January 20, 2010
The regularly scheduled Workshop Meeting of the Monroe County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Inc. Directors, Committee Chairpersons, Delegates, Representatives and Officials was called to order by the Association President, Ms. Diana Pfersick, RNC at 7:00 PM. The location was Room 107 at the Combined Training Facility located at 1190 Scottsville Road, Rochester, NY.
The assembly was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by the Association President, in the absence of the Sgt.-At- Arms, and the Opening Prayer for Guidance was offered by the Association Chaplain, Mr. Royer Pfersick.
With the taking of the roll call, it was determined that a quorum existed to conduct all business brought to the floor by those attending this meeting.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as to form and content on a motion called for by the Chair, Ms. Diana Pfersick, RNC. 1st by Mr. A. Way. 2nd by Mr. G. Klingenberger. The motion was passed by voice acclimation. There were no dissenting votes.
BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no bills presented to the Secretary at this time and the communications were read, discussed and passed to the appropriate members for their future workflow and settlement on behalf of the Association.
Treasurer’s Report: Mr. W. Nichols
Mr. Nichols passed to the Secretary a complete Treasurer’s Report for the permanent files and then discussed several points of the report including all checks written and the final net worth of the Association at this time. The complete report will be given at the upcoming Quarterly Convention to be held in West Webster on January 28, 2010. As a short qualifier…..the Association Finances are in good shape and there has been an increase in value due to the increase in value of the financial instruments held by the Association.
The Treasurer, Mr. W. Nichols reported that he has purchased a new copy of “Quick Books” to increase his accuracy in keeping track of the Association Finances.
At this junction, the Chair, Ms. Diana Pfersick, RNC requested that all Committee Reports be held in abeyance until the upcoming Quarterly Convention due to the matters on the agenda to be discussed this evening. There were, of course, some reports that were held to be of importance that were given in part this evening.
Investment Advisory: Mr. G. Klingenberger
They will be meeting soon.
Emergency Medical Service: Ms. D. Pfersick, RNC
Any department that has attended the EMS Seminar in the past will get a letter and application in the mail for future attendance and it will also be available at the FASNY web site. (www.fasny.com)
Explorers: Mr. R. Pfersick
The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2010…location is TBA.
Fire Prevention Essay Contest: Mr. A. Way
Mr. Way reports that all essays have been judged and the awards are ready. The Plaques are also ready. There was a request brought to the floor by Mr. A. Way to purchase 1,000 Certificates and postage for future contests. This was formed into a motion, after discussion of the need by Mr. G. Klingenberger and 2nd by Mr. C. Bommele. The motion passed by voice acclimation. There were no dissenting votes. The motion carried.
Hospitality Room: Mr. D. Sweet
The contract for the October Legislative Conference was received by Mr. D. Sweet. The location is the Holiday Inn located on Wolf Road in Albany, NY.
Public Relations: Mr. C. Dunn
Mr. C. Dunn gave a brief outline of placing the MCVFA (Inc.) on “Facebook” - a social activities site on the web. There seems to be a large segment of the population now looking at this site and he feels it would be to the advantage of the Association to have a presence there. After some discussion there was an agreement that the Association would indeed have a site on “Facebook” but the overall value would be revisited in 90 days to ascertain its value. This attachment of information was suggested by Mr. G. Klingenberger. There was agreement to this suggestion.
Resolution:
The list will be ready for the members at the upcoming Quarterly Convention to be held in West Webster on January 28, 2010.
Steering Committee: Mr. D. Sweet
The Steering Committee is seeking a replacement on the Committee due to the recent passing of Mr. Gerald Hendrickson. There will be future interviews of qualified candidates.
There was discussion of a request by Mr. D. Sweet for the WNYVFA to produce and mail 350 letters promoting the candidacy of Mr. D. Sweet for another term as a FASNY Director. WNYVFA will reimburse the MCVFA for the cost of this mailing. This was made into the form of a motion with a 1st by Mr. A. Way and a 2nd by Mr. R. Diehl. The motion passed by voice acclimation with no dissenting votes cast.
Special Events: Mr. D. Sweet
On March 20, 2010, FASNY will be conducting an “Outreach” program in Rochester, NY. The location will be the Combined Training Facility…Room 117 A and B. The topic will be the FASNY Legislative Agenda. This topic is held to be vital to the Fire Service for its future well being and the continuance of the Volunteer Fire Service. The time frame discussed will be from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Coffee and donuts will be provided and there was discussion of inviting local political figures to attend for their involvement.
It was agreed that a mailing would be done to surrounding counties seeking their participation in this event. Mr. A Way states that he has a mailing list for these county departments and Mr. D. Sweet will work with Mr. A. Way as to form and content of this letter and mail it to the afore mentioned surrounding counties. They will be reimbursed for their incurred expenses.
Topics: Mr. R. Pfersick
Mr. R. Pfersick states that Mr. Robert Faugh will be the speaker at the Quarterly Convention to be held at Penfield #1 on April 29, 2010. Mr. R. Faugh is an entertaining speaker and it promises to be a most informative address to the attendees.
Yearbook: Mr. A. Way
Mr. A. Way reports that he has some left and wishes to pass them all out as soon as possible.
Special Committees:
#1. The Dome Project: Mr. R. Chichester
There is no activity as yet. But the Association was well received at the past event and the return is anticipated to be an even better showing.
#2. Awards: Mr. L. LeonE
There have been none received yet for the Banquet to be held May 8, 2010 at the Green Lantern.
There was a motion called for to approve the Committee Reports. 1st by Mr. A. Way. 2nd by Mr. R. Diehl. The motion was carried by voice acclimation. There were no additions. There were no dissenting votes cast.
County Fire Police:
The next meeting will be February 4, 2010.
State Fire Police:
Their next meeting will be in Albany, NY. The subject will be the first reading of the updated bylaws governing the Association. This will be on January 23, 2010.
BATTALION REPORTS:
Gates has a new Assistant Fire Chief, Mr. Allen Babel.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was a long and thorough discussion covering all aspects of the current situation involving the fund raising organization that represents the MCVFA, (Inc.). Many discussions revolved around legalities, future use of the current organization and the feelings of the Directors, Committee Chairpersons and other attendees. There were many, many honest opinions stated and the concern of the attendees was both evident and urgent in the pursuit of an amicable solution to this seemingly never ending concern.
After a review of the contract, the final action this evening was…..a listing of concerns and changes advanced. But actually nothing can be done at this junction due to the fact the Association has not yet consulted with the Association Attorney to discuss the legal situation now brought to the forefront by the recent actions of the NYS Attorney General. The general tenor at this time is to consult with the Association Attorney and see what happens with the actions of the NYS Attorney General.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was decided that the yearly award for “Fire Educator of the Year” be named in honor and memory or the late Mr. Raymond Emma as the…..”Raymond Emma Award for Fire Educator of the Year”. This was proposed as a motion and was accepted by acclimation by the attendees.
GOOD AND WELFARE:
Howard Ayers from Lakeville has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Loretta VerWeire has entered Hospice Care due to terminal cancer.
Mr. Edward Fenner from Barnard has passed away. His funeral will be on January 23, 2010 from Our Lady of Mercy on Denise Road.
Mr. K. Fuller thanked all for their understanding in regards to his not being as active as of late due to his wife’s illness. She’s on the road to recovery now and he assures the attendees that he’s “Getting going again”.
With no additional matters for consideration being brought to the floor, there was a motion made to adjourn the Workshop Meeting. 1st by Mr. A. Way. 2nd by multiple attendees. The motion passed with no dissent.
The Closing Benediction was offered by Mr. A. Way
Time of adjournment was 9:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
J. K. Walsh
Sec. MCVFA (Inc.)
