NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE SAFETY EDUCATORS ANNUAL MEETING AT NEW YORK STATE FIRE ACADEMY AT MONTOUR FALLS, MAY 5, 2007

 The NY-SAFE annual meeting was called to order at 12:22 p.m. in Room 2 at the StateFireAcademy in MontourFalls by Vice President Tim Boel.

 Pledge was done and roll call of offices was held. Moment of silence was observed.

 Vice President Boel opened the meeting. Excused absence was Director Terry Borwegen who was in Florida attending her daughters graduation and President Tom Vernam who has a new work assignment and is working.

 Annual minutes and minutes of last meetings were accepted as printed on motion by Fred Friedman, seconded by Mike Finneran. Carried.

 Minutes of Directors meeting in Rochester and Regional meeting in Newburgh were accepted as posted. Motion by Tom Burns, seconded  by Tim Thomas and carried.

Executive Board March 3 minutes from Rochester were accepted as posted. Motion by Lisa Shellman seconded by Friedman and carried.

 There were no bills and no communications.

 Presidents report: Tom Vernam due to new work commitments will not be seeking re-election to another term. Vice President Tim Boel noted Tom did a lot while he was president.

 Vice President Boel spoke telling those in attendance an organization was only as good as the membership within the organization. The organization formed in 1987 is now entering its 20^th year. Our officers and eight regional directors are our only contacts out in the land for an organization that has a constant membership of 200 persons, including a number of out of state members. Ninety-two members have already paid their dues for this year. Boel gave the membership breakdown by regions.

We are going to be addressing more and more of our communications by e-mail as a much quicker and more costly method of communicating.

 Secretary Jim Wright reported about turning over undeliverable newsletters and dues notices to the new membership secretary in hopes of updating the addresses or at least not continuing to mail information to undeliverable addresses.

  Treasurer Joe Jahelka’s annual report. $5,932.52 savings account and $362.92 in checking account for a total of $6,295.44. Last year the figure was $7,500.10. Tom Burns moved report be accepted, seconded by Frank Fiato and carried.

 Jahelka reported the organization needed to find a way to raise money to at least offset expense of holding meetings. The organization needs to increase its membership or find some other source of fund raising..

 David Flynn is stepping down as Western Director due to increased work load he has been given.

Mike Finneran talked about recent Fire Prevention training session for Delaware and Otsego counties.

 Northeast Director Thomas noted upcoming Oneida County Fire Safety Expo would be June 8.

 HudsonValley’s Terry Borwegan has made two mailings promoting NY-SAFE and attended a number of events.

 Eastern-Director Tom Burns talked about the Power Point demonstration he has developed that eventually will be distributed to every officer and some directors after it has been refined. The cost is expected to be $50 to $75 per copy. It is being worked on to show at our booth at State Chief’s show in Lake George. This years booth will be inside.

 Ed DiMonda had to return to the Island for a Saturday evening banquet which will in part honor his 50-years in the fire service.

 Arlene Jahelka-Report filed.

Lisa Shellman-newly designed districts are on-line. Letters have been sent out with some affirmative responses. Letter sent to Senator James Alesi seeking state grant funds.

 Finance and Budget Committee is seeking a better method of addressing the membership knowledge of where the organization is going. There is a steady decline in funds.

 Ross Industries has agreed to undertake three mailings a year for the organization. We need more impute from the regional directors.

 Discussion of new pocket badges. Motion by Joe Jahalka seconded by Burns they be purchased where needed. Carried.

A membership application should be forwarded to Fire Districts.

 Sandy Vernam has withdrawn as Membership Secretary due to her work load.

 Bylaw proposals were printed in the newsletter. Boel read the proposed changes. Stephen Moore moved for their adoption, seconded by Robert Reed and carried.

Discussion of a new Education Committee. Past President Steve Yaciuk is willing to chair the committee. The committees main purpose would be updated and continued promotion of the organization’s signature program, Operation EDITH.

 Don Magin suggests area schools to asked to reserve Fire Prevention Week so nothing takes place on Wednesday evening to allow the fire service across the state to hold home Operation EDITH drills. At one time 23 of the states county’s were doing to drill.

 Committees in the future will include Membership, Bylaws, Education, Finance and Budget.

 Eileen Magin will continue to help with the Newsletter

Discussion of the process with the organization’s incorporation questionnaire. State Tax Office is still looking for some updated information. Filing of the document will cost $30. Thomas moved approval of the filing amount seconded by Finneran and carried.

 The organizations official address has been charged from Tom Burns, 7 Hudson Avenue, Clinton Heights to the secretary’s address, Jim Wright, 15 Elm Street, Norwich, N.Y., 13815Shellman moved the change be made seconded by Dichian and carried.

 Past presidents award was presented from Tom Boel to Arlene Jahelka. Similar awards were obtained for John Brown and Tom Vernam.

 Past President Eileen Magin ran the elections. The nominating committee presented the following slate:

President-Tim Boel

         Vice President-Lisa Shellman

         Secretary-Jim Wright

         Treasurer-Joseph Jahalka

         Membership Secretary-Frank Fiato

         Western Director-Open

         Northeastern Director-Tim Thomas

         Eastern Director-Tom Burns

         Hudson Valley-Terry Borwegen

Individual nominations for the officers were made as follows: Robert Reed nominated Tim Boel for president and moved secretary cast one ballot; Tim Thomas nominated Lisa Shellman for vice president and moved secretary cast one vote; Victoria Dichian nominated Jim Wright for secretary and moved the president cast one vote; Joe Finneran nominated Joe Jahalka for treasurer and moved the secretary cast one vote; Finneran nominated Robert Reed of North Evans for Western Director and moved the secretary cast one vote; Yaciuk nominated Tim Thomas for North East Director and moved the secretary cast one vote; Friedman nominated Tom Burns for Eastern Director and moved the secretary cast one vote; Fiato moved Terry Borwegen for Hudson Valley Director and moved the secretary cast one vote.

 Eileen Magin speaking at the close of the meeting praised Tim Boel’s actions noting she could not count the number of times he has come forth in the recent years to save the organization.

 Motion by Tim Thomas seconded by Steve Yaciuk to adjourn the meeting.Carried.