BBV-CERT General Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2025, Masonic Lodge
Present: Susan Elliott, Steve Elliott, Ed Williams, Bob Grimes, Norma Grimes, Jim & Marie Smith
Johnny Wells, Susan Smith, Maria Laverty, Michael Eichenlaub, Susan Antrillo, Nancy Karlson,
Ed Stanik, Jim Hamilton, George Muller, Nancy Moering, Michael Marty.
Guests: Juliann Perdue, Paul Arnold, Dave Arnold, Mike Gatherer, Dean Moering, Michael Kelly,
Kylee Matteo
Call to Order: President Susan Elliott called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Johnny Wells led the flag salute.
911 Designee: George Muller was assigned to call 911 in case of an emergency.
Meeting Minutes: Norma Grimes sent the November 18, 2024 minutes in prior email.
Treasurer’s Report: Ed reported interest for November was 8¢ in savings and 2¢ in checking. In December we had expenditures of $93.33 for Christmas party supplies and $282.20 for team gifts. In interest, we received 6¢ in savings and 2¢ in checking. In January we received $191.55 from the See’s Candy fundraiser, and interest of 8¢ in savings and 2¢ in checking. In February we received 7¢ in interest in savings and 2¢ in checking. The balance in checking to date: $5,578.77; in savings: $1,801.28, for a total of $7,380.05.
Committee Reports:
- Fundraising Committee– Marie & Jim Smith
- See’s Candy Online Fundraiser garnered $191.55
- They are checking with Maria for a fundraiser at Sonora Cantina sometime this summer.
- They will also check with Maggio’s.
- Suggestions for other fundraisers are welcome.
- Training/Membership – Johnny Wells
- Johnny is getting plugged in to Visit Big Bear, Chamber of Commerce and City Council for notification of events where CERT can recruit members.
- He hopes to have booth at the Friday Night Farmers Market at Meadow Park again this summer. Volunteers are needed to man the booth.
- Johnny is developing a brochure/flyer with QR code that will take people to BBV CERT website to register for basic training.
- He hopes to get on the Big Bear Lake Council meeting agenda to promote CERT.
- Johnny will be sending an email questionnaire to the team asking everyone to share their experience of how and why they became involved in BBV CERT.
- Sessions at future general meetings will include more interactive training to refresh our basic training.
- Assets — Steve Elliott
- Steve reported on the status of the CERT containers.
- County trailer is ready for them to take it down the mountain to restock
- The trailer may be moved to a central location on county property.
- Old first aid supplies will be used for training and stock team backpacks.
New Business:
- Time sheets are available and team members are encouraged to use them to record hours. County requires 5 volunteer hours per month or attendance at the monthly general meeting.
- CPR & Advanced First Aid — Susan is waiting to hear from Brian at the hospital to arrange classes.
- Susan has asked George Muller to attend the Train the Trainer classes so he can assist her.
Old Business:
- CERT ID’s and background checks for new recruits. Robert Gonzales is sending the new IDs for everyone who has completed training and passed the background checks. Current ID holders need to turn in their old IDs, if they can find them.
Upcoming Training/Other Events:
- Big Bear HamEscape, April 25-27, Holiday In. To register go to https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/BigBearHamEscape
- Board Meeting, April 28, 5 p.m., Masonic Lodge
- General Meeting, April 28, 6 p.m., Masonic Lodge
- Basic Training, June 16-20, 6-10 p.m., Masonic Lodge
- Tour de Big Bear, August 2, 6-11 a.m., Snow Valley
- Basic Training, Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 6-10 p.m., Masonic Lodge
Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. after hearing guest speaker Chris Davy who oversees the Damage Prevention and Emergency Responder Outreach/ Training Programs for the Southwest Gas Corporation. Chris shared about the 811 program which prevents damage to gas lines. BBV CERT has been recruited to distribute door hangers which warn of digging without calling the gas company to locate utility lines.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma Grimes, Secretary