The Meeting was called to order at 9:10 AM by Board Chairman Bill Mann
Members present were: Dr. Cantrell, Michelle Meluch, David Moye, Darin Nine, Bud Wooten, Kristen Shahen, Al Herndon, Frank Yongue, Ralph Bryan, Bill Mann, Jerry Ditty
Members Absent: Dan Fitzgerald, David Barnies
Guests at the meeting: Carl Miller, State Director, Eric Owens, FL Program Specialists, Industrial, Allen Darr, Several State Officers
Frank Yongue moved to accept the agenda as written. Seconded, Discussed, Passed.
Dave Moye moved to approve payment of board member travel expenses for the day's meeting. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Approval of Past meeting minutes:
Frank Yongue asked to change that he was from region 2 not region 3 as reported in the minutes. A correction to the previous minutes about the SLTW budget from $4,000.00 to $6,000.00 was made. At that point Dave Moye moved that the amended minutes be approved as corrected. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Treasurer's Report:
Beginning Balance: Call Carl for totals
Monies Collected:
Monies Expended:
Ending Balance:
Carl Miller spoke about the problem the national office has with making payments. Money is slow to come back from Nationals. They are working to correct the problem. Discussion on future budget controls was talked about. Gas prices made air fare more expensive and added to an overall increase in the cost of the SLTW. We discovered a few mistakes on the OP's budget and they were corrected. When re-working the numbers it was realized that the changes worked to our favor. The report was filed for audit.

Activities Report State Officers
President Christen Wiseman remarked about how well the SLTW went and how much fun everyone had. Sgt. at Arms Analee echoed the remarks about how many members got excited about the Florida Statesman and she also expressed positive comments about SLTW.
Cheryl reported on the decorations budget for the State Contests.
Sgt. at Arms Analee and President Christen talked about the pack a can project and ways to communicate the rules.
Mike had a report on the Public Relations Committee
Promo Video on all the conference and training events that Florida SkillsUSA holds
A Newsletter
Video
Pod casts
Concerns about the quality of programming
Production costs for producing and delivering promotional vehicles
The board thought this was a good project for the state officers.
Bud Wooten offered to donate $250.00 in Office Depot Gift Certificates to get the project started. He stipulates in return for the $250.00 he gets the first product developed. Carl Miller stated that Bud Wooten should get free advertising on the products.
Matt Van Verick gave a report on the proposed workshops for students not competing at State.
Payton Holland ­ past National Officer ­ to speak for 45 minutes each day about interviewing skills and business etiquette.
Mark Ard from Pensacola on Public Speaking.
Officers would like to get raffle for attendees.
Carl Miller talked about the possibility of getting a class on accreditation for Advisors by NCCR and NATEF.
Workshops are 45 minutes and will be both days during competition.
Carl Miller said space would be a problem at the convention center, but thought that there was room at the Holiday Inn.
Dr. Cantrell mentioned that space might be available at the East campus of MTI and that busses would be running because there were a number of contests at that site.
Chair Mann voiced concerns that we need to get the word out and fill the seats.
FATIE will put on update work shops for advisors.
The CIA (Cooks not Spies) wants to put on a workshop.
President Christen spoke about the WLTI.
Topics included Training and Carl Perkins Act Re-authorization.
Her Officer Team spoke face to face with Rep. Mika of Florida.
Chair Mann spoke of the high cost of the WLTI and its impact on the students.
Dave Moye remarked on how well the Florida Delegation represented our state.
Carl Miller stated how impressed he has been with the officer team and gave warm fuzzies to each.
Chair Mann spoke about how great the officers did at SLTW teaching the classes that he spun off. He complimented the officers as well.
Dave Moye threw a dark cloud over the room when he reminded the board the officer team is down to 11 active members.
Carl Miller gave a report on the SLTW.
He thought it went off without a hitch. The FFA Camp was filled to capacity. It was successful and profitable. There were 127 students in attendance as well as Advisors. The CMI went well. Overall, Carl Miller would give it an A-.
Carl Miller then discussed the membership report.
We have increased our FL SkillsUSA membership this year by over 3000 new members. We have new chapters joining everyday and we have the potential to hit the 8,000 member mark this year. He proclaimed it an exciting time in Florida. Al Herndon talked about NCCR certification and how it relates to SkillsUSA and Florida SkillsUSA. He also talked about how our reputation has helped increase our numbers. Dr. Cantrell spoke about how the state's membership number does not reflect institutional members. In conclusion of his report, Carl Miller said he has talked to Andy Anderman about helping with the Florida SkillsUSA 501-c3 Foundation.

In the report on state conference, Carl Miller remarked that all things are looking good. The hotels are booked. The BBQ is set up. The Entertainment is booked. Stage decorations are done. The busses are set. Pepsi is trying to get some things donated. Coke already has donated 2000 cans of product. FADA is helping with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Steve brought up a question about reimbursement for food. He did not consider a doughnut and a cup of joe a breakfast. A fat, bald man seconded that emotion! Dr. Cantrell was not comfortable in playing with the wording. There was much discussion on how to word the agenda/registration so as to help getting reimbursed for food. It was noted that each hotel has a different approach for food options. The agenda will stay the same.
Chair Mann called for a short recess.
After the break Chair Mann called for a need for a second signatory on the region 3 bank accounts.
Michelle Meluch moved that Dave Moye be added to the Florida SkillsUSA Region 3 Checking Account. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Jerry Ditty moved that Steve be added to the Region 5 Florida SkillsUSA Accounts. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Frank Yongue moved to have Darin Nine (Vice Chairman of the Board and Advisor at Large) and Jill Van Weelden added to Florida SkillsUSA Region 2 Accounts. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Chair Mann asked if there were any nominations for Honorary Life
Carl Miller nominated Ronald Wright as the first president of Florida SkillsUSA. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Dr. Cantrell nominated the Sheriff of Pinellas County, Jim Coates for a $1,000,000.00 donation to the Pinellas County Education Foundation. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Chair Mann asked if there were any nominations for Florida SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year. Michelle Meluch moved that nomination forms and criteria for advisor of the year and Todd Mann for the school year 07-08 be put on the web site and be voted on by 3/1/08 by e-mail. It was brought up in discussion that the board wanted to make sure those criteria for judging dovetailed with the national requirements on all nominations. Seconded, Discussed, and Passed.
Carl Miller wanted to go over the new demo contests at nationals in June.
The new contests are Geo-spatial, estitition and 2 person Emergency medical. There is a complete list of regs and contests on the national web site.
Chair Mann asked for discussion on the new on-line registration.
Jerry Ditty talked about what region 4 was doing and offered to help and support with his program. Carl Miller thanked Michelle and others on their hard work. Bill Mann spoke about how easy it is to show others how to use the system to register students. Michelle wanted to make clear there are resources for the end user for on-line registration. We will use the same system next year and try to have a workshop concerning how to use the registration process during the next school year.
Carl Miller discussed the regional contests.
Carl Miller handed out a group of thumb drives to all the regional coordinators loaded with the regional contests. He said there were two contests still being worked on and would be sent out shortly. Loews Corp. is underwriting the Teamwork's contest. We are trying to align our regional state contests with the national regs. .
Chair Mann went over the calendar for the school year 08-09.
The state officer retreat will be July 18-21 2008. Frank Yongue moved to accept the calendar. There was discussion about having SLTW in October. Seconded, Discussed, and motion passed and the calendar was accepted.
Chair Mann discussed a study to determine if SLTW could be in region 1 in order to stimulate activity and to encourage more membership in that region. There was talk about having SLTW at Lake Yale Conference Center. Jerry Ditty made the comment that the state should develop a number of officer trainers and maybe offer multiple training workshops in several areas of the state. Carl Miller will work with Frank Yongue to develop a solution to our dilemma and report back at the June meeting about their findings.
Carl Miller went over a handout to explain the cost of running the state contest in order to cut costs and increase member participation.
Chair Mann announced the national plan to move the national contest to Louisville, KY in 2015.
Chair Mann spoke about the policy concerning the masonry contest.
Frank Yongue raised concerns about the cost of sending 5 students to state contest automatically after regional contest.
Al Herndon explained that industry wants everyone to come to the state contest and he stated the Masonry pays the expenses of the competitors. He also stated it was not mandatory for students to attend the state competition. It is the school who has the final decision if a student will attend or not.
Frank was concerned about the quality of student and the cost of getting teachers out of class and off campus.
Darin Nine echoed a Region 2 Advisor's concern for prepping and paying for a student to compete at the state level. Again he was reminded invitations to compete at state are not mandatory and it is left to the school to decide if a student will compete.
Frank would like to see a grading criterion for advancing to the state masonry contest and reminded the board that policy dictates that the top three regional winners rotate to the state contest.
Bill Mann stated the board however has the discretion to invite as many competitors to state in any or all contests as it deems appropriate. Most often extra contestants are invited to state because numbers are low in a contest. This creates more competition and therefore prepares our national competitors for the national contest. Schools and students invited have the option to compete or not to compete.
Chair Mann expressed that any question or concern about board policy should be brought to the State Director's attention immediately. He will take immediate action to investigate and act on the matter.
Al states that the Masonry Association invites the top 3 from each school to participate at the state contest in Florida. Al relayed the industry partners are ecstatic about hosting skills at the state level.
Michelle wanted to remind the board that the on-line registration also has the scoring area that tells how students ranked in competition. Finally Chair Mann opened the floor to other business.
Dr. Cantrell would like to see a report on progress on goals previously set by the board. Carl Miller stated that a report would be given at the August meeting
Chair Mann asked if there was any further business to discuss and there being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 12:41 PM.