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NATIONAL WATER SAFETY CONGRESS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LEXUS PARK HOTEL
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
OCTOBER 1-2, 2002
Opening:
The regular meeting of the National Water Safety Congress was called to order at 0830 on October 1, 2002, in Las Vegas, NV, by Ron Rieberich, President.
Members Present:
Ron Riberich
Russ Minton
Toni Rushing
Cecilia Duer
Tom Plante
Mac Wimbish
Bobby Pharr
Paul Crawford
Fred Messman
Gary Owen
Joe Morgan
Brenda Warren
Lu Christie
Richard Droesbeke
Arlyn Hendricks
Paul Kennedy
Members Absent:
Bill Gossard
Steve Fairbanks (Proxy to Gary Owen)
Ann Van Buren (Proxy to Brenda Warren)
Emmett Forte
Marvin Potts
John Malatak (USCG Liaison)
The meeting agenda was distributed and approved unanimously.
The minutes of the previous meeting were distributed and approved unanimously.
C. Reports
1. Treasurers Report - Toni Rushing (Attached)
a. NWSC Operating Budget
b. Partnering Grant Budget 2001-2002
c. Partnering Grant Budget (Proposed) 2002-2003
d. Final Budget Report, Summit 2002
During the presentation of the Treasurer's Report Cecilia Duer inquired regarding income and outlays of the Congress and Toni explained both the sources of income for the Congress and outlays from within those assets.
Solicitation of corporate sponsors was discussed and it was suggested that a sponsorship or memorial page might be a good inclusion on the NWSC Web Site. Lu Christie requested ideas or examples from which she could prepare a sample page for consideration at the next meeting.
Mac Wimbish recommended the Board investigate the possibility of having the NWSC added to the Combined Federal Campaign as a recipient of charitable donations.
Brenda Warren suggested that in future reports might be more meaningful if expenses could be related to specific sources of income where possible.
Lu Christie inquired regarding the advisability of posting the Treasurer's Report on the Web Site. It was decided by the Board, however, that such posting would not be appropriate.
Mac Wimbish moved to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented; the motion was seconded by Bobby Pharr, and the report was approved by unanimous vote of the Board.
2. Regional Vice Presidents' Reports
a. Region 1 - Cecilia Duer
Cecilia noted she was still learning about the region and is getting acquainted with both old and new sponsors.
b. Region 2 - Tom Plante
Tom noted that he had accessed the NASBLA web site to find that it was quite outdated and that there was no readily available way to cross check Water Safety Councils. Mac Wimbish recommended contacting individual lake managers to obtain information on local Water Safety Councils.
&nbwp; c. Region 3 - Mac Wimbish
Mac noted that e-mails to sponsors would perhaps be more effective if on NWSC letterhead. Lu Christie agreed that was a good idea and indicated she would draft a message format on NWSC letterhead for approval by the Board.
d. Region 4 - Bob Pharr
Bobby and Arlyn Hendricks discussed the I-40 Bridge disaster and the actions of both the State of Oklahoma and the Corps of Engineers in coping with that incident.
e. Region 5 - Paul Crawford
Paul indicated that public fatalities are up within Region 5. Fred Messman noted that accident statistics are available from the U.S. Coast Guard and that all states are required to report boating accidents to the USCG.
f. Region 6 - Ann Van Buren (by Brenda Warren)
Brenda indicated that Ann would provide the Region 6 report for the record.
3. President's Report - Ron Riberich (Attached)
Ron discussed the contents of his formal report and noted it had been a very busy and productive time for him since the Spring 2002 meeting last April. He outlined the following activities or issues that are contained within his report.
a. SSBLA Meeting, Knoxville, TN
b. NASBLA Meeting, Cleveland, OH
c. NSBC Meeting, Cleveland, OH
d. Guide for Multiple Use Waterways Management- Update
e. Executive Committee Charges
(1) Director Emeritus Criteria
(2) Board Member Travel for Summit and Fall meetings
f. Journal Update
g. NASBLA Regional Meetings, 2003
Ron noted that the search for an Executive Director was drawing to a close as the announcement closed on October 1, 2002. He hopes to have a selection made and approved by December 2002. A dedicated Executive Director will be quite beneficial in accomplishing the work of the Congress.
Ron invited Board discussion on the issue of identification of Directors Emeritus, noting there are presently no criteria established for granting that honor. Criteria recommended are:
Duration of membership: Ten years or longer
Time as an officer of the Congress: Four years minimum.
Time since retirement from the Board: Two years minimum.
Motion:
Joe Morgan moved the recommended criteria be accepted as qualifiers for nomination of an individual to become a Director Emeritus; that the Executive Committee consider eligible individuals at each board meeting; and that election of Directors Emeritus be by majority vote of the Board. Mac Wimbish seconded the motion presented by Joe Morgan, and the measure was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
The next issue on which Ron invited discussion was that of reimbursement of travel expenses for attendance at the Summit and the Fall meeting for board members whose individual employers do not financially support such participation.
During discussion it was determined that any such reimbursement can be made only from assets of the Congress that are derived from non-Federal sources.
Motion:
Following discussion, Bobby Pharr moved that the Executive Committee develop guidelines for funding for those Board Members who would otherwise be unable to participate in Board activities, and that those guidelines be applied on an individual case-by-case basis. The motion was seconded by Brenda Warren and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
4. Executive Vice President's Report - Bill Gossard
In the absence of Bill Gossard, Ron Riberich presented the Executive Vice President's Report. Among the topics were:
a. ALAB Update
b. International Relations 2003
c. Journal Sponsor 2003
d. Other Business
Bill's report included an update on the activities of the American League of Anglers and Boaters, and their interest in boating safety.
In the International Relations arena it was reported that the Italian contingent is planning an international conference on boating safety to be conducted during 2003 at a location and time still to be determined.
Mercury Marine has offered to underwrite 100% of the cost of publishing the Water Safety Journal during 2003. Brenda Warren volunteered to temporarily take the lead on coordinating input to the Journal.
5. Associate Reports
a. United States Coast Guard Update
b. National Safe Boating Council Update (Attached)
c. NASBLA Update
Fred Messman advised that the new president of NASBLA, Alvin Taylor, Boating Law Administrator for South Carolina, has expressed NASBLA's concern for increased funding into the boating safety account and has received directions from NASBLA to continue discussion/negotiation with ALAB to secure additional funding for Boating Safety. NASBLA's position is that 50% of the motorboat fuels tax should go to boating safety organizations.
Day Two: October 2, 2002:
The October 2002 meeting of the NWSC Board of Directors reconvened at 8:30 am on October 2, 2002 with a call to order by Board President Ron Rieberich.
The initial item of business was discussion of plans for the April 2003 International Boating and Water Safety Summit:
The NWSW Board meeting will be on Saturday, April 12, 2003 at the Summit site.
Summit registration and a golf outing will be on Sunday, April 2003 at a location TBD.
Ed Carter has been asked to be Master of Ceremonies for the Summit; however, if Ed is not available, Paul Crawford has volunteered to act as MC.
Fred Messman will ask the Sea Scouts to serve as Color Guard.
The planning committee is still entertaining recommendations for speakers for the opening sessions.
There are still several options for water activities:
Rafting trip from the base of Hoover Dam and going downstream for eleven miles.
Tour boat trip on Lake Mead.
Paddle sport demonstration
There is still a law enforcement track open for which we need a topic and presenter
Critical Incident Stress Management is a good possible topic; could be either an opening presentation or an educational track. Fred Messman volunteered to work on this topic.
There will be a "Family Feud" staged between NWSC and NSBC teams using water safety related questions.
The Post-Summit NWSC Board meeting will begin on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 7:00am. That meeting will be a Summit wrap-up, follow up on outstanding business and kick off for planning for the 2004 Summit.
On Thursday, April 17, 2003, following completion of the Summit there will be a training course on the updated Marina Safety Guidelines booklet. The training will be conducted at Lake Mead and will include an inspection of a working marina. Emmit Forte will present the course with the assistance of Brenda Warren and Mac Wimbish. Suggested cost for the course is $200 for Summit registrants and $300 for participants who did not register for the Summit.
Final topics for Summit presentations and Breakouts are due to the Summit Committee by the end of October. The objective is to have the Summit announcement and agenda published and distributed by early January 2003.
Following the discussions on summit planning the Board toured the hotel facilities with the Catering Manager. The Board viewed several possible locations for hosting the International Reception and determined the best location would be room 2009.
Following the hotel facility tour and a short break the Board reconvened for presentation of additional committee reports and to discuss new business.
Committee Reports
a. Education Committee (attached)
b. Public Relations Committee
c. Membership Committee
d. Awards Committee
e. Partnership Committee (attached)
f. Grants (attached)
g. Summit Program 2003 (attached)
Education Committee:
Cecilia Duer reported on the activities of the Education Committee.
The committee has learned that Australia has developed a composite National Water Safety Curriculum. The committee proposes to adapt the program for applicability within the U.S. and arrange for professional safety educators to receive training on the program with a view of applying it within their individual states.
The committee plans to update the "Beach Planning Standards Manual" which was last updated in 1981. There is a need for emphasis on beach safety and proper beach safety markings. Toni Rushing suggested the Education Committee apply for a USCG grant to update the manual.
The committee also looked at the "Safe Passage" curriculum sponsored by the Coors Brewing Company.
The committee suggested that the NWSC, in cooperation with various partners or responsible agencies could act as a "clearinghouse" for directing interested parties to appropriate sources for water and boating safety programs. While the Board agreed with the concept presented by the committee, insurance for safety education programs which involve hands-on instruction is cost prohibitive. Insurance costs frequently result in such programs being abandoned.
The committee noted that additional education on the wear of PFDs is urgently needed. Organizations hosting water and boating activities should be encouraged to include PFD use in the rules for such activities.
Following their presentation the Education Committee was tasked to determine how best to obtain funding for the programs they propose. Possible funding sources might be grants, individual organization funding and even NWSC funding.
Public Relations Committee:
Brenda Warren presented the report of the Public Relations Committee.
The committee proposed reexamination of the roles of the Public Relations Committee, which presently includes responsibility for both "History" and "Resolutions."
The committee noted that present by-laws require quarterly publication of the Water Safety Journal.
Motion:
Brenda Warren moved that the By-laws be amended to delete the word "quarterly" and insert the word "regularly" relative to publication of the Water Safety Journal and to delete "resolutions" from the PA Committee responsibilities. The motion was seconded by Toni Rushing and passed by unanimous vote of the Board. The change to the By-laws will be brought to the full membership of the NWSC during the general meeting in April 2003.
The committee requested information from the Awards, Partnership Liaison, and Education committees for inclusion in the Journal. Cecilia volunteered to work with the photographer to identify the Regional Award, National Award, and President's Award receipients from among photos which are available from the April 2002 Summit.
Discussion ensued regarding a "sponsorship" page in the Journal for identification and acknowledgment of corporate sponsors. Beginning with the Jan-Feb 2003 edition, Mercury Marine has offered to pick up the cost of publishing the Journal and will be acknowledged.
Lu Christie brought up the need for updating the NWSC web site and requested each member to review the site and send her current information for posting. Lu also noted there is probably a need for an "enforcement" section but that she needs information to post. She also requested that members canvass sponsors/partners to validate addresses, renewal of sponsorships, etc., and provide her updated information.
Lu advised she would look into developing a "Donations/Contributions" page as well as a "Members Only" page.
Richard Droesbeke noted that all members should be on the lookout for potential items of interest for both the Journal and the web site.
The Board also determined that the web site should include instructions on how to submit articles for consideration for publication and should note the Journal will be published three times annually: February: Pre-Summit
June: Post-Summit
October: Fall Issue
Membership Committee:
Joe Morgan reported that the work of the Membership Committee will pick up during the Summit with the solicitation of nominations for 2004 elections.
NWSC membership is presently defined as all individuals who register and attend the annual IBWSS and all others who submit a paid membership application in response to solicitations in the Journal or the web site regardless of Summit attendance.
Joe recommended that individual members receive a letter welcoming them into membership and volunteered to draft such a letter. He also recommended that each member in attendance at the Summit receive a copy of the Summit Proceedings, a copy of the Water Safety Journal and a logo (adhesive backed) to adhere to a shirt or jacket.
Motion:
Toni Rushing moved to purchase stick-on logos for distribution to members as part of the Summit Registration Packet. Fred Messman seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
Joe also suggested that membership roles should be posted on the web site as well as being listed in the Summit Proceedings. There is a question regarding posting of individual's names unless each individual has given explicit permission. That question will be examined.
Awards Committee:
Fred Messman reported that Ed Carter has agreed to MC the Summit in Las Vegas in April 2003.
Still cleaning up some award problems from last Summit at Daytona Beach; some awards were broken, some receipients did not receive their awards, etc..
Now is the time to be getting on top of award nominations from within each region. Regional VPs should review award criteria and make their selections as soon as possible for Awards of Merit and Certificates of Commendation.
Fred proposed the following distribution of awards:
# of states # of Merit # of Letters of C.
Region 1 12 6 6
Region 2 10 5 5
Region 3 12 6 6
Region 4 6 4 4
Region 5 5 4 4
Region 6 7 4 4
sub total 29 29
float 1 1
total 30 30
Additional awards are:
Regional Awards, one each
National Award, one only
Presidents award, at Presidents discretion
Al Linx Award, every other year, presented to the outgoing president
Motion:
Arlyn Hendricks moved for adoption of the recommended award distribution. Cecilia Duer seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
Additionally, nominees will be asked to provide personal photos.
Wrap Up:
Proposed Summit Program: Distributed to Board Members
Budget Report: Distributed to Board Members.
Executive Director Recruitment: To be in place by January 2003
Charges:
Education Committee: Pursue Curriculum and supporting grants
Membership Committee: Provide letter for registration packet
Public Relations Committee: Update President's Column for Journal and web site
The 2004 Summit will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Panama City, Florida.
The 2005 Summit will be held in Southern California at a location TBD.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm by Ron Riberich. The next general meeting will be at 8:30 am on April 12, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Minutes submitted by: Russ Minton
Approved by: Ron Riberich
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