June 20, 2009 Membership Meeting

TO: The National LHA Board
FROM: Bob Dieterich, President
Sue Jacobson, Secretary
RE: 17th Annual LHA Conference Membership Meeting
DATE: June 20, 2009

CALL TO ORDER: President, Bob Dieterich called the meeting to order after an elegant buffet breakfast at 9 a.m.

MINUTES: Kay Shelton read the minutes of the 2008 Membership Meeting. Leah Stinchcomb made the motion to accept the minutes as read, seconded by Hubert Mendelsohn; carried.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Jess Petersen gave the following report:
ASSETS: Checking Accounts.................................$40,406
Savings Accounts...................................113,431
Total Assets..........................................153,837

ENCUMBRANCES:
Chapters' Share of Dues..............................................$1.047
Life Membership Fund....................................................5,000
Iowa's Fisher Monument Fund.........................................500
Utah's Fisher Monument Fund...........................................500
LHA's Fisher Monument Fund.........................................2,500
Chapter Project Grants...................................................15,000
2009 Conference (estimated)..........................................35,680
TOTAL.......................................................................$60,227
Jess distributed copies to the members. Joyce Ausburger requested a more detailed report, which Jess will send to her. Kay Shelton made the motion to accept the report, seconded by Jim Bonar; carried.

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD:
Bob Dieterich introduced the Executive board to the membership:
President, Bob Dieterich (CA); Vice President, Jeff LaFollette (IN); Secretary, Sue Jacobson (IL); Treasurer, Jesse Petersen (UT); Executive Advisor, Randy Wagner (WY): The LHA State Directors' names were read:
Jerry Peppers (NY); Al Pfingstl (NJ); Mindy Crawfor (PA); Mike Buettner (OH); Kay Shelton (IL); Jeff LaFollette (IN); Lennie Stubblefield (NE);Shelly Horne (WY); Bob Beaudoin (UT); Jim Bonar (NV); Bob Dieterich (CA); Brian Butko (OH) At-Large #1; Jim Peters (MA) At Large #2; VanBecker (IA) At-Large #3; Ron Colson (IL) At-Large #4.

BUSINESS: A Bylaw change was proposed to have Teleconferences qualify as board meetings with voting allowed for issues. We'll still have the annual meeting at the annual conference, but in-between voting matters could be conducted via the Teleconference. These voting issues would be by roll call vote, each member announcing their name to be recorded. The motion to accept this proposal was made by Leah Stinchcomb, seconded by Kay Shelton; carried.

Bob thanked Jerry Peppers for all his advise and help with the Bylaw change.

LHA's DIRECTION: Bob reported we have all the qualifications for "All American Road" status...historic requirements, Scenic Byways, etc. We will proceed to obtain this status. Kay Shelton will make an application for a grant. Input from the state directors is needed. The states were encouraged to set up county consuls and/or regional areas to collect information and report back to the committee with pertinent information. Russell Rein suggested getting political support from senators and state representatives. The bill presented by the National Park Service some time ago, died. The "All American Road Status" is the LHA's #1 priority.

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Jim Peters and others made the following suggestions:
--Make more of an attempt to get LH to the public
--First step proceed with the county consul idea..have them visible at events
--Identify restaurants, diners, lodging, etc. state by state
--Each state produce brochures with pertinent information...keep updated
ones at various rest/tourism stops
--Utah already appointed consuls, also OH and IA
--Contact AARP with LHA information
--Sue Peppers suggested an article on the website. She will do this
--Lennie Stubblefield...need information center in each state
--Next year, two weeks before conference, contact newspapers
--Provide a "Certificate of Attendance" to conference attendees

ENDOWMENT:
--Bob Dieterich reported a $5,000 grant is given to a state chapter each year who has submitted a request. This year's grant goes to IA toward expenses of a Lincoln Highway Welcome Center in Cherry Valley. $3,000 to CA for E Clampus Vitus group for 2 bronze plaques to be placed on the LH ($1,500 ea.) in CA. Bob reminded the membership that any state may apply for an Endowment Grant. Information is available on our website.

OTHER:
--Rick Sebak urged members to call their local PBS stations and request a showing of the program he produced "A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway". He said the stations will usually comply with requests. Bob thanked Rick for all his outstanding work in producing such an educational, entertaining and informative program about the LH.

HEADQUARTERS: Lynn Asp reported the following activities:
--19 new foreign countries have visited
--Needs information to give travelers on where to enter/exit on the LH
--Have info on website
--Place where Esther Oyster did tuck point on the H.I. Lincoln building

MEMBERSHIP:
--Jay reported the membership increased 25-30 members from last year, especially after the PBS show. Suggested running the show every 4 months with hopes membership would increase
--Put e-mail address on renewal/membership form, saves money
--Extra Forums sent to directors; check with Kathy Franzwa
--Life Membership increases to $1,000 Januray 1, 2010

CLOSING: A big Thank You to the Indiana Chapter for producing such an outstanding conference. Their attendance was close to an all time high set by Ely, NV. The list of attendees for this year was given to some members. Bev Gillespie was to send a list to Bob to put on the website.

Bob called for a board meeting following the membership meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by Kay Shelton, seconded by Esther Oyster; carried

The Post Conference Tour departed from the Holiday Inn Lobby--Auto Caravan--tour to include New Carlisle, LaPorte, Rolling Prairie area, Westville, Valparaiso and Deep River.