North American Division

British Institute of Embalmers

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
October 12, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

Chairman David Hicks, MBIE, called the meeting to order with a welcome to the 21 members and guests attending. (*Note! Robert Inman, FBIE, was called home during the preceding night due to the death of his wife, Joan) A moment of silence was observed for Don Sawyer and Joan Inman.
There were no apologies for absence received.
There was no correspondence to report or requiring a response.

Minutes of the last AGM, held in Boston in October of 2009, were referenced and adopted without question or comment. The Chairman then made his opening remarks to the group. Chairman. Hicks has expressed a vision for geographical growth not only in numbers but in programs of scholarly content and practical applications for the embalmers. He expressed the possible need to make a registration charge for all programs that will provide Continuing Education Credits to the registered attendees. This would provide needed revenue to procure meeting space and clinicians and not stress the treasury in providing operating expenses. He also mentioned that we will have a new opportunity for “giving” as the subscriptions notices are mailed to the membership. There is a new entity on the form for giving to the student exchange program that is gaining in popularity. Since we are a Tax Exempt Entity based on our educational structure, the additional giving should be tax free.

The Treasurer’s report was presented and accepted as presented without modification. A copy of this report is attached to these minutes.

The Secretary’s report was read and accepted as read. A copy is attached to these minutes.

The dates for the 2011 International AGM in Belfast were presented and members were encouraged to take holiday time at this time in April and attend the meeting. Since many have expressed an interest in the International happenings, including Keele, we continually encourage them to take a more active interest in the BIE.

The Chairman stepped aside and the Secretary conducted the election of officers and Board Members for 2011 and 2012. The following were duly elected:
            Chairman: David Hicks, MBIE of Cincinnati, Ohio ( two year term)
            Secretary: Nelson E. Hayes. MBIE, of Matthews, North Carolina
            Treasurer: Robert G. Mayer. FBIE, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Board Members: Re-elected Scott Raab, David Adams, and newly elected Tim Borden
Current Board Members whose terms end 2011: Thomas Gale, Sharon Gee, Eric Butler

International Representative: Peter Ball

The meeting concluded with a PowerPoint Presentation by Karl Wenzel, MBIE from Canada. The program was on advance decomposition and extreme trauma with Restoration Techniques for use in making the decedents viewable for a funeral. Excellent Karl !!!!

Meeting Adjourned at 12:35 PM.