National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.
Annual Board of Directors Meeting
Kansas City, MO
June 7, 2007
The meeting was called to order by President Dennis McNeilly at 1:40 p.m. Central Daylight Time
The agenda was reviewed by Dennis McNeilly and approved.
Roll Call was conducted by SecretaryJerry Bauerkemper:
Present:
Jerry Bauerkemper, Executive Director Nebraska Council onCompulsive Gambling
Jeffrey Beck, Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
Amber Bunch, President, Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado
Caleb Cooley, Past President, Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling
Terry Elman, Acting Executive Director, Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
Pat Fowler, Executive Director, Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling
Joanna Franklin, Vice President, Maryland Council on Problem Gambling
Margaret Glenn, Ed. D., President, West Virginia Council on Problem Gambling
Rose Gruber, Executive Director, Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
Jim Pappas Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
Judith Herriff, Executive Director, Michigan Association on Problem Gambling
Jean Holthaus, President, Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling
T. Lance Holthusen, Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance
John Hostetler, Iowa Council on Problem Gambling
Mark Erikson, Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling
Jerry Long, Indiana Council on Problem Gambling
Chuck Maurer, Ph. D., Washington State Council on Problem Gambling
Reece Middleton, Executive Director, Louisiana Assn. on Compulsive Gambling
Joy Mitchell, President, Vermont Council on Problem Gambling
Thomas Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation
Carol O’Hare, Executive Director, Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
Lisa Pertzoff, Executive Director, Delaware Council on Gambling Problems
John Rinaldi, New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling
Bruce Roberts, President, California Council on Problem Gambling
Alex Roseborough, Executive Director Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Mike Smith PhD, Executive Director, Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Keith Spare, Executive Director, Missouri Council on Gambling Problems
Marvin Steinberg, Ph.D., Executive Director, Connecticut Council on Compulsive Gambling
Charles Vorkoper, President, Texas Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Louis Weigele, Ph.D., Interim President, Ohio Council on Problem Gambling
At Large Directors:
Paul Ashe
Bo Bernhard, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Tim Christensen, Arizona Department of Gambling
Seth Eisenberg, M.D., Northwestern University
Don Feeney, Minnesota State lottery
Dean Hestermann, Harrah’s Entertainment
Henry Lesieur, Psy.D., Ph.D., Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital
Sue McNabb, Louisiana Department of Justice
Dennis McNeilly, Psy.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center
Mia Moran-Cooper
Rena Nora, M.D., Las Vegas Veteran’s Administration Center
Mike Stone, MKS Communications
Roger Svendsen, Minnesota Institute of Public Health
Bill Velardo, Fontainebleu Resorts
Rachel Volberg, Ph.D., Gemini Research
Alan Yandow, Vermont Lottery
Elections:
President Dennis McNeilly introduced a procedural necessity that before the Election of Officers could be conducted a vote was necessary to elect At Large members since three individuals on the Slate of Officers were up for reelection as Board Members. It was moved and seconded to elect the At Large candidates as a group by a voice vote. The motion passed. At Large members elected were Paul Ashe, Bill Eadington, Seth Eisenberg, Connie Jones, and Alan Yandow.
Secretary Jerry Bauerkemper announced that he was withdrawing from candidacy for the position of Secretary. A motion to elect the Slate of Officers was made by Keith Spare and seconded by Mike Smith. Motion passed by a voice vote. Elected Officers included Dennis McNeilly, (last term of eligibility) President; Seth Eisenberg, Executive Vice President, Tom Moore, Vice President; and, Caleb Cooley Treasurer. Remaining executive committee members include Tim Christensen, and Joy Mitchell.
Minutes:
The minutes from the February 2007 board of Directors Meeting were discussed with the following proposed revisions.
a. Pat Fowler requested that her name be removedfrom the list of attendees because she was not present.
b. Correct the spelling of Mike Smith
c. Deborah Haskins, not Joanna Franklin, represented Maryland
A motion to approve the Minutes as corrected was made byRachel Volberg and seconded by Mike Smith. The motion passed by a voice vote.
Financial Review:
Treasurer Caleb Cooley reviewed financial statements through April 2007 (see financial documents given to all board members). Paul Ashe inquired about the rate of return on the NCPG saving account and requested that consideration be given to move a percentage of funds to an account with a higher percent of return. Caleb Cooley will review investment guidelines with the Finance Committee in order to carry out this request. He will report back to the Board with a proposal. Carol O’Hare asked for clarification about a variance of the helpline reimbursement total versus the budget. Executive Director Keith Whyte was assigned to report to the Board on the reasonsbehind this variance.
Executive Directors Report:
Keith Whyte reviewed the year’s goals and objectives for 2007.
Goal 1 2007 Annual Conference: Currently projecting this goal will be accomplished.
Goal 2 NPGAW: Has met projected goals with the exception of the total number of participating states.
Goal 3 Promoting National Helpline number; Goal 4 Increase public awareness of problem gambling; andGoal 5 Administer the NCGC program):Currently projecting these goals will be met.
Goal 6 Gather information on the problem gambling field: Recommended reevaluation of the goal for consideration in 2008.
Goal 7 Improve management information systems: The first portion of this goal (web site) has been completed and the second portion (assign function codes to accounting system) is on track to be completed by October 2007.
Goal 8 Advocate for Federal legislation: Increased the number of central office and affiliate contacts to congress and have been invited to testify on HR 2046 in June.
Goal 9 National research agenda: Recommended to postpone goal to August 2008.
Goal 10 Global Self-Exclusion Database: The legal review was completed on time for later presentation during this Board Meeting.
New Business:
Self Exclusion Proposals:
Rex Stock, of Aristocrat Leisure Technology, made a presentation proposing a relationship to advise on the development of Aristocrat’s self exclusion project. John Phillips, of Aristotle International, also made a presentation on their selfexclusion proposal.
Board members questioned both presenters on their proposals. Due to time constraints the discussion was postponed to later in the meeting. When Board discussion again ensued, members asked Keith Whyte about the legal implications of a relationship between NCPG and either of the self exclusion companies. Keith Whyte presented an opinion obtained from the law firm of Greenberg Trauigsuggesting NCPG’s liability is very limited under the Aristotle proposal as presented. A vote on the proposals was postponed to later in the Board Meeting in order to provide Board Member more time to consider these proposals.
After discussion resumed, a motion was made by Charles Vorkoper to appoint an adhoc committee that would propose a decision making process for a self exclusion relationship with NCPG. Judy Herriff seconded the motion. Motion failed. Carol O’Hare made a motion asking for volunteers to work with Aristocrat to develop additional information on a partnership. Motion seconded by Pat Fowler and passed. Those interested in volunteering were instructed to contact Rex Stock of Aristocrat. Tim Christensen made a motion, which was seconded by Seth Eisenberg, to accept the Aristotle proposal. Motion failed.
Compliance Training
As required in the Department of JusticeConsent Decree of 2002, the NCPG Board of Directors underwent their annual compliance training.The training was presented by local attorney Kay Madden, JD of Slough, Connealy, Irwin, and Madden LLC.
Strategic Plan
Board President Dennis McNeilly summarized the 2007-2014 Strategic Plan and a discussion ensued.
Motion to discuss the Strategic Plan made by Don Feeney and seconded by Lance Holthausen. Motion passed. Board Memberswere provided multiple opportunities to discuss the plan.
A motion to adopt the 2007-2014 Strategic Plan as advanced and completed by the Strategic Planning Committee was made by Keith Spare and seconded by Henry Lesieur. The motion passed with 33 in favor, 11 not in favor, and one abstention.
The Board was reminded by President Dennis McNeilly that a Transition Committee, as called for in the Strategic Plan, will be appointed. They will be meeting along with the Bylaws Committee to propose further recommendations for approval of the revised Bylaws by the Board at the February, 2008 Board meeting. Board members interested in being considered as a member of a Transition Committee were encouraged to contact Keith Whyte or DennisMcNeilly.
Committee Reports
Executive Committee: Board members should have already received the monthly meeting minutessince the last February 2006 Board Meeting.
Finance Committee: Recommends that NCPG may need to consider hiring a grant writer to help secure funds.
Nominations and Elections: November 3, 2007 is deadline for anyone wishing to be nominated to the Secretary’s position on the Executive Committee. President McNeilly noted he would appoint an interim nonvoting Secretary to serve and provide monthly minutes of the Executive Committee Meetings between now and the next February 2008 Board Meeting.
Affiliates Committee: Recommended the North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling application for Affiliate Membership be approved by the Board. Motion made by Keith Spare and seconded by Lance Holthusen to accept NCCPG. Motion passed and representative from NCCPG were invited to be seated.
By-Laws Committee: No report
Awards Committee: Proposed a new lifetime research award and amended changes to the lifetime Custer and Goldman awards. Motion to accept lifetime research award as proposed by the Awards Committee was discussed. Discussion resulted in a suggestion to instead name the new Lifetime Research Award the NCPG Lifetime Research Award. Motion made by Don Feeney and seconded by Henry Lesieur. Motion passed.
Discussion of the amended changes to the Lifetime Custer and Goldman Awards resulted in amotion to change the awards’ language from “Nominee” to “Nominees” for all awards. Motion made by Paul Ashe and seconded by Henry Lesieur. Motion passed.
Conference Committee: Multi-hosted conference structure was new to NCPG, and thus involved additional partnering processes, but final conference outcome is expected to be positive.
Education Committee: Reports ongoing review of the CEU policy and procedures.
Federal Affairs Committee: Reports they have completed a survey of Affiliates’ support for federal advocacy. Committee continues to examine ways to improve advocacy tools and evaluation of advocacy efforts.
Helpline Committee: Reports 17 Call Centers currently provide summary data of their helpline calls. The committee reviewed a draft of a “white paper” that weights the advantages and disadvantages associated with a consolidation plan of the various toll-free numbers into a single national number. The Committee plans to explore the possibility of helpline personnel and call center certification.
NPGAW Committee: Documentation of 2007 campaign statistics were provided to the Board Members. NPGAW committee welcomes feedback on the 2007 campaign. Committee also welcomes new committee members for 2008 campaign.
National Office Space Committee: Reports their recommendation that NCPG consider purchase of a property for the National office. Committee will continue to develop parameters to guide the search and acquisition of office space for the National office.
Research Committee: Reports 2007 research award nominees were reviewed and advanced to the Awards Committee for their selection.
Youth Committee: Reports the committee met earlier today to discuss their draft of a youth problem gambling policy statement.
Web Committee: Reports the new website will be live in the very near future. Initial impressions have been positive and a draft version will be provided to Board Members for their feedback as soon as possible. Committee requested a change in the committee’s name to Communications Committee in order to better reflect their jurisdiction.
President DennisMcNeilly announced the 2009 conference site is Indianapolis, IN.
Motion to adjourn was made by JudyHerriff and seconded by Keith Spare. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jerry Bauerkemper
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