SOCIETY OF USAF FLIGHT SURGEONS
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES
4 MAY 2009
Location: Westin Bonaventure Hotel (AsMA), 0700 PST
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 0703. BG Wyman welcomed and thanked the Board of Governors members. Roll call:
Members Present:
BGen Dan Wyman President
Col Margaret Matarese President Elect
Lt Col Eveline Yao Secretary
Lt Col Robert York Executive Officer
Col Richard Bachman Past President
Col Don Christensen Elected Member 07
Col Tim Robinette Elected Member 07
Col Steve Hetrick Elected Member 07
Lt Col Bruce Edwards Representing Col Materese
Lt Col Peter Kovats Program Committee
Lt Col David Duval Flightlines Editor
Lt Col Mark Coakwell Resolutions Chair
Lt Col Waldroup State of the FS POC
Lt Col Bohnsack History and Archives
Members Absent:
Lt Col Alden Hilton Treasurer
Lt Gen James Roudebush Honorary BOG Advisor
Lt Gen (ret) Peach Taylor Honorary BOG Advisor
BGen Douglas Robb Past President
Col Charles Fisher Past President
Col Brockway AFRC Representative
Col Les Ferrar ANG Representative
Col Elizabeth Clark Reinartz Chair
Col Gordon Peters Elected Member 08
Col Paul Young Elected Member 08
Col Ken Knight Constitution & Bylaws Chair
Lt Col John Andrus Nominations Chair
Lt Col David Sarnow Information Systems/Webmaster
Lt Col Howard Givens Membership Committee
Lt Col Naili Chen Flightlines Business Mgr
Lt Col Brad Williams Reinartz Committee
Lt Col Mark Nassir Elected Member 08
Lt Col Duncan Hughes Incoming Exec Officer
2. Review of Minutes: Posted on SoUSAFFS website. Approved as posted. (Approved)
3. Secretary’s Report: Recap from 6 Mar 09 telcon. The treasury is healthy with a balance of $15,000. Bank of America is transitioning funds to a new type of account; should be minimal changes. There was a paucity of Malcolm Grow Award submissions. Discussion to increase participation and decrease requirements will be held at this meeting. The program for today’s luncheon was in its final preparation stages. There will be a “roll call” of all lost FS and the dedication of a new plaque as a memorial. Elections are underway on-line, advertised in Flightlines and will continue until the luncheon. A new Scientific committee is in creation; a proposed charter was sent out by Gen Wyman and will be approved today. The Nominations Chairperson was proposed to serve as our representative to the AsMA Nominations Committee. The State of the FS survey was sent out for a second call and closed out 12 Apr 09. The target audience this year is the FS.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Lt Col Hilton is busy with H1N1 situation at Osan. We have made $1200 in sales since arriving at AsMA. The question was raised as to whether the Society is in compliance with the formal “Not for Profit” federal regulations. As a constituent organization, we automatically qualify for the same status as AsMA, our parent not-for-profit organization, but we also have the same requirements. Therefore, we must file franchise taxes and while we also file income tax, we are exempt from payment. Forms for federal filing should be submitted quarterly. Compliance status will be followed up by Lt Col York and reported to the BOG. (OPEN: Lt Col York). Also, an electronic banking option is necessary for ease of transactions with our treasurer being stationed OCONUS. If BoA can accommodate, we are good to go; o/w we may need to consider other banking options.
5. Awards Committee:
Joint/Foreign FS Award status – Although unanimously accepted as a good idea, the actual establishment of the award has been difficult to execute. This award has been tabled indefinitely.
There were 8 Malcolm Grow Award submissions and only 2 operational safety FS nominations this year. The Schafer nomination candidates have “burned out and we only had one Unger submission that qualified. The paucity of candidates indicates a trend and we really are just not receiving enough submissions. We, as a Society, need to get out and canvas the field for greater participation. Motion to reduce Malcolm Grow requirements to 2 letters (one MDG, one OG; limited to one page) and no photo until MAJCOM-level winner. BOG approved (CLOSED). Col Edwards (and agreed by others) is that MAJCOM-level SGPs need to make positive contact with base-level SGPs in the field to increase awareness and emphasize the prestige associated with being a MAJCOM Malcolm Grow winner. Deadlines will remain as posted. LGen Roudebush will not be present at today’s luncheon to present awards due to the current H1N1 situation. MG Travis will stand in his place.
6. Constitution and By-Laws Committee: Col Knight was not in attendance and reported no issues arose this year. Our parent organization will be making significant changes to their constitution and by-laws. AsMA is struggling to identify an Executive Director and define the responsibilities of the position. We will need to abide by those by-law changes as a constituent organization.
7. History and Archives Committee: Maj Bohnsack presented the final product of the SoUSAFFS poster, a compilation of historical photos of FS duties, AE, and summary of the Society charter objectives. The poster was printed on vinyl (Staples, cost $30). The poster will be displayed here at the meeting and electronically on the SoUSAFFS website. Col Materese suggested that a brief explanation be linked to each photo on the website. Additionally, Staples would like to display the poster as a sample “for in-store display only.” BOG approved.
8. Membership: We are the largest constituent organization in AsMA but not the most active at the senior level (but very active at ground level). SoUSAFFS committees run in parallel with the AsMA committees and the expectation is that each committee chair sit in on the corresponding parent committee (who usually meet electronically) and engage. We need to recruit more members, specifically younger FS to join. Gen Wyman referenced the book, “Bowling Alone”: This generation is one of non-joiners – “more people are bowling but not in leagues.” That is not to say they are not willing to engage, they just don’t want to join the group. In order to be a member of SoUSAFFS, one must also join AsMA which is a price many younger FS are not willing to pay. Military membership in AsMA is shrinking in the overall proportion of AsMA membership.
Lt Col Givens was not in attendance but submitted the following report. Current membership roster is as follows as posted on the SoUSAFFS website.
Active members 488
Active lifetime 71
Emeritus 45
Emeritus lifetime 13
Honorary 3
Organizational 11
Provisional 0
Subscription only 16
USAF members 445
Lifetime USAF members 57
ANG Members 71
USAFR Members 42
9. Program Committee: Ky Wood-Ma put the program together for today’s luncheon.
Order of Events:
- Welcome
- Arrival of Official Party
- Nat’l Anthem (Col Tom Luna)
- Dedication to the Fallen (Col Brent Wyrick; small table dedicated, Honor Guard will place USAF cap on table). Silent roll call with moment of silence to reflect on list of names printed in the program.
- Invocation (Col Hadley Reed)
- Introduction of Head Table
- Acknowledgement of Distinguished Guests
- Secretary/Treasurer Report
- State of the FS Survey Results Report
- Election Results
- Guest Speaker: Col (retired) Vanderbeak
- Presentations of Awards
- Passing of the Gavel
LA Honor Guard will be thanked with a “hearty handshake” and a Society coin.
SoUSAFFS social will be held Wed night @ 1830 at “7 Grand”. Total bill: $2600 with Russ Turner’s group donating $2K. Tix on sale from current RAMs at $15/ea.
10. Reinartz Education and Training: Both Board Review Essentials and the Mishap Guide (150 copies) are in, on sale and selling well. The Mishap Guide, 6th ed. (re-write), is progressing in coord with USAF Safety Center. The document will be expanded and the Safety Center will “approve” the new edition. The Mishap Guide was cited as a “finding” by the SIB (Eglin). The Guide is NOT an official AF pub, stated in the front inside cover, however; the content can still be considered a “finding” despite the disclaimer. (OPEN: Lt Col Duncan Hughes, new Exec Ofcr).
11. Resolutions Committee: Lt Col Coakwell had no significant issues or actions to report on at this time.
12. Nominations Committee: Lt Col Andrus was not in attendance. Election results will be announced at the luncheon.
13. Webmaster: The new Webmaster will be Lt Col York. Email robot communication is in the works (OPEN: Lt Col York). Moving Flightlines behind a secure area in the website is pending.
14. AF Reserve Component: Col Brockway was not in attendance. No report submitted.
15. Air National Guard: Col Ferrer was not in attendance. No report submitted.
16. Flightlines Staff : Lt Col Duval will be replaced by Lt Col Waldroup. Flightlines is printed and laid out by local contractors. The printer has been working out well but the lay-out contractor is not timely (2 weeks late for this current issue.); will attempt to rectify situation or look for other options. Flightlines has lost 2 advertisers and gained one but is still a “break even” venture. Lt Col Duval also mentioned that Flightlines should not be used as an “info out” communication tool since it is a quarterly pub. Mailing seems unreliable (members not receiving issues) and slow. An electronic only Flightlines vs. hard-copy was raised again. A paper copy in the FSO is valuable for younger FS to read and used as a mentoring tool. Info for SoUSAFFS “eyes only” should be limited to print vs. the web (which is open access to anyone).
17. OLD BUSINESS:
a. State of the FS Survey results (Lt Col Waldrop, CLOSED):
- Commissioned by then AF/SG, LGen Peach Taylor in May 03
- SoUSAFFS tasked to engaged with FS, line, and MDG/CC annually
- 2009 Survey gather info from FS
- Intent: Gather info regarding FS training, deployment, job, family, and organizational support
- Sponsored by Air Staff, participation by e-mail invitation through the MAJCOM/SGPs to base level FS thru SurveyMonkey.com
- Survey was open 6 weeks between 02 Mar 09 – 13 Apr 09
- 197 FS completed surveys (208 logged on); approx 1/3 of total FS
- 48G, 48R, 48As equally represented (with about 1/3 each participating)
- Conducted on-line via SurveyMonkey.com; approved at Air Staff
- Gen Wyman added questions on post-AMP sustainment training/courses this year
- 61% of all FS felt well-prepared to execute FS duties post-AMP
- 41% of all 48Gs felt well-prepared to execute FS duties post-AMP
- 50% stated that sustainment training was available and adequate
- 2/3 RAMs felt that residency prepared them well for SGP duties
- 50% of fighter/attack FS are attending Top Knife; 1/3 of 48R and 48Gs are attending Top Knife
- 1/3 of 48Gs are not attending ATLS
- 2/3 of 48G/Rs are not attending Global Medicine Readiness or Occ Med courses
- Almost 100% of FS who participated in a post-AMP course agreed that they are beneficial
- 3/4 48Gs and 2/3 48Rs are not attending AMIP
- 85% of 48G/Rs are not attending the Advanced Clinical Concepts in AE
- >95% of all FS are not attending Contingency Prev Med or Human Performance Enhancement courses
- 40% of 48Gs thought they were well trained for deployed patient care and operational tasks
- 60% of 48Gs thought they were well trained for in-garrison patient care duties and operational support tasks
- 2/3 of FS felt well trained to perform their job overall; only 40% of 48Gs reported so
Gen Wyman has some talking papers that he will start sending out. He pointed out that some of these results were surprising. 60% of respondents had 1 – 10 yrs in service. 48Gs feel coming out of AMP that they are not prepared for primary duties where the 48R/A’s are at 60%. 40% have deployed 4 – 8 mos in the last 3 yrs but the 48Gs don’t feel prepared for deployment. We use this survey to justify many of the changes in the AFSC requirements and many of the GOs see great validity in the results.
b. Col Bachman and Fisher submitted the Scientific Committee charter to the BOG for vote. As written: “Committee will provide nominations/topics for the AsMA Scientific Assembly NLT 3 mos prior.” Discussion: Is more time needed since AsMA starts receiving submissions as early as Sep. Resolution: SoUSAFFS will give AsMA a “generic” scientific topic and the presentations will be selected NLT 3 mos prior. The Committee Chair will be selected by the SoUSAFFS President, not term limited. One member will be from the 711 HSW + 3 at-large members (selected by the Chairperson). The intent is to get our junior FS involved in research and have a forum to present research that may not be ready for publication but is in the early stages with presentable findings. Charter voted on and approved. (CLOSED)
18. NEW BUSINESS:
MQT (Mission Qualification Training) program: Period of observation for flying and clinical FS duties. Once the FS is proficient in flying duties, the OG will sign off; once the FS is proficient in clinical duties, the SGP will sign off. The MAJCOM/SGP will then have authority to grant BMC status (Basic Mission Capable). During the MQT phase, there will be no deployments. MQT will hopefully codify the requirements with additional MAJCOM-specific requirements. The only universal requirement thus far is SERE, which has already been added. Training will be included TDY en-route to first base. There will be a wavier process to deploy FS who are not 100% MQT to meet mission requirements. This is basically a “spin-up” period analogous to flyers. BL: 48G/R1s will no longer be an authorized (48G/R3) substitute for deployment. Additionally, GMO tours may be increased to 3 yrs: one yr MQT and 24 mos of a fully-qualified FS. Retention is also linked to training. If you have no confidence to do your job, you are less likely to stay. (INFO; more to follow)