Meeting May 17, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:Art Jordan, Jim Peters, Sarah Jordan, Sharon Fisher, Glenn Schultz, Brooks Hanford, Scott Miller, Chuck Dunnavant, Seth Brothers, Fred Knight, Darrell Monroe
GUESTS PRESENT: Steve Reddington, Chris Long, Gene Sieber,
Ron Taylor, Gene Nalley, Mark Chapman, Todd Rignel, Rick Hood, Bob Bonner, John
Deibert, Karl Moore
Next SARVAC Meeting: September 20, 2003 in Ellensburg, WA
Board Meeting 9:30 a.m. General meeting 1:00 p.m.
Council Chamber Conference on 102 N. Pearl, Ellensburg WA
November 21, 2003, Camp Murray EOC Board meeting 9:30 a.m. General
meeting 1:00 p.m.
Meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m.
Introductions:
All present introduced themselves and shared their SAR affiliation.
Acceptance of the minutes.
Scott Miller moved and Chuck Dunnavant seconded that the minutes of the previous meeting being approved without reading. The motion passed unanimously.
Executive Board Report:
WASARCA meeting information was shared. Pierce County had to withdraw from hosting the 2004 State SAR Conference. Lewis County, on short notice, agreed to host. The 2004 State SAR Conference will be held May 21, 22, and 23, 2004 at Cascade Peaks Campground out of Packwood. Preconference courses will be held May 17-21 at the Packwood Fire Station.
This year in Spokane, over 600 people were in attendance including people from out of state and out of country. Washington’s SAR conference is highly regarded.
President's Report:
Art represents SARVAC on the Governor’s Emergency Management Council. One of the most important contributions that SARVAC makes for the volunteers of Washington is that it has one of the thirteen votes on the Governor’s Emergency Management Council.
One of the current pushes is to have SAR volunteers included in the definition of First Responder. That would enable SAR organizations to be eligible for training funds through the federal government.
Secretary’s Report: None
Treasurer’s Report:
The following counties have paid for their 2003 membership in SARVAC: Asotin, Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Grant, Lincoln, King, Mason, Okanogan, San Juan, Snohomish, and Yakima. The following council representatives have been identified: Cowlitz – Chuck Dunnavant, King – Seth Brothers, Okanogan – Scott Miller, Snohomish – Glenn Schultz, and Yakima – Jake Webber.
The current balance is $1,647.13.
Committee reports: Training is on hold till Standards are completed.
Regional mission and activity reports:
In deference to time (dinner at 5 pm), no regional reports were taken.
Old Business: The out-of-county SAR standards are not yet completed due to budgeting constraints. The legal standards for SAR volunteers are in the W.A.C. and the R.C.W. It is the need for a standardized skill level when requesting SAR volunteers from other counties that out-of-county SAR standards are being developed.
Scott Miller reported about the 501 C-3. It is stated in the SARVAC bylaws that the organization will seek 501 C-3 status. Scott stated that having a 501 C-3 would enable SARVAC to get grants, cash donations, or in kind gifts. However, he also stated that it would cost $750-$1,000 to obtain the status and would engender ongoing costs. Dispersal of funds would have to be managed and SARVAC financial records open to public examination at any time upon request. He questioned whether the benefits would out weigh the costs for the organization. His recommendation was to change the by-laws and drop the 501 C-3 requirement for SARVAC.
Karl Moore, WA State Dept. of Aviation Air Search Coordinator, offered to share a copy of their 501 C-3 charter for SARVAC to use as a guide.
Rick Hood asked how many county councils or units have their own 501 C-3. Several representatives indicated that their groups currently do including King, Snohomish, and Cowlitz. The question was whether SARVAC would need 501 C-3 status if local units already have 501 C-3 status.
Scott Miller moved and Gene Nalley seconded that SARVAC table pursuing of a 501 C-3 at the present time. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
Steve Reddington shared a letter from John Furman of the Department of Labor & Industries which stated that volunteers are not covered by WISHA. In addition, Chris Long pointed out that in the R.C.W. it states that emergency workers are not employees of the state and therefore are not covered under the state industrial insurance plan.
There was a proposal by the Board that an additional $500 be allocated for ongoing State SAR Conference seed money bringing the total donated by SARVAC to $1,500. Scott Miller moved and Chuck Dunnavant seconded a motion to that effect. It was approved without dissent.
Adjourned: 1710