September 17, 2009

Regular Meeting:

    The regular monthly meeting of the Mississippi Valley Firefighters Association was held at the Coyne Center Fire
Station on September 17, 2009.  At 6:35 PM, the meeting was called to order by Vice President Mark Carton because
Dave Liebovitz was unable to attend. The pledge of Allegiance was recited, then a moment of silence for fallen
firefighters was observed.  Roll call was next with 13 members from 12 departments attending.  Since there was no
meal available, the meeting continued on. The reading of the minutes for the August meeting followed.  A motion was
made to accept the minutes as read and vote was taken on the motion.  Motion passed.  The treasure's report was
given with a checking account balance of  $456.28.  Savings account has $4413.59.  Motion to accept the treasure's
report was made and seconded.  Vote taken and motion passed
.  
In old business, the fire school was discussed.  Low attendance on Saturday, but picked up on Sunday with the house
burn.  No major problems were run into, and the house went up pretty quick.  Everything was picked up and everyone
was back to the Colona station by noontime.  Colona Fire Department picked up the bill for meal during the Saturday
and Sunday training.  A big thank you was given to Colona for their generosity.  The Illinois Firefighters Association
annual conference will be held October 23-25, 2009 in Champaign.  MVFA will pay the motel bill for any board member
or officer that wants to go down Friday night and be there for the round table panel discussion on Saturday.   In new
business, Dale Mueller gave a report on how the MABAS 39 TRT team validation went in Champaign.  Mr. Mueller gave
a status or the Smart Cards.  There was discussion on the attendance at the MVFA meetings and how it seems to be
dwindling.  The MVFA is more for the rank and fill members of the Association where the chiefs Association meetings
are more for officers.  The time crunch with department trainings was noted and could be one reason for low
attendance.   The Honor Guard is done with parades for the summer.  We received several thank you from the Honor
Guards services.  Illinois City sent a thank you for participating in their parade.  A$100.00 donation from Glenda
Burnett from Colona, funeral, and a $150.00 check from the funeral of Nichole Stoudt from Orion EMS.  It was brought
up that the Honor Guard was going to buy new shoulder cords for funerals with the monies donated.  Mike Swanson
made a motion for the honor guard to go ahead and purchase the cords.  Dennis Litwiler seconded the motion, motion
voted on and passed.  
    Nominations for the board were started with the first nomination being for President.  John Swan was nominated, but
was not in attendance to accept or denied the nomination.  Being no other nominations for president, the nominations
for that office were closed.  Nominations for Vice President were next with the only nomination being Mark Carton.   
Nominations for that office were closed and the office of Secretary/Treasure was opened.  Dale Mueller was nominated
for that office, but no other nominations were made so that nominations were closed.  Nominations will continue for the
next two months with the election being in November.


Communications:

October 3                Light and Fight                        Arsenal

    October 10                Golf Tournament                        Aledo

    Oct.20                          Pancake Breakfast                Osco

    Oct. 24                         Spaghetti Supper                         Silvis

    October 31                Fireman’s Ball                        Cambridge

    November 8                Pancake Breakfast                Orion




Mark Carton said thank you to everyone that attended the meeting and the person from the Coyne Center Fire
Department for hosting the meeting.  Next meeting will be at the Carbon Cliff Fire Station on October 15, 2009.  
General membership meeting starting at 6:30 PM.  Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

                                                                    Dale Mueller
                                                                    Sec/Treasure