Newsletter

Minutes of Meeting
July 21, 2004
Miller’s Homestead Inn, Tigard

Opening:
President Tom Abeyta called the meeting to order. He read the Anti-Trust compliance and went over the purpose and goals. There was a self-introduction of people present. Present were: Officers Tom Abeyta, Integrated Metal Components, Inc. – President, Barry Houk, Davis Tool, Inc, - Treasurer, Jim Cooper, Shimadzu – Board Members at Large. Other attendees were Betty Hirsch, WW Metal Fab, and Tim Varela, Metafab, a guest of Barry’s.

Regular and Associate Member Update:
Tom reviewed the list of regular and associate members. Regular members are American Metal Specialties, Crystal Lite Manufacturing, Davis Tool, Integrated Metal Components, Magic Metals, Northwest Precision Fabricators, Scientific Research, Shimadzu USA, Shinei USA, Western Electronics – Delta Corp. Tom added that Nielsen Manufacturing signed back up. They wanted the wage survey, and found that at the new fee, it made since to rejoin. Barry said it is time to send a new bill to all the members. Tim said Metafab would be joining.

Treasurer’s Report:
Barry said the Association had approximately $4,100 a money market account and $300 in checking. We recently had an over draft caused by the mail not getting picked up at the PO box and the debit card activity. Tom said we lost the PO box because we didn’t have the key and no one checked it. The bill was put in the box. He is looking into a new PO box.

Old Business:
Tom discussed the need for getting classes going again. Barry said there has been interest in from a couple member companies, but we haven’t been able to get enough to justify the class. Tom went around the room to find out what interest there was from members at the meeting. He got commitment for five blue print reading. Tom is going to talk members and non-members to see if the number can be increased to twelve. Barry said one of the concerns he heard from the members from Salem, was that we didn’t have class offering in their area. He felt Ron would travel to Salem if a class could be arranged.

Tom said he would get the new member information out. He asked the members to check the web site to see that it is still up to date. Barry said he didn’t think the new $125 rate was listed on the site. He would look into that.

Tom said the increases in metal prices have been discussed at the last meetings. He found out that the association could operate as a Co-Op and purchase metal in bulk for members and pass the savings on. He said it would be better if the association were not the one doing this if possible.

Tom discussed the wage survey being completed and sent. He found it very handy for his company. This was the reason that Neilsen decided to rejoin.

Tom reminded the group that we still have a vacancy in the Vice President Position. If someone would like to fill it or knows someone in the industry that would, let him know.

New Business:
Tom said most of us are hiring new employees, if we can. It appears that the economy is rebounding. We will all be in the need for training soon, so he would like to keep Ron happy with a class now and then before he looses interest in us.

Tom said Barry was leaving Davis Tool. This will cause a vacancy in the Treasurer position. Tom said he felt Barry would resurface at another member company so he wanted to keep him on as a consultant, like they did with Dave. It was agreed.

Tom again asked everyone to go into the web site and make sure it was up to date. Barry reminded Tom that the Address would need to be changed as soon as he gets a new PO box.

Next Meeting:
Tom said the next meeting would be the 3rd Wednesday following the quarter end. That will be October 20, 2004.

The meeting was adjourned.