Wisconsin EMS Association
Board of Directors Meeting
April 6, 2003 - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

 

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

Notified Absent: Merrill, Teale

Guests: Jon Morgan, Nan Turner, Debi Blazei, Mike Krueger

Called to order by President Meeker at 12:00.

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

President: Meeker reported on several recent telephone calls with representatives of the Wisconsin State Firefighter’s Association regarding WEMSA’s plans to expand the conference to include fire apparatus and exhibits as well as some fire-based classes. Some of the leadership of the fire association views the move as competitive. They also stated they would have liked WEMSA to discuss this with them prior to making the changes. Meeker assured them that the association has no current plans to change its scope and that the inclusion of fire-based information was solely due to the large number of people that attend Working Together each year including the large number of firefighters. Their convention typically has 400 attendees. Meeker also reported on the recent legislative breakfast held in Madison. He and Joe Covelli attended as representatives of WEMSA. About 12 legislators were presented which is less than typical.

Vice President: Nothing

Secretary/Treasurer: Nothing

Executive Director: Hunjadi provided current membership and financial information for the board members present. He would like to do a complete redesign of the Association web site. Most of the current content would be retained. Some new items would be added. It has been 2 ˝ years since the site was redesigned and a fresher look is needed. Hunjadi plans to consult with the graphic designer that assisted with the last redesign. Motion by Schultz second by Allen to a complete graphic redesign of the web site with some content additions. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.  Hunjadi would like to freshen the look of the magazine. The current design started in 1999. This would not be a complete redesign but rather a fresh look for the existing columns and departments. The front cover would likely stay the same. He would like to potentially add one additional monthly column along with a letters to the editor section. The same consulting designer that was used last time and that will do the web site will be used again this time. Motion by Bennett, second by McCarrier to freshen the look of the magazine with proofs to come before prior implementation. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carries.  Hunjadi discussed current computer equipment to get input on how current the Board of Directors wants to stay. The newest computer currently is a Pentium III. The lap top is a Pentium II. The general consensus of the board was to keep our IT equipment current. Motion by Allen that equipment purchases for computers and office equipment go through the executive committee as needed. Second by Werner. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Sales and Public Relations Director: Covelli provided a brief report of the recent presentations to the EMS Section staff and to the EMS Advisory Board at their March meeting. Jon Morgan and Nan Turner of the Bureau of EMS and Injury Prevention were present at the meeting to discuss these presentations as well as other concerns. Turner reported that her staff members try very hard and were very upset with the comments that were presented by the Wisconsin EMS Association. Meeker assured her that the information provided was not as a personal attack. The invitation to make a presentation was made by the EMS Advisory Board following the meeting with them earlier in the year. They did not direct the content of the presentation however. Covelli commented that all of the information that was provided at the EMS Advisory Board meeting was presented to the leadership of the EMS Section two days prior to the meeting. No feedback regarding concerns for the information and handouts that were to be used was communicated to WEMSA prior to the EMS Advisory Board meeting. Morgan and Tuner believe that some people’s expectations for the EMS Office may not be realistic. Discussion followed regarding both the Wisconsin EMS Associations concerns and the concerns of the EMS Section.

Conference:  2003 Conference:  Hunjadi briefly recapped the 2003 conference. Attendance was down slightly from the 2002 conference. Financial outcomes were nearly identical to that of 2002. 2004 Conference: Meeker talked about future conference items. The committee is back to meeting every month and has a greatly expanded task list due to all of the changes that will take place at the new location. Exhibitor reservations along with sponsorships are already being taken. Currently over $30,000 in exhibit space and sponsorships has been received. Typically these recipes do not begin until mid-May. The Hilton Hotel already has more room nights booked than were taken through the end of the conference at the Four Points. Meeker, Covelli and Mike Blazei (exhibit hall director) attended the JEMS conference in Philadelphia to view the exhibit hall as well as scout for speakers. Marketing will start in the summer with brochures planned for an earlier release.

Legislative: Hunjadi reported that Tom Liebe has been commissioned as the third lobbyist registered for the Wisconsin EMS Association. He has been with Broderick and Associates for several years but is also a newly licensed Wisconsin EMT. Broderick asked that he be commissioned at their expense. Forbes McIntosh will remain the lead lobbyist for the association. Progress is being made on the budget bill amendment to allow FAP funding to cover all EMS training and to remove the requirement that the money be sent directly to the training centers. This move was approved by the Board several meetings ago.

OLD BUSINESS

Association Cruise: Hunjadi reported on the second Wisconsin EMS Cruise. Commissions returned to the Association are anticipated to be around $10,000. Hunjadi found out that the ship was only about 60% full four weeks prior to sailing. Through discounting and other promotions, Carnival was able to push the ship full by the time of sailing. Because of the last minute discounts, he was able to negotiate with the travel agent and cruise line to obtain a $100 per person shipboard credit as well as cabin upgrades for the members of the Board. With the travel business as soft as it is, pricing on cruises has become as hard to predict as pricing on airlines. The discounts and upgrades clearly indicate that Carnival appreciates our business. Concern remains that we not help sell future cruises at higher rates than passengers might otherwise obtain on their own. No discussion regarding a future cruise was held.

Meetings with DHFS: Additional discussion was held regarding the goal of improving the efficiency and responsiveness of the state EMS office. Some board members believe that the office is involved in work that may not be necessary. Meeker noted that the EMS Section leadership was looking for examples of items the board believes they may no longer need to be involved in. Examples board members came up with include feasibility studies for the IV Tech level. Some portions of the operational plans, including site visits at the IV Tech level. EMT-Basic reciprocity when the applicant is currently Nationally Registered. Some educational issues. Publication of Hi-Lights and Sirens. Some board members reported on the misunderstanding of some groups with the presentation that was made at the EMS Advisory Board meeting. These groups believe that the information provided was done as a complete surprise to the leadership of the EMS Section. They have no knowledge that the information was provided prior to the meeting in order for the information and handouts not to come as a surprise. Covelli reported that there were several individuals and one EMS organization in attendance at the EMS Advisory Board meeting who joined the association after the presentation was made. No direct communication regarding concerns has been made to the association. Future meetings with Ken Baldwin are scheduled.

Meetings with EMS Board: Meeker reported on recent contact he has had with Dan Williams, the chairman of the EMS Advisory Board. Williams has questioned whether the board has a role in the current problems identified by WEMSA. He has stated that some of the particular information that is being provided by WEMSA should not be going to the EMS Advisory Board. WEMSA Board members voiced their concern that it was the EMS Advisory Board who asked to be involved and specifically requested a meeting with WEMSA. At that meeting they further requested that WEMSA provide detailed information including specifics and they stated that they believe it is their role to be involved in such activities. They further requested that WEMSA come to them with future concerns of this nature and that they be kept informed of progress. Jon Morgan stated that he believes WEMSA may be misinterpreting the message coming from Williams and suggests WEMSA further talk with him to clarify. Motion by Hunjadi second by Werner that we request a meeting with the EMS Advisory Executive Board to meet with them after their May meeting to figure out what their final involvement is. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Conference Name Change: The members of the conference division voted to change the name of the annual conference to better reflect the change in scope and size.  Discussion was held among board members including several samples provide by both Hunjadi and Schilder for potential names and sub names. Motion by Werner to title the conference Working Together with a subhead of Emergency Services Midwest Conference & Exposition. Second by Bennett. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carries.

Performance Review Items: The review for the Executive Director, Sales/Public Relations Director and Administrative Assistant positions were discussed. Prior to moving to closed session Covelli provided a review of some sales data related to membership, advertising and conference corporate sponsors as well as other performance items from his duties. Motion by Allen second by Schilder to move into closed session to discuss personnel matters. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.  Covelli, Blazei and all guests left the meeting. Following discussion regarding the Sales/Public Relations Director and Administrative Assistant positions, Hunjadi left the meeting. Motion by Schilder second by Allen to return to open session.  Motion by TeStroete to accept the Covelli performance evaluation provided by the executive director along with Covelli’s report and to award $2,500 as a bonus. Second by Schilder. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Bennett second by Schilder to increase the administrative secretary wage to $12.50 and to thank Blazei for her work. All in favor none opposed. Motion by Werner second by Schilder that all mileage rates for future contracts are at the Federal tax deduction rate. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by TeStreoete second by Schultz. to thank Hunjadi for his work and to propose an increase in wage to $58,000 annually for a one year contract and a $2,500 bonus for his efforts over the past year. All in favor, none opposed, one abstain. Motion carried. Covelli expressed concern that a bonus, salary increase or other expenses will reduce his commission based on current contract language. Some discussion followed. Schilder asked what the board could do to address the situation. Covelli stated he did not have any suggestions at the current time. Motion by Allen to direct the Executive Board to review the issue and have a recommendation at the July meeting. Second by Schultz. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

CISD Article for EMS Professionals:  Board members were previously provided with an article on CISD by Dr. Bryan Bledsoe scheduled to run in the May-June issue of EMS Professionals. Due to the potential controversial nature of the article, Hunjadi asked that the board approved its publication. Motion by Schilder second by TeStroete to run the CISD article in the May issue. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

2004 Conference Budget:  Hunjadi reviewed budget changes from the 2003 conference. Significant changes were expanded upon. Motion by Werner second by TeStroete to approve the budget and line items as presented. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

EMT-Intermediate to Paramedic Transition: Discussion was held regarding a curriculum that has been created by a respected Wisconsin educator designed to transition a new EMT-Intermediate to the Paramedic level. Dr. Rick Barney the state medical director supports looking at this curriculum with the potential to pilot test it. Several DHFS staff members have previously unofficially voiced their support. The section chief has rejected to have the EMS Advisory Board or Physician Advisory Committee formally review the concept and continues to refuse a pilot test. Motion by Schilder to support pilot testing and evaluation of an Intermediate to Paramedic bridge course. Second by McCarrier. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Motion by Bennett second by Allen to adjourn. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.

Action Items