Natural Stone Council Board of Directors Meeting
September 13, 2011
President Brenda Edwards called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm.
Present: Brenda Edwards, Brad Poynter, Bill Hood, Jane Bennett, Eddie Greene,
Jonathan Zanger, Duke Pointer, Stephanie Vierra, Gary Distelhorst, Dennis Buechel,
Harry Triebe, Sr., Jack Geibig, Jeff Buczkiewicz, Chuck Monson
Absent: Jim Owens, Will Bybee, Moe Bohrer, Alex Bachrach
Committee Reports
A change in itinerary was requested by Bill Hood to accommodate schedule.
MSHA/OSHA Bill Hood reports that this committee has been busy defining NSC position on MSHA regulatory
concerns from throughout the industry group memberships. Letter writing campaigns are in place. Moe Bohrer
added that Wisconsin senator is backing South Dakota Senator Thune. So far we know of communication
being sent to elected officials in NY, PA, OH, TN, NC, GA, WI, SD, UT and MN. GA has responded with a
verbal commitment to support the effort.
This effort will snowball with support.
National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) representative Joe Casper has communicated with
Scott McKenna, Moe Bohrer, Bill Hood and Chuck Monson and has worked on a letter with Sen. Thune. He
cautions that we shouldn’t expect any movement on this until after the 2012 elections. We should continue to
build good relationships. Invite elected officials to your facilities. Joe would not commit to working directly with
the NSC on our effort, but through the NSSGA we will work together.
Chuck Monson has sent letters to officials. No new information returned. Joe Main, of MSHA, responded to
the group letter from the Senators, but the response was not what we were looking for.
Harry – we need to get everyone fired up. Get involved. Jane has not heard back from the NY Senators she
mailed letters to.
Sustainability/Standard Jack Geibig reported that the latest progress report was sent out. It addresses the
amassed criteria so far. It also addressed gaps in task group areas.
The sustainability assessment Draft is an execution of concepts. It focuses on conceptual criteria. Wording
and context is not done. Still question the implementation. For example: Energy. Will this standard criteria
look the energy consumption of a related operation for a company? For instance, the business office of a
quarry operation? The transportation? Machine Shop? Consistency is key. Also, how do we adapt
international criteria? There is no blanket way to do it. The international scope must be considered when
writing the specs of the criteria. All state and local laws must be met to be considered “compliant”. This
becomes problematic when we consider the laws of different nations – there is disparity.
Jonathan Zanger clarified that they must comply with LOCAL laws. For instance, Italy won’t comply with NYS
laws, but they must comply with Italian law on workers’ rights, child labor, oil emissions, etc. Laws are fairly
close within the US. We have industry specifics – Best Practices, in addition to local laws. We must comply
with our own industry standards. The danger is if something changes, then we must be on top of making the
changes to our criteria.
The international participation must be expanded. Not enough people involved. Some Tile industry people
have sat in on meetings, invited by Mindy Costello.
[The last face to face meeting] We need people with expertise to cover all viewpoints. We hoped for a quorum
to vote and advance the standard, not enough for a quorum.
Brenda Edwards encouraged all on the call to solicit participation at all levels. Time is running out.
Mindy and Jack will scrub the standard and remove “bad” or inappropriate language during a face-to-face
session and report back to the board. Barring any inadvertent changers, by early November, the draft
document should be ready to balance and assign points. This is best done in a face-to-face session.
Jane asked whether Jack could identify the gaps of criteria that still exist in Quarry and Reclamation area so
we could solicit a generic plea for expertise to help. Jack said he could do this.
Brenda added. We can’t assume the work is being done. We can shorten the time frame if we get better
participation.
A first draft is possible the end of January. Then what? That is when the masses see the criteria. We address
comments and put out for 2nd review. Need 75% approval within the joint committee.
It is important for the board and the industry to read and understand the established criteria. Participate to get
what you agree with into the standard. Note: If note passed in the 2nd round draft, the NSC will need more
money to continue forward with the NSF.
Jonathan asked about the controversial criteria. What is it? Jack responded that he doesn’t know yet – but he
also didn’t expect the negative reaction to the original Best Practices documents.
Brenda said she didn’t believe they are gross areas of contention – nothing to slow up the progress.
Jack added that there is an ongoing discussion about how the certification will occur. Quarries and processors
will certify independent of each other. Certification is attached to the stone. Cumulative points are possible. At
the point of purchase the architect will know chain of custody of the product. Todd Schnatzmeyer was active in
that discussion. Need to nail particulars at next meeting.
Harry asked for clarification. With chain of custody a 4 point stone from the source could go to a processor
who isn’t certified, and the stone still comes out a 4 point product. It could have higher points through
cumulative scoring if both parties were certified.
Verona Meeting Gary Distelhorst asked where the agenda is for the Verona meeting. Stephanie leaves on
Saturday (Sept. 17) Gary leaves Monday pm (Sept. 19) Sebastiano is in Italy. Who is going to generate and
prepare copies for the meeting? Jack will send to Stephanie and Gary both the recent update and the agenda.
Gary continued with a Sustainability Committee update. The committee invited 40 – 50 participants from a list
put together at the last Verona meeting, plus some others from within the industry. Very low response. The
September 22 session is in the program book. Jack will be the main speaker. Gary will serve as Chair and
make introductions.
Sebastiano had RSVPs from about 20 people plus the US participants. Sebastiano wants to offer a welcome
to the [Tile?] board, but no one on our board is in touch with that board. Joshua Levinson may be.
Stephanie Vierra is generally contracted by Verona Fiere for continuing education and teaches about 2 hours.
She will completely overhaul her report and address the advances made so far by the NSC and US stone
industry. She will take points from the Best Practices and promote the excellent work going on including
various US examples. Specific and life cycle examples. These programs are very US-centric.
Minutes August 9th Meeting Jonathan Zanger motioned to approve the minutes as presented with a correction
made to note the Jonathan will not be attending Green Build. Harry Triebe, Sr second. Minutes approved with
noted correction.
Financials Duke reported on the August financials in Jim Owen’s absence. Profit and Loss report still shows
projected revenue shortfall YTD, which can still be turned around with continued donations and less
expenditures. Our heavy expenses continue to be the Sustainability standard development and trade shows.
Duke clarified that on his submitted reports K2 Stone shows up twice with a $500 contribution. He is not sure
whether they sent their contribution twice, or are catching up with last year. Indiana Limestone Company will
move up to Gold level with their $5000 contribution. All other details are visible in the reports.
Jane Bennett motioned to approve the Financials as submitted. Harry Triebe, Sr. second. Financials
approved.
New Business Brenda reported she will be attending the ASI annual meeting in Chicago Sept. 18 – 20. She
hopes to come back with a pledge.
Brenda, Duke, Harry and Stephanie will all be at Green Build in Toronto October 4-7.
Jane asked for 250 NSC Pledge brochures to include in membership renewal packs. Brenda will send.
Meeting adjourned.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jane Bennett