SPAAMFAA

2008 Winter Meeting

February 20 to February 23, 2008

Dallas Texas

 

Officers Roster

Chapter Roster

Minutes of Various Meetings

Treasurers Report

Committee Reports

Officers Reports

 

OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

July 30 – August 2, 2008 Central New York Chapter Syracuse, New York

 

 

 

 

 

George A. Valrance

Corresponding Secretary

April 19, 2008

 

 

 

Minutes of the SPAAMFAA Board Meeting

Dallas, Texas

February 20, 2008

Members Present                                                                   Members Absent

Paul Romano                                                                                                       Dennis Adamski

Barbara Connors                                                                                                Len Williams

George Valrance                                                                                                Ray Pitts

Keith Franz

Herold Berthy

Bill Lawlor

Bill Dundas

Bill Davis

Gerry Clement

Bill Harting

Dave Napier

The meeting was called to order by President Paul Romano at 1:00 PM.

Paul Romano called for comments from the observers. A brief discussion followed regarding membership. Why are members leaving and what is needed to encourage new membership.

Reading of the minutes of the August 8, 2007 meeting

Motion to accept the minutes as written. Carried

Report of Standing Committees

Archive Committee

No report (Exhibit A)

Advertising Committee

Dave Napier gave his report. Discussion on effectiveness of the Firehouse muster. May drop it. Let’s establish a committee. Dave will chair the committee. (Exhibit B)

Education Committee

No report

Franchise Committee

No report

Publication Committee

Steve Hagy’s "Enjine!-Enjine!" report was reviewed. Steve was appointed to chair the Publication committee. There is definitely a lack of input from the membership. Steve is asking to be replaced by year’s end. (Exhibit C) Ken Buohl’s "Silver Trumpet" report was reviewed. Ken also is seeking help. The committee will look into Ken’s request. Keith Franz will look into the request for a poster and advise Ken. (Exhibit D) Paul Romano gave his web site report. Paul has had difficulty finding a helper due to software concerns. (Exhibit E) As the site becomes more active it requires more attention. He plans to have a recommendation by July for the Board to approve. A Resource Guide will be available next year (2009) and be available on disc or hard copy.

Rules Committee

Bill Lawlor requests that when a motion is made that should be inserted as a Standing Rule the motion should be so noted by the party making the motion. Also Bill advises that the outcome of the election be made as part of new business. The gavel will be transferred to the elected President at that time to conclude the meeting.

Safety Committee

No report

Officers Reports

Immediate Past President

No Report

President

Look for ways to encourage present members to stay. Contact drop-outs for input. Perhaps the Trustees can send postcards. See Paul’s report for comments on a virtual museums and muster/meeting expenses. (Exhibit F)

Senior Vice President

IFBA/SPAAMFAA sharing dates. IFBA meeting is in Racine, WI the week after our meeting in Syracuse. The Fire Museum Network is an active group with 50 members. The EMS group has a Virtual Museum up and running.

Vice President

Looking into ways to raise funds.

Corresponding Secretary

The Insurance Assessment for 2008 will be $200.00. See old business for motion. George has referred a couple of issues regarding the policy raised by one chapter to John Zangerle for his review. George proposed that starting in 2009 we move the payment due date back to January 31 as it was originally. (See new business)

George read a letter from the Central Pennsylvania Chapter regarding changing the date of the 2012 winter meeting to May. Request was denied.

Treasurer

The financial report was reviewed. Herold Berthy will talk to the Treasurer about including more detail. Do we need an audit committee? Motion to accept the report. Carried. (Exhibit G)

Membership Secretary

Barb reports we have 3083 members. She will present (44) 25 year pins this year. She is looking into a 50 year pin as we near our 50th anniversary membership. (5) Members will achieve their 50th year in 2008. These (5) Founding members will receive a plaque

(Exhibit H)

Convention/Muster Coordinator

A committee has been appointed (Franz, Clements & McCall) to assist CNY chapter with the 50th anniversary. A special book will be produced to honor the event. Also a special edition of "EE" will be produced by Steve Hagy & Walt McCall. Keith updated the Board on their progress to date.

A new chapter application was reviewed. The Penn-Jer-Del chapter. (The Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association) located in Essington, PA. See new business.

Trustee Reports

North Eastern Region - Clements

Nothing to report

Central Eastern Region – Napier

Having a problem getting one chapter to respond.

South Eastern Region - Harting

Nothing to report

North Central Region - Adamski

Dennis was absent

South Central Region - Davis

Nothing to report

Western Region – Dundas

Working hard on getting new members. Try to get potential members signed up while you are soliciting them – don’t let them get away.

Old Business

Bill Harting reports that the Alex Black project has fallen behind.

George Valrance is still working on the design for an achievement award.

Paul Romano also discussed raising money through Trust funds established to assist the Society with its financial goals. Another was is using annuities. Keith had met with some financial advisors and gave his report. Paul, Keith and Herold will investigate further and report at the next meeting.

Motion to require all chapter members also be members of SPAAMFAA. After lengthy discussion the motion was withdrawn.

Motion to reinstate Membership and Newsletter award withdrawn.

New Business

George Valrance gave the 2008 election results. The gavel was turned over to newly elected President Keith Franz, Herold Berthy is Senior Vice President, and Dave Napier is Vice President & Ron Driscoll is Trustee in the Eastern Region. (Exhibit I)

Motion to accept the results of the election carried.

Motion to assess chapters $200.00 for 2008 insurance coverage. Assessment period is from January 1st to December 31st starting in 2009. This amount is

New Business (Cont)

subject to change by vote of the Board annually. Pay J.C.Taylor up to $4500 in escrow now to begin June renewal date.

Motion to award all (5) 50 year members a bronze SPAAMFAA plaque and a 50 year pin with diamond insert carried.

Motion to fill the Trustee vacancy created by Dave Napier being elected to Vice President with Bill Harting. Bill Harting received the next highest number of votes for Trustee in the Eastern Region carried.

Motion to accept the application the Penn-Jer-Del Chapter carried.

Motion to discuss the General Membership meeting format. Too long and there may be a better way to do it. Motion tabled until next meeting.

Motion to approve the Advertising budget for $651 carried.

Motion to assure the Syracuse anniversary get proper attention carried.

Good and Welfare

The next Board meeting will be in Syracuse, New York Wednesday July 30, 2008 starting at 1:00 PM. Lunch will precede the meeting

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:12 PM. Carried

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

George A. Valrance

Corresponding Secretary

 

 

General Membership & Chapter Advisory Council Meeting

Dallas, Texas

February 21, 2008

Meeting called to order by President Keith Franz at 8:03PM.

Scott Simpson, North Texas Chapter President welcomed the group to Dallas. He gave us an overview of the events planned for the conference.

Corresponding Secretary George Valrance gave an overview of the Board meeting February 20, 2008. The insurance assessment will be $200.00 for 2008. In 2009 we will revert to a January 1st to December 31st pay period. George reviewed other business conducted. A big special event is planned for our 50th Anniversary in Syracuse in July. A committee has been formed chaired by President Keith Franz. Trustee Jerry Clement & Walt McCall are also on the committee. 2008 Election results were read.

President Keith Franz introduced the officers and past presidents and Parliamentarian Bill Lawlor. He then turned the meeting over to Senior Vice President Herold Berthy to call the Chapter roll.

Herold Berthy called the roll and the following chapters were represented:

Berkshire Tim Kane

California Bill Dundas

Central Ohio Bill Davis

Central Pennsylvania Ed Peterson

Connecticut Marshall Sanford

East Texas Rich Hardin

Florida Bill Harting

Genesee Valley Jerry Clements

Great Lakes Walt McCall

Greater Tampa Metro Bill Harting

Heart of Illinois Jack Connors

Indiana Katrina Falk

Land O’ Lakes Ken Peterson

New Hampshire Bruce Lemire

North Jersey Ed Burdge

North Texas Lindsay Dye

Northern Illinois Matt Schumann

Pacific Northwest Mike Beutler

Rhode Island John Harrison

Southern California Ron Dierkens

Southern Gerry Worthington

Southern Connecticut Marshall Sanford

Texas Gulf Coast Chuck Buschardt

Virginia Bill Harting

Western Pennsylvania Herold Berthy

Meeting (Cont)

Herold asked for comments from non- chapter members.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

George A. Valrance

Corresponding Secretary

 

Note: The President’s Award will be presented Saturday night at the banquet to Tom & Debbie Herman, by Past President Paul Romano. A special award will also be given by President Keith Franz to Past President Paul Romano for his many years of leadership in the Society.