Annual Meeting Follow Up

[FIOANH Training]

Good morning,

Thank you to the 40+ members who took the time to attend this morning's annual meeting!  We were absolutely thrilled to have so many in attendance, especially on relatively short notice, and we are looking forward to bringing the FIOANH back to life now that we officially have members, officers, and a board of directors!

We got a lot accomplished in about 40 minutes... Here is a brief recap of the meeting and decisions that were made by vote of the membership (draft minutes will be posted once compiled by the secretary/treasurer):

1. Tom Defina and Nikolas McCulloch were appointed as the Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers and directors, who were installed by vote of the membership:

President - Christopher Johnson, Captain, Concord - 2 years
1st Vice President - Jacob Dodge, Lieutenant, Nashua - 2 years
2nd Vice President - Michael Scherb, Lieutenant, Portland, ME - 2 years
Secretary/Treasurer - David Dumas, Captain, Concord - 2 years
Director - Robert Leite, Firefighter, Manchester - 3 years
Director - Michael Costello, Captain, Concord - 3 years
Director - Steven Barton, Lieutenant, Manchester - 3 years
Director - David Quick, Lieutenant, Manchester - 3 years

Note: The bylaws stipulate staggered terms of office, but do not address the installation of an entire slate of officers and directors in the same year.  It is anticipated that there will be movement within the board and staggering will develop naturally during the terms of office.

2. Financial status: The association has approximately $11,200 in available funds, including $1245 collected thus far as 2024 dues.  Former president Bolduc will work with the president and secretary/treasurer to provide access to the bank account.

3. All who have submitted 2024 membership applications and dues were accepted as members.

4. 2024 Annual dues were set at $15 for active, associate and student members and $0 for honorary members.

5. John Keller (captain, NHFA-EMS, retired) was unanimously nominated to represent the association as a member of the NH Fire Standards & Training Commission for a 3 year term.  His nomination has been forwarded to Director Cutting, who will direct it to the Governor for confirmation.

6. Eric Uitts (lieutenant, Hooksett) was unanimously nominated to continue to represent the association as a member of the NH Fire & Emergency Medical Services Committee of Merit.

7. A committee was established to support the Board of Directors in establishing the philosophical direction of the organization and current statements of Vision, Mission, and Core Values of the association.  The following members volunteered:

-Tim Griswold

-Rich Meyer

-Josh Charpentier

-Brian Searles

-Don Waldron

-Eric Uitts

-Nick Bibeau

-Max Dodge

If anyone was missed in the meeting, or wasn't present and is interested in participating, please contact the president.

8.  The membership empowered the Officers & Board of Directors and their appointees to take such actions and make such expenditures as the Officers & Board of Directors may deem necessary to:

-Reestablish the association as a corporation in good standing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State
-Regain control of and manage the association’s bank account
-Reestablish a mailing address & internet presence
-Ensure that the association is current with any federal Internal Revenue Service reporting/filing requirements
-Acquire corporate liability insurance to indemnify the officers and directors and bond the Secretary/Treasurer (per bylaws)
-Conduct membership events and host training opportunities.

The officers and directors will meet in the near future to identify the next steps and put a plan in motion to address action items to make sure our operations are all legal and legitimate.  We will then bring the mission committee online, and work to determine our strategic course.  We will keep the membership updated as work progresses.

Again, thank you to all of you who have had such overwhelming interest in revitalizing this organization.  This is OUR association, and it will now become whatever WE make of it.  Please continue to be an active participant, even after the initial push to get things back together wears off.  If you have ideas or interests, please reach out to the officers and directors, get involved in committees, and help organize and manage events.  Your officers and directors look forward to serving the instructors and officers of the New Hampshire fire service!

Respectfully,

Christopher S. Johnson, President

Fire Instructors & Officers Association of New Hampshire

603-966-7905

fioanhp...@gmail.com