Minutes of Genesee Free-Net Board of Directors Meeting May 25, 2000

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Genesee Freenet  Board of Directors Meeting
 Visitors and Convention Center
   Mott Foundation Building
   Flint, MI

Call to Order: 5:15 p.m. by Chair, J. Preston
 

PRESENT

Additions to Agenda:
Review of Administrative Staff Contracts added to VII Committee Reports under System Administration.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

OFFICERS' REPORTS

No report..

Vice Chair:

No report.

Secretary:

No report.

Treasurer:

Schwartz presented the reports that were approved as presented. The Treasurer also added that the annual review
has begun and that the form 990 is on file with Dupuis and Ryden and in process. The fee for this year is nominal, just
$600.00. Schwartz is concerned that the annual fees for 2000, are under those collected for this time last year.There appears to be fewer new members, and a close watch should be kept on this. The new modems came in a little higher than budgeted for. The amount budgeted was $13,150 and the actual cost was $14,710. The CD's interest is as anticipated.
 

Finance Committee:

No report.

Web Site Committee:

Cramer indicated that little progress had been made, that the committee was waiting for Swedorski to get back. They are
targeting a mid-June completion date.Thomas added that he was reviewing password changing software.

Office Committee:

LeMieux discussed a recent application for membership and the special criteria requested, and the potential for setting
precedent. Discussion ensued. Decision was made by the Board that this would be a violation of GFN's acceptable use policies.

Review of Administrative Staff Contracts

Cramer and Thomas left the room while discussion about their contracts took place.Cramer is paid $400.00 monthly
and Thomas $1,100.00. LeMieux stated that while there appears to be no conflict with the fact that Cramer serves
on the Board and also is a paid staff member, both he and Thomas should be asked if they are satisfied with the
situation.Cramer and Thomas were questioned individually and neither had a problem with continuing the status quo.
Potrafka made a motion to approve the contract indefinately, with sixty days notice to withdraw, on the part of either party, at the current rates. Schwartz supported the motion. Motion carried unanimously.(Cramer was excused from the vote.)

News Groups

The News Server has been working, but does exhibit problems occasionally. Thomas stated that it could be the result of a kernel eating memory. The question was asked " should GFN be looking for a news feed?" Discussion centered on the number of persons utilizing the service.Cramer will report on the usage at the June Board meeting.Potrafka added that if the numbers warrant it, we should make it stable. Responding to Chick-Whiteside's question regarding no tokens, Thomas
replied that while it fluctuates, his estimate is between 150-200 per day.
 

Strategic Plan Committee:

Preston relayed the results of the conference call. GFN will outline what we can do ourselves and when the list
has been narrowed to four items, A. Andersen will be contacted.A committee was formed of Schwartz, Chick-Whiteside, Preston, Viele and LeMieux. The committee will document suggestions, along with plus and minus factors and bring to the board for review prior to calling the consulting firm of A. Andersen.

MACNET

Schwartz and Preston attended a meeting hosted by the Michigan Alliance for Community Networking in Ann Arbor recently. While the organization is formative at this stage, the group attending gave the go-ahead to organize. Schwartz reported that at this point, modest dues are being proposed, and that a grant will be sought for seed money. Schwartz and Preston indicated that it appears to have potential and they will keep working on it. Preston will keep GFN Board members informed. Schwartz supplied the following web site for review: cyberstate.org.

Other

Schwartz commented on a Summer Institute Series to be held at MSU entitled "Discovering the Digital Frontier, Opportunities for CBO's and Low Income Communities." Schwartz also discussed other training seminar joint venture opportunities that were worth taking a look at. Further information can be found at comnet.org. Schwartz will explore the matter further.

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, June 22 at 5:15 p.m. Flint Area Convention &
Visitors Bureau.
 

Valerie A. McNiff, SPHR
Executive Director
Genesee District Library System
G-4195 W. Pasadena Avenue, Flint, MI  48504