Montana Chapter of the ASA

Minutes of the 2004 Annual Meeting

October 12, 2004

Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Butte Montana


The meeting was called to order by President Dave Patterson.

  1. REPORTS

    1. John Borkowski gave the Chapter Representative report.

      • A new COC web-site is under construction.
        1. Improved navigation.
        2. Members only discounts (eg., texts).
      • New Chapter Members contact. Ability to cross-check chapter members versus ASA membership list.
      • Increased awards for science fairs.
      • Chapters officers' handbook is being revised (summarizes the responsibilities of each officer).
      • ASA Membership:
        1. 45% academic
        2. 33% industry
        3. 22% government and individual
      • Local Chapters could possibly have application forms at COC booth at JSM.
      • ASA President visits - free except for local costs.
      • Travelling Courses - Sequence of 3 consecutive workshops
        1. Problem for small chapters. Typically group 3 chapters to offset costs.
        2. Problems with presenters cancelling due to travel plans. Is it worth considering?
      • COC workshop - table discussion on websites and electronic newsletters. Note that Montana Chapter website was included in examples handout.
      • JSM in Minneapolis next year.

    2. The minutes from the 2003 Business Meeting were outlined and approved.

    3. Sherry Heis presented the Treasurer's Report. The biggest change last year was to move the account from American Federal Savings to First Interstate.
      Beginning Balance (September 23, 2003) $683.50
      Income
      Montana Chapter Membership Dues: $208.00
      Interest Earned: 0.46
      Subtotal: 208.46
      Expenses
      Catering for 2003 chapter meeting: $-143.75
      ASA Membership - Treasurer: -85.00
      Subtotal: -228.75
      Ending Balance (October 11, 2004) $663.21

  2. OLD TOPICS

    1. Susan Hinkins was recognized as a recently elected ASA Fellow. For more details, Click here

    2. The chapter is still looking for a copy of the constitution and by-laws. There will be another search by former officers. If these documents cannot be located, the secretary will contact the national office to see if they have copies.

    3. There was a discussion regarding the term of office for chapter officers. Some members believed the term was established as January 1 to December 31 but others thought the term was the day of the election until the next election. A motion was made and by unanimous decision, the term for chapter officers will run November 1 thru October 31.

  3. NEW TOPICS

    1. Fritz Scheuren announced a new service being discussed. Chapters may submit a “welcome” form letter to be sent out by ASA as new members join the chapter. ASA needs to approve the form letter first. They will also need an electronic signature. Fritz stressed the community aspect of membership. If members aren't involved, they leave.

    2. The Treasurer's Report initiated a discussion regarding book awards. MSU presents a graduate student with a Montana Chapter Outstanding Student Book Award based on the best performance on the comprehensive exam. Faced with the current expenses, the Chapter cannot continue to pay for this award. There was a motion to continue to present outstanding graduate students with The Montana Chapter Outstanding Student Book Award but each campus must find their own funds to pay for the award. This motion passed.

    3. Fritz Scheuren wants to provide a gift for student awards. He felt student awards are very important to lead students toward becoming professionals. Chapter members thanked Fritz for his generous offer.

    4. Susan Hinkins suggested the new Vice President could sent out a notice by mail to invite new chapter members and remind old members about the next chapter meeting. She suggesting contacting statisticians in Helena.

  4. ELECTIONS

    1. The current Vice President, Susan Hinkins, becomes President.

    2. Suzan Gazioglu was elected to serve as Vice-President.

    3. Sherry Heis will continue as Secretary/Treasurer.

    4. Jarrett Barber was elected to serve as Chapter Representative.

    5. Steve Cherry was not present so could not resign as ombudsman.


    2005 Montana Chapter of ASA Officers

    President:

    Susan Hinkins, National Opinion Research Center, Bozeman

    Vice President:

    Suzan Gazioglu, Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Butte

    Secretary/Treasurer:

    Sherry Heis, Montana State University, Bozeman

    Chapter Representative:

    Jarrett Barber, Montana State University, Bozeman

    Ombudsman:

    Steve Cherry, Montana State University, Bozeman

  5. NEXT MEETING

      The next chapter meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at the Student Union Building, Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Butte, Montana.

    The meeting was adjourned.

    Respectfully submitted,


    Sherry Heis
    Chapter Secretary/Treasurer