Present: Teale, Weir, Merrill, Meeker, Hunjadi, Playman, Zurbuchen, TeStroete, Schilder, Blount,
Notified Absent: McCarrier, Madigan
Called to order by President Meeker at 12:00 PM
Meeker welcomed two new Board members: Marc Playman and Paul Blount. Playman is filling a full three-year term. Blount is filling a one year term.
Motion by Teale second by Schilder to approve the minutes of the January 1999 meeting as presented. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
President Action Items: None
Vice-President: None
Secretary/Treasure: None
Executive Manager: Lap top will not be repaired as was voted on at the last meeting. This is due to the repairs costing more than the computer is potentially worth.
Additional requirements being put on manager's job were discussed. As the association continues to grow, additional staff support will likely be needed. There is a need for someone to participate in political meetings and testimony especially due to drive time from the Wind Lake office to Madison. Additional time is being spent with service members and just general continued growth of the association is necessitating work requirements exceeding the abilities of one person completing tasks. Steve Wunsch and Mike Brewer were two suggestions for individuals that might be good candidates for providing testimony in Madison on WEMSA's behalf. Hunjadi also suggests we begin to look at the free-lance graphics person that re-designed the magazine, logo, T-shirt, etc. to increase his involvement in the association's graphics and publishing areas. Hunjadi will continue to work to identify people to delegate some of these responsibilities to and continue to up-date the board with specific recommendations.
Association Secretary: Meeker raised the thought of a token of appreciation for the out-going hired secretary. Motion by TeStroete second by Madigan to allocate approximately $200 for a weekend get-away package. Schilder expressed concern over setting a precedence. Others saw the motion as a bonus like the financial bonus provided to the secretary in 1997. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Working Together Conference: Hunjadi presented financial and attendance information on the 1999 conference. Meeker briefly discussed evaluations from the 1999 conference. Meeker and Hunjadi met with the Marriott in Middleton to discuss the potential of the conference being held at that facility. They can provide us with only 225 rooms on site - the Four Points provides 425. Total available space would also be reduced - specifically in the exhibit hall. Negotiations are underway to contract for two years at the Four Points.
CQI Workshop: Meeker reported on the Continuous Quality Improvement seminar held in Appleton on March 20, 1999. Dr. Polske, the contracted presenter, suffered a stroke three weeks prior to the event. We were able to replace him with Todd LeDuc of Florida. Costs were greatly increased for flight because of the late booking and needed changes. 78 paid participants attended. Financially, the association did not lose money on the workshop. Limited discussion was held on continuing with a third workshop in 2000 with no decision being made.
First Responder: We received a preliminary draft of the First Responder bill. It was severely lacking in content. Hunjadi has worked with the drafter, with Rep. Johnsrud's permission in an effort to produce a document that reflects the association's objectives. Because of work being done on the budget bill, the next draft was not expected until sometime in May.
Public Access AED: Lengthy discussion was held regarding several components that have been removed from earlier versions of the AED bill. Board members felt mandatory continuing education is essential to being included in this bill. Consensus was to direct association staff to pursue the addition of continuing education into the bill, through appropriate means to achieve accomplishment of this goal.
Other Legislation: Hunjadi updated the board on the other bills that are active or have been introduced. A call to action mailer from President Meeker was mailed to all members in an effort to increase awareness and promote attendance at public hearings.
OLD BUSIENSS
One Paramedic Pilot: Work toward piloting a one-paramedic service will be suspended due to the state's actions toward allowing for one paramedic staffing.
Fire & EMS Legislative Coalition: Our initial request to join the coalition was made on December 15, 1998. As of this date (four months later) no official action has been taken by the Coalition. Motion by TeStroete second by Blount to send a letter to the coalition to ask their disposition on our request to become a member of the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Legislative Leadership Coalition. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Background Checks: Problems continue with the background check law. A large amount of associations and caregivers have now become involved. Motion by Merrill, second by TeStroete, that the Wisconsin EMS Association supports the concept of background checks and supports ambulance services performing background checks on their EMTs. The association however opposes the result of the background checks law and the problems it has created, and fully supports its repeal with regard to the inclusion of Wisconsin EMTs. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
EMS Rule Changes: The Association has been in contact with Jon Morgan and the EMS Board regarding the proposed rule changes - most of which are supported. Several areas, including the need for more-specific data collection requirements, CPR instructor requirements for teaching all advanced skills, and potential to no longer allow anything but epi pens for epinephrine delivery, will be discussed with Morgan and the EMS Board.
Board Member Standards: The final draft of the Board Member Standards document is still needed. Hunjadi will get it from Madigan and distribute.
Spring Planning Session: Consensus from the mail survey was to hold a planning session May 16 & 17 in Milwaukee. Meeker contacted the suggested facilitator to find his availability. Dick Judy, the facilitator, was not available until later in the summer. Meeker suggest that we re-schedule for Fall to hold this session. Motion by TeStroete, second by Zurbuchen to check dates for the second half of September. All in favor none opposed. Motion carried.
National EMS Memorial: Information was presented on the memorial as requested. It appears to be a free-standing group that would have limited involvement from WEMSA other than to make others aware of it and potentially nominate candidates as they occur. Currently two Wisconsin EMTs that died in the line of duty are named.
NEW BUSINESS
2000 Conference Budget: The proposed budget from the conference committee was presented. Motion by Teale, second by Zurbuchen to approve the budget as presented. Six in favor, two opposed, two abstain. Motion carries.
Costs for the conference continue to rise, including a $6,000 anticipated increase in food and break items. 1999 Conference fees were $60 for nonmembers, $55 for members. Motion by Schilder, second by Merrill to set the conference fee for the 2000 conference at $65 per day for non-members and $60 for members. Eight in favor, two opposed. Motion Carried.
Research Forum: Baxter Larmon has made a proposal to the association to sponsor a three day workshop designed to instruct participants in performing research studies for EMS. The workshop would be limited to 32 participants necessitating a cost of approximately $250 per person. He would also present a one day general topic seminar. Proposed location would be the central part of the state - possibly Stevens Point. Concern by members regarding cost and potential audience for the research workshop. Conference staff is directed to obtain further market information for the potential of a 2001 event.
2001 Association Cruise: Hunjadi brought forth the proposal of sponsoring a cruise in conjunction with our 15th annual conference. A cruise would be given away at the conference as part of the promotion. Preliminary costs are at $1,000 per person including flight for a seven day cruise. Motion by Zurbuchen, second by TeStroete that we continue research on a cruise for March, 2001. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carries.
Executive Manager's Review: Suggestion by Meeker to have the Executive Board complete a review of the Executive Manager and report its findings to the Board in July. Motion by Playman second by Merrill to send the task to the Executive Committee. All in favor, none opposed, one abstain.
Election of Officers: Nominations were opened for President: TeStroete & Meeker were both nominated and accepted. Nominations were then closed. Ballot vote taken resulted in 8-2 in favor of Meeker. Nominations were opened for Vice-President. Larry TeStroete & Mark Madigan were both nominated. Nominations were closed. TeStroete declined the nomination. Motion by Teale to cast a unanimous ballot for Madigan, second by Schilder. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Nominations were opened for Secretary/Treasurer. TeStroete was nominated. Nominations were closed. Motion by Teale to cast a unanimous ballot for TeStroete, second by Weir. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Letter of Complaint: A Letter from EMS Planning and Consulting Associates, LTD was received by the association regarding meetings that had taken place between the Wisconsin EMS Association and a potential pilot site for a one paramedic test. The letter contained what the Executive Board felt was incorrect information. The President of EMS Planning and Consulting Associates was contacted and verbally retracted the letter on the telephone stating that he was given incorrect information prior to sending the letter. The letter was copied to three WEMSA service members and others. Meeker requested that a follow-up letter stating the matter was in error and has been resolved be sent to the original parties. As of this date, to our knowledge, this has not yet been done, although verbal contact with some of the parties was made. Meeker will follow through with the issuance of a retraction letter.
Motion by Zurbuchen, second by Teale to adjourn at 4:35. All in favor. None Opposed. Meeting adjourned.
Action Items: