OUR MEETING FOR MARCH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS, BUT WE DIDN’T FEEL THERE WAS ENOUGH ATTENDANCE.  ANOTHER MEETING WAS RESCHEDULED THE FOLLOWING WEEK FOR ELECTIONS.  AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION A MOTION WAS MADE TO KEEP THE SAME SLATE OF OFFICES FOR ANOTHER YEAR.  ONE OF THE NEW CHANGES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE FOR APRIL’S MEETING IS TO HAVE AN OFFICER’S MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. BEFORE THE REGULAR MEETING.  THIS SHOULD CUT DOWN THE TIME NEEDED FOR DISCUSSION AT THE REGULAR MEETING AND INCREASE TIME THAT CAN BE SPENT CHECKING EQUIPMENT AND CLEANUP WORK. 

THE GRANT WRITING FOR A NEW TRUCK IS GOING WELL.  AFTER A FEW MEETINGS AND SHARING IDEAS THE APPLICATION IS STARTING TO FALL INTO PLACE.  I THINK AS A GROUP WE HAVE HIT ON SOME KEY ISSUES ABOUT WHY WE NEED THIS TRUCK.  I ALSO FEEL WE STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF RECEIVING THIS MONEY. 

AT OUR NEXT MEETING WE WILL BE DECIDING WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF AIRPACKS, SECRETARY/TREASURER,  PRESIDENT,  ETC…  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING ONE OR MORE OF THESE PLEASE ATTEND OR LET SOMEONE KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED. 

AS FAR AS TRAINING IS CONCERNED, THERE IS A NEW RULE IN EFFECT.  WHEN WE HAVE A TRAINING SESSION YOU ARE EXPECTED TO ATTENT UNLESS YOU NOTIFY ONE OF THE OFFICERS WITH A REASON WHY YOU WILL NOT BE THERE.  THIS SHOULD CUT DOWN ON LOW ATTENDANCE OF TRAINING AND WILL LET THE TRAINING COODINATOR BETTER PLAN THE ACTIVITIES.  I FEEL THIS IS MORE THAN FAIR FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED. 

THE PINE TREE BURN FOUNDATION BOWL-A-THON WAS THIS PAST SATURDAY.  WE ENDED UP WITH ENOUGH PEOPLE FOR TWO TEAMS AND HAD A GOOD TIME.  WE DIDN’T WIN ANYTHING THIS YEAR, BUT IT GAVE EVERYONE A GOOD CHANCE TO GET OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

THIS CONCLUDES THE LETTER FOR THIS MONTH.  HOPE TO SEE YOU IN APRIL.   

                  YOUR PRESIDENT, JEFF HARGREAVES