Minutes of Eighteenth Annual Meeting

Minutes June 1999
Presiding Officer: Dr. Gerald JohnsonIII
Location Room D007
Oklahoma State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Tulsa, OK

1. Dr. Gerald Johnson, the OSP president called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

2. Presentation of Student Award. Dr. Johnson asked Dr. Rouch to present the graduate student award. Dr. Rouch thanked all students who participated the judges for evaluating the competition. All participants received high marks. Leslie Newman, PhD student at OSU-COM, received the highest marks from all judges and was presented with a certificate of excellence and the $200 award.

3. President?s Report. Dr. Johnson reported that OSP has received $500 from APS for start-up funds and that OSP now has official tax-exempt status. He thanked Dr. Benjamin for starting the OSP web page. These are all positive developments for the society. Dr. Johnson stated that one person cannot do everything and he encouraged more OSP members to get involved in the society?s activities.

4. Treasurer's Report. Dr. Johnson asked Dr. Rouch to give the treasurer?s report submitted by Dr. Blankemeyer, current OSP treasurer. (Dr. Blankemeyer could not attend the meeting because of a previous commitment.) Dr. Rouch reported that the OSP currently has a balance of $1,331.65. In his report Dr. Blankemeyer recommended that OSP dues be increased since the society is now presenting cash awards.

5. Old Business: None

6. New Business:

Dr. Rouch initiated a discussion about increasing annual dues. After some discussion OSP members, Dr. Benjamin made a motion to increase dues from $6 to $15 for regular members and to maintain the $6 amount for student members. There were no objections to this motion and everyone agreed that it should be passed. Dr. Clifford mentioned that before it can be passed officially, the OSP-bylaws need to be revised and approved by the society. Amendments to the bylaws must be submitted to society members 60 days prior to the annual meeting and two thirds (2/3) of the voting membership must approve the amendments. Dr. Benjamin, the president-elect, said that he plans to revise the bylaws and will present proposed amendments to the society in time for the next meeting.

Dr. Benjamin proposed that a steering committee be formed. The committee will consist of the president, past president, president-elect, and the secretary-treasurer. The committee will be responsible for planning future meetings. Dr. Benjamin also proposed forming a fund-raising committee. Connie Hébert suggested that this committee ask vendors to attend regular meetings to provide the society with financial support. Dr. Finn stressed that the society?s financial base needs to be expanded and suggested asking for donations from members and potential sponsors. Dr. Benjamin then made a formal motion to form a financial committee consisting two members, one being the secretary treasurer. Dr. Clifford seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Benyajati initiated a discussion on how to attract new members. She recommended that a questionnaire be submitted to all members and potential members asking basic questions about needs and desires. Dr. Benjamin suggested that more notices be sent out to schools prior to the meeting and include registration forms with the notices. Dr. Benjamin also mentioned that the new web page can be used to solicit ideas and notify more people of the OSP.

Dr. Johnson then showed the members the web page for the Iowa Physiological Society and suggested we look at their organization for ideas. They have an extensive web page.

Dr. Johnson then turned the meeting over to Dr. Benjamin.

7. Election of Officers. Dr. Benjamin made a motion to elect Dr. Rouch as the new secretary-treasurer. Dr. Farber asked if Dr. Blankemeyer would step down from that position. Dr. Benjamin said that Dr. Blankemeyer has found himself extremely busy with new duties as the department chairman and would likely prefer to have a new secretary-treasurer elected. Dr. Clifford seconded the motion and the members passed the motion unanimously.

Dr. Farber nominated Dr. Benyajati for president-elect. Dr. Benyajati withdrew her name because of her current duties with APS. She said she will be happy to serve at a later date. Dr. Farber nominated Dr. Clifford who also withdrew because of his duties as president of Oklahoma Academy of Sciences. Dr. Sandra Sands then nominated Dr. Finn and Dr. Benjamin seconded the motion. The members passed the motion unanimously. Dr. Finn said he would be happy to serve, but that it would be a good idea to have the new president-elect from an institution other than OSU-COM since the current president is from OSU-COM. Members agreed with this and it was suggested to find another candidate if possible. If not, Dr. Finn will continue as the president-elect.

Dr. Benjamin said that he would write a newsletter with some input for designated members and submit the newsletter via the web page. It will contain requests for members to volunteer to take positions on the new committees.

Dr. Benjamin encouraged all members to attend next year?s meeting. He then asked for a motion to adjourn. Dr. Clifford made the motion, it was seconded by Dr. Rouch, and passed unanimously.

8. Adjournment

There being no further business, Dr. Benjamin made a motion to adjourn and Dr. Finn seconded.