Present: Allen, Covelli, Hunjadi, McCarrier, Meeker, Schilder, TeStroete, Teale, Merrill, Werner
Notified Absent: Bennett
Guests: Jerry Biggart
Called to order by President Meeker at 12:00 PM.
Motion by Schilder second by TeStroete to approve the April 2004 minutes as written. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.
President: Nothing
Vice President: Nothing
Secretary/Treasurer: Nothing
Executive Director: Hunjadi provided an update regarding the contracts for all staff members, both full and part-time. He plans to begin interviews for the new executive assistant position shortly. The EMS Cruise currently has 244 cabins booked. There is now a waiting list for all but balcony cabins. Plans are underway to finalize the pre-cruise packages. We again anticipate a 15% reduction in bookings will take place when the next payment becomes due. Information on the new cruise web site, www.EMSCruise.com, was previously provided to board members. Hunjadi briefly expanded on the launch of this new site including the potential to move all Wisconsin EMS Association hosting to the new Internet Service Provider (ISP). Hosting and the domain for one year is costing less than $75. Hunjadi completed the web site layout.
Sales and Public Relations Director: Covelli handed out a report on membership and publication sales. The magazine is on target to exceed last year’s and this year’s projected advertising revenue. Only one Service/Corporate member has not renewed during the first six months of 2004 putting this renewal rate at over 99%. New memberships have slowed during the second quarter but are expected to significantly increase as a result of increased sales efforts over the past two months. Current membership is again at approximately 6,000 members.
Conference: Meeker provided a brief report for the conference. As reported in EMS Professionals, the Working Together conference has moved up to the 3rd largest EMS conference in the United. Some national Fire events that also include EMS still exceed Working Together in attendance. However, currently only the EMS Magazine conference and the Texas EMS conference host more participants. Negotiations with the Midwest Airlines Center, specifically the food vendors, have again been very frustrating. During a recent meeting they suggested that we move the conference to a different location. When the sales rep quickly told the food vendor that a different location was not an option he wished to explore, she arrogantly responded “well where are they going to go?” The hotels are again being extremely accommodating. We are contracted through 2006 but will keep all options open for 2007 and beyond should our business continue to go unappreciated by the Midwest Airlines Center vendors. The speaker line up and session information was provided to the board. All contracts have been sent to speakers. An additional session has been added for Wednesday for a total of eight pre-conference sessions during the first two days of the conference. Tracks will remain at six sessions during each track but session repeats will be dropped resulting in an additional six topics during the conference. A casino night will be held in place of the banquet on Friday. The conference committee was able to maintain 6 CEU hours on Friday and Saturday while still including 2.5 hours of continuous exhibit hall time during the middle of the day. A request to run print advertising for the conference in the Fire Journal published by the Wisconsin State Fire Fighter’s Association was again rejected by their board of directors. The organization continues to see the conference as competition.
OLD BUSINESS
Medical Director Appointment: Several candidates for the WEMSA Medical Director/Advisor position have been reviewed by the Executive Board with a recommendation pending for the full board’s approval. Motion by Schilder second by Merrill to move to closed session to discuss personnel matters. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. Motion by Werner second by Allen to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. Motion by Teale to appoint Dr. Michael Abernethy as the Medical Director/Advisor for the Wisconsin EMS Association, second by McCarrier. Eight in favor, none opposed, Werner abstain. Motion carried.
Bureau of EMS Changes and Direction: The latest updates for changes within the state EMS office were presented to the members of the board. Hunjadi and Meeker have been meeting with DHFS and EMS Office representatives with their next meeting scheduled for the coming week. Teale distributed a list of concerns that he will speak with the office about with most of them related to education and instructor issues. Board members held additional discussion regarding items that should be addressed including eliminating feasibility studies and ambulance inspections in order to complete IV Tech upgrades, elimination of training permits, changes in training classes and lead educator requirements and working closer between WEMSA and the EMS office to further eliminate duplication of services. Hunjadi asked board members for their input in the event that DHFS would request WEMSA to provide short or long term assistance with current DHFS duties or should they seek to contract various duties to the Association. Board members are in full support of exploring any options and believe WEMSA has some obligation in assisting DHFS and the EMS community through the next six month transition period. Hunjadi and Meeker will report back to the Executive Board with updated information and for any needed direction.
Meeting with Senator Russ Feingold: Hunjadi and Meeker attended a meeting in the Milwaukee office of Russ Feingold. The meeting was at the request of WEMSA following recent votes in support of EMS initiatives Feingold has authored or has been involved with. The meeting was reported by Hunjadi and Meeker as mostly as a good first face to face communication with the Senator’s staff. Support for national governmental oversight of EMS and the need for funding, separate and apart from fire-related funding, was stressed to the Senator.
Group Buying Program: Covelli has been working on a variety of new and renewal contracts for the WEMSA Group Buying program. The first issue includes an expansion of the pager contract to include two way radios and accessories. A draft brochure detailing the new agreements was presented to members of the board. Motion by TeStroete second by McCarrier to approve the group buying contract from General Communications as presented. All in favor none opposed. Motion carried. Century insurance provided quotes and information regarding a similar program that they have enacted with some Wisconsin fire-based groups. After testing the potential savings, the prices for insurance were found to be higher on average than other insurance underwriters are able to provide. Three board members who volunteered to participate in a test found they would not save any money under the proposed contract. Motion by Teale, second by Merrill to not approve a contract with Century Insurance. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Covelli, Hunjadi and Meeker flew to California to meet with owners and senior staff of Tri-anim. The company was a leading bidder for the medical supplies contract. Although somewhat new to EMS, they have a long standing history in other medical supply areas and a very likely to become a strong player in the EMS market. Their proposal would be to replace Matrx Medical as the second Group Buying partner for medical supplies. Negotiations are continuing with EMP to renew their contract for another two years. They are in the process of merging with, or are being acquired by, Bound Tree Medical. Both EMP and Tri-anim would prefer a sole source contract. However, staff members believe that the competition involved will ultimately provide lower pricing, better service and more choices for WEMSA members. Tri-anim’s presence has already forced an increase in responsiveness from EMP. Concern for Tri-anim as a new distributor to the EMS market and potential for changes to take place with EMP due to the merger were also sited as reasons to name both companies rather than provide a single contract. Motion by Werner second by Allen to approve Tri-anim as a new group buying partner for medical supplies and to renew a two year contract with EMP (soon to be called BMP for Bound Tree Medical Products) for medical supplies. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Homeland Security Presentation: Mike Kunish, Director of the Homeland Security Program from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance, attended the meeting to provide updates and information to board members. His presentation provided background on the office’s efforts to date as well as plans for the future. Kunish believes that more involvement is needed from the EMS community and invites WEMSA to recommend a representative to participate with their task force. Board members were able to ask questions and provide input.
Staff Member Reviews/Compensation: Motion by Schilder, second Allen to move to closed session to discuss personnel matters. Covelli and guests were excused from the room. Hunjadi voluntarily excused himself following initial discussions. Motion by Teale, second by Schilder to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. Hunjadi briefly spoke regarding the large increase in revenue from the annual conference resulting in additional operating capitol for other association projects. Growth of the conference is listed as a top priority in the current Association strategic plan. All plan points were accomplished without hiring an additional employee due to the efforts of current staff members. Motion by Werner second by Merrill to approve the Executive Director’s request to award a bonus of $3,000 to Joe Covelli based in part on his additional work and success with the annual conference. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Teale second by McCarrier to award a bonus of $4,500 to Hunjadi for his performance during the last year of his contract. Eight in favor, none opposed Hunjadi abstain. Motion carried.
Board Member Open Positions and Eligibility: Hunjadi reported that a total of eight people contacted the Association to request papers to apply for appointment to the board for two unfilled positions. Only two completed their requests. Jerry Biggart spoke briefly regarding his request to be appointed to the board to fill an open unexpired term. Board members briefly asked questions. Motion by Werner second by Schilder to move to closed session to discuss personnel matters. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Covelli and Biggart were excused from the meeting. Motion by Allen second by McCarrier to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. The meeting continued in open session. Motion by Schilder, second by TeStroete to hold a paper ballot vote regarding the eligibility for the first candidate as a member of the board of directors based on his eligibility as it pertains to requirements listed under the current Association bylaws. Paper ballots were cast, collected and counted. Results of the vote: Five not eligible and three eligible. The candidate is voted not eligible for the Board of Directors under the bylaws. Motion by Schilder, second by TeStroete that the second candidate not be appointed to the Board at this time. Paper ballots were cast, collected and counted. Results of the vote: Two in favor of appointment and six in opposition of appointment. The second candidate is not appointed to the board.
Bylaw Changes: The committee appointed to review and recommend changes to the bylaws has yet to meet. A meeting is planned within the next month.
Other New Business: Mindy Allen reports that she has been reappointed to the Length of Service Awards Board (LOSA Board) by Governor Doyle. Her new term expires May 1, 2007.
NEW BUISNESS
Fire Chief’s Association Partnering: The Association first contacted representatives of the Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association regarding exploring potential areas of collaboration for both organizations late last year. Several representatives of the Fire Chief’s Association attended the Working Together conference and then requested that Joe Covelli attend their annual conference in LaCrosse. The Fire Chief’s Executive Board requests a meeting with the WEMSA Executive Board to explore potential areas of partnering including publications, conferences, and shared staff as potential discussion points. Motion by Werner second by McCarrier to meet with the State Fire Chief’s Executive Board in September, all in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
2005 Premium Item: The agenda item was deferred to staff and/or the October meeting due to time constraints.
Political Support/Endorsement: The Association Board of Directors has previously gone on record in opposition to endorsing or supporting any candidates for office. Several new requests for endorsement or political support have come to the organization. Motion by Allen second by TeStroete that WEMSA continues not to endorse political candidates. All in favor, none opposed. Motion Carried.
Membership Meeting: Staff members recommend the association begins to hold a combination annual meeting and informational day for all members with a particular focus on service leaders and Service/Corporate Members. The goals would be to increase understanding of Association services, have presentations from Group Buying partners, foster input and feedback to board members and allow other information sharing to and from members. Motion by Allen second by Werner that the Wisconsin EMS Association hold a combination annual meeting and informational session to be held in the month of April if planning and schedules allow. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Future Strategic Planning: Meeker expressed interest in holding another strategic planning session with the board. The current plan will be two years old in October. Short discussion was held. Board members agreed to change the location of the October meeting in Madison to Milwaukee for the purposes of holding a strategic planning session the day prior to the October meeting at one of the conference hotels. Motion by Allen second by Werner that we hold a strategic planning meeting on October 9 in Milwaukee. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn by Schilder second by Merrill. All in favor, none opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 PM.