General Membership Meeting Minutes

Location: Port Authority - Newark, NJ

10/22/02

 

 

The meeting was called to order by President Alain Fortier at 6:40PM. Executive Board Members in attendance were Mike Mandracchia (VP/President Elect), Kristen Wolansky (Secretary), Scott Butterfield (Treasurer), Rich Cestone (Trustee), Daniel Levine (Trustee). Absent: Peter Downing-Immed Past Pres.

 

I.                      General Business Meeting

 

The meeting was opened after the conclusion of a tour of the new portable x-ray equipment used by US Customs to investigate and police incoming container cargo at the port. The VACIS unit used by Customs was developed by SAIC; for further information visit their website at: http://www.saic.com/products/security/.

 

The meeting was also scheduled to host the Annual Tom Dalton Memorial Blood Drive, however, due to low turnout was postponed until a future meeting. At the conclusion of the general business meeting, a speaker from the US Customs presented a discussion on the latest screening technologies used at the Port to police incoming container cargo.

 

Secretaryís Report - The minutes created from the last general membership meeting, The Trenton Thunders Ballgame were posted on the chapter website for comments. No comments were received or presented at the meeting. The minutes were approved as posted. A motion to approve was made by Al Arnofsky, Jim Ross seconded the motion, all were in favor, none opposed, no abstentions.

 

Treasurerís Report - Scott Butterfield reported that as of October 22, 2002, the chapter has $23,401.92 in funds, $12,000.00 of which is held in CDís. A motion to accept the treasurerís report as read was made by Merwin Kincade, Barry Weissman seconded the motion, all were in favor, none opposed, no abstentions.

 

Committee Reports: Mike Mandracchia as NJDEP Liaison reported that the CHMM review course will again be offered at the NJDEP and that the Academy is evaluating adopting the NJ training mechanism for use in other states. Mike also sent out a call for volunteers for the 4 standing committees: Regulatory Affairs, Programs, Web page/Internet, and Membership

 

II.                   New Business

 

 

A.                    2001 National Awards - Alain presented a Champion of Excellence Award to Jim Ross (who was unable to attend the National meeting).

 

B.                    National Conference: Several meeting attendees reported another great conference, though attendance was slightly lower than in previous years.

 

C.                    Virtual Chapters: Mike Mandracchia reported that the Academy is investigating setting up virtual chapters to reach those remote areas where local chapters have not yet been established.

 

D.                    Academy News:

1.        Proposed RCRA Rule Changes - Liz Pfeiffer reported that the Academy hired a professional lobbyist to represent ACHMM on this rule proposal. Reportedly, many of the provisions are slated to be adopted as proposed.

2.        Dues Increase: The Academy has voted to increase dues from $45/yr to $85/yr to offset the increased prices in hosting the National meeting, due to new hires at the Academy (National Training Director-Bill Christie), the use of professional lobbyist for the proposed RCRA rule, and other outreach and professional development efforts.

 

E.                     CHMM Survey: Alain Fortier reported that the preliminary results of the recently mailed survey have been compiled and were available for review at the meeting.

 

F.                     ASSE/ACHMM Partnership: The Academy recently signed a Letter of Agreement with the American Society of Safety Engineers to work on joint promotion of the organizations including joint programming.

 

G.                    Calendar of Events

 

November 21, 2002 - 6pm Executive Board Meeting (Rutgers Club)

 

December 4-6, 2002 - Delaware Chapter is hosting a CHMM review Course and Exam -Cecil Co

Community College, Delaware.

 

December 10, 2002 - NJ Chapter Holiday Party at The Willows Restaurant in Green Brook

 

December 17, 2002 - NJ State Education and Training (Impact of homeland security on training needs)

 

February 25, 2003 - General CHMM Meeting at Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick.

 

April 22, 2003 - General CHMM Meeting at Fort Dix.

 

April 29, 2003, May 5, 13 and 20, 2003 - CHMM Review Course at NJDEP-Trenton, NJ

 

                  June 3, 2003 - Final CHMM review class and Exam (Trenton).

 

H.                    Existing Board and Slate of Nominees - 2003 Executive Board

 

Returning Board Members:

                 

                  Mike Mandracchia - President

Alain Fortier - Immediate Past President

Daniel Levine- Trustee (1 yr. remaining)

Nominees:

                                    Scott Butterfield - VP/President Elect

                                    Scott Sherman - Secretary

                                    Rich Cestone - Treasurer

                                    Barry Weissman - Trustee (2 yr. term)

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25PM.

 

Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Kristen Wolansky, Secretary.