Minutes

Present: Fred Andrews, Nuri Ayers, Ed Ballas, Janelle Buck, Jim Elliott, Connie-Hayden-McPeak, Judith Kennedy, Jean Leone, Nelson Luis, John Miliziano, Bill Orr, Ken Otero, Tom Rao, Peter Russo, Tempress Solomon, Don Sorondo, Charlotte Valenti, Mark West, and Mari McBryar.

President mark West called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

A. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS:

I. Secretary - Sandy Bunkin:

In the absence of Sandy Bunkin, Mark West asked the Board to review the minutes of the September 2001 meeting. With no corrections, Jean Leone moved to approve them as presented. Connie Hayden-McPeak seconded the motion and the vote carried.

II. Treasurer – Nelson Luis

Mr. Luis presented the treasurer’s report. No corrections were made and the September 2001 report will be filed for audit. Mr. Luis noted that spending for the Fall Social did not go over budget. The group congratulated Janelle Buck and her committee.

III. Membership Report – Nuri Ayers

Nuri Ayres reported that 12 new members have been added to the rolls since August 31, 2001. Peter Russo was pleased to note that the most new members were from the APEI component group. Fred Andrews also gave a report from the Non-Instructional Management component and that three members had recently joined after a very successful meeting with Dr. Miliziano.

Nuri presented results from the component group surveys collected. The top three issues most important to members in their component groups were: (1) cellular telephone packages, (2) free financial planning, and (3) low-cost auto/home insurance. The top three issues were followed by (4) leasing/purchasing of new automobiles and (5) short/long term income protection insurance. Dr. Miliziano encouraged the Board to investigate any contacts they may have into these issues and Nuri will keep everyone informed as to the progress.

IV. President’s Report – Mark West

Mark reported the following responses from the last Superintendent’s Roundtable:

§ Bomb threats: Overshadowed slightly by the events of 9/11/01. Superintendent’s staff suggested focusing on better communication between parents/schools/district staff.

§ Budgetary concerns: Dr. Lennard realizes that everyone is concerned about budgets issues, as he also is, and he expects continued budget shortfalls.

§ Proration: The suggestion is to continue lobbying.

§ 12-month HASA dues for 10-month employees: In order to accommodate the request to have 10-month employees paying equal dues every time, the entire dues deduction system would have to be reconfigured. Dr. Miliziano and Peter Russo had talked and decided it is not a large enough issue to pursue that remedy.

Due to Dr. Lennard being out of town in October, it was suggested early and decided later in the meeting that Superintendent’s Roundtable will be cancelled for October.

V. Executive Director’s Report – John Miliziano

Dr. Miliziano encouraged the group to contribute newsletter articles to Donna St. Peter. Janelle noted that the next member spotlight article would feature Nuri Ayres and then Randy Poindexter. She also noted that other upcoming articles of interest would be Dr. Binnie’s retirement and the component group survey results.

Dr. Miliziano stated the need to get started on achieving the goals of the surveys. As a possible contact, he mentioned that Vince Aguero is now a financial consultant to the Credit Union and conducts financial planning sessions for CU members. He encouraged Board members to look for opportunities for achieving these goals.

Dr. Miliziano noted that the Legislative Benefits Committee meeting would be October 3^rd. He also reported that for the Joint Legislative Reception in January, Susan King would assist in trying to pull together participants from all groups, but keep concerns unified as one letter, endorsed and contributed to by everyone. He also stated that the reception, although sometimes costly, should not be cancelled. If legislators do not show up, the time can be used to network between groups. He suggested that members begin a list of names of people to invite, since HASA gets a large block of spaces. Suggestions for invitees would be those from neighboring counties and from our retiree component group.

The Coalition (Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, and Manatee) is working on developing a communication system between counties and other issues of mutual concern.

Regarding security an attorney, Dr. Miliziano reported that he had been in contact with three firms and would disseminate the proposals to the Executive Board as soon as possible. The reasons for having representation would be two fold: (1) legislative interpretation and advice, and (2) attorney referral service for our members. Bill Orr had concerns that that HASA should not be involved in labor relations/disputes, and Mark West confirmed that the attorney would not be used for those purposes. It was confirmed that the attorney retained would not serve the Coalition, just HASA. It is hoped that a decision can be made regarding a firm at the November meeting.

A revised HASA Board Directory (alternates and representatives) was passed around for corrections. Dr. Miliziano also distributed a copy of the Legislative Agenda.

B. OLD BUSINESS

Program of Work & Committee Reports:

I. Special Projects – Janelle Buck and Charlotte Valenti

Charlotte was excited to report 13 volunteers to help with School Board dinner. The first meeting will be 10/9 or 10/15. She asked if the Board wanted volunteers to be included as invitees and it was decided that if they work, they should be invited. The dress will be casual and the location to be announced.

WebPage Report – Hal Nelson and MaryEllen Elia

Mark West reported for Hal Nelson that after a thorough review of the companies, Carolina Consulting (Located in Brandon) seemed to the best to fit our needs. The cost this year, because of the initial set up, would be $1,800. For consecutive years, just the maintenance fee of $300 would apply. Judith Kennedy moved to accept Carolina Consulting and Nuri Ayres seconded the motion. Nelson Luis asked about where to fit this expense into the budget, and moved to change the Newsletter line item to Communications, which would cover both. His motion was seconded and both motions carried.

Some questions about the web page were asked:

§ Jean Leone: Can we afford it?

§ Judith Kennedy: Can we use dollars saved by elimination of the lobbyist?

§ Tom Rao: Is the domain name included?

§ Tom Rao: Will it grow more expensive with changes, updates?

§ Don Sorondo? What is the yield? Is a web page really necessary?

Dr. Miliziano explained that the Board has committed to seeing HASA become a household word. The web page would be instrumental in linking surrounding counties; it would provide members with valuable information links; it would bring HASA into the information age.

C. NEW BUSINESS/ROUNDTABLE

I. Tom Rao reported on HASA pins. Two companies were approached, Herff Jones and Balfour. Balfour agreed to do 500 pins for free. They would be quarter-sized or smaller. Tom will keep the Board apprised as progress is made.

II. Jean Leone shared an interesting document that she found while cleaning out her garage. It was a notice for the very first FASA conference, held in April of 1975.

III. Judith Kennedy told the group that the elementary principals component members receive a letter monthly regarding HASA and other component leaders might want to consider that as a way to help increase their numbers.

IV. Peter Russo reported on the Elementary Principals extended year, and that it would be $457,000 to fund the increase. Connie Gilbert and School Board members are aware of this issue.

V. Nuri Ayers shared that Buddy Raburn and his wife had a death in the family, their grandchild that passed away just two weeks before birth.

VI. Dr. Miliziano mentioned that the annual membership drive would begin as soon as Nuri Ayres and her committee complete the work on the new brochure.

VII. Nelson Luis made a motion to change another line item in the budget for Auditing. The motion was seconded and passed.

VIII. Ed Ballas suggested a membership drive for retirees, now that many are back from up North.

IX. It was mentioned that Jim Randall had quadruple bypass surgery and is recovering, for those who know him and may want to send a card.

The meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Bunkin, Secretary