National Capital FreeNet / Libertel de la Capitale nationale

NCF Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting
April 15, 2003

SOME HIGHLIGHTS


Minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors

Held on April 15, 2003 at 7:00 pm
Client Services Boardroom
Ottawa City Hall
111 Lisgar Street, Ottawa

The meeting was called to order at 7.30 p.m. (after "Once around the table . . .")
with Chris Cope as Chair, Sandy Campbell as Secretary, and Sheila Alder as note-taker.

  1. INTRODUCTIONS

    Board members present:
    Christopher Cope (bz787), President/chair
    Gary Eikenberry (aa353), 1st Vice-President
    Andrea Holland (es170), 2nd Vice-President
    Sandy Campbell (dt820), Secretary
    Mary Anne Dugmore (er983)
    Mark Mielke (al278)
    Don Francis (ba990)
    Michael Mei (be195)
    John Hennessey (ev776)

    Regrets:
    Graeme Beckett (aw958)
    Michael Williamson (cm324)
    Vanessa Kanu (ev216), Treasurer

    NCF Management/Staff present:
    John Selwyn (es347), Executive Director
    Sheila Alder (xx306), Office Manager

    Guests:
    Jim Elder (aa456)

    Once around the table . . .
    Informal pre-meeting conversation, with Directors taking turn offering personal views and commentary on interesting things that might not make it to the Agenda.

    This being the first meeting after the AGM elections, the Chair asked all present to introduce themselves by way of personal career bios, interest in NCF, etc. At the conclusion, Chair Cope noted that Board members were putting an impressive wealth of personal experience and accomplishment at the service of FreeNet. Together with those unavoidably absent, who would be asked to provide the same personal sketches at the May meeting, Chair Cope observed the Board's "collective CV" was probably the strongest ever.

  2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF TWO PREVIOUS MEETINGS
    (see minutes of prior month)

    MOTION: That minutes be approved as published.
    Moved by: Sandy Campbell
    Seconded by: Mark Mielke
    VOTE: All in favor

  3. REVIEW OF THE AGENDA
    (see draft agenda)

    MOTION: That the agenda be adopted with an amendment to include 8 d) as AGM report.
    Moved by: Don Francis
    Seconded by: Mary Anne Dugmore
    VOTE: All in favor

  4. Orientation of new members (Jim Elder, John Selwyn)

    Veteran NCFer Jim Elder presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation for new and old members of the BoD, tracing the history of FreeNet and pinpointing where it had "missed the wave," but was now catching up steadily. Board members were advised to "play their role," i.e. function as a governance board, providing informed oversight to staff. Slides of the PP presentation are available at Orientation 2003. (This presentation was presented in concert with ED John Selwyn's report, following.)

    MOTION: That Jim Elder be thanked for his presentation
    Moved by: Sandy Campbell
    Seconded by: Michael Mei
    VOTE: All in favor

  5. ONGOING BUSINESS

  6. REPORTS
    1. Executive Director's Report (John Selwyn)
      (see accompanying report)

      Executive Director Selwyn presented standard report on past months, progress report on ongoing items, and a PowerPoint presentation to the meeting outlining NCF's steady progress toward a year of solid accomplishment.

      MOTION: That the ED report be accepted
      Moved by: Mary Anne Dugmore
      Seconded by: John Hennessey
      VOTE: All in favor

    2. Executive Committee Report (Chris Cope)

      The Committee did not meet this month.

    3. Treasurer's Report (Vanessa Kanu)
      (see financial statements for prior month)

      Financial statements, Treasurer's report, and 2002 audited statements from KPMG were delivered, but discussion was deferred to next meeting in the absence of Treasuer Vanessa Kanu.


      MOTION: That the reports be tabled to next meeting
      MOVED BY: Michael Mei
      SECONDED BY: Gary Eikenberry
      MOTION: All in favor

    4. AGM Co-chair Report (Don Francis)

      Co-chair Francis reported his stint was a learning experience; he had received about a hundred emails inquiring about the AGM. He suggested development of an "auto-response" for the next AGM, especially with instructions about how to vote. Member Jim Elder suggested that those involved in the 2003 AGM, including Don Francis, Mary Anne Dugmore, and Ian Allen should submit emails of their experience which could be archived for the information of those who come after.


      MOTION: That the report of the AGM co-chair be accepted
      Moved by:Mary Anne Dugmore
      Seconded by: John Hennessey
      VOTE: All in favor

  7. Announcements
    1. Copies of City of Ottawa broadband initiative (including prominent references to NCF) now available.
    2. SmartCity Summit at Landsdowne, April 29/30
  8. NEXT MEETING

    May 20,2003 at 7 p.m.
    Client Services Boardroom
    Ottawa City Hall
    111 Lisgar street, Ottawa

  9. ADJOURNMENT

    The meeting adjourned at 10.18 p.m.