Annual Meeting Minutes
Welcome, Opening -Harry Grenawitzke
The meeting was called to order. New Members were welcomed and all in attendance were asked introduced themselves by stating who they were and where they were from. The old Minutes and agenda were approved by voice vote.
Secretary/Treasurer Report – Gary Noonan
Copies of the Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement were distributed and discussed; typo corrections to the statement were made. Points of discussion include:
· $4570 in dues and interest were collected over the past year
· The $1,200 loan to the Environmental Health Officer’s Professional Advisory Committee of the US Public Health Service has been repaid.
· The Treasurer is looking into moving the funds into a better Certificate of Deposit or financial mechanism.
· The proposed transfer of funds from checking for the RS exam did not happen.
Old
Business
Financial Audit
As discussed at last year’s meeting, a group of members were appointed to serve as an Audit Committee. The committee submitted an Audit Report letter dated June 22, and certified the AAS books are in order. The recommendation was made to conduct a similar audit every 5 years.
Wagner Award – Tom Crow
Tom announced that we had a great ceremony this year. Tom also stated that we need your recommendations for highly qualified nominees for next year. The Wagner Foundation also has a scholarship fund, scholarship winners will be presented at our Wagner Award Ceremony next year. A history of the Wagner Award is located on the web site.
Membership Issues
There are 208 AAS members 160 are active. A list of members will be posted on the AAS web site. A member survey and request for updates will be mailed with next years dues statement.
A motion was made and seconded for up to $500 be made
available for putting out a new membership directory. Colin Powell will be contacted and be asked
to begin working on what he had previously done. .A new format will be used and
the directory will be distributed to members in good standing on a CD.
The following member’s dues statements have been returned with bad addresses. If you have contact information on these missing members, please let Gary Noonan by email or conventional mail. “Lost Members” include:
William A. Frank
Thomas H. Devlin
Dick B. Whitehead
Robert K. Cox
David A. Smart
Terry L. McArthur
Frank E. Fisher
Alfredo Casta-Velez
The members approved the recommendation to make Dr Osterholm of the University of Minnesota an honorary member of AAS.
Nominating Committee - Harry Grenawitzke
Based on last years bylaws changes no board elections are needed this year. Next year 2 board members rotate off.
Certification and Credential Committee – Robert Powitz
AAS members participated in a student-professional career forum at the NEHA conference this year. A request was made to include an invitation to students to participate in the student-professional forum in the NEHA AEC registration packet next year.
Larry Gordon, is the last survivor member of the (original12 founding members) of the American Inter Society for the Credentialing of Sanitarians. This group was what later was changed to the American Academy of Sanitarians. Larry has indicated an interest in donating the original membership pin to the Academy so that it will be available for the historical record.
Long Range Plan – Welford Roberts
Since the last meeting information was posted on the AAS web site soliciting input on developing long range plans for the AAS. There were no responses to the web posting. As a next step, Welford will repackage the information and post on the web site within 45 days. An e-mail will be sent to members notifying them of the posting and request them to review and comment. The goal is to adopt the recommendations at next years meeting.
R.S. Credential Update – Nelson Fabian
At last years meet, the AAS dedicated funds to assist NEHA revise the R.S. Credential. We don’t have a unified professional credential. NEHA has weighed different testing companies. Environmental Health Testing from Florida was awarded a contract a month ago. NEHA will use the old exam until the new exam comes out March 1, 2006. The new exam will reflect new areas of expertise in the profession. NEHA is looking for subject matter experts to review and contribute to exam information. NEHA expects to accept the funds committed by AAS. NEHA is also working on updating the RS/REH Review Manual.
Status on Incorporation – Gary Noonan
Not much has changed since last meeting. An attorney needs to be contacted. Work on the matter is ongoing.
New
Business
By-Law Changes
Keith Krinn and Bob Galvan will work with Gary Noonan in reviewing the by-laws, and will then make suggestions on balloting any needed changes.
Scholarship – Jim Balsamo
The committee met to select scholarship awardees. There was an increase in applicants this year. A proposal was made to use scholarship funds for General Environmental Health. There is a proposal to decrease the award amount next year from $5000 to $2000. The NEHA scholarship has underperformed and there is less money available for scholarships. The group discussed the conflicting message and commitment to the profession decreasing the scholarship awards sends: we are actively trying to build up students and young professionals entering the field during the time of an aging and retiring workforce. AAS voted to designate $2000 to go with $1000 from NEHA to be used as the scholarship committee sees fit.
Crumbine Award – Welford Roberts
The 50th anniversary of the Crumbine Award is coming up next year. The recommendation was made to survey past award winners to document how their programs have been affected by their receiving the award.
Open Discussion and Comments
Dr.Robert Powitz thanked the members for their support during his time as Chairman.
It was announced that member John Fish passed away this year.
Thanks were extended to Gary Noonan for his work for the Academy.
Thank were extended to Dr. Welford Roberts for putting together the dictionary of Environmental Health in an electronic format which is now posted on the website.