January 2013

 

Tennessee Ambulance Service Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

January 3, 2013

President Ward called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.

The Dec. 5, 2012 TASA Board Minutes were read to the group assembled by Rick Valentine

Motion was made by Joyce Noles to approve the Dec. 5th minutes as written, with one correction; (the amount on the cost of the posters should read $3,500 rather than $3,250).   A second was given by Rick Valentine.  Motion passed.

Roll call by VP Chad Graham: Board Members Present:  Brandon Ward-President, Chad Graham-Vice-President, Larry Billingsley-Treasurer, Andrew Reed-ETG, John Fitzsimmons-MTG, Joyce Noles-WTR, Rick Valentine-Region II, Rick Slack-Region 4, John Combes-Southeast Region

Board Members Absent: Chuck Latimer-Secretary, Dennis Rowe-Immediate Past President,   Derek Merritt-WTG, Terry Arnold-UER, Scott Storey-SCR, Lis Henley-MTR

Others Present: Doug McQuary-First Call/Vanderbilt Lifeflight, Mike Shankle-Henry County, Liz Reeves-Vanderbilt LifeFlight, Joseph Rike-Memphis Fire Dept., Ted Cox Co-Bedford County EMS, James Lynn Thompson-TEMSEA, David L. Kelley, TN Federation of Fire Chaplains, Don Hutcheson-Grundy EMS, Savannah Burrows-Grundy EMS, Whitney Miller-AirEVAC EMS, Shaun Hale-AirEVAC EMS, Keith Douglas-Sumner County EMS

Chad Graham, VP gave an update on the new poster, discussing the design and cost.

Treasurers Report: Larry Billingsley presented a written report including beginning balance, on December 1, 2012 of $53,395.82. No deposits during the month. The expenses totaling $17,312.29  leaving balance of $36,083.53 as of December 31, 2012.

Motion by Ricky Slack to accept the financial report as presented, with a second by Joyce Noles. Motion passed.

Brandon informed the group that Donna Tidwell, TN ST EMS Director was unable to attend the meeting today. There will be no ST EMS update.

Brandon gave an update on the ST Ambulance Sub-Committee.  Brandon is the Chairman of this committee.  He talked briefly about ambulance services running/responding to calls in communities or counties where the service has no base station.

John Fitzsimmons gave an update from NAEMT.  He gave out a hand-out which included a report on the NAEMT Foundation and News on legislative action from Washington DC.

Keith Douglas gave an update on the web-site.  He explained that he has made up-grades to the web-site.  Keith reported that here are 219 individuals signed up to receive the TASA Up-Dates automatically.

Doug McQuary gave an update on the Mid-Winter Conference and reviewed the new brochure designed to promote the Conference, which Whitney Miller created.  With a few additions Whitney will have it ready and she will send it to Keith for him to place on the web-site.

Beth Winsett, TASA lobbyist, was present for the meeting.  She introduced Anna Richardson, a lawyer and a new addition to their firm.  Beth gave many ideas and suggestions as to how we should proceed as we attempt to gain “essential service status” for ambulance service state wide.  Beth gave a very detailed explanation as to the structure and make-up of the 108 general assembly.  She explained how there has been big changes in the representation in our state government.  Beth explained to obtain our desire goal we must do a good job in educating our local officials as well as our state representatives.

Beth asked if we were planning an “EMS Day on the Hill” again this year.  After some discussion it was decided that we would try to do this on February 5, 2013.  Beth will work on this and let Brandon know if she is able to get this date.  Beth stressed that it is important to have each county represented for this years “EMS Day on the Hill”. She noted that last year we did not have very many in our delegation.  Beth recommended that we have a one page handout to leave with the representatives.  She also said that she can and will make the appointments with the leadership and we should make our own appointment with our local representative.

Motion was made by John Combes to register Beth Winsett as well as her colleges in the firm with the State for our Lobbyists.  Joyce Noles seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Old Business: Chad Graham discussed registering the TASA Logo. He also pointed out that Nomination need to be requested by the secretary. This is required to be done not more than 45 days before the annual meeting and not less than 15 days before the annual meeting.

The Washington DC trip, to attend the annual EMS Day on the Hill, was discussed at length. Brandon informed the group that 5 rooms were being held, on Chad’s credit card, for March 5th and 6th.  He said that we need to decide how many we would be able to send.

Motion was made by Andrew Reed to send 6 including 5 officers plus our NAEMT representative, John Fitzsimmons.  Motion failed due to lack of a second.

Ricky Slack made a motion, due to cost, that we not send anyone. Andrew Reed seconded the motion.  A roll call vote resulted in 1 voting YES and 8 voting NO. Motion Failed.

Rick Valentine made a motion that TASA send 4 individuals to the national “EMS Day on the Hill”  not to exceed $1,000 cost for each person.  Andrew Reed seconded the motion. With a roll call vote the results were; 7 voting YES and 2 voting NO.  Motion passed.

New Business: Discussion as to how many rooms were paid by TASA for the Mid-Winter Conference.  It was explained that the TASA Officers, the Conference Committee members, the Awards Committee members, the award winners, the speakers, Twila Rose and Rick Valentine rooms were covered by TASA.

Discussion on how many members had paid this year.  Mike Shankle reported that between 125 – 130 have paid as compared to 149 this time last year.  It was discussed that the board would like to have monthly financial activities, revenue and expenses.

Next meeting of the TASA Board will be February 21, 2013.

Will meet in Nashville on February 4, 2013 to prepare for “EMS Day on the Hill” on the 5th. Liz Reeves volunteered to find a place for us to meet at 6:00 p.m. on the 4th.

Motion was made by Andrew Reed to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 12:23 p.m.