National Chimney Sweep Guild
Board of Directors Meeting
March 23, 2005
San Antonio, TX
President Pietila called the meeting of the National Chimney Sweep Guild Board of Directors to order at 8:25 am.
Directors Present : Paul Anderson, John Wharton, Ron Brigman, Randy Brooks, Steve Pietila, Thomas Rhines, Howard Rowell, Bob Burney, Mark Putnam, George Stroup, Robert Huta, Hans Marsen, Paul Hempel
Staff Present : Mark McSweeney, Melissa Heeke, Royal Edwards, Ashley Eldridge and Eliott Belilos, Esq.
Guests Present: Ron Rust, Bob Fish, Renee Brigman, Bo Tasso, John Meredith and John Pilger.
A motion was made by Hans Marsen and seconded by Bob Burney to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2005 National Chimney Sweep Guild board of directors meeting. Motion passes unanimously.
President's Report : Submitted by Steve Pietila, addressing convention successes, insurance as a new membership benefit and trademark changes.
Executive Director's Report: Submitted by Mark McSweeney. Stated that thirty insurance applications had been received since general session ended. McSweeney thanked the Texas Guild for assistance during convention. He also thanked Hans Marsen for serving as official photographer, Bill and David Kline for recording highlighted sessions and Fred Joy for A/V assistance.
Supplier Representative Report: Robert Huta announced that 44 booths have been pre-sold for the 2006 Trade Show in Louisville, with five vendors reserving more floor space than in 2005.
Trade Development Committee Report: Mark McSweeney presented an update on the Chimney Apprenticeship Program (CAP), highlighting the changes made upon the conclusion of a focus group earlier in the week.
Steve Pietila submitted the following as committee chairs for 2005 – 2006 pending approval by the board of directors:
Executive – Steve Pietila
Affiliated Trade Networking– Victor Imgarten
Budget & Finance – Ron Brigman
Bylaws- Howard Rowell
Canadian Liaison – Vince & Yvette Aube
Convention Planning – Robert Huta
Ethics – Thomas Rhines
Foreign Relations – Victor Imgarten
History – Hans Marsen
Internet – Paul Hempel
Legislative – Mark Putnam
Long Range Planning – Howard Rowell
Membership – Randy Brooks
NFPA 31 – John Pilger
NFPA 54 – Jim Brewer
Nomination – Paul Hempel
Trade Development & Marketing – Greg Polakow
A motion was made by Robert Huta and seconded by Bob Burney to create a legislative committee. Voting in favor: Paul Anderson, John Wharton, Ron Brigman, Randy Brooks, Steve Pietila, Thomas Rhines, Howard Rowell, Bob Burney, Mark Putnam, George Stroup, Robert Huta, Hans Marsen and Paul Hempel Motion passes unanimously.
A motion was made by Hans Marsen and seconded by Mark Putnam to approve the committee chairs as submitted. Voting in favor: Paul Anderson, John Wharton, Ron Brigman, Randy Brooks, Steve Pietila, Thomas Rhines, Howard Rowell, Bob Burney, Mark Putnam, George Stroup, Robert Huta, Hans Marsen and Paul Hempel Motion passes unanimously.
Steve Pietila submitted the following as directors of the Chimney Safety Institute of America for 2005 – 2006:
Eric Adair
Ron Brigman
Paul Hempel
Robert Huta
John Meredith
Bo Tasso
Randy Brooks
John Pilger
Greg Polakow
Howard Rowell
A motion was made by Bob Burney and seconded by Thomas Rhines to approve the appointments as submitted. Voting in favor: Paul Anderson, John Wharton, Ron Brigman, Randy Brooks, Steve Pietila, Thomas Rhines, Howard Rowell, Bob Burney, Mark Putnam, George Stroup, Robert Huta, Hans Marsen and Paul Hempel Motion passes unanimously.
Meeting recessed at 9:40 am. Meeting called to order at 9:55 am.
The following were established as goals for the organization for the upcoming year:
• Improved communication between board and staff.
• 1200 Voting Member companies by Louisville convention.
• 250 Member companies participating in insurance program.
• 225 Member companies represented at next convention.
Board meeting dates for 2005 have been established as: May 23- 25 (board training and long-range planning), July 18 – 19 (budget) and November 4-5, 2005.
The deadline for committee chairs to have committee member listings solidified is April 22, 2005.
A motion was made by Paul Hempel and seconded by Randy Brooks to adjourn the meeting of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Motion passes unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.