Present: Allen, Bennett, Covelli, Hunjadi, McCarrier, Meeker, Schilder, Schultz, TeStroete, Teale, Werner
Notified Absent: Merrill
Guests: Larry Killian
Called to order by President Meeker at 12:00 PM.
Motion by Schilder second by McCarrier to approve the October 2003 minutes as written with one addition. John Schultz requests that additional information be included regarding the vote asking for his resignation. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.
President: Nothing
Vice President: Nothing
Secretary/Treasurer: Mary Schilder reported on the financial review that took place on October 31, 2003. She reports that all financial books were found to be in good order with no discrepancies noted. Motion by Werner second by McCarrier to accept Schilder’s verbal report with a written summation to be filed. All in favor, None opposed. Motion carried.
Executive Director: Hunjadi provided an abbreviated year-end report to supplement the written report provided to board members. Membership for 2003 closed at 5,743 members – 800 more than 2002. Total gross income was $431,264. Publication expenses fell to their lowest in several years due both to increased advertising revenue (exceeding $40,000) and cost containment for printing. Hunjadi also discussed re-bidding on magazine printing with a focus on printers closer to the WEMSA office due to repeat problems with meeting deadlines and following through on initial sales promises by the current printer resulting in repeated trips to the printer 1.5 hours away from the office. He reports investigation of on-line postage capabilities for all WEMSA non-bulk mailings. No action taken on any items.
Motion by Schilder second by TeStroete to suspend the agenda to allow a guest to be heard. All in favor, none opposed. Motion Carried. Larry Killian asked to address the board regarding support for changing current state rules to remove the current requirement for 24-hour coverage at the ALS levels. He provided a local perspective on the proposed changes and provided information on the recommendation. Board members asked several questions. Limited discussion was held. Motion by Schilder, Second by TeStroete to return to the agenda. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Sales and Public Relations Director: Joe Covelli elaborated on membership, magazine and conference growth areas. Covelli also talked about the WEMSA group buying program and up-coming expiration of EMS product contacts with EMP and Matrx. Covelli provided samples of the plaques for the 10 year service awards that will be handed out at the conference. Board members provided their input for a final plaque version.
Conference: Meeker provided a somewhat brief summary of the conference to be held in a couple of weeks. Expectations are now that we will see over 2,500 participants for the conference. The Hilton and Hyatt are now both sold out of hotel rooms with over 3,100 total room nights booked for the conference. Hunjadi provided financial information including the expectations that costs will exceed some budget amounts for the first year as we gear up and purchase either initial items, such as staff shirts, signs, banners, graphics for display units, etc. and as food costs are expected to exceed $100,000 and building rental charges and fees for the “nickel and dime” practices that were anticipated for various items. Meeker reviewed expectations for board members and answered any questions.
Legislative: Hunjadi provided an update on legislation noting that there is not much taking place for EMS in this legislative session. The latest drafts for the FAP funds legislation have been received. A bill to exempt volunteer firefighters from state income tax on money they earn as volunteers (stipends, pay for responding on a call, etc.) may be introduced. WEMSA lobbyists are meeting with the bill’s author to have EMTs and First Responders added as well. It is unlikely the bill will see any success in this session for multiple reasons. Discussion moved to license plates for EMTs and Firefighters with discussion being held regarding amending the statues to allow First Responders not affiliated with a fire department to obtain these plates. Motion by Werner second by McCarrier to amend state statutes to include First Responders for specialized plates. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carries. It was agreed that this legislation would be pursed at an optimum time – potentially as an add-on to other pending or new legislation.
OLD BUSINESS
Cruise: Hunjadi provided updated information on the 3rd EMS Cruise. A much higher amount of initial bookings have been received than in past years. Over 75 cabins have already been booked with the expectations that we will be at or near 150 by the end of the conference. Full pages ads have been ran in EMS Professionals and the Dispatcher as well as the Wisconsin Fire Journal, who refused to run ads regarding the Working Together conference but did accept a full page ad for the cruise. Ads were placed by WEMSA but are paid for by Magic Carpet Travel and Carnival Cruise Lines. Hunjadi may again tour the ship for the cruise (at little or no expense to the association) as part of an inaugural cruise for travel agents in March. He will also explore potential hotels in Tampa for the pre-cruise stays.
Meeting with PFFW: Attempts continue to identify a date to meet with the leadership of PFFW. Multiple dates and potential meetings have not gone through for various reasons. The latest expectations are to meet with them in early March in Milwaukee.
Service of the Year Award: Mindy Allen reported on the site review teams visits to the various finalists for the Service of the Year awards. The group’s recommendations were provided to the members of the board. Motion by TeStroete second by Werner to name Nekoosa as the volunteer/paid on call service of the year. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Werner second by Schilder to name City of Brookfield Fire Department as the fulltime/career service of the year. 8 in favor, none opposed, 2 abstain. Motion carried.
Association Medical Director: Following several months of personal decision, the previous state medical director has informed WEMSA he will decline becoming the Association medical director at this time. He has already enjoyed the past three months away from politics and state operations and wishes to continue this break rather than again become involved on a state-wide level. Motion that WEMSA advertise to all state EMS medical directors regarding the open position for the Association Medical Director. Applications due by March 15, 2004. The Executive Board will determine final candidates for confirmation at the April meeting, second by Allen. All in favor, None Opposed. Motion carried.
Hot Sheet E-Mail Subscriptions: Hunjadi recommends that the Association address the multiple requests for proving the Hot Sheets to more than one person under the same subscription by creating a “Service Subscription” to the Hot Sheets. Any Service or Corporate members would be allowed to have the Hot Sheets sent to any and all associates listed under their membership with a valid e-mail address. Only Service and Corporate members would be eligible for this version of delivery. The cost would be $75/year regardless of the number of associates listed. Motion by Bennett second by Teale to offer e-mail Hot Sheet subscriptions to all service/corporate members at a $75 service rate for any member associate. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Other Old Business: Werner asked about the process used with the motion regarding Jon Schultz. The process as written in current policies and by-laws was reviewed by board members and appears to have been followed as written.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Schilder, second by Allen to move to closed session to discuss contracts and personnel issues. All in favor, none opposed. Moved to closed session. Motion by Werner second by McCarrier to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Werner second by TeStroete to extend Joe Covelli’s current contract until April 1, 2004 for the purposes of re-negotiating this contract. TeStroete to head a committee along with Allen and Bennett. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Wener second by Allen to use the same committee to renegotiate Hunjadi’s contract. 9 In favor, 1 abstain. Motion carried.
Board of Directors Election: A total of four candidates applied for the four open positions on the Board of Directors. No election was held due to the even number of candidates and positions. An application by Michael L. Krueger of West Bend was withdrawn shortly after the close of nominations as he has been activated for military service. The remaining two candidates, Larry TeStroete and William P. Manis II create a violation of current bylaws which prohibit greater than three Board of Directors being affiliated with or employed by the same entity, enterprise, agency, ambulance service, fire department, hospital, labor union, teaching institution or any other group, or firm related to the field of emergency medical services, from serving on the board at the same time. Both TeStroete and Manis are teachers at Lakeshore Technical College as are current board members Mary Schilder and Blaine Werner. The WEMSA attorney was contacted and provided the following direction for the board. 1. The provision is lawful and he believes prudent. 2. WEMSA can alter the bylaws to allow for “no greater than four” candidates. 3. An election be held by the membership to determine the successful candidate. 4. Future elections would take into account the same or similar situations by having an “election within an election” where the highest votes would determine the winners except that the lower of votes for those involved in the conflict of bylaw eligibility would be defeated potentially allowing someone with less total votes to become the successful candidate. A lengthy discussion was held on the options. Amending the bylaws requires a ¾ majority of the members of the board. It became apparent that less than ¾ favor allowing four individuals from the same local organization to serve on the board at the same time. “Motion by Allen second by Bennett that an election be held for the existing board member position to resolve the number cap as per current bylaws and that this procedure be followed for future elections. 7 in favor, 2 opposed, 1 abstain. Motion carried.
Board Member Responsibilities and Participation: Meeker directed a somewhat brief discussion regarding the participation of members of the board along with their responsibilities. He previously had discussed this issue privately with individual board members prior to the meeting. Lack of some board members attending all meetings, participating in projects and following through on commitments was sited. Potential to bring in an outside person to help educate the board on roles and responsibilities was discussed. Including the topic for discussion during the next planning session was discussed. No action taken.
Project USEMSA: Covelli provided information on one of several proposals to increase the national exposure and support of EMS. Project USEMSA seeks to create a federal government office for EMS similar to that of the US Fire Administration. There is various support and opposition to this on a national basis. Motion by Allen second by McCarrier to support the concept of a United States EMS Administration and convey this support to Wisconsin Senator Fiengold and the supporters attempting to create such an administration. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
2004 Budget: The general association budget for 2004 was provided by Hunjadi. Proposed general expenses, excluding that of the annual conference, are $277,530 with $120,000 coming from membership fees and the remainder from other sources (conference, Hot Sheets, investments, advertising, etc.). Hunjadi walked board members through a line item review of the budget and answered questions. Motion by TeStroete second by Allen to approve the annual budget as presented. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn by Allen second by McCarrier. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:48 PM.