ERA Board of Trustees Update Editor’s note: The Electrical Rebuilders’ Association Board of Trustees meets twice monthly via conference call to take care of various issues that can’t wait until the entire board gathers twice a year. To keep our members up to date, the trustees decided to print highlights of their meeting minutes in the Exchange each month. Feel free to contact any of the trustees with questions or concerns (board listed on page II). Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Members present: Mike Schroeder, Alan Melton, Polly Shea, Bob Thomas and Chris Thompson. Highlights: ¢ Melton reported that he met with Jeff Reynolds and Bill Gager at the Vancouver Electrical Clinic. He said that Reynolds proposed a jointly sponsored event in Niagara Falls in the spring of 2005. Melton informed him that our 2005 show would be held in the northeastern U.S. during the latter part of May. Reynolds said they would put as much space as possible between their event and ours, with the hope that we will participate in some way. Melton also asked Gager to consider holding the Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA) fall clinic, already being planned for the NYC/Long Island area, around the ERA “Keep It Current” seminar in Long Island. Thomas asked if a publication direc- tor should be appointed to help with the “Terms and Definitions” book and other educational projects. It was decided that this position should be filled as soon as possible. Removal of non-renewing members from the roster was discussed. It was decided to continue to follow the procedure already in place. Anyone over 90 days past due will be removed from the active members’ list. Anyone over 30 days past due will be removed from the newspaper subscription list, the only exception being advertisers. As of April 26, there were 370 members who were paid and current. Wednesday, June 2, 2004 Members present: Alan Melton, Polly Shea, Chris Thompson, Bob Thomas. Highlights: eShea reported that 135 ERA rebuilder members attended the 2004 show. An additional 15 new members joined once inside. Thomas suggested that advisory board members begin thinking about new ways to market the next show. He pointed out that a very large number of rebuilders who were well within driving distance did not attend the 2004. He sug- gested charging $25 for rebuilder attendees, and then giving each one $30 to $40 to spend on the show floor, conceding that the money to fund this idea would have to be raised. It was decided that the first printing of the book written by the technical committee should be 200 to 300 copies. About 20 copies were pre- sold at the special one-time price of $15. Henceforth, the book will be sold for $25 to non-members and $20 to ERA members. In addition, quantity discounts will be offered to ERA members only: $15 in quanti- ties of 10, $13 in quantities of 25. Several members have expressed interest in reselling this book to their customers. The final item was the continuing problem of industry suppliers who request membership as rebuilders. It was decided that since the board of trustees meets regularly twice each month, that they should accept this responsibility. Thompson volun- teered to break the bad news to the guilty parties. Shea also requested that a procedure be established for any awards that are given out in the future. Thomas suggested that at least four mem- bers of the board of trustees be in concurrence for any future awards. That was agreed by all. It was also decided that there would be no set schedule for giving awards. National Board of Advisors meeting, Sunday, May 23, 2004 ERA Show, Covington, Ky. In attendance were: AJ Campbell, Tom Reusser, Robert Diamond, Richard Vensel, Robert Wagner, Dennis Jacinto, Jeff Phillips, Ronnie Charnes, Bill Meyer, Chris Thompson, Kenny Turner, Alan Melton, Larry Hagemeister, Dan Smith, Henry Henke, Fraser Cox, Wes Grueninger, Joe Davis, Ron Carlson, Mike Dietrich, Tom Burns, Mike Schroeder, Polly Shea and Bob Thomas. Highlights: ¢ New members and appointees were introduced. Phillips of ACE has joined the advisory board. Meyer is the new membership director and advisory board member. Grueninger is the new Web site director. Jacinto is the publications director. ¢Vensel talked briefly about the “Terms and Definitions” book, which was being shown in prototype form and sold at a special show price of $15. He said that once the first book went to the printer, his com- mittee would begin work on the second book, “The Fine Art of Electrical Rebuilding.” ¢The nominating committee then presented their recommendations for all offices that were to be filled in 2004: Melton as executive vice president; Thompson as treasurer; Smith as Northeast vice president; Hagemeister as Northwest vice pres- ident; and Dietrich as Southwest vice president. The nominees were voted into office by acclamation. Shea then reported that 325 rebuilders had attended as of Saturday afternoon. Shea also announced that Carlson would be stepping