- DL called the meeting to order at 6:05PM, CST.
- DL thanked the Board for the past two years, and wished us the best moving forward.
- DL indicated that Scott Hackney wishes to be a part of the NCSC. LP to contact Scott to discuss.
- JF opened discussion regarding the formation of the Contest Rules Revision Committee. The new committee needs to be in place by Nov. 1 to present rules to the membership around January 1 for the Madison contest.
- RB indicated that Gordon Ensing, Frank Landrus and Richard Engar have been contacted and wish to continue in their current roles on the NCC.
- PP talked to Phil Perry, who indicated that he would like to remain as the incoming Chief Judge, pending recovery from his current health issues. PP will also reach out to Phil Hale regarding the Miscellaneous/Dioramas HJ position.
- The remaining NCC positions left vacant by resigning members (Aircraft, Military Vehicles, Ships and Space/Sci-Fi) remain to be filled. JB & DK indicated that Mark and Eileen Persichetti need to be contacted regarding getting us the judges listing, so those judges with at least 10 years experience as Nats judges can be contacted to see if they are interested in the available positions. It was suggested that Richard Engar act as an interim Chief Judge towards that effort. PP to coordinate.
- JB meeting with Jim Coatney via Zoom tonight to discuss an alternative contest database system in the event we need it for Madison. It also serves as a contest registration database. Need to coordinate those efforts with Vlad regarding the awards photos and the Journal, etc.
- JF indicated his wife has appropriate experience and is willing to participate in learning the contest database system and help with managing the process.
- Madison team has the IPMS laptops in hand.
- PP to contact Phil Perry regarding the CJ position and the Persichettis to obtain the existing software system and data, and Richard Engar regarding the interim CJ role until Phil Perry is fully recovered.
- RB suggested getting the NCC to focus on getting an updated charter document drafted, and concentrate on getting the necessary judging rules revisions out around January 1. RB to forward two draft documents for review as a starting point. Once the committee is repopulated, the first order will be to revise the rules to prevent the reported ethics issue that occurred in San Marcos (judging administrative rules and policies). Other contest rules will remain as is for Madison. That information will be presented to the Board early next year for approval to use in Madison, as has been past practice.
- The 2023 rules will remain posted for reference by the membership until the revised rules for 2024 are completed and approved for publication.
- The board will work with the NCC to put together the comprehensive rules review committees for the purpose of longer term updating of the contest rules.
- JF reinforced the need to meet the dates we have given to the membership regarding the contest moving forward. Additional discussion was had regarding who would serve on the contest rules revision committees. LP and Richard Engar will be heading the effort towards appointing the committee members. DK and RA to work with JB establish the committee members, and LP to take on administration after 11/1. Diverse members will be presented for appointment due to the time constraints.
- JF suggested that the Board consider adopting a code of ethics and appoint an ethics and standards committee to address matters such as the one reported in San Marcos. All committee members and IPMS officers would sign a statement stating that they have reviewed and agreed to abide by the code of ethics as a condition of serving in those roles. RB has a draft charter for such a committee and will forward to the board for review and comment.
- JF asked Phil Peterson if he was prepared to assume the office of the Presidency. PP agreed, and the Board approved.
- PP indicated that John Noack had indicated an interest in assuming Phil’s role as 1st VP and JB moved to appoint him to that role. JF seconded, and the Board approved John Noack to assume the office of 1st VP for the next 2 year term.
- The Board discussed the possibility of open, online board meetings. The Board consensus is that Eboard meetings are and will remain closed sessions at this time. JB suggested scheduled “town hall” type discussions might be held for the membership to interact more frequently with the Board, outside of the annual convention business meeting. This item was tabled until the next board meeting for additional research and discussion with our webmaster as to viability.
- JF asked about the potential to appoint a director to manage IPMS/USA’s social media platforms. JB suggested that Don Schmitz might consider this role and will contact him towards that end. This will be a committee structure. RB to draft a request for candidates to serve on this committee. The Board will consider what “rules” need to be in place to manage that effort. The Board will revisit this item at the next meeting.
- DL asked about the possibility of establishing a “members only” IPMS/USA Facebook group for members to discuss IPMS/USA issues. The existing Facebook Group would be reconstructed to allow modeling content only, and the Convention page to allow convention only content. JB will contact the current administrators to move this along.
- JF introduced a need to put together a regional convention committee to handle administration of those efforts for consistency and asked the board to review his draft charter for that committee for discussion at the next meeting.
- JB reminded DK that he needs his feedback on the 2025 Convention venue contract. DK to address ASAP.
- JB indicated that 2024 Convention planning is proceeding very well. RA asked JB to remind Jeff Herne that there is space available in the Journal for Convention publicity in each edition.
- JB will be attending SMC in the Netherlands soon and will be distributing Nats 2024 information and bringing back information on their admin systems.
- The board revisited the action items necessary before the next board meeting on 11/12, and confirmed the urgency in taking care of them.
- RB asked the board to consider the 2030 Initiative paper submitted to the board by a group of members towards the future of IPMS/USA, and our goals for 2023-2025 for discussion at the next meeting.
- JF indicated that Casey Gray of the Tulsa Modelers Forum will be the next Region 6 RC. The board agreed with the appointment.
- The Board thanked Dave Lockhart and John Bonanni for their service and wished them well.
- PP adjourned the meeting at 7:18PM CST.
The next quarterly meeting of the IPMS/USA Executive Board will be held November 12, 2023 at 6:00PM CST. The membership is encouraged to provide input or feedback at ipmssec@ipmsusa.org.
Submitted by Rob Booth - Secretary-IPMS/USA
10/15/2023