Lynne will be relinquishing her post in August at the conference. There is an opening for a new BOD Rep. for our region.  Robin Tieman from Cass County Missouri has submitted her request to serve to Director Poarch.  She is the 9-1-1 Director for Cass County and the MO Executive Council rep., has been in public safety communications for 21 years and a member of APCO for almost 15.  During her 15 year membership, she has served on multiple committees and for anyone who can remember, Robin was also the Conference Chair for the APCO Kansas City Int’l. in 2008. Robin is the only one from the North Central region who submitted paperwork for the position.  Therefore, for the 2012-2013 year, Robin and Julie Righter will be our representatives.

Online voting begins today and will close at 1:45 CDT on Tuesday August 21st – two hours before the second general business session is to begin at the Minneapolis conference.  There will be a “Vote Now” area on the APCO website and members can log in using their e-mail and password information.  You can only cast your vote once, so be absolutely sure of your choice before voting.

Please continue to remind your “neighbors” that the deadline is fast approaching.  Per the FCC as of the end of May 2012, more than 40 percent of public safety licensees have not complied with the Narrowbanding mandate.  Through a recent search, APCO AFC believes there are approximately 42,000 licenses which have not met the mandate.

Exec. Director Derek Poarch presented two key annual awards to staff members.

Farokh Latif received the ”Distinguished Performer” award which is presented to an individual whose annual performance evaluation indicates an overall rating in the outstanding category.

Ricky Marshall received the “Spirit of APCO” award which is presented to an individual exemplifying an overall spirit of excellence, determination and dedication to APCO Int’l. that is of such a high caliber to be inspirational to others.

New staff members include:

Kim Gaffney, Online Coordinator for the Institute – July 2nd

Roger Taylor, Senior Analyst for Knowledge Management – July 2nd

Hollan (Holly) Treber, Marking and Communications Associate – July 9th

All program details are available on the web at www.apco2012.org.

Official grand opening of the APCO Online Museum will occur on Monday August 20th at 11am CDT in the APCO Pavilion on the exhibit floor.  A “soft launch” of the website can be found at http://www.apco911.org/about-apco/2012-01-03-19-23-24/apco-virtual-museum.html.

There will not be an APCO apparel booth at the conference so if you wish to order any apparel, go tohttp://www.apco911.org/apco-membership/join-now/apco-store.html.

Blue and White Gala entertainment this year will be the comedian Louie Anderson.  The tickets for this event must be purchased separately as they are not included in the Conference registration fees.

Institute and Membership Dept. are working together to create an incentive program which will hopefully increase memberships and exposure to the Institute’s distance learning program.  The Institute would include a free membership to first-time members  with payment of any 8-hour (3 week) online course - details still being worked out.  Marketing materials are being developed to support Chapters as they build their memberships.

The Chapter Challenge is valid until September 30th – classes must occur prior to December 31st, 2012 in order to receive the added bonuses.

On July 25th the Institute will conduct its first webinar in Spanish.

Respectfully Submitted,

Holly Wayt