1999 Minutes

Present: Harvey Brenniese, Christina Campbell, Betty Cohen, Kay Deeney, Kathel Dunn, Beverlee Hall, Peg Hewitt, Betsy Humphreys, Mary W. Jackson, Laura Larsson, Helen Look, Kristine Markovich, Olivia Pickett, Neil Rambo, Sarah Safranek, Becky Satherwaite, Virginia (Ginny) Tanji

1. Welcome and call to order
   Jean Chung, Section Chairperson, was unable to attend the meeting. Kathel Dunn, Chair-elect, called the meeting to order at 12:30.

2. Introductions: Members introduced themselves

3. Minutes of the meeting of May 26, 1998 were reviewed and approved.

4. Section Council Report: (Peg Hewitt) These issues were discussed at the recent Section Council meeting:
   • MLA name change. Since MLA needs to change the logo (the Centennial year having passed) it was suggested that we consider an organizational name change. Preliminary discussions included concern about both the term Medical and the term Library in the association name. The MLA Board wants to know what members think about this. No section action was taken.

   • MLA dues increase: the proposal will go out to the membership for a vote. The dues increase is essential for MLA programs to go forward.

   • Carla Funk thanked all sections for contributions to the Centennial fundraising drive.

   • Our section name-change proposal was approved. Our section is now called Public Health/Health Administration Section.

   • Future Section Council vacancy guidelines were discussed. When the new Section Council structure begins, there will be no alternates. In the final structure, there will be a Representative, and in the third year of her term, a Representative-elect will shadow her, and the next year, she is Representative. That leaves one year when there are not two people in office. When the Representative cannot attend the meeting a section chair may appoint a person to attend a meeting if both the Representative and the Rep-elect cannot attend. The individual must be appointed ahead of time, must attend both meetings in order to vote, and the Section Council Chair must be notified officially (with a form) before the meeting.

   Peg discussed the Section Council Committee Reports.
   • A proposed evaluation form for new CE instructors.

   • MLANet : A new online credentialing procedure that will make it easier to prepare for AHIP. There is an MLANet editorial board. Gerry Perry is chair. The new editorial board wants input about what MLANet should have, and how fast it should have it.

   • MLANews wants input for the Section News. PH/HA section is schedule to contribute in 2000. MLANews editors should be placed on the mailing list for section newsletters.

   • A new special interest group (SIG) was proposed for Voyager System Users (NLM now using this software). PH/HA members have concerns because this is the first SIG surrounding a commercial product, however, members feel that if MLA members want to form a SIG and have obtained the required signatures, they should be allowed to form the group. Betsy Humphreys noted that the group wants a forum not programmed by the vendor.

   • A new section was proposed for Corporate Librarians, who like to come to MLA but don't find meeting content relevant to their needs. PH/HA supports this idea.

   • Internet SIG proposed. PH/HA approved.

5. Treasurer's Report: (Betty Cohen) Balance in our account as of May 18, 1999 is $3399.15. Projected expenses coming up include approximately $325 if we move our web page and email list to the MLA Server (see “New Business”) and $25 photocopy expense for the annual meeting. We should consider ways to use our funds to enhance our section and its members.

6. OLD BUSINESS: Web Directory/Newsletter
   In an email survey, the majority of members responded in favor of having the directory and newsletter distributed to members by posting on the section website. This has been implemented. Members will receive email notification when items are added. The directory is currently in PDF. Harvey will convert it to HTML so it can be searched and updated easily.

7. NEW BUSINESS:
   a. Election of officers: Betty Cohen presented the slate of officers. It was noted that we need to have a designated position of Alternate Representative to Section Council. Beverlee Hall volunteered for this position. The slate of officers was then approved unanimously. Officers for 1999-2000 are:
   

   Chair: Kathel Dunn
   Chair-elect: Helen Look
   MLA Section Representative: Peg Hewitt
   MLA Section Representative Alternate: Beverlee Hall
   Newsletter/Web Page Editor: Kris Markovich
   Membership Chair: Harvey Brenneise
   Archivist: Lola Purvis
   Secretary/Treasurer: Betty Cohen
   CE Chair (see new business): Mary Jackson
   

   b. Use of section funds to move web site to MLA server
   Sarah Safranek reported that it was difficult to maintain the web site this past year because it is currently located on the University of Michigan server. She had to ask someone for Michigan for assistance every time she wanted to post something. MLA offers access to its server for hosting of section web sites, email lists, etc. Estimated costs are $180 per year for web site hosting, $120 for email distribution, and a $25 one-time start-up fee. A motion was made and seconded to move the PH/HA web site to the MLA server as soon as possible and to expend section funds to support this activity. The motion was approved unanimously.

   c. Work with APHA (Helen Look/Laura Larsson) A project has been proposed in which PH/HA section members could volunteer to serve as “compumentors” at a computer resource center at the upcoming APHA annual meeting, November 8-11 in Chicago. An anonymous donation of $2000 has been offered to support conference registration and related expenses for 4 members @$500 each. Interested members should contact Win Sewell. A suggestion was made to contact the local RML for assistance in finding some local health sciences librarians who could help out. This is frequently done in similar situations. Helen will relay this suggestion to Win Sewell. Laura will prepare an announcement about the project for the newsletter. Kathel will contact vendors of various software products.

   d. Program for MLA Annual Meeting for 2000. The meeting will be in Vancouver, and is a joint program the Canadian medical library association. Proposed topics under consideration are:
   

   • Tracking the Grey and Web Literature—to be cosponsored with the Collection Development and Technical Services Sections
   • Something about Core Competencies and Distance Learning—to be cosponsored with Medical Informatics Section
   • Comparative Health Care Delivery Systems: Canadian and US
   There was general agreement that these were good program ideas. It was recommended that the Health Care Delivery System program be in a panel discussion format with guest speakers, and that other delivery systems be included, such as England, etc. Another topic suggestion is Examples of Outreach programs for public health professionals at the State and local level. June 11 is the deadline for submitting program ideas.

   Volunteers are needed to serve as contact persons, reviewers, moderators, and publicist for the section programs. Contact Helen Look if you are interested. Beverlee Hall volunteered to be a moderator.

   e. Proposal for a new board position: A recommendation was made that we have a section Continuing Education Chair to plan CE activities relevant to our section. The motion was approved. Mary Jackson volunteered to be the CE Chair. This was also approved.

Meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM.

Submitted by:

Betty Cohen, Secretary/Treasurer

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