2 February 2000 Norfolk, VA
Capt. Tressie Waldo, President MAJ Kathy Gates, Vice President Mr. Tom Hutchison, Secretary/Treasurer LTC Lynn Henselman, Executive Secretary
Recorder: Mr. Thomas L. Hutchison, MA, MHA, Secretary/Treasurer Call to order – 1630 hrs.
The meeting was held in conjunction with the Fortieth Navy Occupational Health and Preventive Medicine Workshop, 31 January – 4 February 2000.
Capt Waldo welcomed all attendees and opened the meeting by introducing all the officers with special recognition of LTC Henselman and her efforts on behalf of MAA.
Old Business
Budget
Mr. Hutchison provided the current balance brought forward from CY 1999 – $6462.59 and the total collected during the current Military Audiology Short Course – $3862.00 Total prior to expenses – $10,324.59
MAA Internet Site
Capt Pluta was recognized for his development and maintenance of the MAA internet homepage. Capt Pluta reported that the site is averaging 162 ‘hits’ per day from all around the world.
MAA Newsletter
CPT Grantham reported that all but 25 members of MAA have current email addresses. With such wide-spread internet accessibility she proposed changing the distribution format for the Newsletter from regular mail to the MAA website. This would provide a more timely and up to date information as well as a savings on postage. Capt Pluta assured that this was possible.
Newsletter input will be through the individual service chiefs to CPT Grantham.
New Business
CAOHC Update
COL R. Danielson provided an update on military specific issues relative to CAOHC and encouraged everyone to access the CAOHC web site for information
- Specialty recognition for junior officers for certification
- Options for re-certification
- Recorded lessons that could substitute for one discipline in curriculum
- Discussion of a Professional Supervisors course and possible certification
- Possible mandatory CAOHC certification even for military trained graduates
COL Danielson encouraged feedback and comments to be forwarded to his attention and to Lt Col T. Schulz
Operation BANG
Capt Waldo announced that over 2500 elementary school students were reached through Operation BANG. She encouraged MAA members to take advantages of the resources that have been compiled and materials will be available upon request.
LtCol J. Allen reported that several schools have requested, in light of recent school killings and other gun related violence, that Operation BANG be renamed to something less suggestive for elementary school students. Suggestions may be posted to the web site.
Audiology Awareness Campaign
COL N. Vause provided a spirited briefing on the return on the investment in AAC.
COL Vause made a request for volunteers from each service to function as both representatives and general volunteers.
Specialty Recognition
LtCol Schulz discussed the status of the recognition effort and a managing board; the work is proceeding but has not been finalized. Updates will be provided as they occur.
NHCA Endowment Fund
The goal of the endowment is $25,000
Budget Concerns
Mr. Hutchison reported the caution from legal advisor, D. Bolgiano, that if MAA income exceeds $5000 in one year that the organization will fall into a undesirable tax category requiring unwanted expenses and red tape.
Motion: COL Chandler moved to lower dues, beginning in 2001 to $35 and to allow donations to specific programs be separated from dues income. The motion was seconded by CPT E. Peterson.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the body.
AuD Program Recognition
Discussion was opened on ways to support the AuD program through MAA. Recommendations and feedback will be collected through service representatives with a decision scheduled within 60 days:
- Capt Joe Narrigan, Air Force
- CPT Marjorie Grantham, Army
- LT Phil Meltmar, Navy
- CDR Linda Simpson, Public Health Service
(DoD/VA) Federal Audiology Association
Dr. L. Beck, VA addressed the body on the advantages of forming a Federal Audiology Association. The concept is to have each organization maintain their separate identities under a political umbrella association.
Motion: LtCol Allen moved to bring the VA into the the MAA organization which was seconded by COL Chandler. A discussion followed concerning the formation of a Federal Government Audiology / Speech Association rather than brining the VA “into” MAA. The original motion was withdrawn and the body requested:
“The executive committee of the MAA study the feasibility and options of an association. The executive committee will present a proposal to the General Membership in 6 months.”
Banquet
MAJ Gates reported the speaker for the 2000 banquet will be Mr. Dave Bolgiano.
Adjourn
Motion: A motion to adjourn was made at 1530 by COL D. Chandler, seconded by Col B. Sierra.