Minutes
Executive Board Meeting
June 3, 2004

     The meeting was called to order at 10:09 am by President William Shaffer.

     The invocation was then given by 1^st Vice President Don Bradley.

     President Shaffer then thanked everyone for attending and started the meeting.

     Secretary Rick Spitaels then did the Roll Call of Officers with James Koryta, Alan Nadon, and Bud Swathwood being absent and John Weesner unofficially in attendance.

     Secretary Spitaels then presented the Minutes of the Previous meeting. Don Bradley made a motion to accept the minutes with no corrections with Charley Weber seconding the motion and the motion passed with a unanimous vote.

     Treasurer Rick Spitaels then presented the Treasurers report. Treasurer Spitaels pointed out that on February 14, 2004 he purchased the extended warranty and the carrying case for the new laptop computer. Treasurer Spitaels then pointed out two refunds one from the City of Hammond who had sent $90.00 in excess of their invoice and Boone County who had sent $90.00 to the chapter, without any paper work, that was for membership renewal. A question was brought up about the excess amount in our accounts over the $25,000 mark. Asst. Treas./Sec. Bud Wheeler then explained that the over $25,000 dollar threshold was false since we are not Incorporated in the State of Indiana. He further stated that we fall under the International Office as far as taxes are concerned. He stated that all we do is send our forms to the International Office and they file all necessary taxes and that we wouldn’t have any concerns until we reached the $250,000 range. A motion was then made by Dave Soderquist to accept the Treasurers report with no corrections and seconded by Dave Schofield and passed with a unanimous vote.

      Discussion then turned to dedicating the 2005 Meeting to Glenn Zeissness. Warren Goodrich asked if he was the only member that has died recently. Sec. Spitaels stated that Glenn was the only one that he had been made aware of. Bud Wheeler said that Glenn was the only one that he knew of that had been an officer in the Indiana Chapter. Warren then voiced his concern of injured feelings if someone is missed. Warren went on to further state that maybe a criteria could  be set up for this type of thing. Bud Wheeler then made a motion for the Bylaws Committee to set up a criteria for the dedication of future February Meetings. The motion was seconded by Dave Soderquist and passed with a unanimous vote. Then a motion was made by Bud Wheeler to dedicate the February Meeting to Glenn’s Memory. The Motion was seconded by Jeremi Meyers and passed with a unanimous vote.

      Western Section Representative Bud Wheeler then began his report. He stated that the Western Section Meeting would be September 19-22,2004 in West Des Moines, Iowa. He further stated that the registration fee would be $225.00 and $100.00 for companions with no registration at the door. Bud stated that most of the program was to dedicated to the 2005 code changes.

      President Shaffer then stated that he had received some information from the Western Section about sponsoring an ad or refreshment break for the Western Section Meeting. President Shaffer stated that the cost of a full page ad was $100.00 and a half page ad was $60.00. President Shaffer went on to state that coffee/soda break sponsorships were available for $500.00 which included a special half page ad and a special spot in the program book stating our participation. With that President Shaffer opened the floor for discussion. Sec. Spitaels then asked Bud Wheeler if we had ever participated with an ad or sponsorship before. Bud stated that we had bought ads in the past but never had sponsored a break as that was a relatively new thing. Dave Stalf asked if there was a financial problem with Western Section and if that was why they were looking for break sponsorships. Bud  stated that there wasn’t a financial problem but that it was just another source of revenue for the Section. Bud further stated that the Western Section has to make money on their meeting just like we do. Bud further stated that when a Board Meeting is done for the Section with airfares etc. the total bill for a Board Meeting could cost upwards of $8,000.00. Bud also stated that  the Western Section pays for 3 Alternates on the code panels. Dave Stalf then stated that the ad should reflect Warren Goodrich’s hard work with a graphic that gets them to the website easily. Warren then stated that we could use our front page from our website as our ad. President Shaffer then asked Warren if he would get a hold of Ed Lawry of the Western Section and see if our front page would work for our ad and agreed to make that call with assistance from Jim Ochs and Bud Wheeler.  A motion was then made by Dave Stalf to take out a full page ad. The motion was then seconded by Don Bradley and passed by unanimous vote.

      Secretary Spitaels then presented the Year End Report. After little discussion a motion to accept with no corrections was made by Ed Johnson. The motion was then seconded by Jack Douthit and passed with a unanimous vote.

      Secretary Spitaels then gave the 2004 Meeting Report. He stated that we made less money but that our attendance was down about 20 members. He stated that we lost 64 cents on each women but average cost on attendees was down. Sec. Spitaels stated that the Radisson Inn had treated us very well compared to our last year in Ft. Wayne as far as expenses. With few Questions a motion to accept the report with no corrections was made by Don Bradley. The Motion was seconded by Fred Davis and Passed by unanimous vote.

     Ed Johnson then started the discussion on the Meeting Survey results. Ed stated that the survey pretty much told us what the members wanted with Inspecting Electrical Services, Soares Grounding, hot tubs and swimming pools, arc faults, and 1 & 2 family electrical topping the list. Ed stated that we are going to have to bite the bullet and have some seminars and present them at different areas of the state. Jeremi Meyers then brought up that one or two people had commented about having something for the children. Dave Stalf commented that there was no place for children in the meetings or the banquets. It was the opinion of the majority that they would not get involved with the entertainment of children and that anyone bringing children would have to find their own entertainment. After further discussion it was decided that a place to mark for children on the registration form and a handout put in the packet about some places for people with children to go.

Warren Goodrich then stated that the survey shows that people are getting more specific with the avenues that they want to learn about and that we should address it. Warren went on further to state that the time might have come to still have the code panel answer questions but have other rooms with seminars going on about more specific topics at the same time. Sec. Spitaels stated that there might be extra costs involved if we have to start renting different rooms for other seminars. Warren felt that by getting a smaller main room and maybe a couple conference rooms that the cost might be about the same. Charley Weber then asked if these were things we wanted to do at the February Meeting or have other seminars during the year to address these other topics. Dave Stalf then stated that he thought that the code panel format was not working and that a change might be in order. Jim Ochs stated that some of the other comments in the survey pointed to the code panel maybe long winded and that it takes too long for them to get their point across. Jim went on to say that the survey shows that the people want more on grounding and 1 & 2 family and that the code questions that were presented didn’t touch on these items enough. Bud Wheeler said that having different rooms going on was all well and good but that the people filling out the surveys probably didn’t think about the code changes coming up this year and they are going to want the code panel to explain what the thinking behind some of these changes are and why they decided on what they did. Dave Stalf stated that maybe the problem is in the style of the way the information is presented. Dave further stated that the style we have now does not engender discussion and needs to be changed somehow. Ed Johnson stated that if there are specific questions you want asked write them down and send them to him when asks for them and they will be in the meeting. With that the discussion was closed and the meeting moved on.

      Hotel Committee Chairman Jack Douthit then gave the Hotel report. Jack stated that all dates were finalized for the meeting. He brought up the fact that the Hotel was now a Best Western. President Shaffer stated that he was happy with all the accommodations and the hard work that Jack has put in to our meetings and hoped that he would keep up the good work in the coming year. President Shaffer then went on to say that he had received absolutely no complaints about the facility, the rooms, or the food from anyone. Jack stated that Best Western had spent quite a bit of money redoing rooms so everyone should really be happy with the rooms this coming February. It was suggested that we change our website to show that the hotel was a Best Western instead of Radisson Inn. Warren Goodrich stated that it would be amended immediately.

       Entertainment Committee Chairman Jack Douthit then asked the body what kind of entertainment they would like for the upcoming meeting in February. After some discussion it was decided to go with the same entertainment as last February. Ed Johnson made a motion to that effect and was seconded by Bud Wheeler and passed with a unanimous vote.

      Secretary Spitaels then reported that he had obtained mailing addresses for all the Building Departments in the State and that he was going to mail a flyer in the fall to all of those already not represented in the membership rolls. Bud Wheeler stated that he had done the same thing a couple of years back with very little result but it was the opinion of the body to give it another try.

       Bud Wheeler then stated that as long as no one had any objections he would mail a invitation to the panel members we had last year and see who can come and then go from there. Bud further stated that we need to decide at the October meeting  if we are going to give a Analysis Book with the registration this year and that we should inquire about costs. Secretary Spitaels stated that he would find out our cost and will have it for the October meeting. Dave Stalf then added that he thought that it was important for the attendees to take something home other than a manila envelope and a few pieces of paper with questions on them. Bud Wheeler added that we have to be careful about the books. As long as we include them in the registration it is ok but if we sell them separately then we have to fill out some different forms with the IRS. Jim Ochs then asked Ed Johnson how many people that he had at his IABO electrical classes and he said about 100. Jim further stated that it seemed that the IABO was doing more to educate people than the IAEI was doing. Jim added that his problem with the seminars with IAEI was that you had to go to Texas and get trained before you could give an accredited seminar, whereas with IABO all you needed to be was certified and you could teach a class. Charley Weber stated that he was under the impression that the IAEI was going to take their train the trainer concept on the road but hadn’t heard from Mike Johnston since the meeting. With that the discussion ended and the meeting moved on.

       Registration fees were tabled until the October meeting.

       President Shaffer then stated that he had talked with former Fire Chief  Luther Taylor of South Bend about being our luncheon speaker in February.  President Shaffer went on to say that Mr. Taylor had just been appointed to a State position overseeing Emergency services for the State. President Shaffer stated that Mr. Taylor was warm to the idea and to have us get in contact him after he gets his feet wet down State and schedule permitting would probably attend the February luncheon. President Shaffer went on to say that he would get with Jack Douthit to see about having a local official as a back up.

        John Weesner then gave the report from the State. John stated that if we decided to have 2005 Analysis books as part of the registration that the State would make at least a portion of those books grant eligible. John stated that the certification program has taken off with a 100 people already in classes preparing them to take the 1 & 2 Family certification exam. John stated that the state would get right on the new code when released to get it adopted as quickly as possible and didn’t think there would be many changes made by the state. John then went on to say that he would officially be back to the office June 14. John said that Tracy Boatwright was retiring from the state at the end of the month and that State Building Commissioner Steve Shults was going to retire in February. John further stated that on June 16 there would be a public hearing on the IRC and the NFPA. John stated that one of the amendments to the IRC was the requirement for backing behind vinyl siding and the amendment was to have that taken out of the Indiana IRC. John stated that if people want things like this to stay in the IRC they need to get involved in the amendment process and either attend the public hearings or get documentation to him to present at the hearing why you think it should stay in the code or be taken out. Discussion  then turned to state licensing.  John Weesner stated that maybe our organization should contact the state Home Builders Association because they are the ones pushing for certification of Inspectors and maybe we could get these two things to go hand in hand.  Bud Wheeler then stated that Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan all have state licensing and that Ohio requires 30 hours of continuing education every 3 years to keep their license valid. Bud stated that that was how Ohio took care of the grandfathering of all the existing electrical contractors. Dave Soderquist then stated that the reason for state licensing was to raise the standard of knowledge required to work in the state of Indiana. Dave stated that after all the little additions to the legislative bill the standard becomes non existent. After much discussion President Shaffer asked if there were any more questions for John being none he unofficially left.

        Ed Johnson then gave the power point study report. Ed stated that he had his eyes on a couple of units that would fit our needs. Ed said that he hadn’t received an answer for sure on prices but thought that we were looking at the $3,000 range. Ed stated that we would want a unit that would project across the room and that the laptop would run the power point. Ed asked that when he gets the firm price if he would email it to the board members and take a vote for or against at that time. President Shaffer then asked if we hadn’t already set a not to exceed price already. Sec. Spitaels stated that we had made a motion for a 4 in 1 machine and a laptop computer not to exceed $3,500 but had never made a motion for the power point. Dave Stalf asked if the projecting across the room feature was necessary. Ed stated that if you don’t get that feature the resolution of subject being projected is not sharp. Ed stated that he was going on recommendations of Mike Johnston on what features we would need on the unit. President Shaffer then said that we have been studying the power point for well over a year and that maybe it was time to take action. At this time Don Bradley made a motion to purchase a power point projector with a cost not to exceed $3,500. The motion was seconded by Fred Davis and passed with a unanimous vote.

        Don Bradley then gave the Membership Committee Report. He stated that he didn’t have much to report other then the usual problems getting information from Texas. Don stated that he tries to stay current by taking people off the list that he knows are deceased but the main problem is that the IO doesn’t take people off the list that are deceased or haven’t paid their dues.

       Charley Weber then gave the Education Committee Report. Charley stated that Mike Johnston of the IO was really enthusiastic about the Train the Trainer and the Coop seminars that the IO was offering but hadn’t heard anything more. President Shaffer then stated that he had received a mailing from the IO with a list of the different seminars available and that most of the seminars coincided with the findings of our survey that members wanted code update, grounding, and 1 & 2 family seminars along with many other seminars available from the IO. Charley stated that he was glad to hear that there was a seminar on safety as electrical workers are going to be required to have more training in this field. Charley then stated that he would see what information he could obtain and hopefully be able to get something going on education in the fall.

       Ed Johnson then gave the Code Clearing Committee Report. Ed said that questions were needed for presentation to the code panel and that he needed them as soon as possible.

       Warren Goodrich then gave the Bylaws Committee Report. Warren stated that he didn’t have much to report other then the committees involvement with setting a process up for recognizing past members who have become deceased.

        There was no Fire & Safety Committee Report because of Alan Nadon’s absence.               

        In other business Sec. Spitaels stated that everyone had received the membership chart from the February meeting. He stated that the individuals in green on the chart had paid but did not attend. The people in blue on the chart were individuals that attended but had not paid. Sec. Spitaels stated that he had sent both individuals that still owed money at least two notices. Bud Wheeler then brought up the fact that since the addresses, and contact information was now one the website that just the work numbers and addresses be put on the webpage as he didn’t think that anyone had intended to have their home information floating around in cyberspace. Warren Goodrich stated that he would take care of it immediately.

        With that being the last business David Soderquist made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Charley Weber and passed by unanimous vote. The Meeting adjourned at 2:13 pm.