Financial Report
Alan Turner, Treasurer, presented the financial statement
for the month of March 2009 and tabled the budget for 2009.
The revenue for March was $7910. This figure was
significantly higher than that for the previous year. Revenue for
both February and March were significantly higher than for the
same months in 2008. The revenue to the end of the first quarter
of 2009 stood at $27550. This was about $3000 ($27550 from
$24568) above the figure for the first quarter of 2008.
March expenses were $11681, which included three pay periods
as opposed to the usual two per month and a second payment to
Eastlink which brought CCN up to date in payments for line
charges.
The most recent pay period reflected the rise in Johnathan's
hourly rate and the change in Andrew's time to half time as
agreed upon by the Board at the 12 March meeting.
Alan noted the budget for 2009 suggests a total of $89000 in
revenue and $95400 in expenses giving a deficit of $6400.
Alan considers CCN, even with this deficit, can safely operate
through 2009. He notes that the revenue for the first quarter
was higher that he predicted, but cautioned that this is routinely
the period with the highest membership renewals. Very few new
members were noted over the past three months but renewals
have been encouraging.
There was a short discussion about the Credit Card card fee as
reflected by the $4000 budgeted towards payment to Ticketmaster.
Andrew noted CCN is billed as a charitable organization,
Ticketmaster handles a broad range of cards, and credit card
payments are secure. As long people pay by credit card CCN
needs the services Ticketmaster provides. The present contract,
including a basic monthly change for the service, is the lowest
available. Even if the majority of members preferred to pay cash
or by cheque CCN would have to retain Ticketmaster and
pay a basic monthly fee.
Alan moved his report be accepted. Seconded by Kent.
Technical Report
Johnathan gave the technical report.
The new wireless equipment has been tested and functions
well. Johnathan considers that except for a little more cabling
he has sufficient equipment for about five nodes/systems.
Five computers, previously used in the Killam Library, were
purchased from Dalhousie for $50 each.
The mail scanner locked up one night last week. Replacement
will be not be difficult. A couple of hours shutdown time very early
one morning within the next ten days should clear this problem.
Spam is constant and higher than ever. CCN receives about 1.5
million messages per day. No host is immune.
Mary will see if Joanne Eddy may be able to revise
the flyer she did for CCN last summer.
There was a short discussion the importance of the
installation on Fenwick Tower to Joe Howe Manor.
At present Fenwick remains available, feasible
alternatives could be found if CCN loses access to it.
Mary suggested that CCN take out a business card sized ad
in the Building Communities publication associated with the
Other Home Show, but that we not handle a table at the event
this. CCN's brochures and Andrew's cards will be displayed
at the Serving Seniors table, but the publication is delivered
with the newspaper so will reach a much broader audience.
The Board agree that CCN pay the $100 fee for the ad.
Richard will speak on the Convenience Store Programme, and
an executive member of the Imagine Bloomfield programme will
be invited to speak on that initiative.