Iowa Science Teachers Section of the IAS

Summer Leadership and Planning Retreat
July 25

Fall Executive Board Meeting
September 28

ISTS Winter Planning Meeting
Saturday, January 12th, 2002
Ames Middle School
Ames, IA

Those present included: Sara Coleman -- ISTS Secretary; Erica Larson - Past - President; Aaron Spurr - Web Master, Registration Coordinator; Karen Couch - Regional Director AEA 7; Lyn Countryman - ISTS Newsletter Editor; Kara Hageman - Regional Director AEA 10; Doug Herman - President; Randi Montag-Peterson - Elementary Chair; Kacia Cain - Member ; Kathy Lockard - Sparks Editor, Regional Director; Peg Barbour - ISTS Treasurer; Jeff Hepburn - Facilities Chair, Ex-officio; and Donna Bristow -- member; Rick Wells -- Exhibits Chair, Tom Ervin - Regional Director AEA 9.

I. Approve the Minutes- Sara Coleman Approval of the minutes Peg motioned to approve; Aaron seconded. Motion carried.

II. Treasurer's Report - Peg Barbour Continued frustration with receiving reports. The office staff said they were not told that they needed to send the reports. Presented written report.

Numbers from the IAS office are very different from our records.
Aaron - I fill out a green sheet and give it to Jane.
Peg - I never get those sheets. Peg read an email from Dave. He is giving a much lower amount of registration fees. Aaron - some of the credit card registrations take a while to process.
Erica - We are still working with the University.
Peg - registration dollar figures comes from credit card + cash registration.

General discussion on what bills have or have not been paid. Also, figures do not agree with our figures. Possible that the 15 month transition is causing some figure changes. Trying to come to agreement at this point will be difficult. Also, NSTA finally billed us for the books from the previous conference so we have a $900 bill for this conference and $1000 from last year.
Erica - We need to direct the president to request IAS information for the May budget meeting by April 15.

III. Committee Reports
A. 2002 Fall Conference-Erica Larson, 2001 Conference Chair

1. Registration-Aaron Spurr
Submitted Report
Discussion - some people do come late, how should we direct people to get registration and a packet. Doug - Take this under advisement

2. Fall Conference Survey- Doug Herman
Doug - Singled out people looking to become more involved with ISTS. Would like the group to personally contact one of those people. Generally, the comments were positive. No real negatives.

3. Exhibitors- Rick Wells
Submitted a report.
Discussion - how to handle Exhibitors lunch. Rick - should have a special check off and Rick will take care of it

4. Facilities-Jeff Hepburn
Submitted a verbal report
Generally everything went well. Scott from the Polk County Convention Center is proposing to move the luncheon to the lighted area and put the exhibitors in the area to the North. General Discussion - would fewer people visit the exhibitors in the back? What is our break point to be able to use the convention center?

5. Pre Conference-Erica Larson, Doug Herman
Submitted a report
General Discussion - Is the Pre Conference worth it? Do we break even? Jeff - no. Things to think about; market to the Des Moines teachers who cannot be released during a school day, the length of the presentations is good, remember that there is AV cost, the $13 fee just covers dinner. Tom - the preconference was set up to cost ISTS nothing. Erica - we didn't meet that goal.

6. Awards- Jeff Hepburn
Lyn - Needs clarification on the distinguished service award; is it to the section, or to science education in general. The bylaws indicates that a member's service to science education is the determining factor.

7. Corporate Sponsors- Tom Ervin
Submitted a written report.
Tom has informed this group he will be stepping down. Thank you for your service Tom!!!

8. Bookstore- Peg Barbour
Peg - We got the books from NSTA at 60% of the cost. We sold at 85% of the cost, and did not need to pay shipping. Now we are paying shipping. We had a small number of books that we kept rather than shipping back.
We are breaking even.

9. Section Breakfasts- Chemistry (Heather Adams), Elementary (Randi Montag Peterson), Earth Science (Bruce Frana)
Everything went well.

1. Web Page- Aaron Spurr
Aaron - functioning very well.
Erica - how can we help to market the Ask and Expert part of the ISTS Website?

2. PR/Newsletter-Lyn Countryman
Lyn - This is my last newsletter. To the people doing awards, need digital pictures. Will start to recruit articles for next newsletter. There are things happening at the UNI print shop that will preclude using that source. Looking at reorganizing the SPARKS. Randi - what about online newsletter? Lyn - do not get the readership. Lyn - would like to develop themes for the next eight newsletters. Brainstormed themes. Bill motioned to amend the present budget to provide a $500 honorarium for the newsletter editor. Tom seconded. Motion carried.

Tom - have we thought about liability for laboratory activities at ISTS activities published in the newsletter? We need to check IAS and NSTA organizations as to what protection we have.
Bill - what about protection during our travel to and from meetings and events.

3. Elections- Doug Herman/Bob Veselis
President elect and secretary positions are available and are elicited. Need appointments for corporate giving, and Newsletter Editor, Directors for AEA 1, 3, 4, and 15. Donna Bristow is taking over AEA 5.

Discussion of AEA Director folders, AEA Director Responsibilities, distribution of Director mailing.

4. IAS Annual Meeting-Bill Klein/Dave McCalley
Bill - teacher section solicitation is being handled by Dave. The Sat session, Plants in the Classroom, looking at Iowa State's Master Gardener program, seed collection, Prairie Restoration Network; Daryl Smith, and the Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

IV. Fall Conference 2002- Doug Herman
Doug - Concerns: Continue the current format given the environment we are dealing with. Staying with the Thursday format. Lyn - what is the break even number? No answer from the group
Randi - should we look at a Friday night and Sat? Erica - surrounding states do Fri and Sat get about 200.
Jeff - can we change for next year this late?
Lyn - how many can a hotel accommodate? General discussion on difference in facilities.
General discussion on budget and bills.
Sara - the issue is whether to stay on Thursday, then decide the facilities for the date chosen.
Bill - break even point roughly figured at 500 -- 665 atAlso, possible funding changes for teachers because of the new education bill.
General discussion on problems with teachers being released from school
General discussion on paring down the conference: cut the keynote
General discussion on a universal in-service day for the state
Doug - sounds like we should continue operating as we have in the past.
Erica - what data can we collect to help guide our decision making in the future?
Bill - work on the luncheon survey
Doug - working on keynote and speakers
Jeff - need to do contracts, and free rooms for volunteers
Sara - how about offering a subsidizing the room for $20 or $30 dollars
Jeff - what about pre-conference social?
General discussion - do we need a dinner when we get free pizza later?
Jeff - need to order the food in order to get the rooms. Look at chips and stuff instead of pizzas
Jeff - should we change the conference fee?

Tom - can we make a motion to raise fee based on the contracts
Rick - could raise exhibitor's fees by $5.
Erica - we have time to review the fee before the programs go to press

ISTS MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Saturday, April 20th, 2002 at 3:30 PM
Hotel Ft. Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa

The Meeting was opened by President Doug Herman at 3:09 pm.
Those present included: Sara Coleman - Secretary, Doug Herman – President, Erica Larson – Past President, Tony Heiting – Department of Ed., Bill Klein – President Elect, Bob Veselis – AEA 2, Kathy Lockard – AEA 14, Kacia Cain – AEA 11

I. Approval of General Membership Meeting Minutes from April 21st, 2001 – Sara Coleman
Motion to Accept Bill Klein 2nd Erica

III. Election Committee Report
Ernie Schiller has been elected to president elect, Sara Coleman elected to Secretary

VI. Membership Committee Report – Doug Herman
Discussion on filling AEA Directors position. Doug contacted all directors by letter, email and in some cases phone, with no results.

ISTS Spring Executive Board Meeting
Saturday, April 20, 2002
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa

Those present included: Sara Coleman - Secretary, Doug Herman – Past President, Erica Larson – Ex Officio, Tony Heiting – Department of Ed., Bill Klein – President, Bob Veselis – AEA 2, Kathy Lockard – AEA 14, Kacia Cain – AEA 11

III. Fall Conference Report – Doug Herman
Doug – we are in good shape. Lee Merrick, a chemistry teacher from Chicago area for keynote. Discussion of possible pre-conference sessions and elementary topics.

III. New Business – Working Report from the Committee on Revising Terms of Office
Bill – Presented a written report The committee will discuss ways to present this information to the membership during the fall conference.

IV. Future Meetings and Fall Conference Support
Budget meeting May 18th. Will be located in Ames for all board members interested.
Summer Retreat will be scheduled soon.

Lyn Countryman has resigned as Newsletter Editor. Bob has expressed interest. Will try to make contact with Lyn.

ISTS Summer Leadership and Planning Retreat
Thursday, July 25, 2002
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Prairie City, Iowa

Those present included: Doug Herman – Past President, Ernie Schiller – President elect, Bill Cannon – IAS Executive Director, Peg Barbour – Treasurer, Kathy McKee – Department of Ed. Environmental Science Consultant, Tom Ervin – AEA 9, Bob Veselis – AEA 2, Rick Wells – Conference Exhibits Coordinator

I. Approval of Spring Executive Board Minutes - Sara Coleman
No minutes were tendered

II. Treasurer's Report - Peg Barbour
A spreadsheet was submitted and explained. The report is for an eighteen month transition period. The fiscal year will now run from July to the following June. Is now aligned with the Iowa Academy of Science fiscal year.

B. Newsletter Editor - Bob Veselis
Bob has accepted the position of Newsletter Editor. It was decided that an electronic newsletter over the internet be adopted. Bob will have a sample for the September meeting.

C. Change in Bylaws Report - Bill Klein
Tom Ervin motioned that the working paper on the ISTS Structure and by laws be passed. Ernie Schiller seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Tom Ervin motioned to require the regional directors to attend no less than two meetings during the year. Failure to meet this requirement empowers the president to replace the director. Ernie Schiller seconded. Motion passed unanimously

Ernie Schiller moved that the rules be suspended in the name of efficiency. Tom Ervin seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Tom Ervin mad a motion that the presidency last for two years. Seconded by Ernie Schiller.
Motion passed unanimously.

Doug Herman made a motion that the Program Coordinator becomes a voting member of the executive board. Tom Ervin seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Tom Ervin made a motion that the advanced and Final Conference program be modified. Tom Ervin seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Tom Ervin made a motion that the bylaw be amended by 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Board present at the second meeting at which the bylaw change has been presented. Seconded by Ernie Schiller. Motion passed unanimously

Ernie Schiller made a motion to direct the president to set up a committee to investigate who should be included as a voting member of the ISTS Leadership Cadre and report at the September meeting. Ernie Schiller seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

- Doug Herman reported on the state of the Fall Conference. Things are going well.
-Jeff Hepburn submitted a written report.
-Erica Larson will take over Corporate Funding activity
-Rick Wells gave a report on the Exhibit Hall

-Bill Klein made some remarks on the challenge of recruiting new membership.
-Erica Larson submitted a written report on Awards and Recognition
-Ernie Schiller presented the problem of low teacher attendance at the Spring IAS
meeting. Discuss was tabled until the September meeting.

ISTS Fall Executive Board Meeting
Saturday, September 28, 2002
Ox Yoke Interstate
I-80 Amana Exit 225, Iowa

Those present included: Bill Klein - President, Doug Herman – Past President, Ernie Schiller - AEA 16 and President Elect, Rick Wells - Exhibits Coordinator, Jeff Heyburn - Facilities Chair, Bob Veselis AEA 2 and Newsletter Editor, Erica Larson - Ex-Officio, Randi Montag Peterson – Chair Elementary Teaching Section, Barbara Tagami - AEA 3, Ginny Elliott - AEA 6, Tom Ervin - AEA 9, Kathy Lockard - AEA 14, Gale Vermeulen - AEA 15, Lyn Countryman, and Barb Jacobson.

I. Approval of Summer Executive Board Minutes.
Two changes were made to the board minutes - 1) Part III. C should be moved between the paragraphs -Tom Ervin made a motion that the bylaw be amended. and Ernie Schiller made a motion to direct the president..2) Doug Herman seconded the motion that the advanced and Final Conference program be modified--not Tom Ervin. Lyn Countryman voted to accept the amended minutes. Barb Tagami seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Lyn Countryman has the by-laws on a disk and will send to Jane so they can be updated. Bill will reprint 25 copies of the amended by-laws for the committee. The amended by-laws will also be put on the web.

II. Treasurer's Report
Peg Barbour called in a treasurer's report. There was $9423 income and $1434 expenses which leaves a balance of $7988.

Peg stated that the book store will only be selling the NSTA books that are on hand. Because of the cost, no new books have been ordered. Peg has been approached by a trade book vendor who has asked to set up a trade book display in the book store and give ISTS 20% of all sales. Discussion was held. Tom Ervin made the motion to allow the vendor a 1 year trial set up at a cost of $225 or 20% of the total sales whichever is more. Ernie Schiller seconded the motion. After further discussion Tom amended his motion to take out the $225. Motion carried with Rick Wells opposing the motion.

A. Summer Retreat Update - Bill Klein
President Elect and President will now be two year terms. Discussion will need to be held as to how the transition will roll out for Ernie and Bill. Anyone elected new will be elected for 2 years. Secretary and Treasurer terms will continue to be 3 years.

B. Newsletter Editor - Bob Veselis
Bob will need time to come up with a software program that will allow him to format the new online newsletter. Discussion was held about how many times the newsletter should come out. It was suggested that 3 times a year would be good. The newsletter will be emailed to members and may eventually be available on the website. Discussion was held about obtaining the money to purchase the software that Bob needs. It was suggested that since the Academy has supported the newsletter in the past that perhaps they could now put the money into a new computer system for Bob as well as the software necessary. Erica will check with the academy at the next meeting and email the information to Bob. Lyn will work with Bob to obtain the computer system that will be adequate for the work to be done. It was suggested that a laptop computer, a digital camera and software should all be purchased if the funds are available from the Academy.

The new section "Science in the Classroom" will help teachers fulfill the Iowa Teaching Standard #7 since it will show their work towards professional growth as they publish what is happening in their classrooms.

C. IAS Update Report
Bill Cannon was not at the meeting so Erica gave an update of the items pertaining to our section. 1) The accounting audit of IAS' books continues. Erica will keep us informed. 2) A survey from Dave McCauley showed that participants thought the fall conference should be on Saturday. Since this only went out to Academy members, Erica asked them to put the brakes on changing the conference date until further study and our own survey results are available. 3) The new executive director - Bill Cannon - is a former
Iowan and has a vision to up step the image of IAS. He has futuristic ideas to hopefully draw in more members.

D. Voting Members Ad Hoc Committee Report - Ernie Schiller, Tom Ervin, Erica Larson
Questions raised by the committee--Do we have enough funds to pay for alternates to come to the meetings? And 2) If the president, president elect and past presidents have 6 year tenure with their honorariums, would the money be there? Discussion was held that part of the Regional Directors' job would be to contact an alternate if they were not going to be able to attend a meeting. Then the alternate would be paid instead of the Regional Director. This would be no additional cost to the ISTS and would increase the attendance and input into the meetings. It was decided to table this discussion until the January meeting and do some further study on the issue.

E. Fall Program Update - Doug Herman
1. Program - There are currently 335 registered for the conference. Some of the presenters have not registered.
2. Pre-Conference - Jeff needs to know the number of participants as soon as possible to set up the number of meals and comp rooms available. The cost is determined by figuring the cost of the meal, the AV cost, and then having the presenter tack on the fee they need to cover their expenses. Randi expressed concern about canceling the pre-conference the day before.
3. Registrations - No report from Aaron Spurr
4. Facilities - Jeff stated he would need to change the agreement if the bookstore and any exhibits are to be set up in the hallway. This will not be a problem but needs to be done. Hotel Fort Des Moines is giving us the pre-conference meal for the luncheon price. The menu for the conference is $12.95 and includes chicken, a fruit cup, and chocolate mousse cake. AV requests are in. The colors of the conference are green and white. If the under the plate surveys can be sent to Jeff, the convention staff will put them out when they do the set up. Discussion was held about the shuttle service used in the past. It has been sold and will cost more this year. It was decided to perhaps set a $250 limit on the service ($160 was paid last year) and leave the final decision up to Jeff and Doug's discretion.
5. Exhibitors - Rick would like to set the book store up in the foyer as well as some exhibits. He increased the exhibitor fee from $195 to $225. An Exhibits Hall Report was given and will be filed with the minutes.
6. Corporate Sponsors - Ernie gave a Corporate Sponsors report. He will be contacting corporate sponsors again to give them one more chance to contribute. It was suggested that Prentice Hall be added to the list since they are financing the speaker at the conference. Ernie suggested that all sponsors be recognized at the conference luncheon with a 30 second round of applause.
7. Under the Plate Survey - Bill presented a draft of the under the plate survey. Ernie suggested deleting all the "possible" and "no" options to do away with any negative responses. It was suggested that "Any other comments" be added to the bottom of the survey. Lyn suggested that the following statement be added to the top of the survey: "In anticipation of science teacher shortages, ISTS would like to advocate for science educators to please tell us: How many more years do you plan to teach?" We need the data on how many science teachers are close to retirement to help advocate for increase support in the education of science teachers. Randi suggested adding a question about interest in joining ISTS since this will help accomplish the teaching standard for professional development. The under the plate surveys are to be sent to Jeff the week before the conference so they can be given to the conference set-up staff.
8. President's reception - 50 pizzas have been ordered.
10. 11. 12. Breakfast registration is dismal--4 Elementary Education Section Breakfast, 4 earth Science Teachers Section, and 12 for the Chemical Education Section Breakfast. Discussion was held about whether or not to hold the breakfast meetings in the future.
9. Tasks and Volunteers - Doug gave a list of those who have volunteered or have been assigned as volunteers. He can always use more help. Ernie suggested that security measures be taken to watch for participant badges and not allow those not registered to enter the sessions and bother the presenters.

Barb Tagami expressed the desire for more direction and guidance for Regional Directors. Ernie suggested that letters be sent to all science teachers in each AEA. ISTS would provide the letter head and envelopes. A notebook of Regional Director's duties will be updated and sent to the regional directors.

A. 2003 Fall Conference date - Erica will be checking with IAS about the "need" to change the conference to a Saturday. As a conference committee we need to show that we are attentive to the needs of our participants through survey data, etc. The date has tentatively been set at October 16, 2003.

C. Ordering new cups - Bill questioned whether new cups and/or pens should be ordered since the supply is low. We will consider this issue at our January meeting. Plaques have been ordered for the conference.

A. Spring Program Committee - Ernie questioned whether we want to continue to put our time and energy into the spring conference when only a few attend. With new IAS leadership, there is not as much pressure to be a part of this conference. Discussion was held on the possibility of scraping the Wednesday evening workshops and doing the section meetings at this time. We could recognize new officers at this time and perhaps have leadership workshops for the Regional Directors, etc. Ernie made the motion to suspend
the Science Teaching Section at the Iowa Academy of Science Conference. Tom seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

B. Election Committee - Bill assigned Gail Vermeulen, Kathy Lockard, Erica Larson, and Ernie Schiller to be on the Election Committee for this year. Kathy is to be the chairperson. Names for the offices need to be submitted to the executive board in January.

The Awards Committee Report - Erica filed a report about the ISTS Distinguished Service Awardees as well as the Friends of Science Awardees.

The January meeting has tentatively been set for January 11--possibly at Springbrook. This would allow connections with ICEC.

Those present included: Bill Klein - President, Doug Herman – Past President, Aaron Spurr – Webmaster, Registration, Rick Wells – Exhibitors, Molly Foss – AEA, Bill Cannon – IAS Executive Secretary, Ernie Schiller – President Elect, Kacia Cain – AEA 11 and Facilities, Kara Hageman – AEA 10, Bob Veselis – AEA 2, Ginny Elliott – AEA 6, Heather Adams – Chem. Ed., Kara Hageman – AEA 10

I. Approval of September 28th Minutes – Sara Coleman
Minutes approved as written

A. 2002 Fall Conference – Doug Herman, 2002 Conference Chair
Bill K – Fantastic job on the conference Doug
1. Registration – Aaron Spurr
Report submitted.
2. Exhibitors – Rick Wells
Report submitted
Ernie is concerned for security for exhibit halls, side doors were open, checking badges, etc.

Kacia Cain is meeting with the convention center folks tomorrow and will bring up these concerns

Bill K – a participants lost her collected things during lunch time
Conference will be held on October 15 and 16th next year.

3. Facilities – Jeff Hepburn (Kacia Cain)
Kacia will meet with the Convention Center tomorrow
4. Pre Conference – Doug Herman
Change the format to preconference at the convention center, then a reception from 7 – 8 and then have the exhibitors open Wed night.
Ernie – look to get more participation from the DSM teachers on Wed night
Rick – good idea
Sara – get a preconference rate for the evening events
Aaron – NSTA regionals are close by and may effect numbers, is this a good time for the change
Kacia – good for local area teachers
Bill – we have supplemented the cost of the meals the night before. ScopeShop will supplement the cost
Doug – had some comments about the cost of the sessions, once explained to those with the cost associated with AV
Ernie – how many people signed up for just preconference
Aaron – very few
Kacia – could I contact DSM teachers for their interest
Ernie – perhaps we should look at moving around again
Sara – once we lose Polk County, won’t get it back
5. Awards – Bill Kline
Report submitted
Ernie – need to have more “glamorous” awards, look for PR opportunities,
Letters to building principals about presenters in their building.
6. Corporate Sponsors – Ernie Schiller
Report submitted
7. Bookstore – Peg Barbor
8. Section Breakfast – Doug Herman
Poor attendance, no programs, perhaps it is time to end them or go to one breakfast. I can’t make it happen, others need to take responsibility
Ernie – let the section chairs make that decision
Kacia – agrees with Ernie
Sara – does it cost us anything for the time and space?
Bill K – section is a wash
9. Fall Conference Survey – Bill Kline
Report submitted
Is collecting information on people who are interested in becoming involved in ISTS
Planning to invite these people to the next meeting on the ICN – gave the names to the
AEA directors
B. ISTS Program Committee Reports

1. Web Page – Aaron Spurr
no report. Everything going smoothly with the server we had to replace the hard drive on the server
2. PR/Newsletter – Bob Veselis
have a flow cart on how to produce a newsletter on the web site.
columns are designed.
Can we sell space to fund the newsletter?
Bill Cannon – had a meeting with the UNI technology center
They are going to put something together.
Bob – should I begin to send articles?
Bill C – go ahead and send it
Bob – I plan to have something on the web site in January
Aaron – you selected software and have UNI to do the template?
Bob – I don’t have software in the plan and go with whatever UNI is going to do.
Bill C – Information Technology (at UNI) will do the software so Bob can focus on editorial and getting articles.
3. Elections – Ernie Schiller
no report

4. IAS Annual Meeting – Bill Cannon
General speakers are lined up. Engineering Section Head is very interested in getting more teachers to the conference. There is a good case for not having an ISTS section at this meeting while beefing up the Junior Academy participation. The virtual reality lab is going to be involved with the Junior Academy.

A. Vacancy: Program Coordinator: Completes the Advance and Convention Programs, and arranges for printing and distribution of the programs (assisted by the IAS office)
The bylaws change allows the program coordinator has an honorarium.
Looking for a two year commitment for the president needed to relieve some of the president’s and past president’s duties

B. Change in Pre- conference and President’s social
Addressed in preconference discussion

V. Other Discussion
Reflections on today’s meeting
Aaron – works for me
Doug – this is good, hopefully by January we will know more of where we are in budget as far as the Fall Conference
Need to know just conference budget, not the other expenses of the section
The decorating is very nice but it is a big ticket item

VII. Future Meeting Dates
January 8, 2003 for the next ICN meeting Some had to drive – email Bill for green sheets.