Official Minutes of the North Dakota Chaplains Association

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009,

Meeting at the Governor’s Room, Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck, ND

Members in Attendance: Billie Sue Ellingson, Gary Heaton , Larol Hursman, Burnie Kunz, Clyde Leimberer, Sr. Mary Jane Pulskamp, Colleen Ressler, Norman Thomsen, Marty Toepke-Floyd, Clyde Zimbelman Guests in Attendance: Rose Morin (Rolla), Kerwin Sletto (Grand Forks) – both became new members!

Colleen Ressler welcomed the group in place of President Toni Betting. Toni’s brother-in-law died recently and a card was circulated to send to Toni. The folks from Fargo expressed gratitude for help with the evacuations this spring and the pastoral care received in other locations. Residents are now back in Fargo. There will be a new full time chaplain at the new long term care facility in Mandan operated by Med Center One. Greetings in absentia were made from Sr. Marie Hunkler, Carol Luecke, who is retiring, and Sandie Nystrom, who is also retired. Clyde L. gave the opening prayer and the group enjoyed a meal. Billie Sue E moved and Larol H seconded that the minutes from August 9, 2008 be approved. Motion carried. Norman Thomsen moved and Clyde L seconded that the treasurer’s report be approved. Motion carried. There was no old business, so the group moved onto new business. Clyde L is retiring in June and moving to Minnesota and will no longer be available to be our representative on the NDLTCA convention committee. Clyde explained the duties and responsibilities – 6 meetings a year beginning in June 2009 and helping select speakers and other convention details. The group thanked Clyde for his able service on this committee for many years and then Marty nominated Colleen R to be the next representative. Burnie K seconded and the nomination carried. Elections for Executive Com and Officers will occur in August at the retreat. Sandie N was a member at large and her replacement will be elected in August. Also up for election are the positions of Sect-Treas and members at large. (Article V, ¶ 3 & 4 of the Constitution & By-Laws). Burnie K will head up the nominations committee for this election. Possibilities for speakers were discussed for the upcoming retreat in early August 2009 at Maryvale. It was the consensus of the group that a speaker who could offer theological cont ed credits was preferred. As the Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton can no longer accommodate groups as large as ours, we will be going to Maryvale in Valley City for a second year in a row. The schedule was discussed for the retreat and it was the consensus that it should start after noon lunch on Friday, August 7th and end after noon lunch on Saturday, August 8th. Folks who would like could come early the night before and at their own expense begin a personal retreat earlier. It was suggested that some contact with Charis at Concordia University in Morehead, MN be explored as a way to tap into more speakers and get more folks in attendance, too, in the future. Camp of the Cross near Garrison, ND was mentioned as a possible alternative to Richardton, as it is a year round facility operated by the Lutherans. It has a dining / meeting room and dormitories. The Exec. Com should try to meet in Jamestown soon to figure out the details of the retreat. Feedback was received on two matters at the convention. 1. Chaplain of the Year Award – Marty explained the meeting earlier in the year with folks from the NDLTCA (in which NDCA holds an affiliate membership) which brought about the opportunity for chaplains to receive higher visibility and be honored. While the time line was limited for nominations and evaluation, Clyde Leimberer was the overwhelming choice, and receives the honor this year (on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2009 at the Awards Banquet). The nominations process needs to be widen and the period needs to be broadened in future years. The process will be discussed more at the retreat. 2. The NDLTCA also gave a free booth to the NDCA to use at this year’s convention. It provides very positive exposure for NDCA and pastoral care needs and resources. This year Clyde L invited people to send/bring the "Best Practices" to share and several facilities did. Marty and Clyde manned the booth before the meeting and some "Red Hatters" (friends of Burnie K) who were in the booth adjacent were watching it during the NDCA lunch and meeting. We don’t need to have a booth every year, but probably every 4 to 5 years. Clyde and Burnie provided door prizes (books and CD’s etc) at the booth. The meeting ended as some folks had to get to a presentation at 1:30 p.m. A card for Clyde L was circulated for his retirement and recognition. Many thanks to him for his work in keeping NDCA going in some lean years a decade ago. (Addendum: Clyde was joined by his wife Earline and a son and a daughter at the Awards Banquet as well as a loyal resident of the Baptist Home, the administrator and Clyde Zimbelman who will be taking on Clyde L’s position at the Home. Colleen R made the presentation and a video clip was played for all of the 900+ guests at the banquet to view. Clyde’s biography was on page 34 of the convention booklet, and NDCA was featured on page 79.) www.ndltca.org

Members in Attendance: Dale Nabben, Roger Brockmeyer, Darrel Aleson, Virginia Davy, Sr. Mary Ann Schmitz, Marian Ringwall, Carol Luecke, JoAnne Moeller, Colleen Ressler, Anna Rose Ruhland, Clyde Leimberer, Burnie Kunz, Sandie Nystrom, Norman Thomsen, Duane Wacker, Marty Toepke-Floyd

Guests in Attendance: Rachel Johnson (Heartland Care Center - Devils Lake), Gary Heaton (Med Center One, Bismarck), Rick Loewen (Knife River Care Center, Buelah), Sue Stranahan (Shell Point, Florida)

President Burnie Kunz welcomed us and called the meeting to order at 12 noon and Carol Luecke of the Northwood facility shared some personal remarks about the tornado that struck the town last year. “My grand children survived the storm in their basement. They now like to play ‘tornado’ and throw things around the room.” Carol thanked the Chaplains’ Association members for the prayers, cards and notes in the aftermath of the event. She then offered a table grace. The meal featured creamy chicken tortellini, and was served as part of the Long Term Care Association Convention.

At 12:30 p.m. President Burnie K. invited people in attendance to introduce themselves. Some of the comments included:

- “I like being part of this group.”

- “Now that I am retired, I am busier than ever.”

- “I can’t take his place, but I can try to fill his position.”

- “The expansion at our facility is keeping everyone very busy. I’m looking forward to my vacation in two weeks.”

- “I’ve spent 21 years in service to my facility. I look forward to retiring at my own retreat center.”

- “My granddaughter stood firm. Her intelligence is matched by her stubbornness.”

- “I’ve been very busy for the past 20 plus years in chaplaincy. The last three years in my new position have been the best.”

- “I’m happy my 20 hours a week have been bumped up to 30!”

- “I’m the first chaplain they have ever had at this facility.”

- “I’m taking a trip of a lifetime to Africa this summer and will help refurbish a hospital.”

- “I’m glad the snow has stayed away from Bismarck. There’s a reason I moved to Florida.”

- “I’ve held other positions in my life. Now that I am a chaplain, I know God saved the best for last.”

- “God has a sense of humor!”

Dale N. moved and Sandie N. seconded to approve the minutes of the August 24^th, 2007 meeting. Motion carried.

Roger B. moved and Norm T. seconded to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion carried.

Darrel A. commented again how much he appreciated the memorial received for his mother from the Chaplains’ Association. Pres. Burnie K. encouraged the members to let the leadership know about events in their lives, so they can be recognized and appropriate actions taken.

Old Business:

Sect/Treas. Marty T-F. shared the efforts which the Chaplains’ Association have made in getting higher visibility at the Convention. The group took out a half-page ad for $90 in the 2008 Membership and Trade Show Directory. Pres. Burnie K. pointed out that the NDCA received a whole page with our logo, officers and list of members on p 79 of the Convention booklet – something which was sought after as most of the other Associate organizations have this recognition already. Marty will write a thank you note to the NDLTCA for this recognition. (Item for future discussion might be having a “Chaplain of the Year Award” presented either at our luncheon or during the Convention’s Award Dinner.)

Joanne M. who the representative to the ND Conference of Churches attended one meeting and reported it focused on how to encourage churches to be active.

Pres. Burnie K. reported that APC (Association of Professional Chaplains) no longer accredits Continuing Education Units for various groups like our own. Darrel A. commented that for many years there has been a disparity between urban and rural groups in the number and quality of Continuing Education events offered. The workshops here at the NDLTCA Convention do count toward the recommended number of CEU’s that APC requests its members to accumulate.

Darrel A. reported on the APC Convention in Pittsburgh, PA this spring. He uses his own funds and continuing education funds from his employer to attend. The APC has some very good workshops and speakers which makes it a good investment in his own professional development.

Some of the topics included this year were:

- Ministry to people and families going through and coping with dementia. One presenter gave a first hand account. He is a seminary professor whose wife (a television writer) was diagnosed with Alzheimers in her late forties. Now she is in her fifties and confined to a wheel chair. His story was very moving.

- He asked Dr. Sue Stranahan (guest presenter attending our luncheon) if she thought the Hollywood movie, Away From Her, had any value for understanding the downward journey of dementia. She responded that the best part were in the credits where various organizations and their websites were given for referrals.

- A pair of musicians (Gary Malpin and Kim Rosen) presented opening worship, “Journey to Your Soul.” Malpin is a pianist and vocalist who has released “Graceful Passages.”

- Ministry in the Workplace workshop featured big US corporations that are hiring chaplains to be on staff to minister to employees and their families. Cole Papers in Fargo, ND was mentioned. In the changing work environment, spiritual care in the workplace is necessary.

- Another workshop had a doctor and chaplain talk about collegial relationships.

- Domestic Violence, Healing the Healer and other topics were also presented. Darrel A. said that audio CD’s of any of the workshops were available for purchase on the APC website – http://www.professionalchaplains.org

Next year's APC convention will take place in Orlando, Florida, and be a joint meeting for five organizaitons.

New Business:

Pres. Burnie K. requested that materials such as book reviews and articles be offered by the members for the website. She also lifted up the fact that this is the 30^th anniversary of the NDCA and the Fall retreat, August 8 & 9 at MaryVale in Valley City will celebrate this event. (In later discussion with Sect. Marty, it was suggested that the theme be “Celebrating the Life: Our Calling to Care: Finding Celebration in what we do and the lives we touch.”)

A review of possible leadership choices for the retreat was held. Some Native American speakers, Sr. Suzanne Stahl, Sr. Anne Germaine, Dr. Scott Frederickson, Jake Kincaid, and man from Rochester, MN were all mentioned. (Burnie and Marty talked about finding someone who could present a topic on the proposed theme of Celebrating the Life with both humor and substance.)

Here are the minutes from the annual meeting held on August 24, 2007 at Sacred Heart Monastery, Richardton, ND

Members in Attendance:

Darrel Aleson, Toni Betting, Jan Bierschbach, Virginia Davy, Sr. Marie Hunkler, Larol Hursman, Burnie Kunz, Clyde Leimberer, JoAnne Moeller, Adrian Olson, Sr. Anne Germaine Picard, Sr. Mary Jane Pulskamp, Colleen Ressler, Sr. Gladys Reisenauer, Marty Toepke-Floyd, Rita Williams

President Burnie Kunz welcomed us and called the meeting to order at 9:10 p.m. MST after Adrian O, served everyone Hawaiian Wedding Cake and Ice Cream.  Sr. Marie H. opened with prayer.

Minutes of the May 3, 2007 Meeting were approved.

Treasurer's Report of August 24, 2007 showed there was a beginning balance of $1,808 with $1,345 in income (dues and retreat registrations) and $129 in expenses leaving a total of $3,024 in the checkbook.    Some one reported that Dave Fisher appreciated the memorial we sent for his parents.  Darrel A. repeated that he was touched, too, for the memorial he received in the spring when his mother died.   Expenses for the Retreat are pending.   Treasurer's Report was approved.

Old Business

1. The ND Long Term Care Association Convention in the spring of each year is a major showcase for various organizations such as the Dietary Managers, Activities Professionals, Social Services, etc.   They get visibility at the trade show and the event.   Presenters and vendors agree that ND has one of the best conventions in the US!  

    In order for the NDCA to have higher visibility, too, and promote chaplains the NDLTCA requires that we take out an advertisement in the trade show and membership directory, be an associate member (we are), guarantee that a certain number of members will attend the convention, provide volunteer help at the convention.   Bev Herman is the person to talk to further about the costs and requirements and the Sect. will do so.   The Exec. Com. of NDCA will review the materials and make a decision.

    The day which will have presenters of interest to chaplains will be Thursday, May 1st, 2008,  which is also the day we have our noon meal and meeting and the convention has its awards banquet in the evening.  Clyde is working to get a well qualified speaker for the chaplains and all disciplines.   The Charity for this coming year will again be the Cherished Hopes which makes wishes for residents come true.

    Chaplains can get good PR at the convention and encourage all staff to give some sort of spiritual care.   Clyde and Darrel both serve on the NDLTCA Convention  committee.  Larol H. reported that last year was the first time she attended the Convention and was very impressed by the presenters and networking with chaplains and making connections with old friends.

2. The Website for the NDCA is up and running since last annual meeting thanks to the efforts of Adrian Olson adriano@dvl.midco.net .   NDCA will reimburse him for the second year's fee of $16 for the website.   It is a very useful site and members are encouraged to visit it and contribute to it.  www.ndchaplains.com

New Business:

 1

. Sr. Marie gave a report of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) convention held in Portland Oregon March 17 - 20 this year.  "Bridges to Peace -- Paths to Transformation" was the theme.

    Pre-Convention was on ethics done by various presenters.

    Dealing with conflict between sets of values and becoming aware of our personal, professional, organizational, and societal values and the conflicts between those sets. Are they complementary, competing or conflicting?   Our training as chaplains is to listen to clients and value their humanity.

    Prophetic Spirituality:  Prophets are means of transformation; they are agents of transformation, which is a process as a result of relationships with each other and with God.  We need to keep on keeping on.  Our perspectives as chaplains are unique.

    The author, Renee Katz, spoke on counter-transference.  "It's not about me but it does affect me," is what counselors need to keep in mind as they deal with clients.  Stories, attitudes and actions of clients all trigger reactions, thoughts, and feelings in us as we deal with them.   Becoming aware of these times become teachable moments for us.  We need to be aware of our feelings triggered by clients and deal with our feelings in a positive way.  "Don't get your sail in their wind."

    Tom _____ spoke about change (alterations) vs. transformation (metamorphosis).   Contact Sr. Marie Hunkler (mhunkler05@gmail.com )  or Sr. Gladys Reisenauer (glady@bis.midco.net ) for more information on this convention.

    The next NACC Convention in 2009 will be held jointly with APC (Association of Professional Counselors)

2. JoAnne Moeller will attend the next ND Conference of Churches (NDCC) meeting in Bismarck on Monday, Sept. 24.   Often the organization meets in Jamestown, too, where she is located.  Lisa Jacobson in Mandan is the secretary for NDCC  701-663-1641 or exe_sec.ndcc@yahoo.com   The NDCC website is www.ndconference.org

3. Parish Nurse programs are active in larger cities in ND.  In Grand Forks they meet regularly with chaplains and do visitation in hospitals and nursing homes.  For larger parishes, they do more visitation than can parish pastors who have many demands on their time.  Parish nurses can help in the transition between care at home to care in nursing homes.  Med Center One in Bismarck has contact with 13 parish nurses.

4. Liaison to NACC.  Sr. Marie Hunkler said she would be that person just as Darrel is the representative from NDCA to APC.

5. It was suggested that letters be sent out to facilities to encourage contact with new and existing chaplains who may not know about NDCA.

6. There were openings for chaplains at Villa Maria / Rosewood in Fargo, and Valley Hospice (Grand Forks or Fargo?)   Anyone with further information about openings should forward that info to Adrian adriano@dvl.midco.net  for posting on the website.

7. Adrian presented the slate of officers and moved that a unanimous ballot be cast for:

Toni Betting -- Vice President,

Larol Hursman -- Member at Large

JoAnne Moeller -- Rep. to NDCC

Darrel Aleson -- Rep to APC

Sr. Marie Hunkler -- Rep to NACC

Larol offered a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. MST

Next Retreat and Annual Meeting will be Friday and Saturday, Aug 8 & 9, 2008 at Maryvale in Valley City.

Fr. Terrence Kardong has been active for many decades in the Dakotas Resource Council, a body of ranchers, farmers and other concerned citizens advocating for environmental rights and protections for ND.   The body has taken on controversial issues for some decades, locking horns with powerful and well heeled industries such as coal and oil producers in ND. 

He discussed various aspects of the natural world and theology and the Rule of St. Benedict.   Much of Christian teaching has either ignored or been antithetical to the natural world -- concentrating more on the human community than the global one and humanity's place in it.   St. Benedict mostly addresses the human community and formulated his rules during a time when the Roman empire was in steep decline and the church was losing power with it.   His rules helped to create islands of civilization in an increasingly chaotic and base society.  Nevertheless Fr. Kardong was able to relate some passages from St. Benedict to environmental concerns.  

Marty had a copy of YES! magazine on hand addressing individuals and groups who are standing up to corporate power abuses.   It is a secular (mostly) and progressive voice with no advertising.    For more information go to www.yesmagazine.org    (See attached document in MS Word for contents of latest issue.)

Also there is a prayer network called Christians Caring for Creation  cccpnch@aol.com  run by Amy Hanson Chambers and Connie Hanson, daughter and mother team who come from an evangelical perspective.  They are worth contacting, too. 

JoAnne Moeller closed our meeting on Saturday with a reading from Rev. 22 and some comments on the passage.

On Friday night, the chaplains spent two hours sharing what was happening in their lives and localities (an hour longer than scheduled!)   It was a very good time of relating and learning from one another.  Toni Betting had a number of materials to share with those who wished to take them.   The exchange of ideas and personal support are key to the fellowship and purpose of NDCA and this time of sharing was a good example of these values.

If you missed this year's retreat, hopefully you can join us in the spring at NDLTCA Convention or next summer at Maryvale.

Members in Attendance:

Norm Thomsen, Larol Hursman, Clyde Leimberer,Colleen Ressler, Virginia Davy, Sr. Anne Germaine Picard, Sr. Mary Jane Pulskamp, Sr. Mary Agnes Huber, Sandie Nicolai, Leland Elhard, Burnie Kunz, Darrel Aleson, Duane Wacker, Carol Luecke, Marty Toepke-Floyd

Guests in Attendance: Marian Ringwall from St. Benedicts in Dickinson,

and Rita Williams from Central Dakota in Jamestown

President Burnie Kunz welcomed everyone and said a prayer at noon to begin the meeting. A buffet meal was served to all and people went around the table and introduced themselves. The guests were welcomed and they indicated they would become members.

Minutes of the Sept 9, 2006 Meeting were distributed. Only Correction is that the Retreat in Richardton will be held August 24 and 25. Discussion about the website for NDCA revealed that half of those present had looked at it recently. As this is the primary way timely information is diseminated, everyone was encouraged to check it weekly. Many thanks were expressed to Adrian Olson for keeping it up to date which he is diligent and resourceful about. Duane W. moved, Clyde L. seconded and motion carried to approve the minutes as corrected.

The Treasurer's Report was reviewed and comments made. The notable item is that the Retreat at Maryvale last fall more than paid for itself. Darrel A. expressed gratitude to the group for the memorial received for his mother. Duane W. hosted the family of Betty LaFontaine (Ralph's widow) recently. Ralph had been a CPE instructor at Med Center One. He died a few years ago. A memorial was recently sent for them. Colleen R. moved and Larol H. seconded and the motion carried to approve the report.

Old Business:

1. The NDCA website was lifted up. Articles about Joanne Moeller at Anne Carlsen School and Colleen Ressler delivering a prayer at the Legislature were featured this spring along with book reviews, continuing ed opportunites, etc. Burnie invited the members to submit material to Adrian Olson adriano@dvl.midco.net

2. Burnie spoke with Dan Sweeney who said that Police Chaplains are oriented by their departments on disaster and accident ministries. Hospitals have their own procedures for mass casualties and other critical incidents which often include chaplains. Several chaplains present indicated their facilities practiced drills which included them. The Red Cross does offer period training, but clergy volunteers with the Red Cross must commit to being on call for a year and to be ready to respond on short notice for duty at floods, accidents, etc. Lutheran Social Services (LSS) had a training event in Jamestown last fall. Critical Incident Stress Management classes are mandatory before being accepted by the Red Cross to serve. Clyde L. indicated he knew of another organization (ACCC) which offered that sort of training, too.

New Business:

1. It was brought to the attention of the group that Dave Fisher in Jamestown had lost both of his parents in the past year or two. Darrel A. moved, Duane W. seconded and the motion to send a $25 memorial to Dave for his parents was carried.

2. Darrel A. gave a report abut the Association of Professional Chaplains convention recently held in San Francisco. (Darrel still had jet lag!) First he attended a two symposium "Encountering the Sacred at the End of Life" which featured Dr. Richard Pane of Duke Univ. and Duke Divinity School, and Dr. Ira Byock of Dartmouth (who spoke this spring in ND). The Convention itself had many workshops and speakers including Racel Naomi Remen author of Grandfather's Blessing and Kitchen Table Wisdom which are recent best sellers. Robert K Johnson presented "Reel Spirituality" which discussed spiritual messages in Hollywood movies. Dr. Marie Fortune spoke on Domestic Violence issues.

3. A discussion of increasing the honorarium paid to Retreat presenters was discussed. Currently it is $300 and has been this level since 2002. Colleen R. moved and Clyde L. seconded the motion to increase the honorarium to $400.

4. The group instructed the Treasurer to investigate the costs and responsibilites of having a higher visibility for NDCA at the NDLTCA Awards Banquet. Bev Hermanson is the person to talk to. Currently the NDCA pays $250 annually to be an Associate of the NDLTCA. This membership provides many good speakers at the spring convention and is well worth it.

5. Speakers and topics for the Fall Retreat at Richardton, (Friday - Saturday August 24-25, 2007, beginning at 5 p.m. MDT) was discussed.

It was decided to ask Terrance Kardong as first choice to lead this retreat as he is located in Richardton. Second choice is Ruth Fox who is at the Sacred Heart Monastery. For the 2008 Fall Retreat in Maryvale, (no dates set) Tim Zejdlik of Work Smarts would be asked to present. It was decided for the Exec. Com. to look over the past 5 years of retreats and topics and make reccommendations for future topics and speakers.

Other names and topics mentioned to lead retreats include:

Native American spirituality lead by a Native American woman from a school near Devils Lake;

Healing Touch which is not overtly Christian and has Eastern religious terminology but which may be used by Christians;

Harley Holden who is a Christian Counselor;

Carlene Hennenfent of Mandan who works for Eastgate Funeral Home and leads grief sessions etc. She gave an excellent presentation at this NDLTCA session.

Our own Clyde Leimberer who also made a very good presentation on Spirituality and Long Term Care and Leland Elhard, retired seminary professor who led the last retreat in Richardton in 2005.

Burnie led the group in a closing prayer and the meeting was dismissed. Next meeting in Richardton will include election of officers for 2007-2008.

Minutes submitted by Marty Toepke-Floyd, Sect./Treasurer