Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.

Serving Healthcare Since 1949

 

 

*** General Membership Meeting***

 

Minutes to the Meeting of

November 16, 2006

 

            President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE called the meeting to order on Thursday, November 16, 2006, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey, commencing at 6:06 p.m. The Sergeant- At-Arms, Mike DePedova lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Self-introductions were made by all in attendance.

 

 

SPONSOR

 

            The sponsors for this eveningÕs meeting are Holt Construction and the Lew Corporation. 

EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC

 

           The educational session was presented by Mr. Harry Segner & Staff of Ewing Cole. The topic of discussion was ÒStrategies to Lower Utility Bills in Health Care FacilitiesÓ. There was a Power Point Presentation with a question and answer session following.

 

President John DiGirolomo thanked the Ewing Cole staff and the meeting sponsors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTIONS

 

President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE presented the election process to the members. The election this time will take place via a closed ballot and box system. Each member in good standing was provided a name tag and a ballot upon signing in for this meeting. In order to vote, the member must turn in their name badge in order to place a ballot in the ballot box. The name badges and ballots will be counted to make sure there is an even number of ballots to voting members. President John DiGirolomo thanked Oscar Gonzalez, CHFM, SASHE and Pete Appelmann, CHFM for their efforts in crafting the specially colored ballots, the ballot box and the voting procedure.

 

There was a motion on the floor for each candidate for office to give an impromptu speech on why they should be elected to the respective position they are seeking. Bill Anderson CHFM, FASHE seconded the motion.

 

Peter Appelmann, CHFM suggested that the speech be held to one minute for each candidate. Both this and the previous motion were accepted by the membership.

 

The candidates are:

 

President:

            John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE

            Frank J. DelGuadio

 

President Elect:

            Benedict DiFranco, CHFM

            Joseph Berlesky, CHFM

                       

DINNER BREAK & BALLOT SUBMITION AT 7:32P.M.

 

 

TALLY OF BALLOTS

President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE called the meeting to order again at 8:10 pm.

 

Oscar Gonzalez, CHFM, SASHE announced that 56 ballots were cast. The winners of the election are:

 

President: John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SAS

President Elect: Benedict DiFranco, CHFM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENTÕS REPORT

 

John DiGirolomo thanked everyone for participating in the voting process. He again thanked Oscar Gonzalez and Peter Appelmann for their efforts.

 

   

PRESIDENT-ELECTÕS REPORT

 

Ben DiFranco thanked everyone for their participation in the Educational Programs during this year. He announced that the new educational season will commence on January 18, 2007 with a presentation by Mr. Tom Battles of Chubb Insurance. The topic will be The Causes of Boiler Explosions.

 

Ben also asked for suggestions and assistance in developing the educational programs in the up coming year.

 

 

TREASURERÕS REPORT

 

Bill Anderson, CHFM, FASHE presented the following:

 

            Beginning Balance:     $68,722.55

            Disbursements:           $5,897.96

            Deposits:                     $3,735.00

            Ending Balance:          $66,559.59

 

The organization is solvent.

 

ADVOCACY

 

Robert Roop, PE reported on the Fire Alarm System Testing advocacy letters to consider revising their regulations on system testing to those of NFPA 72, National Alarm Code. To date we have not had a response from the NJ DOHSS.

 

Robert urged the group to provide him with suggestions for additional advocacy topics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Peter Appelmann, CHFM reported on the two new members for consideration. They are

            Jim Tencza – Bergen Regional Medical Center

            George Pinella - Bergen Regional Medical Center

 

 

EAB

 

Jim Corueil indicated that 11 members have been appointed at the present time by Governor Corzine to the Advisory Board of the Healthcare Resources Commission.

 

It is estimated that Governor Corzine is considering the closure of 20 hospitals through-out the state.

 

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

Frank Keller announced that the next Bridges run will be December 1st to NYC. The society will participate in the Toys for Tots program, so bring unwrapped toys to the Holiday Party.             

 

 

DOH UPDATES

 

Jim Corueil reported that the DOH has cited a few facilities for not having ÒCrash CartsÓ plugged in to ÒEmergency PowerÓ receptacles.

 

 

 

EVENTS

 

Ben DiFranco reminded those in attendance that the annual Holiday Party will be held on December 8th 2006 and will feature The Liverpool Beat. Please look for the flyers or visit the web site @www.hfmsnj.org

 

           

OLD BUSINESS

 

No ÒOld BusinessÓ was discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

            

NEW BUSINESS

 

John DiGirolomo, President suggested that Article 4 of the HFMSNJ Organization Bylaws (Abandonment of Office) should be changed. The present bylaw reads:

 

Section 2.          Should the President or President Elect leave the health care Facilities Management field voluntarily, they shall resign their office within thirty (30) days and their position shall be filled in accordance with these Constitution and Bylaws. Should the President or President Elect leave the health care field involuntarily, they shall be allowed a period of ninety (90) days to secure a position in the healthcare management field.

 

The suggested change is as follows:

 

Section 2.          Should the President or President Elect leave the health care Facilities Management field voluntarily, they shall resign their office within ninety (90) days and their position shall be filled in accordance with these Constitution and Bylaws. Should the President or President Elect leave the health care field involuntarily, they shall be allowed a period of one hundred-eighty (180) days to secure a position in the healthcare management field.

 

The suggested changes were accepted by the membership and the bylaw Article 4 Section 2 shall be changed.

 

ASHE

 

President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE indicated that he will be attending Committee Meetings in Dallas, TX. John urged all members to participate more in ASHE events in the upcoming year.

  

GOOD OF THE ORDER

 

John DiGirolomo announced:

 

  1. George Thomas, CHFM, FASHE recently had heart surgery and is doing well. Please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
  2. Thanked Rick Ciullo for his efforts as Secretary over the past year.

 

John Schiewenz, AIA suggested the formation of a more frequent meeting of ÒRegular MembersÓ in a ÒRound Table ForumÓ to discuss various issues as they arise. The meetings can be at various hospital locations during lunch hour.

 

Joe Berlesky; CHFM, asked if there is any additional information pertaining to preventing adverse effects due emergency power.

                                                                                                                                    

 

 

 

 

 

John DiGirolomo; CHFM, SASHE suggested that Engineering Managers should educate the hospital management staff on what to expect when the Emergency Power Supply equipment is activated.

 

Bill Anderson; CHFM, FASHE suggested that Engineering Managers should provide their colleagues through-out the facility with realistic expectations of what will occur during Emergency Power sessions. Let them know this information in advance so that the Engineering Staff is not viewed as the ÒBad GuysÓ.

 

           

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:41 P.M.