Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.

Serving Healthcare Since 1949

 

 

*** General Membership Meeting***

 

Minutes to the Meeting of

October 20, 2005

 

            President Joseph Berlesky, CHFM, called the meeting to order on Thursday, October 20, 2005, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey, commencing at 6:23 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by self-introductions.

 

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

 

 

EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC

 

            Our presenter for this eveningís education session is David Uhaze, R.A. of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Mr. Uhaze has been a guest speaker at our October meeting for many years. His topic tonight will be an overview of the major changes in the AIA Facilities Guidelines Institutes Book, "Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities". There was a slide show of 72 slides with a question and answer session following. A handout for each guest tonight of Daveís presentation is available to take home. There was also a discussion of the history of the guidelines since 1947. The Guidelines will be published in March or April of 2006; available at that time for purchase directly from AIA.

 

            The State of New Jersey may not adopt this document in its entirety. Look for a June or July 2006 adoption time in New Jersey for this Standard.

 

 

DINNER BREAK AT 8:16 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

HMFSNJ ELECTIONS

SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2006

 

            At our last meeting, Oscar Gonzales, CHFM, submitted this Slate of Officers for consideration for our leadership team in 2006. They are as follows:

 

            President:                    John DiGirolomo, CHFM

            President-elect:            Benedict DiFranco, CHFM

            Treasurer:                    Robert Thompson

            Secretary:                    Mark Ligon

 

            There will be a run-off for the position of Secretary. The Executive Committee received a formal notice that the candidate for the position has been challenged. Rich Chiuloís name was placed in nomination and seconded.

 

Voting met with the following results:

 

            President: John DiGirolomo, CHFM

            President-Elect: Benedict DiFranco, CHFM

            Treasurer: Robert Thompson

            Secretary: Rich Chiulo

 

            A round of congratulations to all our newly elected officers!

 

 

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

CHANGES FOR 2006

 

There is a handout given to everyone to review the changes to the Constitution and By-Laws. There are roughly 32 changes. A vote was taken and the "Ayes" have it. The changes go into effect on January 1, 2006. A copy of the new Constitution and By-Laws can be found at the HFMSNJ website.

 

SECRETARYíS REPORT

 

            The website contains the report.

 

TREASURERíS REPORT

 

            We are solvent. Treasurerís report accepted and subject to audit. Treasurer Robert Thompson reports the first dues mail went out for the 2006 dues. Prompt and early remittance would be appreciated. Members in arrears of the 2005 dues were expunged from our current membership roster and the 2006 dues notice was not sent to them.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

           

            There were two new candidates for membership and both were admitted. They are:

 

            Ms. Marie Kaisai, ICP – Kindred Health

            Mr. Edward Fey, Director of Engineering – Bergen Regional Medical Center

 

AD JOURNAL

 

            Margaret Nesby reported that the Ad Journal is complete. Final meetings with the printer are finalizing the details. It will be ready in January, 2006.

 

 

EDUCATION AND EVENTS CALENDAR

 

See HMFSNJ website for details.      

 

ADVOCACY

 

            Our Advocacy Chairman, Robert Roop, P.E., reports that ASHE is seeking to form a committee to work on NFPA 99, The Healthcare Facilities Code. Joseph Berlesky is on the National ASHE Steering Committee for this endeavor. If you think you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, see Joseph Berlesky for details

 

ASHE

 

            No communication from ASHE has been received this month.

 

LEVELS OF AFFILIATION

 

            The Levels of Affiliation program is back to the Secretaryís job description. This task must be completed by April 1, 2006 for the calendar year 2006.

 

SAFETY

 

            James Corueil gave a handout at the door titled, "ADA Requirements and NFPA 72, by Richard (Dick) Roux".

 

NEWSLETTER

 

            Roger Shults is working hard on publishing our newsletter, The Blueline. He reminded us all that his job is to edit items for a paper, not create the paper by himself. Therefore, he needs articles. He said that the quality of the Blueline is a reflection of the quality of the members of this organization.

 

 

EAB

 

            John Schliewenz was absent; however, James Corueil is the new Chairman of the committee.

           

 

 

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

            Frank Keller reported that our Social Justice efforts making repairs to Viola Berkeyheiserís home were very successful and greatly appreciated. Frankís "Bridges Run" is on October 21, 2005. All are invited to make the trip.

 

GOLF OUTING

 

            The golf outing has been booked. Roger Ennis will be Chairman again this year.

 

WEBSITE

 

            There was a fairly long and thoughtful discussion about our website. Suggestions on the home pageís tab buttons. Length of time for the Ad Bar, how many hits the site receives and moving content on site for shared resources were all discussed

 

DOH UPDATES

           

            There was a DOH inspection at Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey. Inspectors concentrated heavily on hazardous locations and emergency preparedness.

           

JCAHO UPDATES

 

            No updates at this meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

            None to report.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

            None to report.

 

GOOD OF THE ORDER

 

            None to report.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:00 P.M.