Wisconsin EMS Association
Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2001 - Appleton, Wisconsin

 

Present:  Meeker, Hunjadi, TeStroete, Schilder, McCarrier, Weir, Teale, Allen, Schultz, Hackett

Notified Absent:  Blount

Absent Without Notice: Playman

Guests/Others Present: Blaine Warner

Meeting called to order by President Meeker at 12:45 PM following lunch

Motion by TeStroete second by Schilder to approve the January 2001 minutes as written. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carries

Officers/Division Reports and Actions

President: Introduction of new and current members of the board for 2001-2002 terms. Meeker thanked outgoing board members Timothy Weir and Mark Madigan for their years of service to the Association. McCarrier, Teale, Merril and Playman are the next terms open on the board with elections to be held at the end of 2001 for terms ending March, 2002.

Meeker briefly discussed the recent meeting with the leadership of DHFS.  The senior leadership of the Department appears very interested to work with WEMSA in identifying problem areas and issues that can be resolved as well as items that can be improved within the EMS Office. John Chapin of DHFS requests that we continue to meet so they can respond to  our complaints. Meeker would like the Association to survey our members to obtain more detailed information on their concerns and complaints regarding the Bureau of EMS. We would then bring this information to future meetings with DHFS. This would be a modification of the letter to services originally postponed at the January 2001 meeting.

Executive Director: Hunjadi reported on the new board member orientation which took place the previous Sunday. New Board Members were provided with an overview of the association including finances, operations, publishing, office operations, board member expectations, and an orientation as to recent and current initiatives.

Public Relations Director:  Mindy Allen has been appointed to the Length of Service awards board as the EMS representative. Allen reported that the committee has met three times and has been working on the details of implementing the program for volunteer firefighters and EMTs in the state.  Allen also reported on her activates for participation within the political process for getting people to public hearings, etc. She is expanding contacts in an effort to have people in the Dane County area available on short notice to attend.

Conference: Meeker updated everyone on the 2001 conference. Hunjadi provided attendance and finical statistics. Brief recap and overview of potential locations for future conference locations with downtown Milwaukee being the leading contender. Hunjadi and Meeker will attend the North Dakota state EMS convention April 19-21 to see over 30 speakers. North Dakota is one of two conferences nation-wide that are on par with ours, the other being Salt Lake City. We have invited representatives from North Dakota to attend our conference as well.

Motion by Schilder Second by McCarrier to move to closed session to discuss personnel matters. Moved to Closed Session.

Motion by Schilder second by McCarrier to return to open session.  All in favor. Returned to open session.

Hunjadi reviewed with the Board the proposed budget for the 2002 conference. Expenses are set at $164,450. Meeker requests a change in his contract to allow for a base salary with no provisions for profit percentage. Hunjadi reports that this is consistent with all of the other contractors to the association at this time. Based on the previous two years, this could result in a net increase of $1,500 - $2,000 in the contract. Motion by Schilder second by Merrill to change the method of payment from commission based to salary based and offer a one year contract to Rich Meeker for conference division chair, to be paid monthly. Eight in favor, one abstain. Motion carries. Motion by Hackett to offer Richard Meeker the contract for the 2002 conference division chair at $18,000 annually to be paid in monthly installments. Second by Allen.  Eight in favor, one abstain. Motion carried. Motion by TeStroete second by Teal to approve the 2002 conference budget as presented. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Public Relations Director: Hunjadi reported that following the January Board Meeting, Mindy Allen expressed interest and subsequently presented a proposal for the Sales/P.R. position recently vacated by Blount. Allen’s proposal was very close to the original position description written by Hunjadi about two years ago. The proposal was discussed with the Executive Board. Based on additional job duties, plus prior experience, a negotiated contract of $1,000/month ending on July 1, 2001 was completed. No commission is included in the position. It is anticipated by all parties that this position will become full-time sometime in the future, potentially by year end.  The title created for the position is Public Relations Director.

2001 Association Cruise:  Hunjadi reported on the cruise and provided copies of the last Cruiser’s Newsletter as well as a survey on the cruise that has been mailed to everyone who went. Other than air travel problems, lacking late night and musical entertainment, and a few isolated problem areas, the cruise appears to have been very successful. Based on the negotiated contract with the Cruise Line, the association will receive a net return of about $20,000 for the promotion. This is in addition to the free cruises as well as advertising and conference fees paid by the travel agent. Hunjadi feels this is a good return for the employee staff time, association expenses, and the fact that the association is responsible for bringing the people to the cruise line and the over-all success of the cruise sales. Discussion followed regarding future events. Board members are highly enthusiastic about providing a future travel event. Hunjadi suggested that the Board first evaluate the surveys before deciding on future events. Motion by TeStroete, second by McCarrier to review the surveys at the July meeting and decide for future travel opportunities at the July meeting. Nine in favor, one opposed. Motion carried.

MemberTrak Software: Hunjadi reported on the nightmare that ensued after purchase of the $5,500 MemberTrak software in late January 2001. Many items reported to the association did not prove to be accurate regarding the software. Although Hunjadi still feels the software is workable, the status and strength of the Go Members company, who only very recently bought out Phoenix Solutions, the original creator, is in question. Five employees that he has dealt with at the company during the purchase are no longer there. He then learned that their California office was being closed. It was at this time he requested to use the 30-day return policy and obtain a refund on the software. This process again took six weeks with the company providing extremely poor customer service and all but refusing to refund the payment. Finally, after putting the charge in to contest with our credit card company, Go Members provided the refund. Hunjadi suggests we not pursue further dealings with this company should they even remain in business. No other action is being done on software changes at this time.

Group Buying: Meeker reported on the January 28, 2001 meeting with Matrx Medical for the group buying program. He also reported on conversations and meetings with other medical supply companies, some of whom have been critical about our decision to name one supplier. Meeker feels this helps to confirm that we have made the correct decision in offering expanded group buying to our members. Matrx was asking for a three year contract. However, we have countered with a contract proposal for 2001 only and will re-open for bids in Fall for a two or three year contract. It was pointed out to Matrx they will have an inside opportunity to retain the contract since they will already have an established program. Hunjadi and Meeker feel this would be a fair deal for Matrx. They reluctantly agreed. Hunjadi/Meeker informed them that the full board would have to approve a contract of this nature. Motion by TeStroete second by Teale to approve a contract with Matrx Medical through the end of 2001 as the provider for group buying products to Wisconsin EMS Association Service and Corporate members. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.  All Service and Corporate members have been notified regarding the Group Buying opportunities. Meeker would like to see the Association provide mailed information to all Wisconsin EMS Services including known First Responder Groups.  Staff to complete the mailing.

EMS Week Thank You Promotion: Culvers has donated 3,750 coupons for free Sundaes (value $2.50 with tax in most locations) to be included with the Thank You cards. Hunjadi reports the cards will be self-mailer type and have yet to be designed. Allen reported to President Meeker that staff will design the cards.

Association Survey Results: The results from the most recent membership survey were provided to the members of the Board. A feature article will appear in the May-June 2001 issue of EMS Professionals with the results. Motion by Schultz second by TeStroete to receive the association survey. All in favor, motion carries.

By-Law Change: A proposal to alter the Association by-laws was made at the January, 2001 meeting. In accordance with the by-laws, the proposal must be voted on at a subsequent meeting after the proposal is introduced. Motion by Schilder second by Merrill to change the Association bylaws to require candidates for the Board of Directors to have been a member of the Wisconsin EMS Association a minimum of three years at the time of filing their nomination papers.  All in favor, none opposed. Motion carries.

HFS 112 Rule: Hunjadi provided a complete update on the proposed changes for the Paramedic rules. Association activity in the last 60 days has increased significantly. The rules must be addressed by the current deadline of April 18, 2001. Other political options are available to the legislature at that time. It is felt that there are enough votes in the Assembly Health Committee to pass the rules. However, the Senate committee is less likely to pass the measure. It is even more unlikely that they will even vote on the rule approval. Instead they are asking that a compromise be worked out with the various groups involved in the rule change. Hunjadi and McIntosh continue to work with the Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association, State Medical Society and Wisconsin ACEP. Our four groups are in agreement and have met with Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin several times with another meeting scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2001. The Executive Board will continue to meet on the issue to advise Hunjadi and McIntosh on how to proceed.

NEW BUSINESS

Trauma Plan: The STAC has released their trauma plan as required in the somewhat recent trauma bill. Through the suggestions of Dr. Barney, State Medical Director, as well as several other groups and individuals, the plan includes a provision to make changes to the current funding method for Wisconsin EMS, as well as raise the FAP fund amount from the current $2.2 million to $3 million, hire a First Responder Coordinator as well as several employees and consultants to work on the implementation of the overall trauma plan. This proposal involves adding a $1 surcharge on vehicle registrations and using this money to fund all of the items in the plan. This would free-up current general funds (GPR) for other uses (non-EMS) and would more or less secure stable funding and prevent State EMS employees from being moved or reassigned. The Hospital Association has taken the lead on organizing the support for the change. The plan is to have Joint Finance place the changes into the budget bill. Board members discussed the issue. Concern was expressed by some Board members as to the ability for DHFS to wisely use the funds and employees and not further micro-manage EMS in Wisconsin or individual EMS services. On balance, most Board members felt the change would be healthy for EMS in the state with the potential for improvement outweighing the risks. Motion by TeStroete second by Allen that the Wisconsin EMS Association support the plan provided by the STAC and seek to secure a $1 license charge to fund Wisconsin EMS. All in Favor, None Opposed. Motion Carries.

Executive Director Evaluation: Hunjadi has completed the first year of his current three-year contract with the Association. Contracts run from April to April with pay increases and any evaluations taking place at that time. Motion by Schilder, second by Allen to move to closed session to discuss personnel matters. Moved to closed session.

Motion by TeStroete second by McCarrier to return to open session. Returned to open session.

Board members decided that since a full evaluation, including contact with those Hunjadi routinely works with, was completed last year, an internal (Board only) evaluation will be done this year. Board members expressed their desire for Hunjadi to continue with his innovative ideas and projects as well as continue the many other daily items of his job. Based, in part, due to the expanded profit margin secured for the Association in 2000 and the $20,000 profit obtained from his idea to provide the EMS Cruise, and work in doing the cruise, that 15% of the profit from the cruise be presented as a bonus to Hunjadi. Motion by TeStroete second by McCarrier to offer Hunjadi a bonus of $3,000 for his extra work and activity with the cruise. Nine in favor, none opposed, one abstain. Motion carried. Hunjadi thanked the Board for their continued support for his work and efforts with the Association.

Administrative Assistant Evaluation: Hunjadi asked the Board for direction on how they would like him to proceed with an evaluation for Debi Blazei. Specifically, he would like to know how much involvement the Board wishes to have in the process. Motion by Schilder second by Merrill to have the Executive Director handle the job evaluation and then present it to the Executive Board for action and any possible increase in salary.  All in favor. Motion carries.

National Registry Testing: Several complaints have been received by the Association regarding a recent increase in fail rates for the National Registry EMT-Basic exam. Most complaints revolve around questions having more than one correct answer and many students who carry and complete EMT-Basic school with averages in the 80s or 90s then going on to fail the exam. Teale advised that he feels this is a real problem and has already talked with NREMT about the issue. Several options were discussed for action. Motion by McCarrier, second by TeStroete to send a letter to the National Registry of EMTs expressing concerns for the quality and validity of the current EMT-Basic exams. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Election of Officers: Executive Officers of the association are elected by the members of the 12 person board each year for one year terms. Nominations were opened for president. Richard Meeker and Larry TeStroete were nominated. Nominations were then closed. TeStroete declined his nomination. Motion by Teale, second by McCarrier to cast a unanimous ballot for Meeker. Nine in favor, one abstain, motion carries. Nominations were opened for Vice-President. Larry TeStroete was the only candidate nominated. Nominations were closed. Motion by Hackett second by Teale to cast a unanimous ballot for TeStroete. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Nominations were opened for Secretary-Treasure. Mary Schilder was the only candidate nominated. Nominations were closed. Motion by Teale, second by Hackett to cast a unanimous ballot for Schilder. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carries. As a new President was not elected, Teale will continue to serve on the Executive Board in the position of Past President – elected at the October 2000 meeting.

Review of Books: With a change in the Association’s Secretary-Treasurer, the point was raised regarding providing a review of Association financial records. Review to be performed in the same manner as prior financial reviews. Merrill, TeStroete and Hackett volunteered and were then appointed by President Meeker to serve on the financial review committee. Review to take place at Hunjadi’s office prior to the July 2001 Board meeting. Schilder to coordinate. 

Recognition of Retiring Board Members: Brought under other new business, Meeker questioned whether the association had any policy or should develop a policy to present out-going board members with some form of recognition when they decide to leave the board or fail to be re-elected. Motion by Teale, second by Hackett that retiring Board members completing at least three years (1 term) of service on the Board be presented with a plaque at the annual awards banquet of the Association (held at the annual EMS conference).  All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn the meeting by Teale second McCarrier.  All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 4:43 PM.

Action Items: