Minutes of Genesee Free-Net Board of Directors Meeting
July 26, | 2007
Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
316 Water Street
PRESENT:
Dennis Cavanaugh, Chair
Larry Porn, Vice Chair
Solomon Johnson, Secretary
Janet Craig, Board
Beverly Duval, Board
Scott Gifford, Board
Les LeMieux, Board
Charles Wright, Board
Chad Cramer, Website
Chris Hall, Office Volunteer
Michael Rainey, Visitor
ABSENT:
Kenny Thomas, Systems
Call to order at 5:20pm. Chair Dennis Cavanaugh presiding.
Discussions:
Chair Dennis Cavanaugh distributed a few copies of a log from Telnet World Wide of users last month for GFN. Sixty-six (66) members were using the new Telnet dial in numbers. There was mention of the line tiers GFN may use (1,2,3) and the recurring monthly cost of porting Portmaster dial in numbers (five cents per month per number) to Telnet World Wide. Needed is a RADIUS report of the OTC/123.com numbers being used so that the numbers can be ported over to the managed modems. More Telnet World Wide lines have been purchased.
Larry Porn moved and Charles Wright seconded that one of the OTC/123.com PRI
lines be discontinued. The motion carried.
Dennis Cavanaugh suggested changing the GFN mission statement from being "a
low cost Internet Service Provider" to that of being "an Internet Service Co-
operative" to better reflect GFN's mission and attract co-operative members
throughout the state. The question arose whether such change would endanger
GFN's 501(c)(3) IRS designation. A legal opinion will be sought in the
matter. Les LeMieux will attempt to contact someone at Naples Free-Net for
further information on changing mission statements.
Office Committee Report:
Two new office volunteers, Chris Hall and Bernie Taylor, are learning the
office routine. The question arose whether there was a way for office staff
to change member passwords rather than having to contact a systems person to
reset passwords. Mentioned was difficulty encountered in merge/printing the
latest batch of renewal notices. Larry will fix the problem.
Web Site Committee Report:
Chad Cramer reported that the old Acme mail program, precursor to Web Mail,
had been cleared from the system. Some Apache log files were cleared also to
recapture disk space. Chad expressed hope that the Website content
management initiative that would allow members to manage content of their
personal Websites would be up by the end of summer.
Operating System Report:
Fine.
Matters Arising:
Discussed was allowing faculty members (MAC users) impacted by the Merit
shutdown to get a GFN account for $60. There was consensus for so doing.
Larry Porn had generated an eleven (11) page printout from the office
database showing income for the year through July 24, 2007. Contribution
categories listed were: Donation (4 records), New Account (31 records),
Renewal (329 records) and Upgrade (2 records). Larry estimated that about
seventy-four (74) accounts have been lost. Total income indicated was
$23,232.
Question raised was should GFN subscribe to a Telnet World Wide nationwide
dial in line? Would entail having to buy a full PRI (23 lines) for an
additional $1200 yearly expense. Support for the few GFN members who
seasonally migrate may be too much of a burden financially.
Beverly Duval reported on three (3) mailings made to senior citizen centers
in Burton, Davison and Durand. Twelve (12) account application brochures
were included in each mailing. On Friday, July 27th, Beverly plans mailings
to centers in Grand Blanc, Flushing and Carman-Ainsworth in Flint Township.
Will mailings to The Lions Clubs be next, with Larry's help?
Adjournment: 6:28pm.
Next Board Meeting.
Thursday, August 23, 2007, 5:15pm at the Flint Area Convention and Visitors
Bureau, 316 Water Street.
Respectfully Submitted,
Solomon T Johnson, Secretary
