Present: Averbeck, Barker, Hornby, Hunjadi, Meeker, Schilder, Teale, TeStroete
Notified Absent: McCarrier, Teale
Meeting called to order by President Meeker at 12:00 PM
Motion by Schilder, second by Averbeck to approve the July meeting minutes as written. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
President: Meeker reported on his trip to Las Vegas for attendance at EMS Expo and FireHouse Expo. While many of our current speakers were there, additional EMS presenters and many new fire track presenters were able to be seen. This conference has become the largest combined EMS and Fire conference in the world with approximately 7,500 participants in attendance.
Vice President: Nothing
Secretary/Treasurer: Nothing
Executive Director: Hunjadi reported that a Board of Directors orientation program was completed for Averbeck, Barker, and Hornby. They reported the session to be very informative and helpful. The new sales and public relations director has been hired and started on September 1, 2006. Initial interviews were done with three of the ten candidates who applied for the position. A second interview was completed with the selected candidate and the executive board. Toni Ihler has signed a two year, seven month contract that will end March 31, 2009. Membership renewals have been decreasing mainly because there has been no one to contact the expired Service and Corporate members. It is anticipated that we will obtain renewals from most of the expired services by the end of the year or early next year. Financials are very strong with additional revenue coming from savings in not paying for the Sales and Public Relations Director position for five months, increased return from the 20th annual conference and nearly 5.75% return on money market investments which will provide approximately $52,000 income for 2006.
Conference: Meeker provided updated information on the 2007 Working Together conference. Staffing is anticipated to be completed by early December. Meeker has been meeting with the hotels, Midwest Airlines Center, Levy food service and the in-house A/V company in an effort to correct last year’s problems and deficiencies. There are two additional meetings scheduled prior to the conference. The web site is now being updated daily with the latest conference information including registration, hotel and exhibitor statistics.
2007 Cruise: Final payments for the 4th cruise will be due the first week of December. Typically we lose five to ten percent of our cabins at this time. Meeker and Hunjadi announced that neither will be participating in this cruise event. Magic Carpet Travel will again send a representative along. Vice President TeStroete and Secretary/Treasurer Schilder will attend and facilitate the onboard functions and events. A couple of other board members will attend as well. Magic Carpet Travel is still working on rates and information for a potential Alaska cruise for August 2008.
OLD BUSINESS
Covelli Litigation Matter: After agreeing to Covelli’s settlement terms and providing the documents that Covelli requested, we were then informed that Covelli would not honor the terms that he set forth and in fact was no longer agreeing to settle the matter. Due to these actions, Covelli’s attorney has withdrawn from the case. It is unknown if Covelli will retain council. At this time he has not and he could conceivably represent himself. No further action has been taken.
Billboard Campaign Final Report: Following seven months of billboard placements, the billboard campaign is drawing to a close. The Outdoor Advertising Association has indicated they will be willing to again provide free billboard space in the future. More than 200 calls were taken from billboard referrals. Detailed information was provided in the September-October edition of EMS Professionals. Current billboards will remain in place until a new billboard is sold for that location, but no new locations or installations will be provided.
Bylaw Changes Workgroup Report/Progress: No progress to report. Due to lack of any identified bylaws that need to be changed by current Board members, this workgroup will be disbanded. All Board members should complete a final review of the current bylaws to identify if there is any items that require updating or change.
State EMS Office Items: Meeker and Hunjadi report they are still trying to match schedules with Dan Williams in order to provide him with the written results and comments from the state EMS Office survey. Williams has been out of the office multiple weeks at a time for both professional and personal reasons. They hope to schedule a meeting with him shortly.
NAEMT Affiliation: Meeker spoke again with Ken Bouvier from the National Association of EMTs. His presidents term ended at the conference in Las Vegas. The new president is from Iowa and could conceivably come to one of our board meetings. Board members suggest that we attempt to have him meet with us at the January board meeting in Madison.
NEW BUSINESS
Mark Fisher Memorials: Hunjadi reported that slightly over $2,000 was received from the memorials/donations provided in memory of Mark Fisher. Discussion was held regarding what the association should do with the money. Some consensus was reached to provide free management training in keeping with the latest strategic plan point to increase education for service leaders. Questions remained as to if this free training should be provided to everyone or current WEMSA members only. Motion by Allen that the Fisher donations be used to put on a management seminar free of charge for all interested WEMSA members and establish a fee for interested non-members to attend. Second by Hornby. Seven in favor, one opposed. Motion carried.
Legislative Priorities For 2007-2008 Legislative Session: The new legislative session will begin in January. Discussion was held for ideas and needs for legislative inatitives in the new session. Hunjadi reported on several items including those that the Fire and EMS Coalition are considering supporting. These include changing the EMT-Basic refresher requirements and potential license period. This again is a top item in the revised WEMSA strategic plan. A second item involves legislation to allow an EMT, First Responder or Firefighter to report to work late because he or she was on an emergency call. Similar legislation has been passed in Illinois. Hunjadi and Meeker will take these items to the next Coalition meeting and will explore the ideas with lobbyist Forbes McIntosh. No official action taken.
2007 Premium Item: Several items were discussed as potentials for the 2007 member’s premium item. One of the leading items was a stethoscope or potentially pediatric stethoscope. We can obtain an entry level quality unit from several manufactures for approximately $3.50 to $4.00. There is concern for how many members could actually make use of this item. T-Shirts were also discussed however, shipping and sizing would potential create problems. With neither of the items meeting Board Member expectations, Hunjadi is going to look into a First Responder bag that could also be used for other items. Shipping may again present a problem for individual members. Hunjadi will coordinate with the executive board to obtain final approval for the 2007 premium item.
Group Buying Program Contracts: The medical supplies contract with Tri-anim was extended by four months through the end of 2006. Ihler will be providing RFPs in order to enter into new two year contracts by the next Board of Directors meeting.
Items from Strategic Planning: There were no items following the strategic planning session that required a Board action or vote.
Motion by TeStroete second by Averbeck to adjourn. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:12 PM.