BOARD MEETING November 10, 2001
Northampton Inn, Northampton, MA

Note - President O'Connell asked that we conduct a brief Board meeting to conduct a few items of business prior to the planning session.

I. Call to order - The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m.

II. Pledge of allegiance

III. Moment of silence

IV. Roll Call -Bill O'Connell, Ken Lupole, Lee Struble, Gary Bean, Ralph Avery, George Barron, Dan Songer, Chris Daley, Amanda Warman. Absent: Paul Darlington - excused.

V. Minutes of previous meeting - Waived

VI. Executive Officer Reports
President - Bill O'Connell: After the events of 9/11, Bill contacted members of the Board regarding individual members making contributions to a fund with the Association matching the contributions up to a pre-determined dollar amount. This was sent out for an electronic vote of the Board, which passed (2 dissenting votes). A letter was drafted to the membership but did not make it in to the most recent issue of The Clipboard. Because of the recent debate over use of the 911 funds by the Red Cross, the Board discussed donating the money to an established college scholarship fund or similar, for surviving children of fallen firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel. Ralph Avery will research existing funds.
Executive VP - No report
Vice President - No report
Immediate Past President - No report
Treasurer - Gary Bean: A list of members not paid for 2000-2001 was circulated to Board members to see if there were any changes in personnel or circumstances that affected membership status. Gary asked that Board members to make updates and contact members in their area who appeared on the list. Gary made a motion to transfer $20,000 from checking into a higher interest bearing savings account, second by George Barron. Motion passed.
Secretary - No report

VII. Committee Reports
Advisory Committee - No report
Audit Committee - No report
Awards Committee - No report
Conference - No report
Constitution/By-laws - The Board discussed the roles and history of the Executive VP, VP and Past President positions. George Barron provided the historical perspective on the changes that established these positions. The Past President's position was established in 1965 (Secretary and Treasurer were one position at this time), in 1976 the "first VP" and "second VP" positions were added, in 1983 the Secretary and Treasurer positions were split. A recommendation will be made on these positions at the next Board meeting. There was additional discussion of the size of the Board and recruiting for same. This will be reviewed as part of the planning session.
Membership - No report.
Nominating - Dan Songer: The Life Member position is up for vote this year in addition to any other vacant positions.
Professional Development - Amanda Warman: Initial evaluations of the recent program in Northampton were outstanding. Ralph Avery made a motion to send a letter of thanks to those who attended and offer them a $50.00 discount for the conference. Second by George Barron. Motion denied. A suggestion was made to send a letter of thanks outlining the value of the scholarship and thanking attendees for contributing.
Publications
Self-Reliance
Life Members - George Barron: George nominated 2 members for life membership: Bruce McBride, formerly of the SUNY system now teaching at Utica; and Sinclair Hill, retired from Princeton University. Both nominations were seconded by Ken Lupole and passed unanimously.

VII. Old Business - Ralph Avery encouraged the Board to recruit members from Asst. Directors and "second in charge" folks and suggested we get a list of names to send recruitment letters out.

VIII. New Business - The 2003 Conference will be the 50th for NECUSA and the group discussed ideas for conference. Ralph Avery made a motion to create an ad hoc committee, to include Board and non-Board members, to put together the celebration in conjunction with planning the 2003 conference. Second by Chris Daley. Motion passed. Members of the committee will include Lee Struble, Amanda Warman, Chris Daley, Bill O'Connell, Barbara O'Connell (spouse representative) and an invitation will be extended to another senior member of the Association. Initial ideas for the celebration included sending special invitations to the charter members and past presidents, special recognition giveaways, fireworks, etc.

IX. Good of the Order

Motion to adjourn by George Barron. Second by Dan Songer. Adjourned at 9:10 a.m.