The annual EMARI Region Officer’s Meeting was held on September 25, 2008 at the American Red Cross Building in Worcester, MA. Below is a copy of the minutes report for the 2008 EMARI Region Business Meeting.

Attendance: EMARI Region Fall Officer’s Meeting called to order at 6:05 P.M.

Motion by J. Slattery to accept minutes as written for the 2007 EMARI Region’s Officers meeting. Second by Mike Seward - vote was unanimous.

John Shipman, RD report - from spring meeting in Albany - discussed vote for NSP Board of Directors. Voting process in Eastern Division is 1 out of 10 patroller’s votes for the NSP Board of Directors. Division is working on making the process less cumbersome for patrollers. This year, voting will begin October 15, 2008 and end December 31, 2008. Patrol Directors are encouraged to discuss nominations and platforms with their patrollers and to ask everyone to vote. This year is the 70th Anniversary of NSP – A 5 year fundraising campaign was kicked off to raise one million $. This is in addition to $6.00 increase in National patroller dues. Joe Greenwood, Wachusett PD, questioned what the money is to be used for. John Shipman mentioned National has educational program budget pressures and to defray costs to upgrade the office computer programs and IT network. Lifetime memberships – with 50 consecutive years of membership, National dues will be free! Change of Skill classification suggestion presented to the National Board – the classification of ‘auxiliary’ patroller to be renamed.

Bill DeVarney, OEC Division Supervisor - gave kudos to Dave Hemendinger, EMARI ROA and Sheila Daly, Senior EMM, for their hard work in both leadership and effectiveness in organizing and revamping these programs to make them more accessible and relevant to EMARI Region membership. 5th Edition OEC text is scheduled to be ready by 2010. Different publisher for this book – Dr. David Johe, has been recently named to lead the team of writers in completing this task. The new text is being written with the OEC technician in mind and comments from the field moving away from the old format that closely followed the EMT manual. NSP will curently maintain the niche that it has between first responder and EMT as it relates to the EMS community. Quality Assurance Program - emphasis on IT’s. IT manual will be out in spring once approved by the education committee.

John Shipman – Preliminary EMARI Region Budget – Region’s cash assets in the spring of ’06 were approximately $19,000.00 and remain about the same in the fall of ’08. The region has tried to develop first-rate educational programs taught by well-trained, quality instructors using up-to-date and safe equipment. John Shipman strongly suggested region’s dues be used for NSP educational programs offered to all patrollers and the monies not sit idle in a bank. In the past, the EMARI Region has purchased toboggan bags and the equipment to fill them, repaired region owned toboggans, bought backboards, O2 practice equipment, etc. A request was made to buy a trailer for EMARI Region equipment. Discussion followed - used trailer, who will insure and register the trailer, etc.? Cal Goldsmith (S&T), Sheila Daly (EMM) and Charlie Strobel (PD-Yawgoo) to network and come up with ideas and solutions. J. Greenwood-Wachusett mentioned that insurance for a trailer belongs to the vehicle towing it – registration must include the ability to tow a vehicle.

Dues increase for NSP/Division – Eastern Division dues will go up $7.00 and National dues will go up $6.00 this fall. EMARI Region dues will stay the same. John Shipman suggested suspending region’s $20.00 course fee this year and reconsider next year. Patrollers will continue to pay for any program materials ordered thru National. Motion carried. John Shipman asked for suggestions for a minimum amount of money to be kept in the region’s bank account. One and one half times the average annual expenditures were agreed and voted on. $6000.00 annual expenditure was used. $9000.00 will be the number that will be used for budgeting purposes. Some expected expenditures are - Joe Greenwood asked about 2010 OEC textbooks, Sheila Daly asked about mileage considerations, Cal Goldsmith mentioned lodging vs. mileage regarding up-north training

Program Budgets - See EMARI website for complete 2008/2009 individual EMARI Region Program Budgets and Reports.

Donation to the ARC of Central MA - Jim Slattery, Treasurer, proposes that the EMARI Region donate $200.00 to American Red Cross of Central Mass for use of their facilities for meetings and OEC refreshers. Vote was unanimous.

Announcement by Joe Greenwood – Wachusett Mountain Pro Night open to all registered EMARI Region patrollers. Held on 10/21/08 beginning @ 6:00 P.M.

Vote for ARD – John Caron elected by PD’s.

Vote for Alternate RD – Joe Greenwood confirmed by Ex. Comm.

EMARI Region’s Officer’s meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm.

View the 2008-2009 EMARI Region Budgets for Program Advisors and EMARI Region Staff - click here