To our members from President Shane Schmidt
WOW - How time flys by! We just completed the 135th Annual Fire Conference in Grand Rapids. Hats off to Steve Flaherty, Grand Rapids Fire Chief and AJ Morse, Grand Rapids Conference Chair and all the fire fighters for a job well done. I would like to thank them personally for their hospitality and especially AJ for the ride on your ladder truck to get us to the parade staging area.
The following is an update from the conference:
- Elections: President – Shane Schmidt – Alexandria-(Term ends 2013)
- Treasurer - Tony Bronk – Hugo-(Term ends 2013)
According to our bylaws, when an officer position is vacant during a non election year other then President it is filled by appointment from the Board: Vice-President appointed by Board – Mike Schroeder – Willmar (Term ends 2011); Secretary – Doug Noah – Kenyon - (Term ends 2011); Officer at Large voted on by board- Ed Hoffman –North Mankato- (Term ends 2011)
Conferences and meetings:
- 2011 Conference will be hosted by Detroit Lakes on June 2-3-4.
- 2012 Conference will be hosted by Alexandria on June 14-15-16.
Any department interest in hosting the 2013 Conference must file a letter stating interest to Secretary Doug Noah 45 days prior to the June 2-3-4 Conference in D.L.
- 2010 Fall Broad Meeting will be in St Cloud on September 18.
- 2011 Winter Board Meeting will be in St Cloud on January 21 & 22.
Officer’s Reports were given.
- Tony Bronk gave the Treasurer’s Report – We have a good secure financial standing.
- Doug Noah gave the Seretary report.
Committee Reports
- All committee reports given.
- Report from Conference Committee to change the VFB meeting to Friday afternoon and change the MSFDA meeting to Saturday from 8 am to Noon.
- Training and Education – Judy Thill – Inver Grove Hills – Great job Judy on training and symposium speaker. The training was well attended. If anyone has new ideas for recommended speakers or training please contact any Board member.
- Watch for new bylaw changes being worked on by Tom Smith – Lanesboro
- Project and Study and MSFDA Store Mike (Spanky) Schroeder – Willmar and committee did the usual great job at the conference. We will be looking for a new committee chair.
- Tony Bronk gave us an update on the NVFC and encourages all firefighters to become members. We will be hosting the Fall Conference in Bloomington in September 22-25. Any interest in membership, contact Tony Bronk.
Sherry Munyon – Legislative Lobbyist - Gave a report; Jerry Rosendahl - State Fire Marshall gave his report. If you were there life is just a circus... ;Honorary Life Members were accepted, to get a list contact Doug Noah. All in all the conference was great. Everything went smoothly, however, attendance was down.
My vision: I believe we are going in the right direction but I believe we can do more.
The following goals for my term of office as President were presented to the Membership and the Board at the Conference and were approved. They are as follows:
- To have a weekend retreat for Board members at our Winter meeting to accomplish the following: MSFDA vision and identity.
- Work on Conference and getting attendance up. ie: Better communication to membership
- Improve communication ie: Getting out Officers and Committee reports on a timely basis using Web page, Facebook, bi-monthly newsletter, and electronic newsletters.
- Assist Fire Departments in writing grants.
To achieve all these aggressive goals, the Board has given approval to create the paid position of Executive Secretary or Administrative Assistant. I will be creating a job description and /or duties to be presented for approval at the Fall Board Meeting and applications will be accepted to follow.
Remember we are here to represent all fire departments and fire fighters, whether you are volunteer, paid on call or paid we are here for you. We have much to accomplish and with your help we can achieve it. So with that being said, I challenge you to step up and share your talents. We must fill these committees within 30 days of the Conference. So if you are willing we are willing. Please come forward. Contact any Board Member.
In closing I want to thank Dan Winkel for all his past work. I know I have big shoes to fill and it will be hard. Dan did say he would like to stay on a few committees and that he will be there for us when and whenever. Dan I personally want to thank you for all you have done for the MSFDA and for me. He has brought us out of financial problems, got us to work together with others, and improved the MSFDA to what it is today. I will be proud to continue on what you have started. Thanks Dan.
One more thing my heart goes out to the community of Wadena. I did go there and offer our help from the MSFDA. They are working together with all involved and Dean Uselman, Fire Chief from Wadena has thing running smoothly at this time. The surrounding Fire Departments have been a great help and those from all over the State. I did tell him to call if they needed anything.
Respectfully submitted – President Shane Schmidt