respectfully submitted

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Kay S Wyman, Acting Secretary