Wisconsin EMS Association
Board of Directors Meeting
January 5, 2003 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

Present:  Meeker, Hunjadi, TeStroete, Schilder, Allen, Schultz, Werner, Bennett, Merrill, McCarrier, Teale, and Covelli

Called to order by President Meeker at 12:00.

Motion by Schilder second by TeStroete to approve the October 2002 minutes as written. All in favor. Motion carries.

President: Meeker reported on the recent meeting between the EMS Advisory Board, DHFS and WEMSA. The meeting was asked for by the Executive Board members of the EMS Advisory Board following misperceptions they had regarding the WEMSA strategic plan. Further information on the meeting is included in the January issue of EMS Professionals. No further action or comment was made at this time.

Vice President: Nothing

Secretary/Treasurer: Nothing

Executive Director: Hunjadi provided year-end information in a written and graphical statement. He reviewed some of the highlights including an increase in membership of nearly 1,000 new members. He noted that the profit margin was reduced in part due to increased personnel costs and significantly lower return on investments and endowment funds. Printing for the magazine, EMS Professionals, was re-bid resulting in another decrease in costs and change in printers. Times Printing, who had printed the WEMSA newsletter more than 15 years ago, has returned as the printer. Much of the cost reduction comes due to quantities being high enough to support web printing versus sheet fed. The savings will result in nearly $6,000 annually while printing 40 pages in full color. As membership continues to increase and quantities rise, cost savings will continue to increase over sheet fed methods. The January issue was the first printed at Times. The Association computer system has gone to a web based access system whereby any computer with an Internet connection can connect to the main WEMSA computer and access files and programs. This will allow any employee to access current data over the Internet. The system is slow on dial-up connections but works well on the DLS/Cable systems used at the main office and the secretary location.

Sales and Public Relations Director: Covelli provided an update on cellular telephone service for the group buying program. Contracts with two of the three companies selected have now been signed. Nextel withdrew their bid after several management changes. Covelli continues to seek a cellular provider that can serve the two areas (southwest and east central) that do not have coverage with the two carriers.

Conference:  2003 Conference: Meeker reported on the current status of the 2003 conference. Board members were reminded of duties and expectations. Hunjadi projected up to a 200 person reduction in attendance based on current registrations. Attendance could increase if more than the usual number of people register late.  2004 Conference: Meeker and Hunjadi discussed plans for the 2004 conference. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding expanding the exhibition hall to include fire apparatus and equipment along with the addition of fire-based sessions. Focus of the event will remain predominately EMS-related but further embrace other aspects of the emergency services as listed in the strategic plan. Motion by McCarrier second by Bennett to expand the annual conference to include fire-based, rescue, and other emergency service education and exhibits. All in favor none opposed. Motion carried. Discussion was raised regarding changing the name of the conference to reflect the change in scope. Motion by Teale second by McCarrier to change the name of the conference from Working Together in EMS to Working Together in Emergency Services.  A Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the name change. Other suggestions included Emergency Services Working Together, Working Together 2004, and leaving the name as it currently is. Both Hunjadi and Covelli finally suggested that additional research and focus group-like activities should be completed in order to make a recommendation for a name change at the April Board meeting. The motion and second were withdrawn to allow further time for research.

Legislative: Hunjadi reported that the new legislative session would begin tomorrow. Forbes McIntosh of Broydrick and Associates and Don Hunjadi have both been registered as lobbyists for the Wisconsin EMS Association during the 2003-2004 legislative session. The only legislative plans of the association at this time are to affect the FAP language to change how EMT-Basic training and refresher classes are paid for (previously approved at the October meeting).

OLD BUSINESS

Association Cruise: Approximately 160 cabins remain booked and have been paid for and ticketed for the second EMS cruise. This is about 25% down from the first cruise. However, it is still high enough in numbers to qualify for the cocktail parties and upgrades and will return a net income for the association’s work and involvement. The initial deposit of $11,000 to hold the cabins has been returned to the association general account.

Meetings with DHFS: Further discussion was held regarding the efforts of the association to work with the EMS Section to improve customer service and better meet the expectations of Wisconsin’s EMS providers. Discussion was also held regarding comments made by Marvin Birnbaum that the association has published negative articles regarding the EMS Board. This was denied by the WEMSA Board members in attendance who then requested that Dr. Birnbaum provide supporting information and proof regarding this statement. He stated he would provide the information. Nothing has been received at the time of this meeting. Meeker conveyed the EMS Advisory Board’s desire to be made/kept aware of items of concern that WEMSA raises. Motion by Allen that WEMSA document all unresolved issues as well as new issues as of 2003 and forward them to the EMS Office, Ken Baldwin, EMS Advisory Executive Board and WEMSA board. Further moved that WEMSA continue to move forward with placing a staff member in the EMS office. Second by TeStroete. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Part-time ALS Care: Discussion was continued from the July meeting to consider supporting a change in rule to allow ambulance providers to deliver EMT-I or EMT-P care without providing 24 hour coverage. No consensus was reached on the issue. It was agreed that at the current time with the large number of issues the association faces and has identified in the current strategic plan, this issue might have to wait until a later time. Motion by Allen to table the issue pending completion of the current strategic plan. Second by Schultz. All in favor none opposed. Motion carried.

Length of Service Awards Program: Mindy Allen reported on the concern of some volunteer services of the rates and fees being charged by the LOSA vendors. This issue will be discussed by the LOSA board at their next meeting. As a member of the LOSA Board, Allen will continue to keep the WEMSA Board informed of any events that take place.

NAEMT Affiliation: At this time no one from NAEMT has instituted continued discussions on WEMSA affiliation. No action taken.

Executive Directors Contract: TeStroete reported that the committee has had several discussions and continues to work on an agreement for the Executive Director’s contract which will expire April 1, 2003. They plan to have a contract ready for board approval at the April meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Board of Directors Election: Four positions were open on the WEMSA Board. The only nominations received were from the four incumbent members. No general election was therefore required or held. Motion by TeStroete to reelect Mindy Allen, Mark Bennett, Don Hunjadi and Mary Schilder by unanimous ballot.  Second by Teale. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

 Service of the Year 2003: Allen and Hunjadi visited the sites of the finalists in the volunteer/paid-on-call category. They are unable to suggest a clear winner to the board. A detailed discussion on their findings was held. Motion by TeStroete second by McCarrier to confirm Marquette County as Volunteer/Paid-On-Call EMS Service of the Year. Eight in favor, none opposed, three abstain. Motion carried.  No nominations were received for the full-time/career category. A short discussion was held on the possibility of providing the award to last year’s runner up in the category. The idea died due to lack of a motion. Final discussion centered on doing away with the whole awards process for a variety of reasons. No action was taken. The discussion was refereed to the next meeting.

Internet Based Training: Mark Bennett conducted a demo for Hunjadi and Covelli on his Internet-based “webinar” program. They believe the program would work well for future training sessions on-line provided by WEMSA. Meeker has contacted Jon Morgan and Terry Gonderzik to offer the system to help train our Service/Corporate members to use the state’s new EMSS system. Board members supported this concept.

2003 Budget Proposal: Hunjadi presented the proposed operational budget for 2003. The only change requested was from TeStroete to increase contract labor to $105,000 to allow funds for an employee within the EMS office should that position be required. Motion by Schultz second by Werner to approve the budget as presented with an increase in the contract labor line item to $105,000.  All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Motion by TeStroete to adjourn, second by McCarrier All in favor none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 5:22 PM.

Action Items: