• 2:10 - Meeting was called to order, with all Board members, except Greg Tornga Tom Kelly & David Kaleel were in attendance.
• Dennis Hall reviewed the associations Antitrust Policy with the board members.
• Jim Barnett presented the board with the minutes of last meeting, which were accepted.
• Review of financials – Jim Barnett reported that the funds on hand totaled $780.93
• Jim Barnett introduced guest, Robert Harris, owner of Universal Auto glass, and Jack Nylund, owner of the Daisy Group.
Old Business:
• Legal Review of Desired Changes – Dennis Hall advised the board that he had reviewed the requested changes (increasing the size on the board, expanding the association to allow glass repair and flat glass activities, and changing the name by deleting the word auto), and found no legal huddles (other than paperwork) in accomplishing all.
• By-Laws were amended to increase the size of the Board to a minimum of seven and maximum of ten. The vote was carried unanimously.
• Domination of Robert Harris to the Board – Rex nominated Robert Harris to the Board, which was seconded by Michael DeBord, and carried unanimously. The addition of Robert Harris brings the Board to eight members.
• Financial Services – Jim Barnett reported that Martha Guevara had offered to continue to taking care of the associations books, handling the bank deposits, sending out invoices, collecting the mail, writing checks as authorized by the Board, maintain the status of each member and providing the financial status for each Board meeting, for a fee of $250.00 per month. Cindy Ketcherside told the Board that she could not vote to authorize this expenditure, unless there were sufficient funds to pay for it. At this time, Jack Nylund arrived, thus all financial issues were tabled until he had completed his presentation.
New Business:
• Presentation of Fund Raising Projects, and Benefit Programs – Jack Nylund – Jack was known to the association, as his company organized the very successful bowling event we had some years ago. Jack presented a very complete list of optional activities and events which the association could use to bring members together and raise some badly needed funds. Jack requires a contract before getting started, and the board took his information in as a very positive step in helping to reverse the negative cash flow.
• Adjournment of the regular Board meeting: 3:20
• Executive Session – Based on the lack of funds required to continue paying Jim Barnett, and Martha Guevara, the board went into executive session, in an attempt to place a conference call to the missing board members, in an effort to review their options. A special Board meeting is to be held next Wednesday, to develop a plan to proceed.
• Next Regular Board meeting: 2:00 on July 23, @ Dennis Hall’s office.
Respectfully,
Jim Barnett
June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Anti-Steering Legislation is the Wave
The big wave on the legislative front across the country is anti-steering or notice legislation. California has acted on legislation.
The California bill was intended to make it unlawful for an insurer to direct or recommend that a vehicle be repaired at a particular shop unless the customer requests a referral. Violators would be liable for damages suffered by customers and owners of other repair shops, and the bill allowed injured parties to bring action for damages—and recovery of attorneys’ fees, if they win. The California law provided that when a policyholder first reports vehicle damage to an insurer, the insurer must determine if the policyholder has selected an auto repair facility prior to providing any information regarding a program or a facility that performs auto body repairs. If it is determined that the policyholder has selected a repair facility, the representative of the insurer shall cease, or not engage in, any discussions regarding a program or a facility that performs auto body repairs. It is reported that this bill passed, but I have not found the final version yet.
In Connecticut, the state’s Attorney General introduced a bill amending the current anti-steering law to say that “no insurance company … shall recommend, request or require any insured to use a specific person for the provision of automobile physical damage repairs, glass replacement, glass repair service or glass products.”
The proposed Missouri bill provided that insurers could not request or require that appraisals or repairs be made in a specified facility or repair shop. When a customer has chosen a repair facility, any attempt to change or restrict the claimant's decision shall cease. All appraisals would include a notice that the consumer has the right to choose a repair facility to repair his or her vehicle. This notice must also appear in boldfaced type on any insurance policies. I have not yet also found the final Missouri bill, although it was reported to have passed.
The California bill was intended to make it unlawful for an insurer to direct or recommend that a vehicle be repaired at a particular shop unless the customer requests a referral. Violators would be liable for damages suffered by customers and owners of other repair shops, and the bill allowed injured parties to bring action for damages—and recovery of attorneys’ fees, if they win. The California law provided that when a policyholder first reports vehicle damage to an insurer, the insurer must determine if the policyholder has selected an auto repair facility prior to providing any information regarding a program or a facility that performs auto body repairs. If it is determined that the policyholder has selected a repair facility, the representative of the insurer shall cease, or not engage in, any discussions regarding a program or a facility that performs auto body repairs. It is reported that this bill passed, but I have not found the final version yet.
In Connecticut, the state’s Attorney General introduced a bill amending the current anti-steering law to say that “no insurance company … shall recommend, request or require any insured to use a specific person for the provision of automobile physical damage repairs, glass replacement, glass repair service or glass products.”
The proposed Missouri bill provided that insurers could not request or require that appraisals or repairs be made in a specified facility or repair shop. When a customer has chosen a repair facility, any attempt to change or restrict the claimant's decision shall cease. All appraisals would include a notice that the consumer has the right to choose a repair facility to repair his or her vehicle. This notice must also appear in boldfaced type on any insurance policies. I have not yet also found the final Missouri bill, although it was reported to have passed.
Monday, April 28, 2008
April Board Meeting
AAGA Board Minutes of April 24, 2008 Meeting
Attendees: Cindy Ketcherside, David Kaleel, Dennis Hall, Kerry Soat, Michael DeBord, Rex Altree & Jim Barnett. Both Greg Tornga and Tom Kelly had informed Jim that they would not be able to attend.
1. 2:00 – Call to order – Jim
2. Review Antitrust Policy - Dennis reviewed the antitrust policy with the Board.
3. Minutes of last meeting – Jim – Were read and accepted.
4. Current Financials – Jim (per Martha) - $820.744 in checking, and $1,826.81 in the money market account, totaling $2,647.55
5. Rex welcomed new Board members, David Kaleel & Kerry Soat.
Old Business:
6. AAGA Treasure – After confirming that the association really needs Martha to maintain the financial activities, it was resolved that Rex was to speak to Martha to establish how little money we can spend for her financial services.
7. Association Patches & Decals - Kerry presented competitive prices for both, followed by a discussion of the Boards preference how each would be utilized. Kerry offered to seek additional quotes, but all agreed that the quotes he had obtained were very competitive. After determining that needed funds were not presently available, the Board elected to revisit this item when the association improves its financial situation.
8. Committee Staffing – Jim reported that he expects to add two additional members to the AGRSS Committee within the next few days, which leaves voids in only Flagstaff & Prescott to fill.
Committee Reports:
9. AGRSS Committee - Rex reported the results of the first committee meeting via the conference call system, which worked extremely well. The committee resolved all issues of their intended aid to association members and how they intended to contact our members via; A) Provide AGRSS information from all urethane suppliers; B) Help AAGA members by providing all required registration information; C) Call members shops regarding our willingness to help with their AGRSS registration; D) Utilize the web site for listing AGRSS registered AAGA shops, and to provide useful information, including links to AGRSS registered AAGA shops.
10. Legislative Committee – Cindy requested the Board to provide her with its legislative goals, to be used as the starting point for her committee. The Board determined that investigating the differences between our steering law, verses those of other states, ours leaves more room to steer, and that we need to investigate the legalities of placing a maximum on “gifts” to customers, were items in need of review. Dennis and Cindy will start compiling data of how other states are dealing with both issues.
11. Update – Tom Kelly was not able to attend the meeting, thus Jim gave the committee report. The committee intends to publish two (the 15th & 30th) issues a month, and will consist of sections covering AGRSS News (via Cindy to Susan), Association News (from the Board meeting minutes), Insurance News (hot glassBYTEs items, with comments from Dennis Hall), Legislative News (from our Legislative Committee and glassBYTEs, via Dennis Hall), and classified Ads (both items for sale & items wanted). The Board approved the changes and Dennis suggested that Susan use the E-mail/fax system to distribute the Updates. Jim is to make sure Susan is aware of the system, and Dennis’s willingness to help her get started with the system.
New Business:
12. E-mail & Fax Delivery System – Dennis presented information of a system which would allow the delivery of the Update, committee communication, and billing activities, regardless of being received by e-mail or fax. After consideration, the Board approved for Dennis to move forward with the system, as a 30 day trial period is available. The cost is low, less than $20.00 per month, but the Board wants to make sure the system fits the associations’ needs.
13. Conference Call System - Rex explained a new (free) conference call system, which was used during the last AGRSS committee meeting, with no problems. Jim Barnett was instructed to make sure each committee chair was aware of the system, for use in their committee meetings.
14. Money – Rex opened a discussion of the associations’ dire financial situation, and all agreed that without more members or a very fast and successful fund raising event, the association would become insolvent within the next 60 days. As an additional member is the fastest way of providing the badly needed additional funds, Jim committed to renew his efforts in obtaining additional new members. This item will be continued for the next Board meeting.
15. The next Board meeting is scheduled to start at 2:00 P M, on May 28th, at Dennis Hall’s office.
16. Adjournment: (3:35) – Jim
Attendees: Cindy Ketcherside, David Kaleel, Dennis Hall, Kerry Soat, Michael DeBord, Rex Altree & Jim Barnett. Both Greg Tornga and Tom Kelly had informed Jim that they would not be able to attend.
1. 2:00 – Call to order – Jim
2. Review Antitrust Policy - Dennis reviewed the antitrust policy with the Board.
3. Minutes of last meeting – Jim – Were read and accepted.
4. Current Financials – Jim (per Martha) - $820.744 in checking, and $1,826.81 in the money market account, totaling $2,647.55
5. Rex welcomed new Board members, David Kaleel & Kerry Soat.
Old Business:
6. AAGA Treasure – After confirming that the association really needs Martha to maintain the financial activities, it was resolved that Rex was to speak to Martha to establish how little money we can spend for her financial services.
7. Association Patches & Decals - Kerry presented competitive prices for both, followed by a discussion of the Boards preference how each would be utilized. Kerry offered to seek additional quotes, but all agreed that the quotes he had obtained were very competitive. After determining that needed funds were not presently available, the Board elected to revisit this item when the association improves its financial situation.
8. Committee Staffing – Jim reported that he expects to add two additional members to the AGRSS Committee within the next few days, which leaves voids in only Flagstaff & Prescott to fill.
Committee Reports:
9. AGRSS Committee - Rex reported the results of the first committee meeting via the conference call system, which worked extremely well. The committee resolved all issues of their intended aid to association members and how they intended to contact our members via; A) Provide AGRSS information from all urethane suppliers; B) Help AAGA members by providing all required registration information; C) Call members shops regarding our willingness to help with their AGRSS registration; D) Utilize the web site for listing AGRSS registered AAGA shops, and to provide useful information, including links to AGRSS registered AAGA shops.
10. Legislative Committee – Cindy requested the Board to provide her with its legislative goals, to be used as the starting point for her committee. The Board determined that investigating the differences between our steering law, verses those of other states, ours leaves more room to steer, and that we need to investigate the legalities of placing a maximum on “gifts” to customers, were items in need of review. Dennis and Cindy will start compiling data of how other states are dealing with both issues.
11. Update – Tom Kelly was not able to attend the meeting, thus Jim gave the committee report. The committee intends to publish two (the 15th & 30th) issues a month, and will consist of sections covering AGRSS News (via Cindy to Susan), Association News (from the Board meeting minutes), Insurance News (hot glassBYTEs items, with comments from Dennis Hall), Legislative News (from our Legislative Committee and glassBYTEs, via Dennis Hall), and classified Ads (both items for sale & items wanted). The Board approved the changes and Dennis suggested that Susan use the E-mail/fax system to distribute the Updates. Jim is to make sure Susan is aware of the system, and Dennis’s willingness to help her get started with the system.
New Business:
12. E-mail & Fax Delivery System – Dennis presented information of a system which would allow the delivery of the Update, committee communication, and billing activities, regardless of being received by e-mail or fax. After consideration, the Board approved for Dennis to move forward with the system, as a 30 day trial period is available. The cost is low, less than $20.00 per month, but the Board wants to make sure the system fits the associations’ needs.
13. Conference Call System - Rex explained a new (free) conference call system, which was used during the last AGRSS committee meeting, with no problems. Jim Barnett was instructed to make sure each committee chair was aware of the system, for use in their committee meetings.
14. Money – Rex opened a discussion of the associations’ dire financial situation, and all agreed that without more members or a very fast and successful fund raising event, the association would become insolvent within the next 60 days. As an additional member is the fastest way of providing the badly needed additional funds, Jim committed to renew his efforts in obtaining additional new members. This item will be continued for the next Board meeting.
15. The next Board meeting is scheduled to start at 2:00 P M, on May 28th, at Dennis Hall’s office.
16. Adjournment: (3:35) – Jim
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