Board of Directors Meeting MinutesÂ
April 3, 2014
President Graham called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m.
Board Members in attendance: Chad Graham, Keith Douglas, Rick Valentine, Brandon Ward, Doug McQuary, Tommy Crowder, John Combes, Ricky Slack, John Fitzsimmons, Lis Henley, Danny Houseright , Wallace Elliot, Joyce Noles
Board Members not in attendance: Andrew Reed and Joe Rike
Others present: Lynn Thompson (Maury Regional EMS) and Donna Tidwell (State EMS Director)
Presentation: Mike Cook with Chickenhouse Web Design gave a presentation on upgrading the TASA web site to include a more modern/interactive site. Board members agreed to evaluate and discuss action at the next board meeting.
Previous meeting minutes: Minutes of the January meeting were approved. Minutes approved.
Wallace Elliott discussed the options of utilizing an on-line system to allow remote viewing/interaction of board meetings. He advised that the WebEx system cost approximately $80 – $100/year and allows for 100-125 people to join the meeting at one time. He will be contacting a representative to see if he can offer a webinar for board members to evaluate this system.
Lis Henley advised LifeFlight would allow TASA to use their hardware (web camera) at no cost. It was decided to use this equipment at the next board meeting in an attempt to test the possibilities/options of on-line board meetings.
Treasurer’s Report: Current balance of $62,000 with some outstanding conference/D.C. trip bills yet to be paid. The Mid-Winter conference currently shows approximately $3,000 loss but other revenue is still coming in. Financial report approved
NAEMT: Brandon Ward reported that the EMS Day on the Hill in D.C. was very successful with 236 legislative office visits by EMS services throughout the nation. The TCRS retirement issue is being looked at by one Tennessee legislator. The must be a change in the federal legislation to exempt EMS personnel from the age discrimination law in order to allow early age retirement in Tennessee. TASA will begin drafting proposed wording for the legislation change.
Mid-Winter Conference: President Graham thanked the conference committee and others for their hard work in making the conference a success. Joyce Noles expressed her appreciation to everyone for stepping up during the conference.
Reimbursement Conference: The conference dates are set for October 7 & 8, 2014 at the Inn at Opryland. Ward advised that Donna Tidwell would like to have the Medical Director Conference again this year and will provide information to the Board when she arrives.
· Motion by Slack – 2nd by Crowder to not have Doug Wolfberg again this year. Motion passed.
Legislative: Tommy Crowder advised that the bill to expand EMS provider environment has passed both houses and is waiting on the Governor’s signature. Brandon Ward provided information on SB2050/HB1895 which requires insurance coverage for “Tele-Healthâ€. This could allow billing by medical directors while using remote telemedicine along with other opportunities.
· Motion by Fitzsimmons – 2nd by Combes for TASA to support draft language to get the retirement issue addressed on the federal level. Motion passed.
Audit/Budget: no report
Bylaws: President Graham discussed the recent proposal to clarify the bylaw regarding TASA membership which was not approved by the full membership. Several board members discussed the issue of how an “organization†is defined within the bylaws.
· Motion by Slack – 2nd by Fitzsimmons to have attorney Chris Kelly offer his opinion regarding the definition of “organization†as defined in the membership bylaws. Motion passed
EMS Expo: TASA will have a booth (no charge by EMS World) located just outside the vendor hall at the EMS World Expo in Nashville. Crowder will be checking on the possibility of having an event to raise money during Expo week and present his finding at the next board meeting.
Old Business: President Graham discussed the booth set up for EMS World Expo and requested board members email him with suggestions for the graphics that will go on the TASA booth.
Question presented to Donna Tidwell as to the expiring terms for EMS Board members
· EMS Board – ambulance service director position will become open this year. Nominations for this position should be emailed to the TASA Secretary by April 30th, 2014 at secretary@tennesseeambulance.com
Committees: President advised that all committees will remain the same with following change:
· Joyce Noles will be chairman of the Mid-Winter Conference
New business: President Graham advised that TASA has been approached in the past requesting to advertise on the TASA web site.
· Motion by Slack – 2nd by Crowder to not allow advertising on the TASA web site outside of the TASA sponsorship program.
State EMS: Director Tidwell offered the following
· The Yellow Dot Program is on the State EMS web site and encourages everyone to be aware of the program and participate.
· Some continuing education items listed on the State Audit are questionnaires only (Sudden infant death & domestic violence). These items are not there as a possible deficit – only as a information gathering source and reminder for services. If your service receives a deficit for these items – please contact Director Tidwell.
· Meeting notices will be sent out inviting stake holders to join a meeting about Mobile Health Integration/Community Paramedicine (date not official yet).
· Mechanicals – The state is working to get clarification on the exact certification required for mechanics to be able to sign the mechanical forms.
· Ambulance service committee needs to reconvene as the KKK specification will be expiring in 2015.
· Assistant Director (State EMS) position was opened and the deadline for applications closed on 4-1-2014. Applications now go to State HR and they hope to have the position filled by June.
· There is a vacancy in Region IV for regional consultant. They are trying to get that position upgraded before it can be opened.
· July 1, 2014 new law allowing laypersons and responders to administer narcan via atomizer. Does require education of the narcan and administration.
President stepping down: President Graham had previously advised board members that he was changing jobs last month. The new job is managing a physicians group but he is still associated with Bedford County EMS. He had previously stated that he would stay on as President as long as the board was comfortable with it. However, after much thought, he has decided to step down as President to allow TASA to continue to progress under the direction of Andrew Reed. Graham felt with his new position he would not be able to dedicate the necessary time to ensure TASA continued to progress.
Graham officially gave his resignation and offered to be available to assist TASA in any possible going forward.
The meeting was adjourned at 13:20