President’s Message
July 15, 2010
Greetings! Thanks to our committees and boards members who made the annual meeting and education conference again a success, and thanks to all who came. We had an attendance of approximately 95 people. It is always good to see the faces of those who attend the conference each year and meet the new faces of first-timers. The education committee put together a great training outline for this year and I am sure they will do it again for 2011. Our 2011 Annual Meeting and Education Conference is set for June 24, 25, 26, 2011. We hope to see all of you at The Resort at Port Arrowhead, Lake of the Ozarks!
We have had a lot of issues with the private investigators licensing statute being attacked by the private investigators and by the Governor of Missouri. But thanks to the help of Fire Marshal Randy Cole we have been able to keep it alive and the board of examiners from not being dissolved and Fire Investigators forced under the private investigators. Thanks Randy!
Presentation of the president’s award to Randy Cole for his dedication and support to the Missouri Chapter IAAI.
We hope everyone is taking advantage of CFI Trainer.Net and the new posted online classes that you can take, test on, and receive certificates for hours to help maintain your continuing education hours for CFI status. Also, Monthly Podcasts that run on an average of seven to eight minutes each in a convenient audio format relating to new developments in fire investigation are available. Please, visit the site to see the new classes added and take advantage of the Monthly Podcasts.
The International Association of Arson Investigators training conference and annual meeting was held in Orlando, Florida. Thanks to the Chapter, I was again able to represent our chapter along with Vice President Tim Cudd. It was an outstanding conference and the AGM meeting went very well. Our Past President Dave Nichols is now our IAAI President and we are lucky to have Dave at the helm. Congratulations Dave! I hope many of you can make the 2011 conference and encourage everyone to become members of the International Association of Arson Investigators at the International level, not just the Missouri Chapter. The Fire and Arson Magazine alone is worth the $75.00 dollar membership fee and they are continuing to improve the benefits. They have now achieved getting a $10,000 dollar life insurance policy for every IAAI member and will be sending out forms for those members to fill out to list beneficiaries. The recall information in the magazine is also well worth the cost. Granted all articles are the expressed opinion of those that write them, but we all must have open minds. It is worth taking into consideration someone else’s opinion. They might have something to say to make you a better investigator. Just food for thought!
The new Testimony class is put together and we will be offering it to those who need it through your Chapter.
We are continuing to improve your Chapter Website, moiaai.org, to provide access to more information. If you have ideas for adding or improving the website please contact me at jim.kuticka@kfinvestigations.com
Every 3 months your officers, board members and several committee members meet to take care of business. If you have something you would like addressed at these meetings please let me know. Email to jim.kuticka@kfinvestigations.com, or call 417-353-1117, or contact any officer or board member via the website.
We are trying very hard to serve the membership as best we can and to do that we need your input. Please contact me with any comments or ideas.
Sincerely,
Jim Kuticka, President
Missouri Chapter IAAI