ASIS INTERNATIONAL HOUSTON CHAPTER

MEETING MINUTES: JUNE 30, 2004

The luncheon meeting was held at the Renaissance Hotel. Chapter Vice-Chairman Darin Dillon CPP presided. 60 members and guests attended.

Opening prayer: Lewis Eakins

Pledge: Darin Dillon; followed by the introduction of guests and new members

Committee Activities:

Darin gave a reminder that the National Conference is in Dallas this September. It’s a good idea to register and make hotel reservations now. Volunteers are needed to help stuff bags on the Saturday preceding the conference (9/25). Please contact ARVP Tom Hamilton if you can help.

Newsletter: The June issue is going out.

Treasurer: the report was distributed. The treasury still reflects the money we will be donating to UHD from the Golf Tournament.

Certifications:

PSP: Bill Bratton passed the exam.
CPP: Ross Johnson passed the exam.
The Cross Scholarship is being awarded to Rod McCullough (Guardsmark)

Houses of Worship: The committee has grown to 5 members.

Golf Tournament: Last year, we were able to donate $9300 to the UHD Scholarship Program. This year, we will be donating $15,000. Thirty-five people worked on the committee in some capacity and we are looking to form the committee now for next year. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make it a success.

Legislation: There is new legislation involving Corporate Investigators and new licensing requirements for off-site investigations.

Web Page: We have two $250 sponsorships available. Our speaker, Charlie Pierce, generously offered to underwrite one of the sponsorships. Please contact Mike Crocker CPP if you or your company can support this important communication tool.

L.E. Award:

A 25 year veteran of HPD, Officer Jose Selvera Jr. has served a majority of those years in the Homicide Division. He was accompanied by his supervisor, Lt. Murray Smith.

In 1998, a 5 year old boy was slain during a drive-by shooting. The vehicle used in the shooting had been stolen and the suspects had since fled. The investigation became a high priority among detectives and patrol officers. Officer Selvara, because of his extensive knowledge of local gang activity, knew who to question and was able to obtain the name of the first suspect. That suspect pleaded guilty and provided the names of the two remaining juvenile accomplices who had now fled the country.

Officer Selvera refused to let the investigation end with one conviction. His tenacity for justice led him to gain enough information that he was contacted when the second suspect re-entered the country. In 2002, after the second suspect served time on a federal offense, Officer Selvera was able to have him transferred to Harris County and certified as an adult in the now, four-year-old murder. Publicity surrounding the second conviction and sentencing generated a new lead. The third suspect had re-entered the country and was about to flee again. Determined to pursue the new information, Officer Selvera was able to arrest the last of the three suspects.

The third suspect was positively identified and was certified as an adult. Although it was twice suggested that the case be dismissed for lack of evidence, Officer Selvera located additional evidence to continue proceedings. On November 20, 2003, the last suspect was convicted of Capital Murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The Houston Chapter presented Officer Selvera a plaque as a token of appreciation for his long-standing service to the community.

SPEAKER: Charlie R. Pierce

President, LeapFrog Training and Consulting

TOPIC: “Speaking Bean”

Mr. Pierce has been an active member of the Security Industry since 1974. In 1985, he founded LeapFrog Training & Consulting, a training organization specializing in CCTV system design, application, installation and field service. More information can be found on his web site www.LtcTrainingCntr.com.

What is “speaking bean”? It is the ability to present financial information critical to budget proposals to the accountants (“bean counters”) in your organization.

Why are budgets rejected?

Financially unrealistic requests
Lack of perception of the need by corporate leaders
No funding available due to timing in the fiscal year.
You didn’t speak “BEAN”.
Security is seen as an “expense” rather than a profit center.

What is the language of “BEAN”?

Knowing your company’s fiscal year
Understanding Debt to Equity Ratio (the amount of debt that is covered by the value of an asset)
Gross Profit
Net Profit
Break-even point or date
Profit/Loss Calculator Chart

Mr. Pierce reviewed a simple but detailed spreadsheet for budget preparation. When estimating an acquisition, you should include the estimated annual maintenance cost (an average of 3-7% of the actual cost); and the estimated annual upgrade cost (7% for a large system). To counterbalance the costs, you must include in your proposal the estimated annual loss due to theft (statistics put that number at 5% of gross volume) and the estimated annual loss due to vandalism or accidents due to safety infractions. The next step is to summarize a 5 year cost reduction which is the estimated percent times the amount of theft/vandalism loss. Include in this number the liability insurance reduction and potential law suit costs saved. By the third year, there usually is a profit in a 5-year plan.

Suggestions:

Pretend that you are lending your own money to the project and answer the questions you would ask and have them answered in your proposal:

Where are you going to use this money
How do you plan to pay it back
When do you plan to pay it back, etc.

Do not be afraid to ask:

Support everything with charts, graphs, pictures and summary documents as it less to read.
Bullet statements with references and footnotes.
Spread your proposal around to gain the support from other concerned persons.
List the benefits, but ALSO the negatives and what you intend to do to combat them.

Mr. Pierce was awarded a plaque in appreciation of his time and the effort to travel from Iowa to speak to us.

Our next meeting is July 28^th. Our speaker is Bill Strother CPP on the NFPA proposals for Security Guideline Standards.