Submitted by:  Gregg Riddle
Illinois Executive Council Representative

The Annual Conference Executive Council meeting was held in a two-day format.  Woody Glover of the Louisiana Chapter was the moderator for the first day, Friday.  This day was used to discuss key issues that would need action during the official Council meeting that was held on Saturday and to receive a variety of reports from committees and staff.  Some of the topics that were presented included; Financial Report; Strategic Governance Initiative, Heritage Foundation Support and Policy Manual revisions.

Friday August 1, 2008:

Robin Tieman, Annual Conference Chair welcomed everyone to the conference.

2nd Vice President Candidate Addresses:

Barry Woodward - discussed electronic voting and hoped to see a record number of votes with the new process. He continued by saying he was 100% committed the Association work and pledged to do his best knowing there are many challenges ahead.

Gregg Riddle - thanked everyone for their words of encouragement and support. Discussed his career and the years it's taken to build his commitment. Is looking to take it to the next level and serve as an Board Officer.  Stressed the most important thing is to vote, and by doing so takes on the responsibility to build the Association.

President Carter welcomed everyone to Kansas City.  He stated that this was an exciting time as we are preparing to celebrate APCO's 75th anniversary and look forward to the future of the Association.  President Carter also gave a personal thank you to Dave Saffel and the Finance and Budget (F&B) Committee.  The committee was involved from the beginning with this year's budget, met monthly to review the financial reports and assisted in changing the development process and the reports.

Dave Saffel spoke in regards to how the F&B Committee moved off in directions that have not taken place in the past.  Rather than "reacting" to what had happened, the committee implemented a forecasting tool, which allowed those involved the ability to know why things were happening. Dave expressed his thanks to staff and Bob Johnson, APCO's Controller.

Bob Johnson spoke of a "hands on" financial management year. Staff and the F&B Committee stepped up and did what was needed.  We should be proud and the job they did and feel financially comfortable.  APCO completely turned around from last year by increasing its assets. Royalties from the magazine, Membership, Institute and AFC contributed significantly to the turnaround.  Total increase was over $559K for the year.  The original budget projection at the Mid-year meeting was a loss of $150K.

George Rice spoke in regards to the budget work plan indicating the information that was handed out in January is still current and only the budget itself has been updated.

Resolution #2 - Bob Johnson discussed the process of moving APCO, International from a tax exempt government organization (C) (6) to a tax exempt charitable organization (C) (3) that included merging all entities of the Association.  Application will be made to the IRS.

Executive Office Report - George Rice discussed how the AFC will support the 800 MHz regional planning by attending and supporting meetings across the nation.  The April Leadership Awards Dinner hosted 300 attendees.  Winter Summit hosted 250 attendees.  The Conference in Baltimore had a 10% increase in registration, had the highest attended Blue and White Gala, and had a 96% positive rating by attendees.

Comm Center and 9-1-1 Services - APCO was given the American Society of Association Executives' Summit Award for the standard pertaining to the role of call takers in handling calls for missing and exploited children.

Project Retains - Has been conducting interviews nationwide.  The research team will soon be releasing their information in regards to staffing, burnout and morale.

Government Affairs - VoIP 011 Bill was recently signed by the President, which requires VoIP services to comply with the regulations to pay 9-1-1 fees.

Rebanding is still continuing and since February there have been several rulings.  Sprint Nextel was given as June 26th deadline, but have been given an extension.

APCO Institute - this year's goal was to increase revenue.  The goal was met with a $200K increase.  Institute participation was up by 52%.  The leading course being "Active Shooters".

Concepts and Special Projects - Visioning exercises, public safety communication forums, climate change, emergency communications, civil contingencies network and Project 41 were all discussed.

SGI Discussion and QA Period - the SGI Committee (Steve Proctor, Steve Souder, Richard Granado, Woody Glover, Peter Thomas and Lynne Feller) presented various articles and proposed changes.  Each EC representative was given the opportunity to ask questions and make statements in regards to the Resolution.

Resolution #3- David Swan, representing the Heritage Foundation discussed the current status of the Foundation.  The desire is to share the information with more than just the Illinois Chapter by making it more accessible.  Chapters have not been donating as they did in the past, possibly because they believed that the Foundation was getting money from other sources.  The proposal to increase members' dues to support the Foundation was made.

Saturday August 2, 2008:

SGI Committee Update - after Friday's discussion the following modifications were announced:

Include Tribal Governments in section 2.1

Section 7.3- Following the initial selection of 2007, two options were offered to include option B that the selection process shall be made each year in conjunction with the Annual Conference.

The CAC will have a position on the Board of Directors which excludes them from having a position on the Council.  

 
Consent Agenda: 

Motion to approve the 2009 Budget Amendments - Approved; includes $14K line item in the APCO FY2009 Budget for the Heritage Foundation.  It requires a work plan be developed to justify expenditures and the use of existing monies first.

Resolution #1 - Article VII Section 7.1 was Not Approved to add (e) the Executive Council representatives of the International Chapter Section 7.2 first sentence change from "Directors fulfilling roles listed in (b) and (c) to "Directors fulfilling roles listed in (b), (c) and (e).

1st Amendment to 2.1 to include Tribal Government was Approved.  
2nd Amendment to 7.3 option B selection shall be made, "each year in conjunction with the executive council and such selection at the annual conference" was Approved.

A Roll Call Vote was held:  42 Yes.  8 No. 

Resolution #2 - move from a tax exempt government organization (C) (6) to a tax exempt charitable organization (C) (3) that included merging all entities of the Association was Approved.

Resolution #3 - increase dues to support the Heritage Foundation was Not Approved

Policy Manual Changes - to Section 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.13 and 13.14 were all Approved. 

Project LOCATE Report - Nancy Pollock reported that the Project LOCATE committee worked hard to deliver both public and responder expectations. The final report summarizes the last 8 years and covers all the project information.  Project LOCATE is now complete and the team is grateful for the opportunity to assist.  Project LOCATE urges APCO members to share LOCATE resource information with those PSAP's struggling with this process.

Horizon Award - Dave Clemons presented the Horizon Award which will be replacing the CALLS award.  The scope of the award will change to better address technology advancement. The award will be used to acknowledge the efforts of the communications centers that have proactively assessed and met technological advances.

Regulatory Report - Robert Gurss discussed changes in the FCC will still occur regardless of the election in November.  Among these changes will be at least two seats of the commission along with potential changes in Capitol Hill.  Further topics include; Wireless e-911, location, rebanding, accuracy, APCO and NENA joining in accepting the level of measurements, carrier responsibilities, and an invitation to attend the Regulatory Panel Monday during the conference.

 
Other Business:

Terry Hall (Virginia) was interested to know how many members voted this year being the first time electronic voting was used.

Wanda McCarley (Past President) wanted to clarify the number of winners for this year's awards.

Art Rios (New Mexico) gave his thanks to all those that attended Western Regional with a special thanks to those Board Members and Staff that attended.

Larry Sheridan (Wyoming) urged everyone to reach out to the Chapters that didn't attend and invite them to become involved.

Kimberly Burdick (Montana) updated everyone on Montana's 20 year retirement process.  They will be carrying the Bill to the 2009 Legislature with no opposition thus far.  They anticipate that it will pass.

Lynne Feller (Ohio) on behalf of the Professional Development Committee expressed her excitement about this years development tracks and urged everyone to take advantage of the evaluation process especially from those who attend the technical tracks.  Lynne also requested assistance in the call for papers for Winter Summit.

John Gibson (Arkansas) thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve on the Council.

SGI Committee announced that if any Chapters will be holding meetings to let the SGI Committee know and they will attend to answer questions.

Jay Groce (Pennsylvania) invited everyone to their Chapters hospitality night Monday at the Justice Steakhouse.

Thank you from the Board. 

Meeting recessed pending the adjournment of the Conference.

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