Board Meeting Minutes – September 27, 2025

Board of Directors Minutes & Agendas

September 27, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

Zoom call

  1. Call to Order- Soh Meacham, President – called the meeting to order at 10:01 am
  2. Roll call – Nancy White, Nancy Wright, Soh Meacham, Liz Corson, Wendy Matson, Heidi Stangl, Jill Swanson, Megan Benson, Julie Anderson, Tony Pieper
    Absent: Diane Bean
  3. Approval of meeting minutes (June 25, 2025) – Liz approved minutes from June 2025
  4. 2026 Iowa Reading Association/Iowa Association of School Librarians conference update – Liz Corson
    1. IASL members’ input – IASL dropped from helping with the conference. They cited cost of conference, attendance numbers, and member capacity as reasons to withdraw. A concern was brought up that we might lose vendors as well if they leave.
    2. Discussion/decision on if we are going forward with the June 2026 conference – Moved to before regional director reports
  5. Approval and/or additions to the agenda – Moving IV.B to before Regional Director reports; Liz made a motion to approve with the addition, Tony seconded, motion carries
  6. Appointment of Committee to approve minutes – Wendy Matson and Tony Pieper
  7. Discussion/decision on if we are going forward with the June 2026 conference – Liz presented a budget that highlighted increased costs and need for additional funding. Discussion was held about considering the importance of the conference and the promotion of inclusivity and diverse perspectives in literacy. Educational climate and impact on conference attendance were also concerns that were brought up. Additional discussions were held about registration numbers and needing at least 150 registrations to break even. The board talked about conference alternatives, such as a webinar series or a shorter in person conference. Discussed possible partnerships for the future but those also come with risks. Long and hard discussions were had in the end Tony motions to not have a 2026 Summer Conference, Liz seconds, 8-2 vote, motion carries
  8. Regional Director Reports
    1. Northeast – Diane Bean
    2. Northwest – Julie Anderson
    3. Southwest – Wendy Matson
    4. Central – Tony Pieper
  9. Committee Reports
    1. Executive Director (including Awards & Grow a Local Council Grant) – Nancy Wright
    2. Budget – Jill Swanson
    3. By-Laws, Policies & Procedures – Megan Benson
    4. International Project – Soh Meacham
    5. Membership – Julie Anderson
    6. Merit Council – Heidi Stangl and Wendy Matson
    7. Newsletter, Publications – Megan Benson
    8. Nominations – Nancy White
    9. Program – Liz Corson
    10. Local Council Grants –
  10. Old Business
    1. Conference registration fees – Nancy Wright
      1. Member (before April 25) – $220, (after April 25) – $245
      2. Nonmember (before April 25) – $265, (after April 25) – $290
      3. Retired (before April 25) – $65, (after April 25) – $75
      4. Student – $60
      5. Session speakers – $130
    2. Exhibitor rates – Nancy Wright
    3. Strategic Planning Meeting Report: Megan Benson – keep posting on social media, promote not just the conference but the association as a whole
    4. Fall membership drive – Julie Anderson – awaiting for members; will possibly go back 2 years to contact past members about joining again; will take memberships all year
    5. State-wide book study update – Liz Corson – see below on webcast update
    6. State-wide webcasts update – Liz Corson – post to social media; councils will promote this week at their meetings; hard to get people to join if they aren’t for credit
    7. Bylaws review/update – Megan Benson – Tony suggested to hold off revamping the bylaws; if we are going to hold webinars the bylaws would need to be reviewed by the Delegates in June
    8. Newsletter – Megan Benson – Megan will be sending out an email soon I. Miscellaneous
  11. New Business
    1. Student officers – Use this as getting more student members; create an ad hoc committee for a student liaison; Liz motions to create student liaison ad hoc committee, Tony seconds, motion carries
    2. Miscellaneous – Discussion was held to create a webinar ad hoc committee in place of the conference; Liz motions to create a webinar ad hoc committee, Tony seconds, motion carries; Discussions were held on getting something put on the website about the Summer 2026 conference cancellation; Liz talked about Traci’s webinar and will reach out to her and the discussion will continue with the ad hoc committee; a question was brought forward that if we do not have a summer conference how will we go about awarding people? This discussion will be held at the next meeting.
  12. Adjourn – Tony motions to adjourn at 11:51am, Wendy seconds, motion carries
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