OSBC Annual Conference
The OSBC held its eleventh Annual Conference on August 29th, 30th, and 31st, in Lawrence, Kansas. The conference is a once-a-year opportunity for OSBC staff from across the state to convene in one location and discuss current topics and issues. The conference planning committee is comprised of volunteers from both field office and main office staff. This year's committee included Jim Payne (Chairman), Sue Dispensa, Jill Druse, Jeff Heidrick, Bob Myers, Lea Tatum-Haskell, and Mari Tucker.
The conference always features varied and interesting speakers and this year was no exception. Speakers Pearl Rovaris MacDonald, a seminar leader and improv comedienne, discussed innovative thinking and communication skills; Bruce Fitzsimons, Chief Appraiser for First National Bank, Olathe, detailed the real estate appraisal process; Matt Wolters, a Lead Forecaster with the Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, described storm spotter training; Scott Gates, General Counsel for the State Treasurer's office, discussed the Kansas Learning Quest program; Cheryl Miller, the Health Promotion Administrator for HealthQuest demonstrated "Sit and Get Fit" exercises and Dan Meers, aka "KC Wolf", entertained the group with his mascot escapades.
Conference activities included guided tours of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the Booth Family Hall of Athletics on the University of Kansas campus. Several employees were honored at an awards and recognition lunch, including Dedra Duran-Gray, who was named the OSBC Employee of the Year and George Myers, retiring Director of Examinations. Evening events included a golf tournament at Eagle Bend Golf Course and a "Strolling Down Mass" event in downtown Lawrence.
