2023 KEHA State Meeting Updates – Registrations are arriving daily for the KEHA State Meeting May 9-11, 2023, at the Louisville Crowne Plaza. Visit the KEHA State Meeting website for information on making room reservations, registering for the event, and other details. The following are a few important highlights to note.

Today is the Cutoff for Overnight Rooms

• April 10 is the last day to take advantage of the conference rate. Use the link at the State Meeting website, or contact Kathi Lucky at AJS Hotels.
• If you have previously booked a room that was not at the conference rate, contact Kathi Lucky at klucky@ajshotels.com or 502-569-4525.
• AFTER April 10 if you need to release a room or book a room, please contact your county FCS Agent first. Agents can try to exchange reservations for those waiting for the group rate.

Registration

• Today, April 10, is the early-bird deadline for discounted registration rates. Postmark your form today to take advantage of a deal!
• All hands-on craft sessions are now full.
• Some learning sessions in each time block are full. Others still have space. Check the updated registration form on the State Meeting website for details.
• Refunds of the class fee will be issued after State Meeting for anyone whose payment was received after a class reaches capacity.
• April 24 is the final deadline to register. Any registration with a postmark after April 24 will be returned.

Other Meeting Notes and Reminders

• Pricing: The state meeting is utilizing a new pricing structure. You may register for the full conference or two days and the general session luncheons are included on the days you select. Those who register for the KEHA meeting are provided name tags that will gain them access to view all the areas of the conference including Cultural Arts and vendors. There are no exhibits in the public hallways, and therefore nothing “free.” It takes great expense to reserve the amount of meeting space and equipment required to host all that KEHA offers, so registration is critical to cover those costs.

• Opening Luncheon: This year’s opening banquet is a luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, featuring a keynote speaker from the Kentucky Derby Museum. Attendees are encouraged to wear the colors of nature you might see on a hike – yellow for the sun, green for the grass, blue for the sky, other bright colors to represent the flowers blooming.
• NEW Lunch option: Wednesday, May 10, we will have a local food truck on site during the “lunch on your own.” Everybody Loves Bacon will offer a meal item and a side for $15 or less. A vegetarian option also will be available.
• General Session: The general session on Wednesday, May 10, at 5 p.m. will feature a performance by the KEHA Choir. After the performance it will be “dinner on your own.”

• Awards Luncheon: The awards luncheon will wrap up the meeting on Thursday, May 11, at 11:30 a.m.
• Silent Auction: Each county is encouraged to bring an item to the State Meeting for the silent auction. Proceeds will help offset the costs associated with KEHA State Meeting.
• Raffle Basket: Each area is asked to provide a themed gift basket for the State Meeting raffle. If your item/donation includes multiple small pieces, such as gift cards, please consider wrapping the basket in cellophane or otherwise ensuring none of the pieces could go lost or missing. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research and Screening Program. As always, thank you for your generosity and help in providing these items for the conference!
• Quilt Square Auction and Showcase: Members are invited to make a 12-inch finished quilt square for entry. Details are available in the KEHA Newsletter. Proceeds will help offset costs associated with the KEHA State Meeting.
• Cultural Arts: Check-in will be from 8:30-11 a.m. Tuesday in five groups of areas. Check out will be 4-5 p.m. Wednesday in two groups. Details are outlined in the state newsletter.
• KEHA choir: The choir is open to new members. They rehearse for one hour and do one performance during State Meeting. To join or for more information, contact Wendy Hood at Wendy7hood@icloud.com.

Master Farm Homemakers Guild – Once again the MFHG luncheon and meeting will be held in conjunction with the KEHA State Meeting. However, this year there will be a separate registration for this event. Those who attend the luncheon must register separately for State Meeting if they wish to enjoy the larger event offerings. Members should look for luncheon and meeting details from the guild.

Quilts for Courageous Kids – The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Ky., needs 100 new twin size bed quilts. Needed size is 64 inches by 86 inches and can be homemade or store bought. Drop off at The Center for Courageous Kids, 1501 Burnley Rd., Scottsville, KY, or bring them to the KEHA State Meeting in Louisville where we will have a collection point. If you have questions, contact Joanie O'Bryan at jobryan@courageouskids.org or 270-618-2900.

2023 KEHA State Board Elections – Credentials have been received for all positions, and the nominating committee will review to confirm eligibility. The six positions to be elected in May 2023 are: First Vice President; Treasurer; Environment, Housing, & Energy Chair; Food, Nutrition, & Health Chair; Leadership Development Chair; and Marketing and Publicity Chair.

KEHA Tenure Recognition – The KEHA Membership Tenure Milestone certificate can be used in place of the recognition pins that used to be ordered, as it became difficult to locate a statewide vendor. Counties and areas may elect to work independently with vendors of their choice if they wish to have pins. FCS agents have access to the certificate template, which can be filled out and printed in color on ivory cardstock.

Mileage Reimbursement Form – The KEHA state board voted to increase the mileage reimbursement rate to $0.50. The reimbursement form in the Manual Appendix, page 15, has been updated to reflect this. A fillable PDF version of the form has also been updated on the Manual webpage.

National Volunteer Outreach Network (NVON) Conference – The 24^th annual NVON Conference will be July 18-20, 2023, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Any KEHA member is eligible to register and attend. Meeting details are available at https://www.nvon.org/nvon-conference/.

Dates to Remember

• April 10 – Ending date for the group room block at the Crowne Plaza.
• April 10 – Postmark deadline for early registration fee for 2023 KEHA State Meeting.
• April 24 – Final postmark deadline for 2023 KEHA State Meeting registration.
• May 9-11, 2023 – KEHA State Meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville.
• May 15 – 990N Deadline for 501(c)(3) organizations with fiscal year ending Dec. 31.
• June 17 – Postmark deadline for NVON Conference registration at regular rates.
• July 18-20 – NVON Conference in Parkersburg, W.V.