ASCLS-NE NEWSLETTER

www.ascls-ne.org

THE FILTER

ASCLS-NE has had a very busy and exciting fall thus far! A Leadership Board Meeting was held on October 26, 2014. The meeting was well-attended and productive. It was great to have representatives of the ASCLS-NE Student Forum in attendance at the meeting. One of the goals for this year is to have the students more involved within the state society. Some of the main topics of discussion were membership, fundraising ideas, the upcoming spring meeting, and awards. The annual Region VI Fall Council Meeting was November 1-2, 2014 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Region VI includes the ASCLS state societies of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. ASCLS-NE was represented by Brad Hays, President-Elect and I. Brad and I attended for our first time and felt that the meeting was very informative. The new ASCLS Membership Packages were discussed in detail. These packages include the laboratory manager’s package for laboratories and the educator’s package for educational institutions. These packages were created to increase membership to ASCLS. For more information about these packages, please visit the ASCLS website at: http://ascls.org/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/218-membership-packages The council also discussed the importance of offering opportunities for students and new professionals at the state meetings including review sessions for the Board of Certification Exam.

ASCLS-NE President’s Page Kevin McGuire, MLS(ASCP)

CM

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ASCLS-NE President’s Page……………………..1 Membership Information…………………….…2,3 Student Page…………………………………………….4 Licensure Editorial…………………………………5-8 Yearly Treasurer’s Report………………………..9 Laboratory “Spotlight”………………………10-13

ASCLS Board Mtg. Minutes………………….14-20

ASCLS-NE has also been fundraising this fall. The Student Forum held their annual Husker Football raffle. Students sold raffle tickets for the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Nebraska versus Minnesota game on November 22nd. ASCLS-NE also held a Pampered Chef fundraiser during November. Thank you all for your support of the organization!

The annual Educational Spring Meeting will be held April 8-10, 2015 at the La Vista Conference Center in La Vista, Nebraska. ASCLS-NE is working on a joint meeting with ASCLS-Iowa, CLMA Great Plains Chapter, ASCP, and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists-Nebraska Chapter. This is a great opportunity to learn the latest in the scientific sessions, see the latest in the exhibit hall, and network with laboratory professionals like yourself from around the states of Nebraska and Iowa. The Spring Meeting Planning Committee is seeking volunteers to help make this meeting a success. Even if you can only help a little, the committee can find a job perfect for you. Each contribution to this society, no matter how big or small is greatly needed and appreciated. If you are interested in becoming involved within ASCLS-NE, please feel free to contact me at president@ascls-ne.org Thank you for being a member of our society! Have a safe and happy holiday season!

FALL 2014

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ASCLS-NE MEMBERSHIP Benefits

Thank you to everyone who has renewed their ASCLS-NE membership.

Your renewal has ensured that you will not miss any of the great benefits you receive from ASCLS including:

Education:

o Enhance your professional knowledge through ASCLS's unique P.A.C.E.® programs, audio-

conferences, workshops and online course offerings.

ASCLS Annual National Meeting/Exposition and Nebraska Spring Meeting:

o ASCLS-NE members receive a discount on fees for registration and exhibits at the Annual

National and Nebraska Spring Meeting.

o Join us April 8-10, 2015 for the annuals ASCLS-NE spring meeting. The 2015 meeting is

being held in conjunctions with the ASCLS Iowa chapter, CLMA and ASCP at the Embassy

Suites in LaVista, Nebraska.

Publications: ASCLS members are kept informed through two Society publications.

o Clinical Laboratory Science ($40 value) is an award-winning, bi-monthly journal featuring

articles on the very latest in research, education and government actions affecting the

profession.

o ASCLS Today, our newsletter, is published 12 times a year and provides timely updates on

association activities in the legislative, educational and membership arenas.

o ASCLS-NE Filter, the state newsletter, is published quarterly and provides updates of state

level activities.

Governmental Affairs: As new laws and regulations bring momentous changes to clinical laboratory

science, your ASCLS membership provides you with liaisons to Members of Congress, Federal and

state agencies.

Access to the ASCLS-NE listserv

o The listserv allows you access to the best and brightest laboratory professional’s in Nebraska.

Submitted by Marnie Imhoff, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

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Laboratory Managers Package

ASCLS wants to make taking care of your employees’ professional and continuing education needs easier! As one of our valued members in laboratory administration, we are offering a special discounted dues package that would give all of your scientific staff Professional 1 status as new or renewing ASCLS members if joining in a group of 10 or more (see rates below).*

Rates: (payment must be received in one check-personal or institutional checks are accepted)

10-24 employees $750 (one free registration to an ASCLS national meeting)

25-74 employees $2,250 (two free registrations to an ASCLS national meeting)

75-150 employees $5,000 (three free registrations to an ASCLS national meeting)

151-250 employees $8,750 (four free registrations to an ASCLS national meeting)

251-500 employees $16,500 (five free registrations to an ASCLS national meeting)

500+ employees $22,000 (six free registrations to an ASCLS national meeting)

**State dues will be invoiced with your membership package at a rate of $5 per person. This will allow you to take advantage of local continuing education and networking opportunities at member rates!

Submitted by Marnie Imhoff, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

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Attention Students!!

Applications are being accepted for personal loans from the Frieda Oltmanns trust. Ms. Oltmanns very generously donated the remainder of her estate to establish a trust for Nebraska MLS students. If you need a personal loan, please contact Andrea Jones for an application at scholarships@ascls-ne.org. Also, scholarship applications are now being accepted. Visit the ASCLS-NE Website at www.ascls-ne.org for more information and for submission requirements.

The 2014-2015 ASCLS-NE Student Forum is in full swing. We held elections for those

interested in leadership positions and the results are as follows:

ASCLS-NE Student Forum President:

Kevin Nicholson – UNMC

ASCLS-NE Student Forum Treasurer:

Jessica Esper - SCC

ASCLS-NE Student Forum Secretary:

Briana Adams – UNMC

If you see these students give them a “congratulations” and a “thank you” for taking on a

leadership role!

Submitted by: Lynnett Paneitz, MLS(ASCP)CM

The student forum raffle ticket winners of the Nebraska Football tickets are: Omaha

students – Ben Branigan, who is a student at Methodist and Sharon Rhen who is a faculty

member at Southeast Community College. All told the students raised almost $1,000.00!

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What does a doctor, hairstylist, chiropractor and veterinary technician have in

common? All four are licensed by the state of Nebraska. We, as modern laboratory

personnel, are not strangers to regulation. Daily tasks in the lab revolve around

requirements by the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments, the College of

American Pathologist, and The Joint Commission, just to name a few. Quality control,

maintenance and standards logs reside in massive binders that must be retrievable for

many years. Knowing the importance of proper regulation, we must ask ourselves: why is

our professional credentialing so lax compared to equivalent professions? Here we’ll

define the differences between certification and licensure of laboratory professionals;

explain why you should care about your credentialing criteria, and discuss the advantages

and disadvantages of each credential. I hope that after finishing this article, you’ll agree

that licensure, not just certification, is important in Nebraska.

Certification and licensure are two types of credentialing that offer formal

recognition of professional or technical competence. Certification is granted through a

non-governmental agency or professional association to individuals who have met

predetermined educational qualifications and technical competencies. Licensure is

provided by a governmental agency and allows a professional to practice in his given

occupation. Licensure also depends upon meeting specific educational and testing

requirements. If a governing body requires a specific profession to be licensed, then

practicing without the license becomes illegal.

Licensure Editorial Submitted by: Amanda Stastny MLS(ASCP)

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Licensing will help ensure patient safety by requiring a standard level of

education. If you or your family becomes hospitalized, you’ll have the peace of mind that

a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) or medical laboratory technician (MLT) is indeed

performing your laboratory tests. Currently, most hospitals are great at self-regulating by

hiring highly trained employees, but there are no guarantees. Another advantage of

licensing is increasing awareness of our profession! We are all invested in our profession

and this is a great way to support it! A central register of lab personnel will aid in the

recruitment of MLS and MLT during bioterrorism and crisis scenarios. In the case of a

devastating event, we will already have a central organization in place.

Did you know that our governing bodies have official statements on the topic of

licensure of the MLS and MLT? Both the ASCLS and ASCP recommend state licensing.

The ASCLS states, “The laboratory information, they provide, has a direct impact on

patient diagnosis, treatment, health maintenance, safety, length of stay, as well as

resource utilization, and patient satisfaction. Thus, laboratory personnel licensure is

essential to protect the public from substandard laboratory services and possibly

misleading information, by assuring that only adequately educated and qualified

individuals perform testing.” While ASCP notes, “states should license laboratory

personnel, and that state licensure legislation should ensure that laboratory personnel

possess appropriate academic and clinical training, pass competency-based examinations

conducted by an approved national certifying organization, and participate in continuing

education programs.”

“Licensing will help ensure patient safety by

requiring a standard level of education. If you

or your family becomes hospitalized, you’ll

have the peace of mind that a medical

laboratory scientist (MLS) or medical

laboratory technician (MLT) is indeed

performing your laboratory tests.”

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Of course the change in Nebraska to requiring licensure would impact the

hospital. Improving patient care was previously discussed. Our community will have one

more reassurance of high quality health care. Having a licensing board will increase our

presence in the community, increasing awareness of our profession. We will join the

ranks of licensed professionals within the hospital serving to further increase mutual

awareness and respect. I know a pathologist at an Omaha area hospital who has expressed

frustration and thinks that this hospital may be hiring untrained personnel. If state

licensing were required, then she would be assured that the technologists have reached a

required standard of training.

Let’s consider some of the potential arguments against licensure. You may hear

that licensure could cause a decline in the availability of practitioners in rural or

underserved areas or that licensure could cause the compensation of CLS to increase, thus

increasing overall healthcare costs. According to research performed by ASCP and

ASCLS, both of the previous statements have not demonstrated correlation in states that

have switched from certification to licensure. Some say that additional testing and

education might be needed to obtain a state license, but the requirements could be created

to align with certification requirements. Then certificated MLS and MLT would not need

to obtain additional testing, but uncertified employees would need to fulfill the

requirements to legally work in a laboratory. This is actually a benefit! Another potential

consequence would be the cost to implement the licensure program could be an increased

burden on the taxpayers, but these programs are designed to self-sustain by balancing

dues with implementation costs. This, of course, brings us to the increased cost of the

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licensure being passed onto the practicing professional. Clearly, anyone would state that

quality patient care is worth it!

The state of Nebraska should require licensure of MLS and MLT. The advantages

are plentiful and include better patient care, increased awareness of the profession, and

improved relations with other members of the hospital. If anyone is interested in moving

the licensure effort forward in Nebraska, please contact me at mlsnebraska@gmail.com.

Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Yearly Treasurer's Report

Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements, 1 July 2014-30 Sept 2014

Submitted by Marnie Imhoff, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Money Market Balance 30 June 2014 $ 25,327.17

Cash Receipts Money Market Interest Income July 2014-Sept 2014 $ 6.38

Spring Meeting Income 2014 $ 12,608.07 ASCLS Membership Sept 2014 $ 495.00 Total Money Market Cash Receipts $ 13,109.45 Disbursements

Transfers to checking account

$ 3,200.00 Total Money Market Disbursements

$ 3,200.00

Money Market Account Balance 30 Sept 2014 $ 35,236.62

Checking Account Balance - 1 July 2014 $ 772.62

Cash Receipts Order of Draw Charms Fundraiser $ 75.00

Transfers from Money Market $ 3,200.00 Total Checking Account Cash Receipts $ 3,275.00 Disbursements

ASCLS National Meeting Attendance July 2014

$ 1,738.49 ASCLS-NE Board Meeting

$ -

ASCLS National Meeting Silent Auction Neb Donation

$ 50.00

Region VI Assessment Aug. 2014

$ 1,300.00

Treasurer and President Bonding Aug. 2014

$ 99.00

Total Checking Account Disbursements

$ 3,187.49 Checking Account Balance 30 Sept 2014 $860.13

ASCLS-NE SUMMARY OF ASSETS:

Money Market Balance 30 Sept 2014

$ 35,236.62 Checking Account Balance 30 Sept 2014

$860.13

Scholarship CD Balance 31 Dec 2013

$ 15,203.63 Legislative CD Balance 31 Dec 2013

$ 5,335.51

Savings CD Balance 31 Dec 2013

$ 11,704.05 ASCLS-NE TOTAL ASSETS 30 Sept 2014 $ 68,339.94

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Spotlight on: University of Nebraska Medical Center

Clinical Laboratory Science Education Program

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Number of current students: 25 UNMC Students, 27 Educational Partnership

students

Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science

Length: 43 semester hours (11 weeks of student laboratory on Omaha campus,

first clinical rotation (15 weeks) , and second clinical rotation (20 weeks) at

assigned locations.

Emphasis: The CLS Program provides patient-centered educational opportunities,

with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in hematology, clinical

chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology (blood bank), immunology,

molecular diagnostics and management. The program emphasizes laboratory

principles and procedures, clinical significance and application, principles and

practice of quality assurance, principles of laboratory management and

supervision, safety, instructional methods, and computer applications.

Accreditation: The University of Nebraska Medical Center Clinical Laboratory

Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical

Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The 11+ month program leads to a

baccalaureate of science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science and eligibility for

national certification.

Mission: The mission of UNMC’s Clinical Laboratory Science Program is to

teach best laboratory practices using research-based educational methodologies,

continually improve educational outcomes and to participate in educational

research and scholarly activities in order to graduate competent, quality healthcare

team professionals that understand the laboratory’s overall role in improving

patient care outcomes.

History: The separately accredited medical technology programs at Bishop

Clarkson Memorial Hospital, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and

Nebraska Methodist Hospital combined their resources in a cooperative effort in

1968.

Clinical Affiliate Sites: The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, VA

Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha, NE, Fremont Area

Medical Center in Fremont, Nebraska, Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand

Island, Nebraska, Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska, Good

Samaritan Health Systems in Kearney, Nebraska, Faith Regional Medical Center

in Norfolk, Nebraska, Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte,

Nebraska, and Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

Educational Partnerships: The UNMC Clinical Laboratory Science Program has

partnered with the universities below to offer CLS education to their students. Students

meet all requirements of the UNMC CLS program. Students will perform their clinical

lab rotations at local designated hospitals and laboratories. Upon completion of

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the program, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Clinical

Laboratory Science from their respective university:

o University of Missouri at Columbia, MO

University of Missouri Health System

Boyce & Bynum Pathology Labs

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital

o Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO

Heartland Regional Medical Center

Washburn University in Topeka, KS

Stormont-Vail Medical Center

St. Francis Health Center

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, CO

Penrose-St. Francis Hospital

Faculty: 17 faculty members

For more information: http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/education/cls/index.html

Have your lab featured in the Filter! Please contact Nicole Smith at

filter@ascls-ne.org

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Submitted by: Kevin McGuire MLS (ASCP)

PLEASE NOTE: This spotlight has been repeated due to misprints/incorrect information in the Filter Summer 2014 issue.

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ASCLS-NE Fall Retreat/ Board Meeting

Agenda October 26, 2014 at 1:00 PM (CST) The Egg & I (3605 N. 147th Street, Ste. 106)

Submitted by: Donna Kruger, MT (ASCP) Members Present: Past-President and Junior Board Member-Chelsea Reischl, President and former Senior Board Member-Kevin McGuire, Treasurer and Membership Chair-Marnie Imhoff, Incoming Treasurer-Ashley Collins (call-in), Secretary-Donna Kruger, President-Elect-Brad Hays, Senior Board Member and GAC/PAC-Roxanne Alter, Leadership Development Chair-Linsey Donner, Filter Editor-Nicole Smith, Awards Chair-Lynnett Paneitz, Promotion of the Profession Chair-Megan Brown, Student Forum President-Kevin Nicholson, Student Forum Treasurer-Jessica Esper, Student Forum Sectary-Bree Adams, Student Representative-Sadie Green

1. Board Meeting 1:09 Kevin called meeting to order; role call

a. Board Leadership Reports i. Past-President-Chelsea Reischl

Report submitted No concerns or requests for action.

ii. President-Kevin McGuire Report submitted No concerns or requests for action.

iii. Treasurer-Marnie Imhoff

Report submitted No concerns Requests for action: 1. Marnie moved that the ASCLS BOD eliminate the

monetary gifts associated with the Technical Support Award of Excellence and Award of Excellence. Background: Currently award $100 for each.

Brad moved to pass. Roxanne moved to open for discussion. Kevin seconded.

Discussion: Buy membership instead of awarding money suggested. Some who had won in past had not taken the money. Chelsea related benefit of providing membership. Many think it is too

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expensive to join. See information/criteria on ASCLS-NE website under “awards”.

Kevin motioned to vote on first motion (eliminate monetary gifts for both awards). Chelsea seconded. Motion passed (5 ayes and one nay).

Roxanne wants to keep the Technical Support Award of Excellence.

Chelsea motioned to give Technical Support Award of Excellence a monetary gift of $50. Marnie seconded. Kevin put to vote. Motion passed (all were in favor).

Roxanne motioned that Award of Excellence receive a one year membership (whatever type fits best) paid for by ASCLS-NE. Marnie seconded. Kevin motioned to vote. Motion passed (all were in favor).

2. Marnie moved that the ASCLS BOD approve the 2014-

2015 budget. Chelsea seconded. Kevin opened it up for discussion. Copies passed out.

Discussion: Roxanne-Has put $1000 seed money in account towards next year’s spring meeting/$1000 per group (NE, IA, CLMA, ASCP). Contracts sent out. Contact Roxanne if you would like to see contract. Marnie- Seed money would be changed for budget from $500 to $1000.

Bonding-Do they check your financial background? Yes. Anyone who has access to checking account must be bonded (President and Treasurer). Cost for a three year bond w/3 payments of $100.

Audit? Roxanne suggested that this should be done. Roxanne has checklist for auditing. Should take place before incoming Treasurer takes office.

Marnie motioned that budget be passed with seed money change. Donna seconded. Motion passed (all were in favor).

Roxanne motioned that yearly audit be performed before Incoming President. Brad questioned whether this needs to be done before the change. Need a committee.

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Roxanne, Kathy Trudell, Kevin McGuire will be on the committee. Two members at large and the incoming president suggested for future criteria by Brad. Discussion about frequency: Every two years at Spring Meeting Committee since the treasurer serves a two year term suggested. Brad seconded Roxanne’s motion. Motion passed (all were in favor).

iv. Secretary-Donna Kruger No Concerns Requests for action: Donna motioned to approve minutes from April 10, 2014. Marnie seconded. Motion passed (all were in favor).

v. Senior Board Member-Roxanne Alter

Report submitted by Kevin McGuire-No Concerns or Requests for action. Concerns (Roxanne): First concern:

Roxanne-Volunteers for Spring meeting. Call for volunteers not successful so far. Proposed having a sign-up sheet.

Need an advertising person. Megan suggested using the “Pulse” (CHI Health’s newsletter) to advertise.

Roxanne-Jobs: Ticket Chair, post meeting cleanup, speakers (even tho CLMA is doing majority this year).

Linsey-Give a specific task instead of attending our meeting when calling for volunteers

Kevin suggested making up a list and putting that out.

Second concern:

Roxanne-Is treasurer going to be the Spring meeting treasurer? Ashley said yes. Need to keep track of money for meeting to have a successful financial outcome. This is in contract now.

No requests for action.

vi. Junior Board Member No report submitted

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vii. First Year Professional

No report submitted

viii. Student Forum President-Kevin Nicholson No report submitted

b. Other Leadership Reports i. LDC-Linsey Donner

Report submitted No Concerns Requests for action: 1. Still need interested people to assist with writing any of

the remaining positions for the Leadership Handbook. Contact Linsey if you are interested.

Spring Meeting Planning Committee needs to start working on your timeline/duties.

Promotion of the Profession Chair (new position) is Megan Brown. This committee needs to start working on their duties also. Asked Megan to keep notes.

2. Discuss private ballot on-line voting system (tabled from

April meeting).

Electionbuddy ($19/election): add to budget (this was added to 2014-15 budget that was approved). Will be implemented this year.

Decide where to house templates for each leadership position (tabled from April meeting): Kevin suggested flash drive. This was tried before and it got lost. Cloud? Is it possible to create a Google account? Tabled for now. Ashley will meet with Martin about logistics.

ii. Membership-Marnie

Sara Ewing and Karen Honeycutt committee members.

Discussion about starting to promote new membership packages from ASCLS.

Roxanne is willing to “gift” a membership.

Plan to: Email thank you letters to all current members. Contact lapsed members.

iii. Filter

Report submitted by outgoing leadership-Andrea Jones No concerns or requests for action

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iv. GAC/PAC-Roxanne

No report submitted

There is a tailgate with Lee Terry tomorrow. Roxanne willing to go if someone else wants to go.

Concerns: 1. Some were upset about having political figures speak

at the last State Meeting. 2. Pac contributions made to ASCLS.

i. Website-Ashley

No report submitted

Working with Martin about when they can meet.

Passwords for emails or other needs let her know ii. Bylaws-no report iii. PACE-no report

c. Annual Spring Meeting-Roxanne Contract may be viewed upon request. Contact Roxanne. Discussion:

CLMA not happy about split of proceeds. (See listed on contract for responsibilities of each group)

Friday will probably be designated as student day.

No money from Treasurer until information/data is received from each group for each of their responsibilities: i.e. money spent on venders, exhibitors’ expenses, etc.

d. Mentoring of New Leadership-Linsey

ASCLS-NE mentors for new members. We need to follow through with this.

e. Email accounts-Kevin M.

If you want an email account, contact Ashley.

f. Student Forum-Kevin N.

Want to incorporate students into our society. Even if not in leadership we could encourage them to be on committees. Goal is to get them involved now.

Lynette-have two of our members here: Encourage them to come to our Board mtgs.

Working on their Fall fundraiser. Raffles tickets to win: 2 tickets to MN vs NE football game on Nov. 22nd. $50 Misty’s resturant

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$50 Red Lobster restaurant

Interest in having a Fall social. Funds available?

g. Fundraising-Chelsea/Marnie (previous chair)

Pampered Chef: Cindy 10 if $600 or under 15% over $600 Cindy then kicks in 10% of what the party makes.

Last year catalog sale was only on line. Cindy suggested that leadership promote at their laboratory with catalog to be more successful. You can order on-line or on paper this year. If paper collect all and give to Marnie and she will get orders to Cindy.

Starts November 1st and closes on the 10th. Any ordering done on line make sure that you ship to your own address.

Order of draw charms-extra from previous Spring Meeting were bought by Ashley for $75 so have this much money so far for fundraising.

h. Membership Packages-Marnie

Memberships are down for ASCLS as a whole. Lab. Manager package and Lab Educator’s package are now being offered. Have to submit one check. Less money given to states if memberships bought via package.

i. ASCLS National Meeting reports from those who attended Most of these reports are in Filter. Roxanne-Region VI meeting contention about membership changes.

j. Reminder of Filter Deadline-Nicole Fall filter deadline November 15th

Brad motioned to adjourn. Chelsea seconded. Meeting adjourned @ 3:00 pm.

Small Group Discussion b. Mentoring c. Annual Spring Meeting d. Membership – Lapsed Member Letters e. Fundraising f. Website g. New Professionals Committee

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Happy Holidays!