Minutes of Genesee Free-Net Board of Directors Meeting February 22, 2001

PRESENT

Scott Swedorski Board
Darryl Allen Board
Sara Lajavic Board
Pat Peterson Board
Kay Schwartz Treasurer
Chad Cramer Board and Staff
Garry Viele Board
Vahid Lotfi Board
Kenny Thomas Staff
Jerry Preston Board
Johanna Brown Board

ABSENT:

Mary Ann Chick-Whiteside President

Call to Order Call to order 5:25. Meeting conducted by Jerry Preston as Mary Ann out sick.

Minutes of the last meeting approved electronically.

PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no comments from the public

CHANGES TO AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda as published and distributed

OFFICERS REPORTS

Chair. No Report

Vice President. No Report

Secretary's Report No Report

Treasurer's Report Kay reviewed balances, talked about the stream of funds generated by memberships and stated that a month to month review indicates a balance in those who do not renew and new members so that we can expect our income stream from this source to remain stable.

It was noted a $10,000 CD was purchased 2/01, and that we have enough cash to pay $33-34,000 to Merit.

We then received the minutes for the administrative office.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Committee No Report

Web Site Committee No Report

Office Committee No Report

System Administration
Kenny recieved responses from two parties indicating an interest in our providing domain names--Faith Lutheran and Tall Pines Council with Tall Pines meeting the following Monday to discuss their options.

Charges for Domain Names

After much discussion addressing:

• How the provision of domain names affecting bandwidth (not expected to)
  
• The idea of registering with Network Solutions and charge our members for services and the feasibility of this as a revenue stream
  
• It is not expected that there would be more than a dozen requests per year for domain names.
  
• That domain names would be provided for organizations and not individuals
• Rates were further discussed refering to the Naples system which uses a tiered structure of payments. Discussion included the proposal to have a 1 time set up fee of $20 per request per account, with an annual fee of $20 per account regardless of the number of domain names per organization as they are just server aliases.
  
• It was decided we would continue to review the domain name issue via email with the understanding there needed to be the creation of a form, creation of a webpage and administrative staff orientation which Pat Pederson agreed to handle.

  OLD BUSINESS
  

• Discussion of a "donation only" model and our not providing high bandwidth. Our strategy planning meeting, however, identified the desire for high bandwidth. It was agreed cable modem or DSL not an option for all our users.
  
• The option of a web-based WYSIGYG development tool was discussed, as was the idea of a partner price offered to non-profits from GFN. A church was given as an example where the domain name would be registered and they would gain access to a template to create their website.
  
• The connectivity issue was revisited and it was stated that in "dumping the dialup, we lose revenue." The option of dial up clients going to "freer" accounts, or a higher speed connectivity--either DSL or modem was discussed.
  
• Discussion was made on the current 2 hour limit for accounts and the limitations that puts on some users, as well as the $110/year, no limit option with 24 hour help.
  
• It was stated that Internet access is essential to keep the GFN "brand" alive.

  NEW BUSINESS

  Tax issues
  

• Tax issue question remains unanswered. It was moved to table until Les returned from Naples.
• It was further decided we would continue to discuss and reformulate what it is we are trying to do while remaining within the original plan set forth in the strategic planning sessions.
• Kay is to contact the Portland group in the process of IRS negotiations to further determine the size of the threat to GFN or other providers from IRS.

  Resource Center

• Nothing new was reported on the Resource Center partnership.

  Revisiting the domain name costing

• It was agreed costs would cover multiple email addresses under any one domain name understanding the emails are forwarded or "POP"-ed. It was agreed 5 free emails are provided with a domain name with proposing either a a $2/charge for each additional email address, or a tiered structure vs individual pricing after the first 5.
• It was agreed further discussion would take place electronically.

  GDL offices

• Offices closed 4/26 for redecorating. Help desk issues need to be addressed.

  ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 7:00 PM.

  Respectfully submitted

  Sara Lajavic, Secretary