Clearwater, Florida. June 26, 2024
Joe Mackowiak, General Secretary of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, representing Jeff Kravitz, called the meeting to order at 5:10 pm. He thanked everyone for coming this late in the day and stated that he can neither make decisions nor is a voting member per the Constitution. He is only here to help (act as a facilitator) in Jeff Kravitz’ absence. Bob Glatter passed out the Holmes Mine Rescue Association (HMRA) Agenda and account quick report. Joe Mackowiak displayed on the screen the list of current executive committee members. There were a little over 40 names on this list. He also read the previous executive committee meeting minutes. Gary Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as read and Kent Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion to accept was approved unanimously.
Bob Glatter handed out the Financial Report. Bob Glatter explained why the Florida Mine Rescue Contest check was not cashed due to the death of Karen Miller’s mother. On May 29, 2024, the Hilton Hotel requested money to secure the facility for the conference. On June 18, 2024, there was an additional drawdown from HHS and on June 20 these funds were applied to the Clearwater Conference. There was some discussion about the JAHSA/Mine Rescue being a Non-Profit Organization 501(c)(3) and that Lewis McCoy (Treasurer) of HMRA was going to continue as the treasurer until the election. Gary Moore made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. It was seconded and the motion was approved unanimously
Brandon Neal was the only person present on the Mine Rescue Day Committee in attendance and he had no additional information to report at this time.
Brian Millington is scheduling an update to the Metal/Nonmetal Executive Committee Report. Brian presented the committee report and a general discussion was held. No report was presented from the Coal Executive Committee. Matt Ridgeway made a motion to accept the report from Brian and Brandon Neal seconded it. Motion to accept was approved unanimously.
Joe Mackowiak opened Old Business. In February 2024, the new by-laws proposal was posted online in the Bulletin. Both a clean version and the marked-up version were posted and presented for clarification. Brian Millington asked about the official list of all HMRA members. Brian Millington then asked Vicki Mullins, HMRA Secretary, if she had a current list of all members. Vicki stated that she does not have a listing, but Jeff Kravitz must have the listing. An email request was sent to Jeff Kravitz by Joe Mackowiak. The Holmes Website Manager was at the HMRA Executive Committee Meeting and adjusted during the meeting to the HMRA website and made it easier for new members to join the Association, or for existing members to update their own information, with the new updated electronic form or wish to join the Association if they want to submit their application to the P.O. Box. That information will be updated in the system and will be included in the Association database.
Based on the last Executive Committee Meeting held in Beckley, WV in October 2023, an electronic vote was conducted in which the proposed changes to the HMRA Constitution where 24 votes were registered, 21 in favor of the changes and 3 opposed. The changes had been posted on the HMRA website with an electronic February 2024 Bulletin with the changes highlighted. Joe Sbaffoni made a motion to accept the proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws and was seconded by Steve Setzer and the motion was approved.
[A break was taken at this time]
Joe Mackowiak brought up old business and Joe Sbaffoni made a motion to form a nominating committee of Todd Moore, Kent Armstrong and Steve Setzer, which was seconded by Brian Millington. This would include Bob Randolph posting the nomination committee and the deadline for nominations is July 12, 2024 for President and Treasurer. This motion was approved.
A discussion/debate commenced concerning the timeline for the appointment of the four subject matter experts (SME’s) by the President. The question of whether the appointments will occur before or after the August meeting is still unresolved.
Then Mr. Mackowiak asked for anything under New Business. Linda Chasko announced the Mine Rescue Association banquet in PA on November 23, 2024. Additional information will be posted on the HMRA webpage when available.
Linda Chasko made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm and was seconded by Todd Moore. Motion to adjourn was approved unanimously.