Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 29, 2002
Attending:
- Mark Alberstat
- Ed Dyer
- Reg Hody
- Marilyn MacDonald
- Gerard MacNeil
- Bill Matheson
- John McKay
- Chris Watt
- Andrew D. Wright
Regrets:
- Bernie Hart
- Mark Rushton
- Jeff Warnica
Call to order
Called to order by Marilyn MacDonald.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Change past minutes to read Sept 17.
Under #7 Strike sentence about HRM ads.
In 8. Replace "Bd" with "Board".
Moved by Gerard, Seconded by Mark to accept the minutes as amended.
Carried.
Staff Matters:
A replacement for Johnathan Thibodeau will be needed as of January.
Andrew has been working on a job description for the position.
Montréal Conference Report:
Most Community Networks appear to have multiple paid technical support
people paid for either through activities as a commercial ISP or through
partnerships with other large organizations.
The CorDECT wireless system in use in India shows great promise for rural
(or Urban) use in Nova Scotia.
The topic of Cultural Imperialism was frequently brought up.
Inner City Initiative - Update
John Odenthal has been hired to act as the director of the Inner City
Initiative, and is presently involved in orientation and setting up the
ICI office.
There is some desire to arrange a meeting between Chebucto representatives
and members of the community to discuss what services Chebucto can and
should provide.
Hope Cottage - Update
The installation of computers has been completed and they are now awaiting
software.
Proposals for:
a) National and/or International community net conferences
Andrew has proposed that Chebucto host a conference in Halifax to discuss
administrative and technical problems facing community nets.
Moved by Ed Dyer that the board investigate the possibility of motivating
Chebucto members towards the implementation of a workshop to be hosted by
Chebucto. Seconded by Andrew Wright. Motion is carried with one
contrary.
b) Computer swap/recycle event.
It has been proposed that Chebucto host a computer swap meet and recycling
event (to dispose of obsolescent equipment in an environmentally friendly
fashion) which will both help to increase the availability of working
low-grade computers and improve Chebucto's public profile.
Andrew has been asked to pursue the possibility of such an event.
Possibly as part of the Inner City Initiative.
Herald and Mail column - update
The initial submissions were considered "too introductory", the Herald
would like information aimed at computer literate people and looking for
shortcuts.
Committee Reports
Technical Committee
Eastlink has basic wiring in place and are awaiting the arrival of
unspecified missing hardware prior to bringing 56K service online for
testing purposes. The exact date of activation remains unclear, but
Eastlink indicates that the 56K lines should be available to Chebucto by
November 8.
Andrew suggests that a mailout be done to inform users of the progress and
request volunteers for testing the new service.
Some glitches have occurred in the Chebucto mail system.
Renovations to the Chase building are still pending, no date has been
given.
Referred to the Tech committee to investigate the possibility of an
exchange of backup mail and DNS services with K-PC Ltée.
Finance Committee
Chebucto is behind projected earnings and currently showing a deficit of
about $3000.
Chebucto has continuing difficulty in locating a willing faculty sponsor.
Moved by Ed Dyer that we receive Bernie Hart's financial statement for the
year to date. Seconded by Andrew Wright. Carried.
Policy Committee
The Policy committee has been considering the account signup process. In
particular is it possible to streamline the process to the point that a
user could obtain an account entirely online.
External Committee
The External committee has been involved in preparing the Herald column.
Additionally a mailing list has been produced from the list of people who
signed up for the free draw at Word On The Street. Planning for the next
AGM is in the initial stages.
Internal Committee
The Internal committee is working on communication to encourage non-paying
IP and neighborhood account holders to contribute to Chebucto.
Other Business
None.
Adjournment.
Moved by Ed Dyer. So declared.
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