Present: Allen, Barker, Covelli, Hunjadi, McCarrier, Meeker, Schilder, Teale TeStroete

Notified Absent: Bennett, Lintz

Called to order by President Meeker at 10:05 AM.

Motion by Schilder second by McCarrier to approve the January 2005 minutes as written. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.

President: Meeker welcomed two new board members, Karen Smith and Joe Covelli. Introductions were completed. Cal Lintz has sent a letter of resignation from the board due to being unable to commit the time necessary to fulfill his obligations at the level he would like to complete them at. Motion by Allen second by TeStroete to accept the resignation of Cal Lintz. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried. Meeker reported on the recent VOTEC issue regarding complaints about an e-mail technical assistance response provided to a member. A document responding to the concerns was released by the Executive Board and is available on the Association’s web site. Board members have had no additional feedback following posting of the position letter. Meeting minutes from the Fire/EMS Legislative Coalition were passed around. State to state mutual aid assistance was briefly discussed.

Vice President: Nothing

Secretary/Treasurer:  Nothing

Executive Director: Hunjadi reported that the web site redesign has been completed. This was a monumental undertaking involving creating a members-only section, increasing E-commerce abilities and the completion of over 150 total pages. Mike Schneider did much of the work and will be responsible for future maintenance. Meeker asked that Schneider be commended for his work. A new telephone system using Internet voice over IP technology has been installed. The change will provide significantly more flexibility including the ability for any staff member to answer the 800 number at any location in the world. All telephone features as well as unlimited long distance is included in one monthly fee. The change will reduce telephone costs by $125 each month on average. Hunjadi discussed staff changes that will begin May 1, 2005. Schneider will move to a part time position with a tentative title of manager of media services. His job duties will focus on print publications, web site, media communications and other technology and communications roles. He will no longer complete telephone answering duties, data entry or other executive assistant or clerical responsibilities. Hunjadi will be looking to hire a new executive assistant by September. Hunjadi discussed his decision to not seek reappointment to the EMS Advisory Board. His decision had multiple reasons and has the support of the Executive Board.  

Steve Teale joined the meeting at 10:55 AM

Sales/Public Relations Director Covelli provided a report on the most recent membership growth and magazine advertising sales. The May-June issue of EMS Professionals will include 51 advertisers with billing in excess of $16,000. The 64 page EMS Week issue is the largest magazine ever published by the Association. Advertising sales are on target to reach $60,000 for the year.

Conference: The 2005 conference is nearly closed out. Final bills with the Hilton and a few remaining expenses are pending. The conference will close approximately $30,000 down in revenue over 2004. The 2006 conference line-up is more than 50% complete and will utilize many of the best speakers from the past ten years. The conference committee will meet next in two weeks.

OLD BUSINESS

Vice-President TeStroete assumed the chair in Meeker’s absence following the break.

Group Buying Program:  Covelli provided information on bids for a Group Buying battery contract. The proposals include batteries for most EMS needs including defibrillators, pagers, two-way radios, flashlights and other items. Several board members commented that the pricing from Alpha Source was significantly lower than they are currently paying through other vendors and manufacturers. Motion by TeStroete second by McCarrier to approve Alpha Source as the Group Buying partner for batteries on a two year contract. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

President Meeker returned to the meeting and assumed the chair.

Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association & Chiefing 101: Covelli reported on the latest communications from the State Fire Chief’s Association. They continue to take a very conservative role compared to their stance at their annual conference last year with any consideration for affiliations or shared staff. They voted not to participate at the Working Together 2006 conference with Chiefing 101. The conference committee will discuss producing our own Chiefing 101 without their assistance. President Meeker asks that we send a letter of closure indicating we will pursue no further discussions at this time but will leave the door open should the Fire Chief’s Association wish to reconsider and to re-open discussions in the future.

Bylaw Changes Committee: Allen reported that the committee still has not met and that at this time she does not have the time to attempt to chair this committee. Several of the committee members are no longer on the board with their terms having expired. A short discussion was held. All board members are directed to review the bylaws and create a list of concerns and changes for possible future action. An electronic copy will be provided to all board members to assist in the review.

Office Land Purchase: Hunjadi reported on the latest discussions with the land owner of the parcel of interest to the Association along the Hwy 36 corridor. The owner asked that the board consider a purchase price of $120,000. Discussion was held including member comments at the annual meeting regarding location not being in Madison. With all but one staff member currently living in Southeast Wisconsin and none of them willing to relocate, board members do not believe it makes sense to build an office in a location that will force the organization to replace all but one of its current staff members. The ability and potential to sell at a profit and relocate to Madison or Milwaukee in the future remains high. Motion by TeStroete to offer $110,000 for land purchase with ability for the Executive Board to finalize negotiations. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Scope of Practice: Hunjadi updated the board on the second draft of the national scope of practice. The critical care paramedic level has been eliminated from the draft. A level very close to the current Wisconsin IV Technician has been created. Early reviews of the draft seem to indicate that multiple problematic issues still remain for Wisconsin. Deadline to comment on the second draft is June 1, 2005. Motion by TeStroete that a position letter of response be drafted for the Association including consultation with the Bureau of EMS for approval by the WEMSA Board in time to meet the June 1, 2005 deadline. Second by Schilder. 8 in favor, 1 opposed. Motion carried.

Telephone Fund Raising: A brief discussion was held on the potential to use telephone fund raising to aid in recruitment of EMTs in rural areas. There was a lack of support for the idea at the annual meeting on Saturday with many in attendance urging the board not to move forward with any plans. Motion by TeStroete second by Teale to lay on the table the issue of telephone fund raising based on the input from the annual meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Strategic Plan Document:  The strategic plan was reviewed and checked for progress.

NEW BUSINESS

Midwest Airlines: Covelli reported on his two meetings with representatives at the Milwaukee offices of Midwest Airlines. Initially the Association approached the airline regarding conference involvement and corporate sponsorship.  However, they have requested to work toward becoming the official airline of the Wisconsin EMS Association and are willing to provide complimentary flights for speakers and other association business as well as discounted rates for attendees and exhibitors coming to the annual conference and for general air travel by Association members. There was some concern by board members for the lack of locations currently served by the airline. Other board members felt that the number of direct flights and the ability to partner with a Wisconsin-based airline overshadowed potential shortcomings of destinations. Motion by TeStroete to pursue a partnership with Midwest Airlines as the official airline of the Wisconsin EMS Association. Second by McCarrier. All in favor, None opposed.  Motion carried.

2006 Conference Budget: Hunjadi presented the 2005 conference budget and explained that with this budget not yet complete and a lack of time to prepare the new budget he was asking for board approval to carry over the current budget until the July 2005 meeting. Motion by Schilder to carry over the conference budget for three months. Second by Allen. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.

ZOLL AED Winner: Their were 23 organizations who joined as Service/Corporate members during the latest eligibility period for the ZOLL AED Plus giveaway. Names were prepared on small paper strips and placed into an envelope to be drawn. Madeline Island Ambulance was drawn from the envelope as the AED winner.

Annual Meeting Action Items: Discussion on several items following the annual meeting was held. Topics included leadership training, an on-line certification course for EMS leaders, and a statewide recruitment drive for 2006. The need for leadership training and the goal to provide on-line education are both items from the 2005-2006 strategic plan. Meeker suggests we meet with national companies currently providing on-line EMS education and work toward creating our own on-line certification course for Wisconsin EMS directors. Members clearly showed support for completing another statewide recruitment drive much like the one completed in 2002. Multiple discussions were held. Motion by Schilder second by TeStroete to conduct a statewide recruitment drive during EMS Week 2006 with a training session offered the second day of the 2006 Informational & Annual meeting potentially held toward the end of February or early March 2006. All in favor, None opposed. Motion carried.

Election of Officers: Election for one year terms for Association officers was held. President: Richard Meeker was the only individual nominated for the office of President. Motion by Teale second by McCarrier for unanimous ballot for Meeker. 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstain. Motion carried. Vice-President: Larry TeStroete was the only individual nominated for the office of Vice-President. Motion by Meeker second by Covelli for unanimous ballot for TeStroete. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Secretary/Treasurer: Mary Schilder was the only individual nominated for the office of Secretary/Treasurer. Motion by Teale second by TeStroete for unanimous ballot for Schilder. All in favor. None Opposed. Motion carried. Past President: Nominations were opened for the position of Past President. Both Allen and McCarrier were nominated and accepted. A paper ballot election was held.  Results were 6 for Allen, 2 for McCarrier, 1 write-in for TeStroete – later explained as confused when the ballot was being completed. Allen was elected for the one year term of past president.

EMS Cruise: A report on the recent EMS Cruise was inadvertently omitted from the agenda and raised at this time. Hunjadi reported briefly on the event which included approximately 450 participants. Revenue to the Association is anticipated to be approximately $15,000 from commissions and advertising. Concern was raised regarding more family and friends participating than EMS providers than in previous years. Concern was also raised regarding how the EMS Cruise meets with the mission of the Wisconsin EMS Association. Hunjadi suggests we consider adding continuing education to the EMS Cruise on days at sea. There is potential for 6 or 8 hours of CEUs to be offered during the cruise over three or four sessions. Education may increase EMT involvement and will help to meet the Association’s mission of “promoting education and sharing information.” Consensus by board members to begin providing education on the cruise. Hunjadi and Meeker will explore the potential of hiring a national quality, entertaining EMS educator to participate in a future cruise.

Code of Ethics Statement:  Allen raised the issue of the current Board of Directors code of ethics statement and board members reaffirming compliance annually. Discussion on the issue was held. Hunjadi raised concern that we may not be enforcing the current code of ethics document and signing it annually will not increase enforcement. Motion by Allen that the board of directors signs the code of ethics statement on an annual basis. Second by TeStroete. 6 in favor 3 opposed. Motion carried.

Affiliation with National Association of EMTs: Teale raised the issue of affiliation with NAEMT. The issue has been discussed multiple times in the past, most recently in January 2003. Teale reports he was recently approached by current NAEMT President Ken Bouvier. Meeker reports he has also had discussions with Bouvier and attended the NAEMT annual meeting last September in Atlanta at Bouvier’s request. Board members have continued concern regarding what benefits the NAEMT will bring to WEMSA and its members. Board members were interested in hearing directly from Bouvier and are willing to meet with him to discuss the issue. Consensus is to invite Bouvier or another representative from NAEMT to meet with the board at a special meeting or to attend the July or October WEMSA board meeting.

Motion by McCarrier second by TeStroete to adjourn. All in favor none opposed. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 PM.