Minutes of Genesee Free-Net Board of Directors Meeting
July 23, 2009
Bristolwood Community of Christ Church
1158 West Bristol Road
Flint MI 48507-5518
PRESENT:
Larry Porn, Chair
Scott Gifford, Vice Chair
Solomon Johnson, Secretary
Janet Craig, Board
Nicolette Hodge, Board
Chad Cramer, Website
ABSENT:
Dennis Cavanaugh, Treasurer
Les LeMieux, Board
Kenny Thomas, Systems
Call to order at 5:10pm. Chair Larry Porn presiding.
Financial Report.
Treasurer Denny Cavanaugh had e-mailed to the Board some entries from the GFN ELGA Credit Union account. Chair Larry Porn reworked the information to form a snapshot of GFN financial condition. Deposits to the ELGA account were made on 06/04/2009 for $1735.00 and on 06/22/209 for $1595.00.
Larry added a Summary of Active Membership:
322 paying members Active Charter Members, Staff and Organization Accounts.
Projected Maximum Income at $60.00 a year $19,320.00.
Projected Expenses for Modems (Telnet Worldwide and 123.com), SectorLink, Phone/DSL connection, Payroll and Miscellaneous for Church office space and supplies total $23,052.00. It appears the monthly expense for Phone/DSL will be $108.77.
Net Loss ($3,732.00.)
Projected potential savings after SectorLink final configuration and other expense cutting adjustments total $6,240.00. GFN is currently paying SectorLink for 10U of server space. Potential Income after expense reduction adjustments $2,508.00.
The Chair concludes a new direction is needed to make GFN profitable or we need to generate some creative grant requests.
Concern was expressed about GFN not being able to afford Directors Liability Insurance. This is believed to be a serious issue given the propensity for individuals to initiate frivolous lawsuits. Nicolette Hodge commented that coverage may be obtainable on one's personal liability insurance for an additional premium of about $100.00 a year.
Secretary Comments.
None.
Office Report.
Office furnishings seem sufficient for now. The office needs to organize files in the file cabinets. There may be need for a two line telephone and a clock for the office wall. The October renewal statements are ready to go.
Systems Report.
Chad Cramer reported that the Web server is moved. Web, Mail and RADIUS functions are now all on the DELL machine. Scott Gifford reported that Resource Genesee is moving its Web site elsewhere. MBEA Web site hosting may be a possibility. Larry will send an application to MBEA. Chad has updated the SJV Kids DNS.
The time left function may not be working properly on RADIUS. Sometimes members can't send mail through the Mail server. Speculation is that the Untangle server may be bogged down processing Spam. The Sun machine on order is expected to relieve the send mail problem. The Sun machine revised shipping date is August 5th. Discussed was the possibility of having UPS or FedEx hold the machine at their facility for pickup since the office is only staffed from 1pm to 4pm.
Discussed was the need for GFN to revise its Web hosting fees perhaps to $100.00 a year. Also mentioned was automating the setup of Organization Accounts mail accounts and increasing the number of mail accounts provided.
Scott Gifford commented that if we know someone who wants to start a Web site to contact him about getting them started with the Drupal Web site maintenance program. Nicolette Hodge commented on the need of having examples to demonstrate to potential customers.
Questions arose about the possibility of GFN hosting Web sites of for-profit entities without endangering its 501(c)3 nonprofit status. The bookkeeper for GFN will be consulted on the issue.
Other Old Business.
None.
New Business.
GFN needs to prepare for its annual meeting and Board elections in October.
Comments.
None.
Adjournment: 6:30pm.
Next Board Meeting.
Thursday, August 27, 2009, 5:00pm, at Bristolwood Community of Christ Church, 1158 West Bristol Road, Flint MI, 48507-5518.
Respectfully Submitted,
Solomon T Johnson, Secretary
