IABPFF

To:           Membership of the Northeast Region

From:      Delbert E Coward-Director

Subject:   Summary Report from Executive Council Meeting 2011 -Dallas, Texas

                2012 Convention in Seattle:

1.   The Convention will be dedicated to Review, Updating, Amending the Constitution of the IABPFF. This means that everything in the constitution will be up for review and change.

2.   Some proposed amendments include a new succession plan to replace the current election system; a dues increase; a realignment of the Regions; a new method for paying membership dues; a new membership structure.

3.   All proposed amendments to the constitution should be in my hand by January 1, 2012. Send it as an email attachment.

4.   ALL amendments will be available in one packet for discussion well in advance of the convention. The target date is May10, 2012.

5.   You can find a copy of the Constitution on the website in its latest form. I would advise you to read it thoroughly to help with the upcoming Constitutional Convention. No one can speak your feelings better than you. So, any changes you feel are necessary should come from you, through this office, to the body.

Recruitment Initiative:

        As a follow-up to the previous recommendation forming a recruitment committee- for both internal recruitment into the organization and externally into the Fire Service- a call has been reissued for volunteers to serve as Regional representatives.

A National Database:

        A proposal was offered outlining ways to form a national database by obtaining all the names and contact information from people we reach through our Community Service projects. This would give us a leg-up in voter registration drives and get out the vote drives across the country.

Community Service:

        A greater emphasis is to be placed on reaching out to the community to put a face with the name so that when the IABPFF is mentioned people understand that we are an organization that is about helping those who need a helping hand. It is a big part of branding our name.

The IABPFF website:

        Usage is growing. There will be Infotech classes given at every gathering of the organization. If you have not registered yet do so today. Brother Gary Edwards is always available to help you get on. If you are already registered but have not been on ain a while-VISIT. WE pay for this website. It is an invaluable tool and the possibilities for use are only limited by your imagination and skill level.

NOTE: All information concerning IABPFF activities, meetings etc can be found on the website 24/7!!!!

Grant Materials:

        With the holiday season upon us now is the time to get the grant materials in your hands for presentation to community groups. You can obtain all grant materials via the website. Both the safe cooking and no child left alone themes are never more important than at this time of year so that this time of year IS a happy, joyful time of year free from preventable tragedies.

2012 Day on the Hill:

        Several Regions will be having their Regional meetings connected to the Day on the Hill in order to increase awareness and participation. The groundwork for the day is done NOW. Reach out to your Congressperson or Senator and make an appointment to see them when we get to Washington. Those who attended in 2011 found the experience enlightening. Here to the chair will suggest issues of importance but you must decide what impacts you, your family, your career, your community the most and what legislation in the pipeline we need to have them support. There will be an agenda forthcoming from the National Board as a guide.

Legal Assistance Fund:

        October is the month when donations to the fund are solicited as a kick-off. But, donations in the suggested amounts or more are ALWAYS in order. The report on donations to this fund was absurd. I will say no more except to say: Unless you make your annual donation annually the next report will be just as absurd.

Misc Items:

        There were some miscellaneous funding items to help in procuring funds for the Legal Assistance funds and Community Service funds. These items will be presented in Trenton in March. Research is underway to get CEU credits for convention attendees. This has educational and tax benefits for members. A recommendation was made that we formally partner with likeminded non-profit organizations in a networking atmosphere whenever we have meetings on the National and Regional level in order to increase our sphere of recognition and “influence.”

Respectfully submitted,

Director Delbert E Coward-Northeast Region IABPFF

November, 14, 2011