April 25, 2008

From:  James Hightower, President

To:       All Team Members

Info:    Minutes of April Meeting

            The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM on April 24, 2008 with 9 members present.  Members present were Jim Hightower, Wanda Hightower, Art Wilkinson, Scott Miller, Roy Brown, Tom Tucker, Leo Ferrera, Christina Ferrera, and Tracy Retzlaff.  The following information was included, discussed or motioned:

a.  Reading of the last months minutes:

            Minutes were accepted with no changes.

b.  Communication from the President: 

            Documentation for training and call outs needs to be meticulous.  All reference points must be stationary (not able to be moved).  Always mark bearing and distance when object is located.  

c.  Treasurer’s report:

            Current account balance is $5,594.43.  We received $200.00 for selling a donated drysuit.  Spent $71.67 for ten 100 ft. spools of rope for throw bags.  Spend $11.59 on postage for IRS and taxes paperwork.  Spent $665.00 for SAR Conference registrations that will be reimbursed be DEM upon completion of conference.  Reimbursed Jim $21.90 for nylon throw bags.

d.  Committee reports:

            No comments from committee members.

e.  Old business:

            The Combined Federal Campaign Fund paperwork is completed.  We have to use the Schedule A for taxes and it goes along with the 990.  We have a new CFC number now and it is 38065.  Wanda would like to see others learning the process of submitting CFC requests next year so she is not the only one.  We will continue to file for King County CFC as we still receive gifts from them.  Last year we received about $500 from Kitsap County and $400 from King County.

f.  New business:

            We have a call out from the Kitsap County Sheriff for evidence search at Long Lake on Friday, 24 April.  Show time is noon. Search will cover north end of lake concentrating on fishing pier.  Plan to set up on the beach, make beach entry, and have each diver tended around the dock.  Single divers expected.

            Sold a donated drysuit to Scott Miller for $200.00.

            OTS is coming out with a new mask that has all the communications gear already installed and is supposedly less expensive than current models. 

            Scuba convention at Tacoma on 3 and 4 May.  Treasure hunt dive at Owens Beach morning of 3 May.  Exhibits and goodies at convention center on both days.

            Fire District 15 is sponsoring Kids Day on June 10.  More to follow…

            Brian and Keith Oleachea are working on getting t-shirts and jackets for the team.  Wanda needs sizes.  Email them to her or give her a call.

            Tom is working on getting business cards for all new officers and board members.

            USRV KC form for call outs-The president must sign, and if possible, the sheriff or deputy.  Time in is time you leave home and time out is time you are reasonably expected to get home without stopping enroute.  This form is mandatory for PSNS/IMF in order to get recouped for leave.  May be possible for Harrison Hospital.  Federal employees are authorized 24 hours of admin leave for call outs. 

FUTURE TRAININGS and DIVES: 

            Sandy Shore Lake – 5/4 – Sled training and search patterns with scooter.  Meet at 1000.

            SAR Conference – Cashmere WA, May 16-18.

g.  Report of lessons learned:

            Fill out paper work for call outs and dives accurately and completely.  Use fixed reference points.  Use bearings and distances from reference points so it is possible to come back in future and relocate objects. 

            Also, tender needs to tie knot in rope when diver signals object found.

h.  Art motioned to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Jim.  The meeting was adjourned at 1955.  Next meeting will be at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 29, 2008.

James R. Hightower