In Attendance:
Ann Marie Foley, MD
James Fulcher, MD
Paul Martin, MD
Tom Frailich, MD
Paul Neis, MD
Joy Graham, MD
Absent: Angelo Accomando, MD
Meeting called to order at 4:10pm.
Old business:
Zeffy:
James reported that Zeffy is working well. $100,000 processed via ACH without generating any alerts. So, not using credit cards is working.
We are blocked from credit card transactions but must members are ok with the service using ACH. For those members who are uncomfortable with the process, James will help them with processing their payments.
Everyone needs to be reminded that the Zeffy donation is optional when they are paying their bills.
ISAM made a $500 donation to the Zeffy platform.
Zeffy is our least expensive option; Paul and James did the research and they Zeffy is the most highly rated free service.
One problem with Zeffy is that collections for 2 conferences cannot be done at the same time without lumping the funds. Consequently, the spring meeting collections will go through Zeffy and James will hand the others independently through CME ADVENTURES, LLC.
D and O Insurance:
Shirley has the financial summaries to present for the Directors and Officers Insurance. Tom reported that we have 2 years of records and that we can apply.
James stressed that the cost is relatively small and that the need is urgent. It will cost approximately $750/year for the entire Board. Paul pointed out that the dollar amount may be higher since we have conferences outside of the
US.
There was discussion regarding the possibility of event coverage for each trip, as an alternative.James reminded the group the the coverage is not a general liability policy for the group; rather, it protects the board agains claim of fraud and other transgressions against members.
New Business:
Financials:
Paul with get the updated budget and expense data from Shirley.Tom has submitted the Management Report and a draft of 2025 taxes.
Tracking Membership:
The excel spreadsheet that Joy created is working well.
This will be updated with new members identified through Zeffy.
New Website:
The new website is up and running.
Cost was $5000 and includes 3 years of website service
The site is more functional and the board member can modify it without help.
Mary Chen has offered help with design and layout.
We want to update it more frequently and include more photographs and videos so that people who log on will start interacting with the website more. The website will include a highlight regarding Bridget and the plaque being placed on the reef in her name.
Potential Liability Waiver:
Paul Martin created and presented a Snorkeling and SCUBA Diving waiver to present to dive shops for ISAM members.
The waiver from Scuba St. Lucia allows waiving rights despite gross negligence or willful misconduct of agents. The new proposed waiver does not relinquish rights against negligent
acts, but still allows reasonable protection to the dive operation and agents.
This is important because we, as board members, are responsible to protect the interests and safety of our members. Paul’s proposed waiver protects our members to a greater degree than the waivers we have been signing over the years. This is a draft of the proposed waiver; it is not finalized and there will be further discussion.
The proposed waiver was distributed for review.
Plan for General Meeting tomorrow:
Will Zoom with Bridget and Alan Thomas.
There will be a presentation regarding the plaque and dive site named for her. Also will present a gift of $2000 to Susan, the director of the Marine Garden reef restoration project at Anse Chastanet with an ongoing gift of $500/yr for the next 3 years. The plaque will reportedly be in place for the duration of the garden. Cleaning is included. The placement ceremony had already occurred at the time of this meeting; photographs will be included on the website. Carolyn, the president of the hotel association may attend.
Hyperbaric Chamber: The Hotel Association owns the hyperbaric chamber on the island and they are trying to promote it. Discussion occurred regarding how we might be able to assist the hospital in accomplishing this by helping Dr. Melville with coverage.
Eric Olsen may be a candidate. Will discuss later.
What we have accomplished as a board this year:
1. New CME program established through AAFP by Paul Martin. This has saved ISAM $5000
2. New website
3. James Fulcher attended DEMA. He has procured some discount codes for gear that can be found on the website. 4. James has also applied to give a talk at a future DEMA meeting. This should help promote ISAM and travel through Adventure CME, LLC.
Discussion re Future CME Meetings: 2027 will be Voli Voli. Transparency regarding availability of superior rooms being offered first to board members. Otherwise, it is first come first serve.
2028 options presented:
St. Eustacious Golden Rock Resort: expensive, boutique hotel with a spa; difficult to access
Saba: new hotel, some logistical problems and harder diving
St. Vincent: Paul had some reservations about this location
Dominica: also a summer meeting
Bonaire: viewed favorably by everyone. James will get the numbers
Place NOT to go back to: San Salvador
Board Members:
Angelo Accomando was excused for missing this year’s meeting. He had notified the board of a
conflict and sent James information regarding Voli Voli to present to the Board and at the General Meeting.
Potential future members: Eric Olsen and Dave Wakely
There was a motion and approval to continue the current board membership and their given assignments.
There was a separate motion and approval for James and Paul to continue running the CME program and to add Tom Frailich.
Meeting adjourned at 5pm by Dr Foley.
Minutes submitted by Joy Graham, MD
Full Management Report and Taxes available upon request