The meeting was called to order by Cindy Dort at 9:40 a.m.

In attendance: Cindy Dort, Barbara Formica, Tom McDonnell, Patrick Ambrose, June Webster, Margaret Beers, Donna Adams, Bill Van Alstyne, John Dickson, Debbie Douglas, Ted Finlayson-Schueler, Karen Liddle, Shannon Purdy, Cathleen Babcock, Sue Larkin, Mark Hoffacker, and Travis Dann

Approval of Minutes
The minutes were reviewed from the August meeting; changes were made to correct the following:

• Tom's Technician Class was held in Alleghany, NY and the new instructor in Troop A is Tim Panus.
• Mark Hoffacker was not present at the meeting and therefore not involved in the prescription pad committee.

New Business:

• It was suggested that the pending revision of the "prescription pad" be added to the agenda of the next meeting. It will be necessary to accommodate for various locations throughout the state.

CPS Saturday

• June Webster stated that she completed an awareness course at a WIC program. She received very positive feedback and the Sheriff also continued with the program throughout the county. She stated that the press conference kick-off, displays and advertising throughout the week prior to the meeting really enhanced the participation.
• It was suggested that photos, results, accomplishments and statistics be posted on the GTSC www.safeny.com web site for others to review and learn from. The recognition of technicians for their efforts was highlighted as a necessity for keeping techs interested and active participants. It is also important to see the best practices, media campaigns and various strategies in order to capitalize on ideas that others have found to be productive. (If anything is to be posted you must submit it to Barb for GTSC approval to post.) If pictures are submitted names and permission from those in the picture must be included.
• The New York Traffic Safety Board web site will also have a CPS section. Information can also be posted there. This information must be sent to Karen for posting. The NYTSB web site has a link to the GTSC site.

Welcome Packet for New Technicians

• The folders for the "Welcome Pack for Technicians" were accepted by the CPS Board. The folders will be purchased by Karen from the TSB Grant and will be given to advisory board members to distribute to instructors in their region who are holding classes.

The Welcome Packs are to be standardized with the following:
  All that these items can be downloaded from www.safeny.com web site *
   * classes with internet access should bring up the web site

• Recertification Requirements
• Resources for Continuing Education
• NYS CPS Standards of Performance
• Members of the NYSCPS Advisory Board (with E-mail contact information)
• Access to or a printout of "Recall List"

PLUS:

A list of optional items specific to each area where the class is being held.

Motion by Travis; Seconded by Pat - Motion Approved

CPS Tool Kit Summary

• Deb Douglas reports that a total of 37 counties and 20 Health Departments are utilizing the CPS Tool Kits. Tool kits have been received positively and Deb distributed the survey results.
• All those that reported stated that they would participate again next year.

2010/2011 Safety Conferences

Life Savers:

• The 2010 Lifesavers Conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 11-13, 2010.

Child Passenger Safety:

• The possibility of the next conference to be held in Puerto Rico was researched and the estimated cost was much higher than if it was held in the United States. It was decided that the next conference would be held in New York in the spring of 2011. This has been suggested to not overlap with the Lifesavers Conference. The longer time between conferences from 1 year to 18 months will also allow more time for the planning of the seminar agenda.
• The possibility of scheduling CEU sessions on either side on non-CEU sessions was recommended. It was suggested that this would keep more people in attendance for a longer period of time.
• A diverse agenda for the next conference to be sought along with an increase of topics regarding child safety issues. Bill suggested that auto manufacturers may be a beneficial addition to the agenda. They could discuss various topics regarding the vehicles themselves such as latch weight limits and other key issues and questions.
• Other workshop ideas expressed were instructor focused meetings, round table discussions on best practices, crash results and investigations. The suggestion of contacting CALSPAN engineers to present on current crash testing and results.
• Ted Finlayson-Schueler suggested the addition of a pre-conference 1-day school bus course to be added to the conference agenda. This 8-hour course could offer 8 CEU's at completion. The facility space needed for the course would be for just one school bus. Clarification with Safe Kids regarding the acquisition of CEU credits if you have previously taken the school bus course.

2009 Child Passenger Safety Conference, Pennsylvania- Review

• Overall the committee found the conference to be successful. Scheduling the regional meetings at a different time of day was suggested. Travis suggested that the regional meetings be held before the state meeting to allow for information to be discussed at the state meeting. An example of a schedule is welcome reception (a.m.), regional meeting, state meeting and then lunch.

A list of Technicians and Instructors, who will be attending the conference, will again be distributed to Regional Coordinators on the Advisory Board to make arrangements for the regional meetings.

Recognition Award Procedures

• The process for award selection and distribution to be reviewed. Shannon stated that she will look into the procedures that are currently used by Pennsylvania.
• The nominating process for the Technician Recognition award to be revised and a standard for selection to be created. The need for more a more stringent criteria was suggested along with the possibility of submittals by the regional representatives.
• The Nominating Committee will select and create the criteria for the award process.

The Debbie Lotito Award

• Criteria of the award to be decided on, in an effort to add structure to the selection process.
• The award is to be given out when there is an outstanding candidate or candidates. This does not have to be a yearly award, but rather merit based.
• A letter outlining the eligibility and qualifications to be drafted. (Similar to the Lifesavers Accommodation Award)
• The nominating committee will review all submittals by excluding the names and the utilization of a standardized ranking form to ensure equitability in judging applicants.

New Law - Promotion and Release of the New Law

• The GTSC web site has been updated to reflect the new law. An informational flyer with a cut off bookmark was distributed to through the superintendents of schools and was intended for children to take home from school. This flyer was also mailed out in a limited supply to anyone requesting it. It is also available on the www.safeny.com web site in color and black and white print versions.
• It is currently being translated into Spanish.
• A draft of a press release was included in the meeting folder. The actual press release went out to the media on Monday, Nov. 22nd, 2 days prior to the law going into effect.

E-Grants

• There will be an additional E-Grant training session facilitated by GTSC. All grant functions will be submitted on line, including the voucher submittals.
• If any challenges are encountered with the E-Grant system contact GTSC for instruction.
• Most 2009-2010 grants have been reviewed and decided upon. All notification letters will be received soon.

Training Assignments for next year

• To be discussed at next board meeting. All tentative training classes should be submitted to Barb to begin a calendar for the upcoming year.
• Karen requested that no training be completed during the last week of September.
• An increase of training throughout the state in "Transporting Children with Special Needs" was suggested. Mark Hoffacker to contact Riley Hospital to inquire about scheduling a class for training technicians. It will also be a goal to create a few Special Needs instructors.

Lead Instructor Handout

It was suggested that a new task be added to the lead instructor checklist which would require lead instructors to e-mail list of new Technicians/Instructors to the regional coordinators after course completion.

*** Suggestions to be discussed at next meeting:

• It might be better if GTSC takes on this responsibility and send the names of new Technicians and Instructors to the Regional Advisory Board Coordinator, as class rosters are received after each class?
• GTSC could also update the technician /instructor list on-line after each class instead of waiting until the end of the year.

COMMITTEES

• Committees were identified as to who was on each committee and their goal followed by reporting back to the group when the meeting resumed after the breakout:

Communications Committee Public Outreach Committee merged with Communications
Deb Douglass, Chair; Ro, Sue, Margaret, Donna & June

• Verification of the date of 2010 Seat Check Saturday: It will be on September 25th.
• To develop a Step 2 Tip Card, Create a media Tip Sheet, Prescription Pad Review, and examine the Step 1 campaign by acquiring data from those involved in the first campaign. Follow Up with a few questions to gauge the success of the campaign. Electronic Save the Date message will be sent out 6 months before Child Passenger Safety Week.

Education & Training Committee:
Marjorie, Chair; Bill, John, Pat & Karen

• A 6 CEU and a 3 CEU course will be developed by and distributed during the January board meeting. The 3 CEU course will be a half day gathering to work as a companion to the 3 CEU's available through the web site. New seats will be reviewed and videos will be available for download.
• A curriculum for the lower income programs will be developed after the CEU courses are completed.
• Bill to submit the courses to Safe Kids for official approval. Once a course number has been assigned it will be e-mailed to the board members. Anticipated release by February.

Structure Committee
Erik, Chair; Tom, Travis & Kate

• Packet for new board members is under construction. It is necessary that the chairs of each committee send in responsibilities of their respective committee. Packet will include a description of each committee and their responsibilities, a list of the board members, map and directions to meetings.

Legislative Committee
Mark, Chair; Ted & John

• Reports that the Leandra's Law has been introduced and will look at the status.

Nominating Committee
Erik, Travis, Cindy, Barb

• Reported that they cannot recommend the new slate of officers at this time, they will meet before the January meeting to create a slate that will be presented @ the January meeting.
• The recommendations for regional representatives have been sent to GTSC. The decisions were made and letters went out to all who either resigned, served their term , reinstated for another term and to those whose resumes' have been accepted to participate as a board member filling the vacancies. A letter also went out to all members advising them of the changes.
• The nominating committee new assignment will be to work on the awards criteria.

FINANCIAL REPORT - Karen Liddle

• Karen thanked everyone for submitting duplicate copies of their documentation. All counties should be paid at this time except for Suffolk County. She stated mail should not be certified or need to be signed for as she is not always in the office. She suggested that you request for a confirmation via email. Also, all paperwork should be submitted with the phone numbers of each of the contacts including instructors.

All approved to adjourn at 1:30 p.m.

Next meeting January 11th.

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