Fall (Pre-Conference) Board Meeting 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007

I. Call to Order - 9:03 a.m.

II. Introductions and Welcome
President Ewbank welcomed the FAHPERDS team to the Fall (Pre-Conference) Board Meeting. Members introduced themselves by name and position.

III. Quorum/Rules of Order, Review of Agenda

Parliamentarian Sandy Wilbur reminded the board about the rules under which the board operates. The Rules of Order were passed out and briefly discussed. A motion was made/seconded (Hall,Hickey) : “move the following statement be added to the Parliamentary Rules of Order: Only elected board members may make and second motions and vote”. Motion Passed

The agenda was distributed and endorsed.

IV. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Summer Board Meeting were approved unanimously by means of an electronic vote. This procedure was instituted so as to allow for the approved minutes to be readily posted to the FAHPERDS website. The process will be continued for future board minutes.

V. Officer Reports

Each member of the Alliance Executive Committee and each association president and appointed board member distributed a written report of the key business and events since the last meeting. Highlights were presented verbally.

VI. Old Business

a) Conference updates were announced, with reminders of the Opening Session to be held in Caribbean I and II. President Ewbank spoke of advocacy for our presenters who provide good awareness of outstanding practices. Jim asked that board members encourage their teachers to attend programs and use new information in their classes for students.

b) Speakers get ONLY one gift. Bill Carel suggested giving plaques to speakers.

c) Governor Crist, Senator Constantine and Rep. Weatherford have been invited to the conference.

d) Next year’s conference will be October 2 – 4, 2008 here at the Caribe Royale. We will be at the Caribe Royale through 2010.

e) Report of Advocacy Strategy Panel: President Ewbank reported that the panel set up two goals: 1) to work with CODA, Superintendents, AHA, FSHA and Office of the Governor, which included creating a flyer about Jean Blaydes Madigan’s Preconference workshop and other presentations; 2) create Health Education Initiative, which would work to get the health requirement back into the requirements. Peggy Johns and Fely Curva have worked closely with AHA, SHA, DOE and FEA trying to build coalitions around this issue. Sen. Justin is “on board” with this cause. People are still looking for a House Representative to form a partnership for this bill.

f) Please explain to members that something is better than nothing. Students can take any of eleven (11) electives; can do virtual on-line courses. Vigorous assessment will be set up by the Dept. of Education. These are nationally validated items.

g) The proposed bill is to get ½ credit for health and there needs to be as much flexibility as possible. FAHPERDS Lobbyist, Fely Curva informed the board that legislative committee meetings have begun and several bills have already been put forward. Sen. Constantine’s Bill 644 would mandate physical education for middle school students. A Physical Education / Wellness bill by Sen. Wilson, an athletics bill and a school health services bill are also being considered. There is no feedback on the bills at present. People from various groups will show up for support on these bills. Please let your membership know how important “being there” is. There is a study available showing significant impact on literacy from the visual and performing arts (elem. K – 5 FCAT test scores). We need a study showing the impact of health and physical education on growth and development of students.

h) A discussion followed on the rate at which health and physical education degree programs are being dropped at the university level. At present anyone who can pass a test in health and physical education can teach these subjects, whether they are qualified or not. If your subject area is not tested it doesn’t count. We need to contact the universities as well as the legislature. It is also true that there are cycles of what is offered. Supply and demand!

VII. New Business

a) President Ewbank welcomed Dr. Danny Ballard, immediate Past President of AAHPERD, who spoke to the board about advocacy for health and physical education in schools.

b) As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Wilbur (Parliamentarian)
November 1, 2007