PRESENT:
Larry Porn, Vice Chair
Solomon Johnson, Secretary
Scott Gifford, Board
Les LeMieux, Board
Charles Wright, Board

ABSENT:
Dennis Cavanaugh, Chair
Chad Cramer, Website
Beverly Duval, Board
Georgia Kitchen, Board
Debra A. Miller, Board
Kenny Thomas, Systems

Call to order at 5:15pm. Vice Chair Larry Porn presiding.

This Board meeting was mostly commentary on a number of concerns facing the Genesee Free-Net.

There have been Mail Server problems where members' email addresses were not recognized with messages being returned to sender as undeliverable.

There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of Spam received by members. Spammers are using new techniques that defeat efforts to block the unwanted Spam messages.

Merit will be gone as an ISP after July 7, 2007. Is there an opportunity for GFN to develop a Student Account at a reduced rate with longer connection time? Should GFN offer students free accounts in exchange for volunteer work at GFN? Should GFN approach school IT departments and suggest GFN as an alternative ISP for students? Should GFN contact area libraries and suggest GFN as a way for their patrons to access library online resources?

At the time of the Board meeting, it was not known that through Plante & Moran the IRS tax penalty assessed on GFN had been resolved.

Larry Porn reported that income tracked through the database totaled $46,425 as of December 13^th. Expenses were about $55,000.

Charles Wright and Larry Porn are considering changes to the database to collect server statistics and enhance office staff input through the database interface. The Portmasters are now reset automatically on Tuesdays and Fridays around 5:03am to 5:04am.  The Saint John Vianney/sjvkids.com account needs to be setup in the database.

GFN has found no way to enhance service to Montrose members. A creative solution is required.

The Genesee Wireless Initiative appears to be back to ground zero but still meets on Tuesday mornings at the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Scott Gifford will investigate/develop Website information on Free-Net for students.

The volunteer@gfn.org email address will be added to the Board maillist.

Adjournment: 6:11pm.

Next Meeting:
The Board organization meeting, Thursday, January 25, 2007, 5:15pm at the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 316 Water Street.

Respectfully Submitted,

Solomon T Johnson, Secretary