Minutes of Genesee Free-Net Board of Directors Meeting August 25, 1998

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Call to Order:  4:30 p.m.

PRESENT

Brown, at 5:20p.m., LeMieux, Magidsohn, Preston, Chick-Whiteside, McNiff, Austin, Viele, Lotfi,
Shepherd, Wascha

ABSENT

Potrafka, Rilett, Goldfarb

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

MINUTES

OFFICERS' REPORTS

Board Chair

No report

Treasurer

Preston relayed the information that the finances are healthy, due in part to zero expenses for
staffing. Motion made by Magidsohn to accept the report as presented. Motion supported by
Austin.Motion carried unanimously.

Marketing and Outreach

Viele has not received responses from a recent mailing to ten non-profit organizations. Plans are to
follow-up and contact the organizations within a month.   The application to participate in the
Interactive Technology Expo, to be held October 2, will be completed by the  committee.
Viele suggested that GFN e-mail services be offered to Y. Green, Telecommunications
Specialist. Brown discussed the problems encountered with GFN's participation in the
Crim Race. Lack of communication on the part of the organizers let to GFN's  decision
to cover only the Special Olympics and Wheelchair events. A committee to discuss
participation in next year's  event will be comprised of: Brown, Magidsohn,  Potrafka and Viele.
 

Web Site Committee

Chick-Whiteside commented that the site is really starting to shape-up and that new links
will be added this weekend.

Office Committee

LeMieux asked if there were any questions of the  minutes that were distributed earlier. Preston gave
the background history on long-distance telephone charges and relayed the options LCI has to offer
at considerable savings if charges are run through the Commerce Center. Motion made by Magidsohn
to run long distance charges that include enhancements, at a lower cost, through the Commerce Center.
Viele supported the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Training Committee

New User Training is scheduled to commence in September. Reservations are being taken.
Genesee District Library is offering more classes in response to demand.

System Administrator

Austin reported on the paring down of the gopher links to the web page. There are now
forty active providers. Grand Blanc's Vision 2020 has now moved to the GFN server.
Motion made by Preston to continue offering the $75.00 price to outreach accounts.
Motion supported by  Chick-Whiteside.Motion carried unanimously Austin discussed
statistics and noted that as users were experiencing an average of 607 no tokens daily
due to the increase in usage, she would recommend purchase of more modems. Motion
made by Magidsohn to purchase ten additional modems. Motion supported by Chick-Whiteside.
Motion carried unanimously.

New Business:

Preston provided background data on the IRS and  non-profit status. An Ad Hoc committee
will be formed to investigate re-structuring. Potrafka to be advised of the discussion.
Wascha will assist with legal advice.

Flint Community Schools Standards Board

Brown requested that GFN provide accounts for  members of the Flint Community Schools
Standards Board at a reduced rate for the duration of one year.  Motion to approve made
by Preston. Motion supported by Austin. Motion carried unanimously.

Mail List

Chick-Whiteside made the motion to offer the service to Flint Public Library for the going
rate of $10.00. Motion supported by Viele. Motion carried unanimously.

Web TV

Austin reported that many inquiries were received regarding GFN's participation as an
ISP for Web TV. Calls to Web TV had failed to clarify the issue. Discussion. Item
tabled until more information is available.

Adjournment:    Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Val McNiff