Present:  Meeker, Hunjadi, TeStroete, Schilder, Blount, Madigan, Weir, Teale, Merrill, Allen, McCarrier, Playman

  Meeting called to order by President Meeker at 12:00 PM

  Motion by TeStroete second by Schilder to accept the July meeting minutes as presented.  All in favor none opposed.  Motion carried.

  President: Will provide several items under new business.

Vice-President:  None

Secretary/Treasurer: None

  Executive Manager Items: Hunjadi provided current membership and financial information. The redesigned web site has been operational for about one month. The redesign has been very well received. Hunjadi reported that he has continued to check on options for electronic, mail, and telephone ability to accept credit cards. He would like to have the board consider and approve purchasing a system from 1^st American Card Company that would allow the association to do live Visa/MasterCard transactions at the web site for new members, new Hot Sheet subscribers, and merchandise. This would also allow credit card merchandise sales at the conference. Costs include a $499 start up for software, $20/minimum per month, 2.30% of sale, and $.30/per transaction. Motion by Blount second by Schilder to begin Visa/MasterCard transactions for one year.  All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried. Hunjadi showed a paper sample of the proposed Hot Sheet redesign. The design carries the appearance of the new web site. Plans are to print 5,000-10,000 “shells” in full color for mail subscribers, produce the electronic version using Adobe PDF files, and continue fax as is, all using the new design.

  Conference: 19,000 brochures have been printed and will be mailed on Friday, October 13, 2000. Meeker handed out and explained information sheets for staffing by Board members at the conference.  He requests that Board members chose which options they would like and return the sheets to him along with their conference registration form and any fees, if necessary.  Conference information has been online at the web site for nearly one month.  Currently there are about 150 hotel rooms available for Friday night. So far, 23 people have registered for the conference using the online form.

  2002 Conference: Conference staff continues looking at additional possibilities for locations. If Board members know of new facilities under construction or additions to existing facilities for a location that could compete with the Four Points as far as size and cost, they should let Meeker know. The Four Points has provided a two-year (2002-2003) conference proposal, which is being reviewed. Meeker reports he already has a potential 30 out of 36 topics, as well as speakers already filled for 2002.  It is expected much of the 2002 conference agenda will be completed by this year’s conference.

  OLD BUSINESS

Cruise Update: We have had about 15 people/couples cancel their cabins. However, as those cancel, we have had others book. There are still 274 cabins booked at this time. All final payments are due by December 18, 2000. Board members will be required to pay their balance, and will have their comp. cabin fees refunded at or near sailing. If this proves to be a hardship for any Board members, contact Meeker or Hunjadi for assistance.  The Four Points has provided a stay and park package for March 3, 2001. Cost is $75 single or double and includes free parking while on the cruise and breakfast on the morning of the 4^th.

  EMS Rules: No further activity has been announced on HFS 110. It is expected that even though there were comments opposing some elements of the rules (operational plans, ability for DHFS to enter the service provider, etc.) DHFS will move these rules forward anyhow. It is anticipated that the new EMT-Basic/IV Technician will become a part of the HFS 110 changes.  The new Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin position on staffing was handed out. Limited discussion was provided on the proposal.

  First Responders: It was reported that after agreeing to move forward with at least rule writing and curriculum revision for the new First Responder level, members of the EMS Section have continued to publicly state that they will not implement the rules. DHFS also announced through their budget request that they intent to attempt to have the First Responder law changed to again allow them to charge a fee to First Responders. Forbes is already working to combat this proposal. This led to overall discussion on the increasing number of complaints being received by our office over activities from DHFS. Meeker has already talked with Nan Turner from DHFS and expects the WEMSA Executive Board to meet with them in the next few weeks.

  Resource Kit: The resource kits have been mailed out and as new service and corporate members join they are sent a copy. Several services have joined in the past few weeks specifically to get one of these CDs.

  Sales/Customer Service Employee: Paul Blount signed his contract has started work with the association. Due to a job change, his anticipated start date of August 1^st was pushed back to September 1^st. 

  Public Relations Firm: The counter offer to name Flaherty and Associations as the Association public relations firm at a rate of $50/hour was rejected by Flaherty. They stated that the rate was too far below their current rates. No further discussions will take place although they have expressed interest to work with us on a per project or consulting basis.

  2001-2002 Legislative Session Items: Consensus was reached to attempt to change the amount of money a paid on call EMT/First Responder can make and still hold public office, from the current level of $2,500 to $5,000. Consensus was reached to attempt to add “emergency vehicle drivers” to EMTs and First Responders already exempted from having to report volunteer EMS paid on call income to unemployment compensation claims. Forbes will explore both items being done as amendments to the budget bill. Consensus was reached to continue to monitor activity to create certification for emergency dispatchers.

  Legislative Participation:  Mindy Allen has made several contacts in the Dane County area in an effort to build a coalition of volunteers available to attend legislative hearings and sessions and potential testify on behalf of and in support of Association legislative initiatives. She will continue working on identifying leaders and workers for the start of the next legislative session.

  NEW BUSINESS

Statewide Recruitment Project: Hunjadi again raised the idea of promoting a recruitment day in Wisconsin for EMTs, First Responders, and potentially firefighters. We would create a turnkey kit for our service and corporate members, hire a firm to provide public relations and then let individual services benefit from added exposure. Discussion was held on whether we should attempt to make this for both fire and EMS or just EMS. Potential date would be during EMS week 2001. Rohn Brown, one of the conference speakers has extensive background in doing statewide recruitment and could potentially be a good resource for us. He will also devote several hours of the EMS Leadership Workshop at the conference to recruitment. Hunjadi anticipates a potential budget of $10,000 to complete the project. Motion by TeStroete second by Allen to support the Association pursuing a statewide recruitment project and contacting the State Fire Chief’s Association to see if they have interest in partnering with us.  All in favor none opposed motion carried.

  2001 Premium Item: Hunjadi is obtaining prices and availability for two potential 2001 premium items. 1. A trauma shears with EMS Association logo or identification. 2. Some form of CPR barrier key chain with logo or identification. Conesus from Board members was to attempt to make the trauma sheers our premium item. Cost and ability to mail will both be taken into account.  Other ideas for items from Board members included pocket guides with protocols, medical information, etc, and pens with a small light in them to aid in report writing in darkly-lit locations.

Code of Ethics: Ethical conduct and checks and balances for board members, including those board members hired as staff, were raised at the last meeting. Mindy Allen provided a sample code of ethics for our board to adopt. Motion by Madigan that the board adopts the proposed code of ethics.  Second by Merrill. Eleven in favor one opposed. Motion carried.

  Past President: Nominations were opened to fill a position on the Executive Board since the past president of the association is no longer a Board member. Mindy Allen and Steve Teale were both nominated, Motion by McCarrier Second by Playman to close nominations. Both candidates accepted.  Allen 4, Teale 8. Teale will hold the position until such time as the current president would no longer hold office, or until Teale resigns the position, or no longer holds office as a Board member.

  2001 Meeting Schedule: Motion by Madigan, Second TeStroete to continue with Board meetings in January/July in Milwaukee and April/October in Appleton. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.  Motion by TeStroete, second by Madigan to set the dates for 2001 on January 7, April 1, July 8, October 7.  All in favor none opposed. Motion carried.

  Motion by Schilder, second by McCarrier that we send a thank you card to current members during EMS week.  The idea is raised as an EMS Week promotion. Hunjadi suggested that instead of just sending a card, the project could attempt to find a sponsor to provide a coupon redeemable for an item i.e.: McDonalds providing a free dessert or some sort of similar item. Eleven in favor, one abstain. Motion carried.

  Annual Meeting: Current by-laws require that the annual meeting take place during the annual conference.  Motion by Madigan second by TeStreote that the annual association meeting be moved to the January Board meeting. All in favor, none opposed.

  Other Current and Future Wisconsin EMS Groups: a very lengthy discussion on the amount of fragmented groups attempting to start up or sustain operations in Wisconsin took place. The general question raised is, would more benefit come from other organizations becoming groups under WEMSA? Currently the association does not really have a mechanism to embrace such groups. However, with our strong financial base, current staff, and nearly 3,500 members, the creation of new groups, who do not currently benefit from such an infrastructure, may not be in their best interest or the best interest of Wisconsin EMS. Potential ways for the Wisconsin EMS Association to help these groups in a non-threatening way were discussed. General consensus was that such changes should not be made without a strong amount of consideration. Further discussion should take place at future meetings. Meeker will contact Attorney Szymanski to find out potential methods for affiliations to take place.

  Motion by TeStroete, second by Allen to adjourn. All in favor. None opposed. Meeting adjourned at 4:24 PM

  Action Items:

• Set up Visa/MasterCard account and E-commerce – Hunjadi

• 2001 Conference participation – All Board Members

• Meeting with DHFS – Meeker and Executive Board

• Legislative Participation – Allen

• EMS Recruitment Project Plans – Hunjadi

• 2001 Premium Item – Hunjadi

• Thank You Card Coupon – Blount

• Expansion for Other Groups - Meeker