MINUTES - FOOLS E-Board meeting – 7/12/08 0915 hours, Seattle, WA

Attendance- Mike Stallings, Ken Ireland, Mike Gilbert, Bart Simpson, Walt Lewis, Andy Biron, Eric DePoto, Lee Hudson, Ben Sheppard, Eric Hankins, Matt Gilbert (FOOLS CPA)

* Ellen Brown via Skype

E-Board report- Mike Gilbert- opening remarks regarding “passing of the torch”/ intent of direction for future of FOOLS

• Meet for continual operations
• Decide priorities of vision
• Monitor for “deals” for FOOLS
• Policing of chapters for misconduct/inactivity

DePoto-

· Training amongst the convention is the priority. Determine what chapters are doing what training.

· Weight loss program idea brought up by Mike Gilbert that had been discussed- weight loss challenge- $1/ pound lost to be donated to sponsoring chapters. However they must pay $1/pound to each sponsoring chapter if weight gained.

· Need to get finances into the Black

· Consideration for how convention submission presented

· Consider revisiting other groups (Union Locals, training groups, etc)

Matt Gilbert-

Financial consideration- 501c3. Individual chapters must gain their own designation due to record keeping issues. Impossible for all chapters to report money to International for tracking/control. Previous near-miss circumstance necessitates this.

Comments- DePoto- Line item budgeting to be done to ease financial tracking

Stallings- determine how many chapters are legit 501c3?

Matt will work with Ellen for email list to create packet for chapters to establish their own for set up and tracking. Most chapters will qualify 501c6.

Lewis- spot check merchandise for proper creation and distribution practices. Also, membership regulation- proper behavior and display of FOOLS in the positive light.

Ireland- endorse and encourage brotherhood, despite distances between new E-Board.

Agenda additions for tonight

Introductions for new E-Board

Consideration for support and presentation for HeroToHero.us (cops and firefighters supporting military)

Biron- requesting articles for the site. Request for Matt to write one regarding difference between 501c3 and 501c6.

Meeting adjourned – 0955 hrs

FOOLS General E-Board meeting- Seattle, WA 7-12-08, 1000 hours

Attendance –

Founding FOOLS: Mike Stallings, Ken Ireland, Mike Gilbert, John “Bart” Simpson, Walt Lewis

New E-Board- Eric DePoto, Ben Sheppard, Lee Hudson, Eric Hankins, Andy Biron, Ellen Brown (via Skype)

Introductions of new E-Board

Old Business

President's report- DePoto- Training is the priority of conventions and FOOLS. Physical fitness is another top priority.

Founding FOOLS report- Mike Gilbert- Thanks given to Puget Sound, Southwest Washington FOOLS. Formal thanks to go to Washington State Fire Academy for hosting training.

Financial advice- Matt Gilbert (FOOLS CPA)- article forthcoming of 501c3 vs 501c6

Treasurer's report- Matt Gilbert- income – approx $15,000. expend $15,800. further details as noted in financial records.

Merchandise report- T shirts – any new concepts, send them to Lee Hudson. All inventory is available through Lee Hudson.

Webmaster report- web programs attempted, adjusted and now up and running well. Request for submissions for: Articles, Restaurant visits, Photos with stories behind them, etc. --- Discussion regarding submission of articles - once submitted to FOOLS or Fire Engineering (ie), article may be proprietary. Product reviews submissions also.

For articles- PDF set up to prevent being “stolen”

Meeting minutes read- motion to accept- Bill Hopson, 2^nd, Ben Fleagle. All yea.

Reading of dues assessment as reported by the Dues Assessment Committee- 1-50 members- $50. 51-100 members, $100. 100-200 members $150. 300 +, $200. Dues owed by January 1, each year. Reminder email to be distributed to E-Boards of each chapter for payment, December of each year. Late date up to April 1. (It will be the responsibility of the chapters to advise the International of inactive members within their chapter)

Discussion- only active members tracked by chapters will be members in good standing- as well, the active members are the accurate number for which the chapter is responsible to pay for.

Revisit- FOTY (Fool of the Year) is given Convention Fee waived as an addition to award. If necessary, hosting chapter to add cost of FOTY attendee to all other attendees to off set impact cost.

Motion made, carried.

Revisit- Bereavement cards- Richie Stack, Southside FOOLS- Southside FOOLS and International cards are sent out to all LODD's. Scrapbook being created of all thanks returned by family of LODD for display at convention.

Benevolent bereavement fund to be voluntary- “hat” to be set up at posting site at convention for contributions. Motion made, Mike Louks, 2^nd WynnWhitmeyer. All yeah.

Convention committee- idea of listing next 3 years conventions rather than year to year. Convention committee- previous 5 yrs convention chairs are the members- lessons learned created to help advise future conventions. Berg's book of big ideas to be reference.

More discussion regarding Convention committee establishment, 3 year projections- decision to maintain previously established committee and continue with year to year submission.

New business

Physical fitness program initiative- International E-Board as well as other chapters to create a challenge for weight loss.

501(c)(3) packet being created for distribution upon request.

Question raised regarding insurance protection for training events. Umbrella policy for each event to be done by hosting chapter, typically it's inexpensive.

Question raised regarding lack of membership by paying members- responsibility deferred to chapters.

Motion to adjourn- 1157 hours.