Meetings

DRAFT – DakotaLink Advisory Council
Hybrid Meeting
Meeting Notes
June 25^th, 2025

Notes:
The DakotaLink Advisory Council meeting discussed updates, officer elections, and funding concerns. The council confirmed a quorum with 10 members. Page outlined the meeting agenda and member introductions. Donelle introduced herself as the new Technician in Sioux Falls. The council reviewed the minutes and agenda, approved them, and discussed member recognition and transitions. Page provided a Washington update on potential funding cuts, emphasizing the importance of the return on investment (ROI) report. The council planned the next meeting for September 30 and discussed potential alternative funding sources and industry involvement.

Introductions and Initial Discussions

• Discussions of schedules and recent hires, including Donnelle Beynon.
• Page discusses the impact of grant funding from Health and Human Services.

• Richard arrives, and Page confirms the quorum with 10 participants.
• Page discusses the visibility of the agenda on the screen.
• Brett Burden and other speakers engage in casual conversations about their backgrounds and recent experiences.

Roll Call and Member Check-In

• Richard initiates the roll call and member check-in, listing the attendees and their roles.
• Brett Crosby, Morgan Beckman, and other members introduce themselves and their roles.
• Page provides a brief background of his own and his role at DakotaLink.

Approval of Meeting Minutes and Agenda

• Richard moves to approve the minutes from the last meeting and the agenda for this meeting.
• Amy seconds the motion, and the motion is approved unanimously.
• Page transitions to the next section of the meeting, focusing on member recognition and transitions.

Member Recognition and Transitions

• Page explains the process for member recognition and transitions, emphasizing the flexibility of council membership.
• Page discusses the importance of inviting new members and the current open spots on the council.
• Richard mentions the need for nominations for officer positions, but no nominations are made at this time.
• Page plans to create an online method to nominate officers for the next meeting.

Washington Update and Funding Concerns

• Page provides an update on the federal funding situation, mentioning the impact of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) changes.
• Page then discussed the potential impacts of the 2026 federal budget proposal on assistive technology programs.
• Page highlights the importance of the return on investment (ROI) report in justifying the value of the program.
• Brett Burden and other members discuss the potential for industry involvement and alternative funding sources.

Discussion on Future Meetings and Officer Elections

• The group discusses the scheduling of the next meeting, deciding on September 30 at 2 PM Central.
• Page plans to send out an online form for officer nominations for the next meeting.
• Brett Burden and other members discuss the importance of staying informed and engaging stakeholders.
• The meeting concludes with a motion to adjourn, which is seconded and approved.