Operation Identity Meeting Minutes

January 27, 2011

Annual Board Meeting

The annual Board Meeting of Operation Identity was opened at 6:10 p.m. by President, Connie Martin. Seven members were present.

Review of 2010

What Was Accomplished in 2010

• Revision of OI by-laws
• Special event meetings, such as showing of adoption-related movies or documentaries, and presentations by Jenni Dyman and Bill Gage from attending AAC conference

What Was NOT Accomplished in 2010

• Forward movement of Adoption Reform in New Mexico

Treasurer's Report

• Year-end financial report presented by Treasurer, Mark Dickerson. Mark provided a detailed financial report of income and expenditures for 2010. O.I. had a net operating loss of $379.62 for the year with a balance of $1,818.50 on 12/31/10. Motion was made and carried to accept this year-end report.

• Additionally, Mark provided a comparison of 2010 with previous years for discussion purposes. Mark is still trying to reconcile the portion of the treasury designated as the Nancy Parkhill Foundation.
     — Action item: Barbara will research previous conference paperwork to help Mark determine accurate starting amount, income from raffle sales at conferences, and expenditures from this fund.

General Planning for 2011

• Feedback on special-event meetings. Following discussion, it was agreed that these types of activities should be continued as a means of bringing new information to attendees.

Suggestions for 2011

• Continue with effort on NM laws regarding accessing birth records

• Following discussion on the downward trend of treasury, Connie Martin made a motion that we raise annual O.I. dues to $25. Motion was seconded and carried, to be effective April 1, 2011. This will be publicized in the forthcoming newsletter.

• What can be done to get more attendees at monthly meetings? Suggestion was to call some of the local members who had been faithful in attendance in the past with an effort to determine reasons for non-attendance.
     — Action item: Connie will provide list of names/phone #s by February meeting.

• Establish dates for special 2011 celebrations
     — Birth Mothers’ Day Celebration – May 7; location TBD
     — Christmas Party – December 11 at home of Jenna Wiley

Planning for 2011 Conference

• Connie reviewed the lessons learned from the 2009 conference; discussion followed.

• A task plan with potential due dates was reviewed together with a general overview of the conference timeframe. Task owners were established.

• Mark presented a potential cost sheet from Monte Vista Christian Church for use of Bethany Hall.
     — Action item: Mark will clarify the $25/hr cost for six hours to determine the exact times included since registration for the conference will begin at 8:30, ending potentially at 4:30, but time is needed for setup and cleanup.

• Barbara has confirmed speakers Greg McNeil and Sharon Fieker but additional speakers are needed.
     — Action item: She and Connie will pursue other presenters

There being no further discussion, the Board adjourned at 7:15 p.m., at which time the monthly meeting was convened.

Regular Meeting

Meeting called to order by Connie Martin.

Nine members and one guest were present.

Minutes of the October meeting were read and approved, noting that the November meeting had been cancelled due to unavailability of a quorum of officers and no formal meeting is held in December.

Old Business

• A review of the preparation for the 2011 conference, as discussed in the Board meeting, was presented.

New Business

• A report on the Board approval to raise O.I. dues effective April 1, 2011 was provided to attendees.

• Connie advised that Jenni Dyman is moving back to Denver and resigning her position as the New Mexico representative at AAC. A replacement is being pursued.

There being no further business, the business meeting was closed at 8:00 p.m., after whcih Kathie Forward provided an update on the progress of reunion with her birth mother, sharing of the personal story of the guest, and an update from Linda Davis on her 5-year-old granddaughter’s struggles with leukemia.