October 20, 2011

                                                                                                                 Board Meeting Minutes

 

                         Roll Call:

 

                        In Attendance: President Peter Torrano, Milton Thomas, Dan O’Connor, Marvin Gelfand, Arthur Hersh, and Gene O’Neill

 

                        Excused Absences: Chairman Jill Marcus, Tom Heavren, Carol Bryan, Scott Bates, Lisa Yarbor, Wille Pabon, Paul Ciochetti, and Marty Ruff.

 

                        Unexcused Absences: Christopher Cozzi, Sandy Wright, and John Landolfi

 

 

                        Chair report:  Nothing to report  

 

 

                        President’s Report:

 

                        Report on the 3 Chiefs (Distinguished Chiefs Award): Only one nomination has been submitted to date. Commissioner Milton Thomas has 
                        recommended Stamford Police Chief Robert Nivakoff and he also submitted a very detailed biography. There are at least two other chiefs that
                        we are aware of who will be nominated, and possibly a third. Submission of names does not close until December 15th.

 

 

                        1st VP Report:  President Pete Torrano spoke on the behalf of Willie Pabon.

 

                        A vote was taken to cancel the October dinner business meeting.  

 

                       There will be a Holiday party on December 7, 2011 at the Grassy Hill Country Club.

 

 

                        2nd VP Report:  No report

 

 

                        Finance Committee:  John Landolfi, Chairman

 

                        Marvin Gelfand reported that there is $12,068.70 in the treasury.  

 

                        Some discussion ensued in regard to the possibility of obtaining 501 3c status. This remains a work in progress.

 

                        Peter mentioned that he found a lot of history of the organization, some dating back to 1978, and he plans to organize into 3-ring binders.

 

                        Marvin and Gene O’Neill have been in the process of cleaning up the membership list.

 

 

                        Membership Committee:  Gene O’Neill, Chairman

 

                        Chairman Gene O’Neill reported on a few items. He is working on getting all Bridgeport Commissioners current with their dues. He is in

                        receipt of the first batch of blue name tags and he plans to send them all out at once.

 

                       Peter made some additional comments in regard to getting more Commissioners involved with the Organization, especially the newer members. 

                       He would like to put together a packet of information about “who we are, what we are” so that every new Commissioner will learn more about the

                       Organization:  our by-laws, what our mission statement is, how to use the PCACT web site, what our goals are, what committees we have which should

                       include a list of the committee members and what we do on the committees … so that it will generate some interest. Bottom line: to make any new

                       Commissioner feel welcomed and afford them the opportunity to become involved by sitting on the board and/or committees.

 

 

                       Meritorious Committee: No report

 

 

                       Education Committee:  Frank Cipriano, Chairman

 

                       Last month, Pete met with Frank and John DeCarlo of the University of New Haven and they talked about what they are planning to do for us for

                       training the Commissioners.  Since that time, they have contacted other members of their committee and they have started some things in motion. One idea

                       is to have a highly qualified person coming in to each of our business dinner meetings and taking a small segment of the training and give us our training

                       right there. This can be a 15 minute segment and the person doesn’t have to be our guest speaker. We can have a guest speaker on top of that. It would

                       afford us the opportunity to learn more things. John DeCarlo and the Education Committee have been quite busy working under Frank, to further advance

                       our education and the Board appreciates their efforts.

 

 

                       Legislative Committee:  No report

 

                       Scott Bates was not in attendance because he is meeting with the President of Kosovo for the government, but even under those pressing circumstances 
                       he has kept in touch with Peter via email.

 

                       Pete praised Scott for what he has been doing on the legislative front. Scott has already made contact with the Attorney General’s office, with certain

                       state legislators, and once the session comes back in, Scott plans to get very involved along with his committee which includes Gary MacNamara and George Kain.

 

                       By-Laws Committee:  Milton Thomas, Chairman

 

                       Milton said he is still working on the by-laws. He wants to work on the language to be sure it is right and he does plan to get this done.

 

                        Associate Membership.  This is a work in progress, and plans are under way to design the application form, publish it and get it out to people.

 

 

                       Old business: none

 

 

                       New Business: 

 

                       Dec 7th  will be the Holiday party at Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange. A flyer will be sent out.

 

                       Pete said he had one thing under new business and that was what he gave to Milton. He said that the Association had a manual for Commissioners, dating

                       back to 1998. He would like to bring this up to date with Milton’s help. Once this is accomplished, then it can be distributed to all the members of the Association.

                       It will basically detail and outline what people are supposed to do as Commissioners.      

 

                       The Board of Directors appreciates all the work that is being done by all of the Committees. Everyone is doing a great job.

 

 

                       Meeting adjourned at 8:20PM

 

 

                       Respectfully Submitted by,

 

 

                       Kathie A. Powell

                       Executive Secretary