George A. Valrance

Corresponding Secretary

March 15, 2009

Minutes of the SPAAMFAA Board Meeting

Sheridan Fairplex

Pomona, California

February 25, 2009

                                                                            Dave Napier                     Dennis Adamski

                                                                            Barbara Connors             Paul Romano

                                                                            George Valrance             Keith Franz

                                                                            Gerry Clement                 Len Williams

                                                                            Herold Berthy

                                                                            Bill Lawlor

                                                                            Bill Dundas

                                                                            Bill Davis

                                                                            Ron Driscoll

The meeting was called to order by Senior Vice President Herold Berthy at 1:15 PM.

Senior Vice President Berthy advised the Board that President Franz was not feeling well and will not be present. He then called for comments from the observers. Herold explained that the meeting will follow Roberts Rules of Order.

Motion to accept the minutes as written. Carried

Ed Peterson was absent. See report (Exhibit A)

Bill Davis reported he had 2 bids for future meetings. (See new business) (Exhibit B)

Mike Buetler was absent. See report. (Exhibit C)

Walt McCall was absent. See report. (Exhibit D)

Dan Jasina had nothing to add to his report. See Report. (Exhibit E)

Paul Romano – absent no report

Steve Hagy was absent. Both Rodger Birchfield and Scott Rollins discussed printer bids on the two publications. A decision will be made shortly. George Valrance advised the Keith Franz was interested in discussing possibly merging the publications in the distant future. Would it be financially feasible?? Rodger stated the Silver Trumpet will be ready in a couple of weeks. Paul Romano was absent. See report (Exhibit F)

Bill Lawlor will discuss issues under new business.

Jack Connors is working on some revised rules and will report at the next meeting.

Paul Romano was absent.

Keith was absent. See report (Exhibit G)

Herold has a report under old business.

Dave has a discussion under new business.

George reports he has one new chapter application. (New business) Election results will be given under new business. (Exhibit H) 5 chapters have not paid their insurance assessment and 6 chapters have not filed an Annual Report as of this date. This is a marked improvement over previous years. January 31^st is the deadline. We are getting good cooperation from J.C. Taylor.

Len was absent the report (Exhibit I) was presented by Herold Berthy. Len included a brief overview of our investments. Motion to accept. Carried.

Barb reports we have 3005 members. She will present (thirty five) 25 year pins this year and no 50 year pins. Roster, rig roster & the Source Listing will be discussed under new business. See report. (Exhibit J)

See Jerry’s report. (Exhibit K) He is hopeful to attend some of the chapter events this year.

See Ron’s report. (Exhibit L) He has contacted all his chapters and offered assistance.

South Eastern Region – Czaplicki (Pro-tem)

Nothing to report

Dennis was absent. No report

Bill has met with 5 of his chapters and is in contact with the others.

Bill has been busy with assisting his chapter put this meeting together. He recently spent some time in San Diego at the Fire House conference seeking new members.

Candy and Ray Bennett have taken over the Black project and are near completion.

Herold Berthy gave a written report on establishing Trust funds to assist the Society with its financial goals. Another was using annuities. The business climate at this time makes this project difficult to establish.

Gerry Clement states that he wants to see a more relaxed atmosphere to help improve contact with the membership and the officers at the Membership meeting.

George passed out the election results. (Exhibit M) Rick Canfield is the new Trustee in the South Eastern Region. Ted Elder is the new Trustee in the North Central Region. The proposal to change the by-laws passed.

George reviewed the application for a new chapter from the Chippewa Valley Chapter of SPAAMFAA. They are located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The application is in order and by-laws are attached. Let them be known as the Western Wisconsin Chapter. Motion to accept. Carried.

After a discussion Barbara will combine the membership roster, rig roster and the source manual and print it this year.

A letter from Warren D. Lun was read regarding publishing the Silver Trumpet on the website. The Board will consider the proposals and discuss them further at the next meeting.

Gerry Clement discussed changing the way new officers are introduced. As a result the following action was taken. Motion by Clement/Valrance. Upon the counting of ballots for offices by the Executive Secretary, those candidates elected will be notified of the results and be invited to attend the next Board of Trustees meeting to assume their position. Carried. (Standing Rule) Also discussed was honoring outgoing Board members at the membership meeting.

Motion by Napier/Valrance. All Board of Trustees meetings will be held on Wednesdays at 1:00PM and the General Membership Meetings will be held on

New Business (Cont.)

Thursday/Friday at 8:00PM. Carried. (Standing Rule) Bill Davis will assure that all chapters schedule upcoming meetings in this manner.

Motion by Napier/Clement. Amend Article III, Paragraph 2 to read: The Board of Trustees will be voted on by the membership on a written mailed ballot. The due date for returning mailed ballots will be January 15^th. The elected officers will assume their new duties under the new business portion of the next Board meeting. Carried. (Standing Rule)

George read a letter from Thornton Ring suggesting a donation of some kind be made to the families of the two men that died changing the tire after the Syracuse Muster in August. Due to a technical/legal concern it was suggested George get an opinion from Leonard Williams and John Zangerle before going forward.

Ron Driscoll wrote a suggestion we look into forming a "marketing team" to attract new younger members. He was referred to the membership committee with his suggestion.

Gerry Clement reports that to date, 209 "SPAAMFAA at 50" books have been sold. 12 books were gifted to the committee and 1 book to the Archives. 78 books are in inventory, of which 40 are being shipped to Pomona for sale at the winter meetings. CNY Chapter has forwarded $6300.00 to SPAAMFAA which is the revenue for 210 books. Any CNY expenses have been reimbursed by the National.

Bill Davis presented 2 proposals for future meetings. February, 2011 from the North Texas Chapter and June, 2014 from the Central Ohio Chapter. Motion by Clement/Valrance to accept the proposals. Carried

Dave Napier tabled his report until the next meeting.

Marla Buschardt, wife of Chuck passed away January 31, 2009 in Houston, Texas.

Sue Valrance, wife of George had a heart attack on December 20, 2009. She is doing well after having 3 stents.

The next Board meeting will be in Indianapolis, Indiana on Wednesday July 15, 2009 starting at 1:00 PM. Lunch will precede the meeting

Respectfully submitted,

George A. Valrance

Executive Secretary

General Membership & Chapter Advisory Council Meeting

Pomona, California

February 25, 2009

Meeting called to order by Senior Vice President Herold Berthy at 8:05PM. Herold explained that Keith was ill and not present.. He introduced the National Officers present. Herold turned the meeting over to Vice President Dave Napier. Dave then introduced The Executive Secretary George Valrance who presented an overview of the Board meeting

Senior Vice President Herold Berthy then took over the meeting seeking comments from the group attending.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

George A. Valrance

Executive Secretary