The 93rd Annual South Dakota Community and Family Extension Leaders met for their State Convention Sept. 23-24 at the Codington County Extension Complex in Watertown.
The theme for the event was “Bountiful Harvest.”
Members registered their silent auction and cultural arts items Friday morning. Books were also donated for the book sale.
State officers began the opening ceremonies with a flag procession to the national anthem.
Deanne Ness, Marketing and Membership chairman led the Pledge of Allegiance. The South Dakota State Flag Pledge,
Homemakers Creed and Mission Statement were recited by members. “Hail, South Dakota” and the State CFEL song were sung.
State President Lynette Culver, called the meeting to order, followed by a greeting by Darlene Meyer, SDCFEL Area 5 Director. Dawn Johnson, Codington County president, gave a response, and members were welcomed to Watertown by Anjelica Uthe, Executive Director of Watertown.
Culver gave introductions. Ellen Eddy, Parliamentarian, read the standing rules. Roll call of state delegates, and county delegates were called by Beth Hulm, SDCFEL Secretary. Mary Froning, SDCFEL Treasurer, gave the treasures report.
Committee reports were given: Susan Z. Wilder Scholarship, Marketing/Membership Coordinator, Editor/Public Relations Rays of Sunshine, and Facebook Membership committee.
SDSU adviser Karla Trautman, director at SDSU Extension, gave a welcome and report on the activities going on for Extension at SDSU.
The Issues workshop, “Taking Care of Our Children,” was presented by Kelli Rumpza, Community Prevention Specialist and Watertown Healthy Youth Coordinator, Human Service Agency.
Lori Seim, Sioux Valley Greenhouse, gave a workshop on “Holiday Decorating with Pots,” showing samples of how to decorate pots with greens and berries for fall and Christmas.
Darlene Meyer gave a demonstration on a mattress spring snowman for those interested.
The banquet Friday evening was hosted by Brookings County and catered by Wheel Inn. The entertainment was the Glacial Lakes Harmonizers, and a skit, “Grandma’s Aprons,” was presented by Brookings County.
Saturday morning, President Culver, called the business meeting to order. A memorial service was presented by the Area Directors to remember those who passed on last year.
New officers elected include Darlene Meyer, vice president and program coordinator; Dawn Johnson, historian; Kate Hoisington, Area 3 Director; Julie Moes, Area 5 Director; and Mavis Janecke, Area 7 Director.
Members discussed revising the cultural arts criteria so members can enter more than two items per category. A committee of the Area Directors was formed to work on this, and will be brought before the board in March at the board meeting.
Members collected for the Susan Z. Wilder Scholarship and Leadership.
The Issues Workshop Saturday was “Staying Engaged As We Age,” presented by South Dakota AARP, Bill and Cathy Zubke.
The awards luncheon was held at noon on Saturday. Awards were presented to 50-, 60- and 70-year members, along with oldest club, Spirit of CFEL, Public Issues Awards, Certified Volunteers Award, and Reading Awards.
Culver gave the Presidents Recruit Challenge Award to Diana Barton, a member of Busy Fingers CFEL, Beadle County. The President’s award went to Mary Froning, state treasure.
Area 3 CFEL, Aberdeen, gave the invite to the State Convention next year. It will be held Sept. 22-23 at Sacred Heart Church.
Sixty-five members were registered for the Watertown convention, with 132 entries in the Cultural Arts contest. Income was reported from the silent auction, book sales, and the fundraiser/raffle.
Linda Burnham presented scholarships to members who qualified to attend the state meeting.
Culver reminded members that dues must be paid to the county by Nov. 1, then to the state by Dec. 1.
