MN Genetic Counselors Association

1
MN Genetic Counselors Association

• Subgroup Update
• November 7, 2008

2
MN Genetic Counselors Association

• Interim Executive Committee
• Mary Ahrens, Shanda Reinke, Cheri Schoonveld,
  Heather Zierhut, Teresa Kruisselbrink
• Propose and facilitate a structure for MN
  Counselors
• Identify key issues and subgroups to support the
  development of the group
• Subgroups
• Non-profit status / Financial resources
• Directory
• Educational Opportunities
• Social Activities / Networking
• Website

3
Non-profit status / Financial resourcesChair
Cheri Schoonveld

• Goals
• Achieve non-profit group status by becoming an
  NSGC Chapter
• Create dues structure and pursue alternative
  means of obtaining finances
• Progress
• Formalized name and registered non-profit status
  with the Secretary of State's Office
• First draft of bylaws and articles of
  incorporation are written
• Establishing bank account at US Bank
• Next Steps
• Work with the NSGC to establish group as a NSGC
  chapter
• Explore grants, scholarship funds, and community
  resources
• Develop due structure

4
Directory Chair Meg Eilers

• Goals
• Develop directory of Minnesota counselors
• Create uniform process for student shadowing
  requests
• Progress
• Directory intake form created please fill out
  today!
• Student shadowing process created
• All requests for shadowing go through Amy Powers
• Students complete an application and are matched
  to a particular region (Twin Cities, Rochester,
  Duluth)
• 23 counselors provide shadowing opportunities, 12
  provide interviews
• 11 students matched, 6 in progress

5
Educational OpportunitiesChair Bonnie Leroy

• Goals
• Educate MN genetic counselors through local
  educational opportunities
• Educate the community and health care providers
  about genetic counseling via creation of a
  speakers bureau
• Progress
• Fall conference You are here!
• Next Steps
• Spring conference tentative topic Embryology
• Organize educational calendar for Website

6
Social Activities/NetworkingChair Denise Marty

• Goals
• Plan social and networking activities outside of
  the work setting
• Develop newsletter to update members on counselor
  activities
• Progress
• 2 previous social dinners
• Next Steps
• Dinner and drinks TONIGHT at Axels Bonfire in
  Chanhassen
• Develop newsletter

7
Website CommitteeChair Heather Zierhut

• Goals
• Form an easily accessible means of communication
  for our group and eventually the public
• Progress
• Various website features and costs have been
  explored
• Free sites did not meet our needs
• Homestead, a website development program has been
  chosen Domain name www.mngc.org   (30-day free
  trial membership-not publically viewable)  
• Next Steps
• Creation of a general webpage design and outline
  functions (calendar, directory, shadowing
  program) 
• Determine funding for Website (25/month utility
  PRICELESS)

8
Participation

• Sign-up Sheets for subgroups are available at
  todays meeting
• All groups are open for additional members
• Contact Subgroup Chairs/Members for questions
• Your participation is needed to continue the
  momentum!

9
Next MNGCA Meeting

• January 23, 2009 (pm-location and time TBA)
• Dues Structure
• Discussion of board structure and elections
• Consider colleagues for the position of
  president, vice president and secretary
  and treasurer
• Representation from several medical centers
• Bylaws state that we can have 4-7 members on the
  board