Meeting was called to order at 12:50 p.m. by President Dan Kurtz.

Present: Meeker, Wesley, Victorson, Myhre, Becker, Tefft, Schilder, TeStroete, Lewis, Hunjadi, Kurtz, Teale, McCarrier, Menzel
Notified absents: Madigan, Hellman-Bulle, Merrill

Presidents Action Items: None

Vice President: None

Secretary's Action Items: None

Executive Manager's Action Items: None

Association Secretary's Action Items: None

Conference: Exhibit hall reported as being full (Larry TeStroete), but sponsorship still available (Mary Schilder). Rich Meeker reported on the Continuous Quality Improvement Workshop. Workshop date is March 14, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Scott Polsky, from Akron, Ohio, will be the speaker for this workshop. He has authored books and articles on C.Q.I. as well as lectured across the country.

1998 Premium Item: The new premium item is a smaller key light combination. Ordered 3,000, they should be arriving soon.

T-shirt Designs: Don Hunjadi showed ideas for T-shirt design. The Board selected a design from several presented. Hunjadi will be ordering approximately 200. Available also are baseball caps, hats and travel mugs.

Publication: The last issue of EMS Professionals magazine (Jan/Feb) displayed the new re-designed layout.

Legislative: The lobbying firm, Broydrick and Associates, has spent the last two months lobbying on behalf of our Association. A total of $600, to date, has been spent in a variety of areas.

Old Business:

Fire/EMS Legislative Coalition & PFFW Status: WI Fire & EMS Legislative Leadership Coalition flyer was attached to agenda. Discussed meeting that took place with the PFFW on October 29th. Common ground was found and differences were expressed, overall meeting was good.

Paramedic survey: Survey was in the Jan-Feb. 1998 EMS Professional Magazine. Discussion on moving forward with this by selecting a service that would want to take on a pilot program. Motion by Bill Tefft and seconded by Rich Meeker to contact the management of Wisconsin Dells, Baraboo and Delton service's to find their interest in a pilot program using one paramedic. ALL in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

BOD's Election Results: Five positions on the Board were open, and five candidates submitted the required nomination forms. Therefore no election was held. Effective April 1, 1998, returning to the board for three year teams are Rich Meeker, Larry TeStroete and Mark Madigan. New to the Board are Timothy Weir and Mark Zurbuchen. Dan Kurtz thanked outgoing board members, Bill Tefft and Pam Myhre.

Part-time care position draft: Tabled for next meeting due to lack of draft.

Strategic Plan: This plan will be worked on at the next BOD's meeting which is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 1998 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (old Holiday Inn), in Madison at 10:00 a.m. (It will follow the CQI Workshop from Saturday, March 14) Executive Board will be setting up format and prioritizing top three topics.

Break: 2:00 - 2:10

NEW BUSINESS:

1997 Financial Review & 1998 Budget: Don Hunjadi presented 1997 Income and Expenses. Membership reported at 2,701 members. Hunjadi explained and gave breakdown of all accounts. Motion by Rich Meeker and seconded by Tom McCarrier to approve and accept 1997 financial report and 1998 Budget as presented. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Public Access Defibrillation: Keith Wesley brought out two issues: First liability, secondly law enforcement implementation of defibrillation. Motion by Steve Teale and seconded by Pam Myhre that WEMSA support and endorse certification of first responders and feels that the ability to provide defibrillation should not be dependent on certification as a First Responder. On the table for discussion. Amended by Pam Myhre and Rich Meeker with, therefore the association requests that the EMS section evaluate current regulations in an effort to expand the availability of defibrillation within all levels of public safety. 10 in favor, 2 opposed. Motion carried.

Bylaws Change: Topic: Board member representation. Membership on the BOD's should not exceed 5 people from the same service or organization. Open for discussion. Motion by Rich Meeker and seconded by Jan Victorson to limit board members to three that have any service association with one another. Contingent with approval by Association's attorney, Barry Szymanski. ALL in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

1998 Awards Results: Motion by Bill Tefft and seconded by Mary Schilder to accept as presented the EMS Educator of the Year Award. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Mary Schilder and seconded by Rich Meeker to accept as presented the EMT of the Year Award. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Mary Schilder and seconded by Rich Meeker to accept as presented the Ambulance Service of the Year Award. 11 in favor, 1 obstained. Motion carried. Future Association Awards will be put on next agenda for discussion.

Annual Meeting Agenda: Keep annual meeting agenda the same as last years layout. Scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 1998 at 7:00 p.m.

Computer/Laser Printer Purchase: $1200 laser printer, $2,000 for computer.
Motion by Rich Meeker and seconded by Jan Victorson to purchase new laser printer for $1,200 and new computer for $2,000. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Other New Business: Trans 309 Committee. Motion by Dan Kurtz and seconded by Rich Meeker to have Larry TeStroete and Dan Kurtz serve on Trans 309 Committee. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Cellular phone purchase: Motion by Rich Meeker and seconded by Pam Myhre to purchase a cellular phone for about $200 for use by Don Hunjadi, with service to be provided by Hunjadi. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Motion by Steve Teale and seconded by Pat Becker to adjourn meeting at 3:50 p.m. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted by,
Cilvia Lewis, Association Secretary

Action Items:
Part-time care position draft. (Hunjadi/Teale)
Strategic Plan format and agenda for March meeting. (Executive Board)
Put future association awards on next agenda for discussion. (Kurtz)