Wisconsin EMS Association
Board of Directors Meeting
April 21, 2007

Present: Allen, Averbeck, Barker, Carey, Hornby, Hunjadi, Ihler, McCarrier, Meeker, Schilder, Schindler, Van Buren

Notified Absent: Teale

Meeting called to order by President Meeker at 10:01 AM

Motion by Schilder, second by Van Buren to approve the January 2007 meeting minutes with a change to the committee for the executive directors contract by removing Averbeck and replacing with Barker. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

President:  Nothing

Secretary/Treasurer:  Nothing

Executive Director:  Hunjadi reviewed some of the changes to the Association web site including a brand new section for the media and general public and pages to electronically accept speaker proposals for the conference. Other more minor changes were also completed. Daily updates to the web site continue. The association has opened an account with stamps.com in order to better facilitate mailing the large packages of member items with the first responder bags as well as streamlining the mailing routines by printing postage directly on the envelopes at the same time that the address is printed. Cost for the service with unlimited postage is $16/month.

Conference:  Meeker provided updated information on the 2008 Working Together conference. Many sessions are now in place, sponsorships are being taken and the first expo hall mailing will be going out in May. There have been several changes to the conference structure as well as the various department managers. Several areas have been combined resulting in a total of four directors/managers instead of seven. Justin Klis has been promoted to the assistant conference director position.

2007 Cruise: Schilder and Barker reported on the March 2007 conference. While the total number of cabins sold was decreased to 102, they both believe that the event was well received. Several people did report their concern/disappointment that association officials were not in attendance including Meeker and Hunjadi. It was pointed out to them that the association vice-president, secretary/treasurer along with a board member and staff member did participate. An evaluation form is being sent out to everyone that participated to gain their feedback.

2008 Cruise: Hunjadi provided information from Magic Carpet Travel regarding a potential cruise to Alaska in July or August 2008. While cabins appear reasonably priced at Inside 670.00, Oceanview 970.00 and Balcony 1,120.00, port charges are nearly $350 per person and air fare from Carnival is currently running at $709. That would put the least expensive option at $1,729 with balcony cabins topping out at $2,179. Shore excursions are much more expensive in Alaska as well. It is anticipated that potential cruisers know that Alaska will be more expensive than the Caribbean. The largest problem being encountered right now is the ability to get a large enough block of cabins at these rates. It is feared that they may only provide 50 cabins and then raise the price substantially on the others. Unlike Caribbean cruises where there are often more cabins available than people to fill them, the lower number of ships and short season for Alaska cruises nearly always results in sell outs. The cruise lines do not want to deeply discount the rates if they will sell them out without doing so. Options were provided to the board and discussion was held on the potential event. Motion by Van Buren second by Barker to move forward with an Alaska cruise. All in favor none opposed. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

By Laws: No action could be taken because the changes were not prepared in time. They will be provided to the members of the board prior to the July meeting in accordance with the by laws to be acted on at the July meeting.

State EMS Office Items: Meeker reported that he, Hunjadi and our lobbyist Forbes McIntosh were finally able to meet with DHFS officials. Information regarding our perceptions and concerns over the state EMS office was provided. They responded that they did not believe there was a significant problem and would not want WEMSA or any other group to seek legislation to mandate how they spend their money or staff the various positions. They also provided their displeasure with recent articles published by WEMSA that they believe were untruthful. Hunjadi revealed the sources of the information including the past section chief, Dan Williams. The officials seemed extremely surprised with that information. The meeting failed to produce anything tangible other than a better understanding of their position on the issue. Two of the officials that we met with will no longer be on the job by this summer and will be replaced.

Affiliation with NAEMT: Meeker provided the latest information regarding affiliation with the National Association of EMTs. Following our meeting in January, they did indeed make a change to their bylaws that will allow the affiliated state organization to name whomever they would like as the voting delegate. The one year membership restriction has been lifted. Discussion was held regarding affiliating with most board members feeling that since they have addressed our largest concern, we should go ahead and complete the affiliation contract. Motion by Allen second by Van Buren to affiliate with the NAEMT as the Wisconsin representative organization. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Group Buying Program Contracts: Hunjadi and Ihler reported on the contracts for medical supplies as well as radios and pagers and defibrillators. Tri-anim was again awarded the supplies contract. However, a second source was also awarded with that going to Emergency Medical Products (EMP). While EMP was again very difficult to deal with through the process and while pricing from both companies resulted in about half of the items from Tri-anim being cheaper and the other half from EMP being cheaper, the fact that over 90% of the Wisconsin EMS Association market share currently goes to either EMP or Tri-anim makes the duel source contract the most prudent. EMP also maintains a solid base of WEMSA members who evidently refuse to stay on contract or make a change. Membership education needs to continue in order to make the group buying program work effectively. General Communications was again selected for pagers and radios. This contract has done very well for Gen Com and for WEMSA members throughout the past four years. Pricing continues to be lower than just about any other source. The AED and defibrillator contract went again to ZOLL Medical as a sole source. Once again ZOLL has lowered their AED price, this time to $1,095. This price simply cannot be matched anywhere including for refurbished machines which often sell for hundreds more. The landscape for this group buying product was altered with the hold on Physio Control from the FDA. They were not able to bid. All of the contracts are in place until December 31, 2008.

Executive Directors Contract:  Mindy Allen handed out several items related to the Executive Director’s contract. Her committee has completed their tasks as well as discussed options with Hunjadi. Board members asked Hunjadi questions and held additional discussion. Motion by Schultz second by Schilder to move into closed session to discuss personnel items. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Hunjadi voluntarily left the room for the meeting to continue in closed session. Motion by Schilder second by Schinidler to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed. The motion carried and the meeting returned to open session.  Motion by Barker, second by McCarrier to offer Hunjadi a three year contract to run April 1 2007 through March 31, 2010 at an annual rate of $74,500 for the first year, $77, 000 for the second year and $80,000 for the third year of the contract. In addition to the annual amounts, a $10,000 signing bonus will be awarded upon execution of the contract and an $8,000 performance bonus will be provided for 2006 for Hunjadi’s extra work in covering the sales and public relations position from April through September and the unprecedented increase in profit to the association at year end. Ten in favor, zero against, and one abstain. Motion carried.

Employee Contract Status and Potential Bonus Compensation: Motion by Van Buren second by Barker to return to closed session. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried and the meeting returned again to closed session. Motion by Carey second by McCarrier to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed. Meeting returned to open session. Motion by Averbeck, second by McCarrier to award Debi Blazei a performance bonus of $1,000 for housing 7,500 first responder bags at her residence and the substantial increase in work load in shipping the bags including the need for lifting assistance as well as additional work time applied during November through January resulting in many weeks exceeding the contracted 20 hour limit. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

2008 Conference Budget: The proposed conference budget was provided to board members and reviewed by Hunjadi. The proposed budget allocates a total of $300,000 in expenses for the annual conference. A limited number of changes were made over the previous year. The four conference director/manager positions have had a stipend increase to $2,000 each and the annual payment for the conference director has been increased from $18,000 to $21,000. This is the first increase for either of these positions in seven years. The speaker budget was set at $32,000, facility rental line item was increased to $30,000 and the total food and break budget was increased to $110,000. The conference budget is separate and apart from the general account including a separate checking account and budget line items. Motion by VanBuren second by Barker to accept the conference budget with one change for expo expenses. All in favor, none opposed. Motion Carried.

Mandated Driver Training: WEMSA has been contacted by a legislator on behalf of his constituent to address the issue of driver training for emergency vehicles. The constituent’s wife was killed in an intersection crash in 2005. Hunjadi will be meeting with several officials in Madison later in the month and will attempt to convey the concern and cost of training nearly 30,000 people in Wisconsin. Current crash statistics place Wisconsin well below national averages including ten years without a fatal ambulance crash from 1992 – 2002. Hunjadi will also provide information regarding the pending WEMSA position statement regarding emergency vehicle operations along with plans for education on the issue. The position statement will be ready for approval at the July meeting.

Job Protection Legislation: The association continues to receive inquires regarding legislation that would protect volunteer EMTs and First Responders who arrive late to work as a result of being on an emergency call. Previous legislative attempts looked at mandating the release of volunteers to respond to a call. The State Fire Fighter’s Association and State Fire Chief’s Association are both interested in pursuing this legislation with WEMSA. Hunjadi has obtained similar laws now on the books in nearly ten other states. These may be used to pattern a Wisconsin law after. Motion by Averbeck that WEMSA moves forward with job protection legislation second by Carey. All in favor, none opposed motion carried.

EMS Training Center: In accordance with the current WEMSA strategic plan and in an effort to potentially offer additional education at the annual conference as well as other venues, the Wisconsin EMS Association is considering become a certified training center. This might also allow for the offering of EMT-Basic initial and refresher courses in areas of Wisconsin that currently find it difficult to host a class in their area. The initial goal is to obtain approval as a certified training center at the EMT-Basic level only. Motion by Allen to purse a certified Wisconsin training center through the State of Wisconsin, second by Averbeck. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Use of Focus Groups: Meeker raised the issue of obtaining more input and buy-in to the association from current and potential members. He is suggesting we consider holding some focus group meetings that would seek to bring together various levels of care or components of the EMS system. This could allow, for example, first responders to meet in a forum to provide their input and concerns to association and state officials. Motion by Averbeck to aggressively look into the feasibility of focus groups second by Schindler. All in favor, none opposed. Motion  carried.

Travel Web Site: Hunjadi reported that he has been approached by a national company to offer a travel web site to members as part of the group buying program. The site would operate much like Travelocity, Hotels.com and the other industry travel webs sites including the same or similar pricing. A portion of the commission would be retained by the Wisconsin EMS Association. The thought is that if members are going to purchase on-line travel anyway, why not purchase it in a manner that provides revenue to their organization as long as prices remain the same. Board members discussed the idea. Motion by Van Buren, second by McCarrier to investigate launch of a travel web site for membership bookings with commissions going to the organization. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Dress Attire For Board Members: Meeker raised his concern regarding the questionable dress attire of several board members during the annual meeting. He is concerned that because there is no formal dress or policy that board members are not always using their best judgment in clothing for public functions. He would like to have the board consider providing some standard apparel for board members only to be used for official association business and functions. Hunjadi will come back with samples and ideas for dress attire.

Election of Officers: Nominations for executive officer one year terms were opened by president Meeker. The only nomination for association president is Richard Meeker. Motion by McCarrier, second by Hornby to cast a unanimous ballot for Richard Meeker. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Nominations were then opened for Vice-President. Fred Hornby and Mindy Allen were both nominated and accepted. A ballot vote was completed resulting in a tie of 5-5. Following the tie Hornby declined the nomination. Allen was elected as Vice-President. Nominations were opened for Secretary/Treasurer. Mary Schilder was the only candidate nominated. Motion by McCarrier, Second by Averbeck to cast a unanimous ballot for Schilder. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Nominations were opened for the executive board position of past president because the immediate past president is no longer on the board of directors. Fred Hornby and Karen Barker were both nominated and accepted. A ballot vote was completed resulting in a tie vote of 5-5. Following the tie Hornby again declined the nomination. Barker was elected to the past President’s position.

Motion by McCarrier second by Van Buren to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 PM.