October 11, 2025 - Meeting Minutes

Posted by Kristi Eagle Horse on 2025-10-11 11:00 | Category: meeting

A calendar with a date circled in red marker.

The October 11, 2025 Roe River Chapter meeting was called to order around 11:00 AM, with members attending in person and via Zoom, during which the previous month’s minutes and the treasurer’s report were reviewed and approved. Old business focused heavily on planning for the upcoming convention, including confirmation of the Holiday Inn as the venue due to its accessible, first-floor meeting spaces, discussion of lodging costs, registration fees, and providing Zoom access for the business meeting. Additional convention planning covered potential keynote and guest speakers, breakout sessions for caregivers and spouses, recording sessions for later viewing, accessibility support for silent and live auctions, and multiple fundraising ideas such as sponsorships and program advertising. The group also discussed speaker options, settling on the idea of several speakers and panels, and agreed on a convention theme centered on “Connection,” with a working title of “The Great Falls Connection, Connecting with the World.” New business included planning outreach for upcoming community events in November and December, updates related to Chapter Chatter, and the meeting adjourned around 12:30 PM.

Meeting Minutes – October 11, 2025

  • Call to Order: 11:00 AM (approximately), by Ed Worrell (President)

Roll Call

  • In Person: Ed Worrell, Becky Worrell, Phoenix Robinson, Satin LaRance, Leah Brown, Juli Brandvold, Angela Tabb
  • On Zoom: Dexter Penwell, Joseph Fochs, AJ, Wava Goetz

Approval of Previous Minutes

  • Becky moved to approve last month’s minutes; Leah seconded. Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report

  • Becky read the report.
  • Kristi moved to approve; Joe seconded. Report approved.

Old Business

  • Convention Venue Update:
    • The Holiday Inn (1100 5th St. S.) was selected after discussion of other venues.
    • The space was chosen because it is more convenient and workable, with event spaces all on the first floor.
    • Total event space: 7,500 square feet.
    • Ed estimated the room price at about $118.00 per night.
  • Further Discussion of Convention:
    • Registration Fee: Standard $50.00.
    • Zoom Access:
      • Zoom will be available during the Business Meeting.
      • Cost: $25–$30 to attend on Zoom.
      • Ed will talk with Montech about microphones.
    • Keynote Speaker: Possibly Christian (Supaman) Parrish.
    • Breakout Sessions:
      • Include sessions for caregivers and spouses.
      • Record sessions and make them available for later viewing.
      • List breakout sessions on the registration form.
    • Silent Auction:
      • Have one or two (or more, if needed) curators in the room to describe items and assist with reading bidding sheets.
      • Ed will contact Montech about possible devices to help with item descriptions and reading bidding sheets.
    • Live Auction:
      • Ed spoke with Bob Maffit about being the auctioneer (a blind auctioneer) and received a tentative “yes.”
    • Fundraising:
      • Find sponsors for speakers and list sponsor names in the program.
      • Ask businesses and individuals if they want to place an ad in the program.
      • Additional discussion took place about possible sponsors.
    • Speakers:
      • Discussion suggested having about four speakers.
      • Ideas included BLVS and a panel of SOP graduates and instructors.
    • Theme / Title:
      • Theme: “Connection.”
      • Possible title: “The Great Falls Connection, Connecting with the World.”

New Business

  • Upcoming Events:
    • Nov. 20, 2025 (Thursday): Ladies Night vendor/craft fair (5:00–9:00 PM), Times Square building.
      • Discussion included possibly having a table and handing out brochures/handouts.
    • Dec. 5, 2025: Christmas Stroll (5:00–9:00 PM), Times Square building.
      • Phoenix will schedule people in November to work the table.

Chapter Chatter

  • Ed and Becky shared about their trip to Seattle.

Adjournment

  • Kristi moved to adjourn; Becky seconded.
  • Meeting adjourned at about 12:30 PM.