Present: Steve Teale, Grace Merrill, Patricia Becker, Dan Kurtz,
Larry TeStroete, Mary Schilder, Don Hunjadi, Cilvia Lewis, Keith Wesley,
Mark Madigan, Richard Meeker and Bill Tefft.
Not Present: Sue Menzel, Jan Victorson (less then 48 hour notice),
Pam Myhre, Tom McCarrier and Brenda Hellman-Bulle (less then 48 hour notice).
Review of April 13th, 1997 BOD's Minutes. One change, per S. Teale, on page two under Executive Manager Contract/Review. Should be 1 abstained not obstained. Motion by Larry TeStroete and seconded by Mary Schilder to accept and approve April's minutes as amended and presented. Motion carried unanimously.
President's Action Items: None
Vice President's Action Items: R. Meeker accepted his newly appointed position. He both acknowledged and thanked the seven board members that voted for him and will strive to incorporate the confidence of the six board members that did not vote for him.
Secretary's Action Items: None
Executive Manager's Action Items: D. Hunjadi reported and past out financial and membership information. A list of his completed tasks and work in-progress was also presented to the board. D. Hunjadi asked all board members to report any information that could be used towards "NEWS" articles for the magazine.
Association Secretary's Action Items: C. Lewis reported on her review and her goals for the upcoming year in regards to her job description as outlined in the current handbook. She also notified the board that she will not be able to attend the October 19th board meeting due to her conflicting school schedule. The board decided that L. TeStroete or D. Hunjadi will take the minutes for the October 19th meeting.
Committee Action Items:
Conference: R. Meeker is currently working on this year's conference
with the Grand Hotel, pending management turnover. The previous management
was instrumental in helping to run a smooth conference in the past. Evaluation
reviews on last year's conference were distributed.
Conference Programs: Wednesday, January 28th 1998- Management
Seminar from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Thursday, January 29th - Morning session will
be an Education seminar for all participants, and the afternoon session
will branch off into three sessions;
1) EKG interpretation
2) EMT-I skills
3) EMT-P skills
Thursday the 29th will also include the all day Human Cadaver Dissection
(which is a repeat, per membership request, for the 3rd year). A sample
of the Friday and Saturday schedule was past out which included new track
sessions/classes, which is also similar to last years setup. The post-conference
for Saturday night will be a 50's-60's Party. D. Hunjadi showed a copy of
what the conference brochure front cover will look like. The proof was produced
using the newly purchased "Fargo" printer.
Open discussion: K. Wesley made a request to have the Association present
more than just the annual conference. D. Hunjadi reported that he was contacted
by Chip Darius from Holdsworth and Associates, to investigate the possibility
of holding a one-day conference with them. Although this company usually
deals primarily in managerial sessions they would take full charge of the
conference for the EMS Association; including registration and continuing
education credits, etc.. Board members expresed resorvations over a management-type
conference, more favoing a one-day seminar for the EMT-Basic. D. Hunjadi
will report on additional conference findings and ideas (people, classes,
topics, places) at October Board meeting.
Legislative: None
Membership/PR: D. Hunjadi plans to initiate three mailings;
1) To help promote and secure our current service memberships as well as
thanking current service members for their support and explaining how their
support has helped strengthen the association. This letter will also reinforce
what the association has accomplished and done for them throughout this
past year (i.e. Legislative support, Medical Director and Attorney associated
with the board, etc..) This will be in a letter form from D. Kurtz, President.
2) Separate mailing to state wide hospitals and larger services to promote
the corporate memberships. (We currently have two corporate memberships)
3) A letter or mailing to individual members to encourage and suggest to
their local services to join and save on a service membership instead.
G. Merrill inquired about First Responders and "What is being done
for them?". S. Teale notified the board that J. Victorson and himself
have over 300 names and addresses of services with First Responders. This
list will be sent to D. Hunjadi for review and future mailings explaining
what the association has to offer the First Responder.
Publication: D. Hunjadi reported that the magazine will be redesigned for the January, 1998 issue. His goal is to redesign with no additional printing costs. He will also be contacting others for additional advertising support of the magazine. K. Wesley suggested promoting and adding an "abstract section" to the magazine which would deal with recent studies. M. Madigan made a request to have D. Hunjadi check out the possibility of the "EMS Professional" magazine going nationally for distribution. D. Hunjadi will report findings at October board meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Fire/EMS Legislative Coalition & PFFW Status/Concerns: D. Hunjadi
passed out a copy of a March, 1997 newsletter from PFFW (Professional Fire
Fighters of Wisconsin) EMS Times.
In addition, D. Kurtz notified the board that he reviewed the Fire/EMS Legislative
Coalition last June meeting minutes, which indicated no information about
a letter from J. Victorson, and/or anything about WEMSA trying to contact
them about any issues or position statements. He will find out from J. Victorson
when her letter went out and/or a copy. Copies will be sent to all board
members. (Please NOTE: All correspondence sent out by board members
in regards to the association's business or view points, please make copy's
and forward to all current board members and secretary for their records/handbook.)
Suggestions made to have D. Hunjadi and D. Kurtz contract key players of
the Fire/EMS Legislative Coalition. To go on a fact-finding tour and possible
sit down to find out the following:
1) What are the Fire/EMS Legislative Coalition goals and objectives.
2) Ideas and/or possibilities of working together on specific topics.
3) Share and compare position statements.
4) Explain who we are and what we are representing. Keeping in mind we will
still stand by our position statement and or what is in the best interest
of our association, its members, and our patients.
General Discussion: The Legislators who represent the FF have a very large
and powerful lobby group. We need to join our resources on issues we agree
on. D. Hunjadi will be checking with his local legislator for future legislative
lobbyist or possibly names of other candidates.
Break 2:00-2:10 p.m.
Executive Managers Contract: D. Kurtz past out D. Hunjadi's contract for review by all present board members. Motion by Mary Schilder and seconded by Grace Merrill to approve the Executive Managers Contract as presented. Pending legal issues and language to be reviewed and/or added by Attorney Barry Szymanski. 9 aye's and 1 abstained. This contract will then be signed by D. Kurtz and D. Hunjadi after the attorney's review.
Investment Update: Current investments are receiving an annual return of 30+%. The mutual fund earnings to date is $1,923. Hunjadi cautioned that this is above typical performance. D. Hunjadi is waiting to invest the additional $10,000, currently in savings, when the market warrents.
Organizational History for BOD Handbook: L. TeStroete constructed and handed out a one page report on our organizations history. He informed the board that Mary Biondo from MAB Enterprises in Wales, WI (Long-time advertisers in the maazine) has all the past issues of old EMS magazines, which will help L. TeStroete contact past Presidents of the EMS Association to hopefully update and/or add to our organizations history report. Additions and updates will be ready before the October board meeting.
Handbook Delivery: Each board member present received a BOD's handbook. The five board members not present will receive their handbooks at the October board meeting. REMINDER: Handbook and all of its contents must be returned to the association upon completion of term(s) of the Director.
By Laws Revision Action: D. Hunjadi sent out prior to the meeting J. Victorson's bylaw updates from the April BOD's meeting. S. Teale expressed a concern on page 6 of the bylaws, section 3.11 (Quorums), because of the position statement initiative at the January annual meeting. S. Teale suggested majority vote of all Board members or a 2/3 majority of members in attendance, instead of a majority of the Directors making up the quorum. NO action for lack of motion. D. Hunjadi will be begining work with existing policys for the policy book for Octobers board meeting. R. Meeker suggested that Attorney Barry Szymanski review bylaw updates. D. Hunjadi will forward to Attorney Szymanski. Richard Meeker motion and Larry TeStroete seconded to approve the bylaws as presented, pending the attorney's approval and overview. Motion carried unanimously.
New Ambulance Run Forms sale: D. Hunjadi informed the board that the state will be processing these forms for ten cents each. We can't do any better. D. Hunjadi will track their progress and report at the Octobers board meeting.
October Meeting/Strategic Plan: R. Meeker informed the board about Calvin Beyer's uncharacteristic no show from this past April 12th board meeting. M. Schilder suggested we go ahead with our present planning session for October 18th and 19th on our own. D. Kurtz suggested doing bi-monthly board meetings instead of quarterly. Every other month meetings could be more effective. The October meeting will consist of only Sunday, October 19th. New plan and schedule for 1998 board meetings is to hold them in the odd months. Schedule four regular board meetings and two strategic planning/work sessions. (i.e. Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov)
New Business:
PSOW (Paramedic Systems of WI) Safety Booklet: L. TeStroete sent a safety
booklet to all 15 board members. He received feedback from 5. This brochure
booklet is a "Home Safety Inspection Guide" which they are selling
to different agencies. They have already printed 50,000 copies and are promoting
it on cable TV, at schools, and for households. The work has already been
done, with no input by us (WEMSA). M. Madigan explained that the state would
have provided money, but the PSOW said no! But the PSOW wants funding money
help from us now. D. Kurtz suggested that we say no thank you at this time,
but we would consider helping in future projects. Although we can/will support
the distribution but not the financial support of this current safety booklet.
For the October board meeting L. TeStroete will find out cost and/or what
kind of money they where looking for as far as support and will report his
findings directly to the Executive Committee, before next board meeting.
D. Hunjadi will also be checking on the cost of the booklet if we would
print them ourselves.
One Paramedic Staffing/First Responder Legislation: (J. Victorson should be providing a report to the EMS Board on First Responders by end of year). At past board meetings we established position statements on both First Responders and Supporting One Paramedic Staffing. We as a board need to revisit and re-circulate these position statements. K. Wesley suggested that we begin by sending the position statments out and then looking at responses and input. Bill Tefft motioned and Larry TeStroete seconded to re-visit and re-circulate our position statement on First Responders and Paramedics and actively promote them with subject for approval by Executive Committee. Motion carried unanimously. L. TeStroete asked D. Hunjadi to again target the First Responders to get their support and involvement. We need to backup our position statements with action. In general we need to find out who supports what and why or why not. Comments and feedback to be reported at the October board meeting by the Executive Committee.
Video Tape Production: D. Hunjadi is just starting to collect ideas and check our the support on this very detailed production project (no time line yet). This video will promote becoming an EMT. This project will include shooting and producing. K. Wesley suggested checking and contacting different organizations for State Grant funding. In addition, if this video could be used nationally, check for financial support nationally as well.
Legislative Ad Hoc Committee for EMS Review Board: R. Meeker informed
the board on the following issues and to be aware that they are currently
being discussed:
1) DNR code status standard forms for patients not banded in nursing homes.
Rumors have been circulated that Act 200 may be looked at for revisions.
2) What role does the Wisconsin EMS section hold with PSOW. Meeker cited
examples of mailings and other support being given to PSOW which appears
to be a conflict of interest or at minimum not simular of other orgainizations.
Suggestion made to have an "Open letter request" sent to the EMS
section office asking for clarification on their position and/or financial
assistance toward other organizations.
Motion by Mark Madigan and seconded by Steve Teale to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted July 22nd, by Cilvia Lewis
EMS Association Secretary
Action Items to be completed at the October 1997 BOD's meeting:
Additional one-day conference ideas and findings. (D. Hunjadi)
Send list to D. Hujudi of names and addresses of FR state wide. (J. Victorson
& S. Teale)
Copy of J. Victorson's letter to Fire/EMS Coalition and sent to all board
members. (D. Kurtz)
Contact and/or meet with the Fire/EMS Legislative Coalition. (D. Hunjadi
and D. Kurtz)
Bylaws update and copy sent to B. Szymanski. (D. Hunjadi)
Organizational History update and additions for the BOD Handbook. (L. TeStroete)
New Ambulance Run Forms sale update. (D. Hunjadi)
PSOW Safety Booklet update. (L. TeStroete) Our production cost as well.
(D. Hunjadi)
First Responder Legislation update. (J. Victorson)
Past position statements for the FR & Paramedic issue with action item
ideas.
(Executive Comm.)
Video Tape Production update. (D. Hunjadi)
)Have Executive Manager's Contract legally reviewed and signed. (D. Kurtz
& D. Hunjadi)
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