Minutes of Genesee Free-Net Board of Directors Meeting  June 15, 1999

Genesee Intermediate School District

Maple Road, Flint, MI

Call To Order: 5:30 p.m. Dinner
 

Present:            Brown, Potrafka, Viele, Shepherd, McNiff, LeMieux, Preston, Chick-Whiteside, Lotfi, Stone, Goldfarb. Absent:             Austin. (Wascha submitted his resignation.)

Public Comments:

None.

Officers reports:

Board Chair:

Potrafka welcomed the Board and thanked Brown for providing the meeting place and for the dinner noting that the meeting would focus on the  GFN Mission Statement. All present were asked to answer the question "Why are you a Board member." Answers from individuals varied, but several themes emerged that included the importance of providing an information service to the community and expanding the service to the have-nots. Other statements concerned partnering to create public access information centers and the need to continue to be innovative and make things happen. Potrafka added that each Board member should seriously think about volunteering and committing to participating for special events such as the Crim Race and the Science Fair.

Board Orientation/History

Chick-Whiteside relayed the GFN vision of a community network and how the board evolved over the years to its present status. The GFN has been involved in many projects and GFN volunteers have founded six Genesee County companies. Many grants have been obtained by the organization from such sources as The Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the Jennings Foundation to name just two. GFN has moved from a Director based to a membership-based organization that now conducts elections electronically, posts minutes online, links to all known Genesee County sites and has partnerships with several entities. While volunteers run the GFN, the addition of two paid persons, Thomas and Cramer, has proven to be valuable.

Meeting Date and Time:

The new day for the Board meetings is the fourth Thursday of each month. The meetings will commence at 5:15p.m. The meeting place will continue to be the Visitors and Convention Bureau unless stated otherwise.

Profit/Non Profit Status:

P. Jury of Dupuis and Ryden has written an opinion on the subject. Certain elements must be listed on the for profit side and vice-versa. Two sets of books must be maintained and two boards are necessary. Motion made by Stone to proceed with the recommendation and form a for profit organization and to nominate LeMieux and Potrafka as incorporators/Officers. Motion supported by Goldfarb. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer:

Preston distributed the financial report with balances as of 5/31/99 adding that Dupuis and Ryden was in the process of auditing the books. He also added that he would like to see a professional staff on board. Discussion centered on revenues and funding sources. LeMieux added that charter members pose part of the problem because they currently comprise one third of the membership and generate no dues revenue. Suggestions included an additional contribution check-off box to increase revenues, or the option for members to provide volunteer hours in lieu of the donation. Discussion then centered on ISP providers.  Potrafka stressed that it is not the intent of the GFN to compete with any for-profit ISP's. Discussion continued regarding the qualities required for an Executive Director or Administrator and whether a company or one or two persons should be hired.  It is hoped that the right manager would come back to the Board with ideas and recommendations. The importance of informing the membership of changes was duly noted.

 

Next Steps:

a.         A new Strategic Plan will be formulated.

b.         A five-member committee will be formed to explore/hire a professional staff.  Costs for the hiring of an Executive Director will be researched.

c.         An additional committee will be formed to prepare a report to the membership to inform them of any changes.

When facts are available a report will be prepared for the membership.

Motion made by McNiff to allocate up to $1,000.00 to contract with FESC to write a Strategic Plan. LeMieux supported the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Preston will contact FESC to inquire about the costs of writing a new Strategic Plan for the GFN.

Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Next Meeting:  Thursday, July 22 at 5:15 p.m.