FALL 2007 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ASSOCIATED LOCKSMITHS OF AMERICA, INC. OFFICIAL MINUTES Final The Fall 2007 Board Meeting was held on October 12, 2007 in the Hinsdale room of the Holiday Inn, Willowbrook in Willowbrook IL, and was called to order at 3:10 pm by President Ken Kupferman. Secretary Soderland led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence. The following Board Members were in attendance: President- Ken Kupferman, CML, CPS; Secretary- John W. Soderland, CML, CMST, CIL; Directors- Keith E. Whiting, CML, CFL; William J. Smith, RL; Guy M. Spinello, RL; Tom Foxwell; Gordon Racine, CML; Greg Parks, CRL; C.D. Lipscomb, CML, CPS, CIL; Tom Gillingham, Jr., CML, CPS, CIL; Steve Myslik, CRL; Hans Mejlshede, CML; Dan Floeck; Non-Voting Directors: Member at large- Clyde Roberson, CML, AHC, CPP; Trustees- William Young, CML, CPS; Executive Director- Charles Gibson Jr., CAE Bob DeWeese, CML, CPS and Robert E. Mock were excused from this meeting. There were no guests in attendance. The minutes of the 2007 Convention meeting were reviewed. The minutes had been approved by e-mail on 8-25-2007. President Kupferman presented a power point presentation consisting of images from the Charlotte convention. The Board concluded that the dress code adopted for our conventions and events has had a positive impact on the image of our industry. The Board held a discussion relating to Board housekeeping issues, and rules of order. At 5:05 PM, the meeting was adjourned until 8AM October 13, 2007 The meeting was reconvened at 8AM October 13, 2007 in the Oakbrook 1 room. The Executive Director gave a verbal, written, and power point presentation relative to the financial status of the association. The Board was informed that the fee for paper-based PRP examinations will remain at $60.00, and the fee for computer-based PRP testing will be $100.00, with the results of the computer-based test available immediately. A portion of the report related to the NASTF Vehicle security committee. It was reported that the ALOA involvement relates primarily to setting up the locksmith registry. It was reported that the requirements for an individual or firm to participate in the program 1
might be a national background check by social security number, a fidelity bond, insurances, a locksmith license in licensed states, and a notarized application process. Each person accessing the system under a super user would need to be an actual listed employee of the super user. The Board received a report regarding progress on the implementation of the new Association Management Software, which was recently purchased, and were also shown a preview of an ALOA marketing video. The Executive Director outlined an overview of new written policies covering association purchasing practices, and incorporating additional items into the ALOA employee handbook. Included in his report was information about the proposed FSPA Bank Technician Certification Program, and how the Dallas facility could be configured to support the future programs and training to achieve these goals. It was reported that there will be 3 days of trade shows in Dallas (2008), and Las Vegas (2009), and we would investigate whether it would be better to have a 3 day or 2 day trade show in Orlando (2010). The directors gave their regional reports verbally, and in written form. Trustee Bill Young gave a report on NASTF. He reported that the committee had a meeting in Charlotte, and he and Ken Kupferman are part of the group working on policies relating to the registry. Jan 1 st, 2008 is the target date for the program to be fully operational. It is undergoing beta testing at this time. The automakers that have committed to this process are: Ford, GM, Honda, Chrysler, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volvo, Hyundai, and VW. Gordon Racine gave a report on the ALOA Scholarship Foundation, and disclosed plans and goals for the future of the fund. The meeting was adjourned at 5:05PM, to be reconvened at 8:00am on October 14, 2007 The meeting was reconvened at 8:15am on October 14, 2007 The Board entered Executive Session at 8:15 for the purpose of hearing 2 member grievances and exited at 9:35AM after taking the following action: Grievance 02fall07 resulted in the expulsion of the member for a period of five years. Grievance 03fall07 was dismissed for failure to meet the requirements of a violation of the code of ethics or the association bylaws. The board monitored and discussed the following governance policies: GP-1,2,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15: B/EDR-1,2,3,4: EL-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,12: E-1,2,3,4,5. M/M: Lipscomb/Myslik: That the staff can bring complaints of phony locksmiths directly to the Board for disposition - 2
M/M: Myslik/Parks: that EL10 (15) be added to read: Fail to act upon a written request from the Board within a reasonable specified time frame established by the Board - The Board directed Bill Smith to prepare a Board Meeting narrative for staff to insert in Keynotes magazine and on the web site. M/M: Gillingham/Parks: That a synopsis of this and all future meetings be prepared and published in Keynotes and on the web site.- M/M: Myslik/Floeck: That the Secretary will record within the meeting minutes, the name of the person making any motion, and that of the person who seconds the motion - M/M: Lipscomb/Spinello: That an independent accountant be named proxy to receive and tally the ballots - M/M: Spinello/Whiting: That GP 12 (4) be removed - M/M: Spinello/Myslik: That Board daily per diem be raised to $75.00 - M/M: Lipscomb/Soderland: That the number of Directors needed for the 2008 election are: one per region -DEFEATED M/M: Floeck/Racine: That the number of Directors needed for the 2008 election are: one each in the Northwest, South Central, International, and Associate Regions, and two in the Northeast Region - M/M: Spinello/Lipscomb: That the ALOA Prospective Board Member Handbook be approved and will include the 2008 petition and updated Board Commitment Form - M/M: Lipscomb/Whiting: That the ALOA Election Procedure Handbook be approved and will include updated deadlines - M/M: Myslik/Whiting: That Board Member Candidates will be provided with telephone and fax numbers of members within their region to use for the purpose of contacting voters in their region - M/M: Mejlshede/Myslik: That the Election Ballots be published in the March issue of Keynotes each year commencing in 2008 - M/M: Mejlshede/Myslik: That the deadline for submission of election petitions be February 1 st of each year commencing in 2008 - A discussion relating to the Jack Sims seminar was tabled until the Spring 2008 Board meeting. 3
The Board elected the members of the 2007 audit committee. They are Chairman C.D. Lipscomb, Guy Spinello, and John Soderland. The Board held a discussion relating to ideas and suggestions from Members and will seek additional feedback in order to help form useful revision to existing and future policies. Each Board Member was presented with a copy of the list, and will endeavor to consider each item and determine how they may be used toward the betterment of the association, and the prosperity of its members. Steve Myslik gave a compelling power point presentation explaining the unique and specialized needs of the automotive locksmith. Steve outlined his ideas for implementing an automotive proficiency registration program through testing in the automotive arena. Steve identified to the Board, key areas where the needs of the automotive locksmith were not being met. This presentation reinforced the prior Board decision to provide an automotive PRP, and identified some of the areas where special attention within the program may be needed. It is anticipated that within the automotive sector, the goal will be to eventually have a three-level certification program available to the automotive locksmith consisting of a Registered, Professional and Master level technician. M/M: Lipscomb/Smith: That Steve Myslik be directed to collect such help as he needs and compile a proposal of tests including questions and answers and any other requirements for a three level Automotive Proficiency Registration program and submit it as a complete package proposal to the board at the spring board meeting in the form of a report. - The Board held a discussion concerning the future of the association, and what the Board Members vision was for the future of the trade. Key points of the discussion were: The need for more and better communication within the membership Improvement of the public image of the association and its members Improvement of the member s image within the industry How to help the automotive locksmith to be more successful Increasing membership and representation in each geographic region How to help member locksmiths globally Improving members relations with manufacturers Initiating a marketing program to promote the use of member locksmiths Continued support of state licensing as a means to protect the consumer Utilize the find a locksmith web site to promote additional capabilities and manufacturer accreditations obtained by members. Identify and provide reasons for non-members to join with us as a unified trade. The Board directed Clyde Roberson to research ways for our members to be a better partner to manufacturers, and to inquire as to ways we may better promote member services through these partnerships. 4
The Board directed Dan Floeck to research ways for our members to be a better partner to distributors, and to inquire as to ways we may better promote member services through these partnerships. The Board directed Gordon Racine to write marketing and media techniques, which can be recommended to the membership. The Board decided to hold its Spring 2008 Board meeting in San Diego to coincide with Safetech 2008. MM/: Floeck/Parks: To recommend to staff that they conduct a membership drive that would allow a $25.00 cash reward to members and distributor/mfg reps for recruiting new members with an annual limit of 20 - The Board tabled a discussion to change the length of terms for Directors. M/M: Racine/Floeck: To hold an association renaming contest - M/M: Smith/Whiting: That the meetings not be archived via audio recordings - The Board made a determination regarding the rule that a candidate for the office of President or Secretary must be a sitting Board member or must have served on the Board with in the prior 3 years. The 3 years starts and ends at the end of the convention. The meeting adjourned at 12:45PM Respectfully submitted: John W. Soderland, CML, CMST Secretary of the Board, Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc. Approved by e-mail 11-01-2007 5