Wisconsin EMS Association
Board of Directors Meeting
January 6, 2006

Present: Allen, Bennett, Covelli, Hunjadi, McCarrier, Meeker, Schilder, Teale, TeStroete,

Guests: Julie Hunjadi

Called to order President Meeker at 12:05 PM.

Motion by TeStroete second by Bennett to approve the October 2005 minutes. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.

President:  Nothing

Vice President: Nothing

Secretary/Treasurer:  Nothing

Executive Director: Nothing

Sales/Public Relations Director: Joe Covelli handed out detailed information on Service/Corporate membership for 2005. Eight of the ten largest ambulance services in Wisconsin in terms of run volume are currently Service or Corporate members of WEMSA. Covelli provided information on the latest group buying program item from Midwest Airlines which will provide a 10% discount on the lowest air fare. Coupons are being provided to all members with their membership materials and also on-line in the members’ section of the web site. The cell telephone contracts have been allowed to expire as per the board’s direction.

Conference:  

20006 conference: Meeker provided board members with the latest information in preparation for the conference. Registrations are running ahead of the previous two years and appear to be on target to hit the 3,000 mark. Problems are persisting with the Midwest Airlines Center and more specifically the Levy food company. These include new and additional charges not incurred during the first two years, for example, water costs.

2007 conference: Based on the problems being encountered with the 2006 conference, Meeker is concerned with future conferences. Meeker states he is extremely disappointed with their costumer service. The Hilton and to a lesser extent the Hyatt have done a good job in working with us. Clearly the MWCD and their outlets need to go through the Disney Course and learn how to appreciate 3,000 attendees in the dead of Wisconsin’s winter. Motion by Bennett and second by TeStroete that the conference committee be directed to investigate alternate locations including the potential to not overlook the Chicago and Minneapolis Areas. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

2007 Cruise: Hunjadi provided a brief report on the fourth EMS Cruise. Bookings have started and are expected to increase with information provided in the current edition of EMS Professionals and at the annual conference.

OLD BUSINESS

Project USEMSA: Covelli provided a draft of the Project USEMSA position statement. Several changes were suggested. Motion by McCarrier second by Schilder to approve the position statement as amended. Motion Carried.

Meetings/Involvement with State EMS Office: Hunjadi and Meeker met with Dan Williams and Meg Taylor from the state EMS office. The meeting lasted several hours and was mostly productive. They had hoped to also meet with several other office members who have indirectly voiced their concerns with WEMSA and/or its leadership. It was believed these members would be present so they had an opportunity to bring their concerns to the organization and have them addressed. However, they were concerned with the dynamics of such a meeting and declined to meet at the last minute. Several issues are continuing to be brought forth to WEMSA including office staff potentially overstepping their authorization and authority when dealing with ambulance services. Meeker and Hunjadi will continue to meet with Williams with these issues including the potential to communicate with all service members.

Statewide Recruitment Drive Program Including Billboard Campaign: The statewide recruitment drive training session is set for early March at Ho Chunk in Wisconsin Dells. Covelli has been able to put a deal together with the Outdoor Advertising Association of Wisconsin. The organization will provide WEMSA with free billboard space on an as available basis. The billboards would cost approximately $1,000 each to print and $500 to install each time they are moved. Motion by Bennett, second by Teale to authorize $30,000 for billboard advertising with the potential not to exceed $40,000 for the complete project. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Annual Meeting: The annual meeting has been re-booked into the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells and set for Saturday, April 8, 2006 with the quarterly board meeting to follow on the next day. The agenda of the day will be similar to the 2005 meeting. Hunjadi will work with Meeker on the final agenda for the formal annual meeting. Motion by TeStroete second by Allen to hold the Association Annual meeting at the Kalahari on April 8. April 9 meeting will be held at 10:00 AM. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by McCarrier second by TeStroete to move to closed session to discuss personnel items. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. The meeting was moved to closed session. Motion by Allen second by Hornby to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. The meeting was returned to open session.

Motion by TeStroete second by Barker to offer Mike Schneider a $1,500 bonus for his work in the calendar year 2005 and to offer a two year contract with a third year option to include annual compensation of $21,000 in the first year, 24,000 in the second year, 26,000 in the optional third year to accommodate his changes in roles and responsibilities for current job status and additional hours. Nine in favor, one opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Teale, second by McCarrier to increase Debi Blazei’s hourly compensation from $12.50 to $14.00 per hour. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. This increase reflects the first increase to Blazei’s salary in three years. Motion by Schilder second by Bennett that a $2,500 bonus be provided for the April 2005 – April 2006 contract period for Covelli due to increases in magazine sales, conference booth sales and extra work above current contract language requirements. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Schilder to offer Hunjadi a $3,500 bonus provided for the April 2005 – April 2006 contract period in appreciation of work provided. Nine in favor, none opposed, one abstain. Motion carried.

Service Membership Rates: With the advent of more First Responder groups wishing to join the organization, WEMSA is seeing a significant increase in the number of services with less than the required 12 members for Service Membership. The board has previously set the minimum at 12 and directed staff not to allow membership below this level. Hunjadi and Covelli recommend that this policy be amended to both accommodate smaller services with fewer personnel and still provide for a fair and equal pricing arrangement. Motion by McCarrier second by TeStroete that Service Membership level be set at $200 for up to 12 members. Services must continue to enroll all members on their roster at the rate of 18/person. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

New Emergency Services Organizations/Fragmentation:  Meeker reported on the continued increase of new emergency services organizations in Wisconsin. Some of these have an extremely small membership, do not have a formal organization, or do not comply with state and federal laws governing non-profit or for-profit organizations. The largest concern is for legislators to obtain information that they believe to be representative of the at large EMS community when in fact it is only representative of a small or informal group or organization. Board members would like Meeker to begin to meet with some of these allied groups to provide an open forum to determine their goals.

Merchandising Companies: On the request of President Meeker, Covelli met with a potential new merchandise company that would provide complete turn-key fulfillment services for WEMSA merchandise. Hunjadi has concerns regarding outsourcing this facet of the organization. Meeker continued to ask that we at least allow this company to provide a proposal. Covelli reported that they have not provided a response or proposal for this meeting. No further action taken.

Bennett wanted to thank the rest of the board members during his terms on the board of directors. Meeker thanked Bennett for all of his years of service on the board as he has not applied for re-election and this will be his final meeting on the WEMSA Board of Directors.

Motion by TeStroete second McCarrier to adjourn. All in favor. None opposed. Meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM.