National Capital FreeNet / Libertel de la Capitale nationale

NCF Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting
August 19 2014 

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

  • A big thanks to outgoing board member and Chair Gary Eikenberry
  • NCF's Officers appointed and signing officers updated

Minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Peter MacKinnon as Chair and Graeme Beckett as Secretary.

INTRODUCTIONS

Board members present:
Peter MacKinnon (fr198) 1st Vice-Chair
Mike Kelly (fm342) 2nd Vice-Chair
Graeme Beckett (aw958) Secretary
Alan McRae (fl334) Treasurer
Christopher Cope (bz787)
Tom Moore (fw054)
Peter Chapman (fx720)

Regrets:
David Hudson (fx717)
Jennifer Barrigar (bc839)
Phil Linttell (fx714)

NCF Management/Staff present:
Executive Director: Nick Ouzas

Guests:
Jim Elder (456)
Gary Eikenberry (aa353)

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.

  1. Confirmation of Quorum

    Quorum was confirmed.
     
  2. Review of the Agenda 

    MOTION: To accept agenda as circulated.
    Moved by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
    Seconded by: Mike Kelly (fm342)
    VOTE: All in favor. 
    VOTE: Adopted
     
  3. Review of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

    MOTION:
     Motion to accept the minutes of June 18, 2014 as circulated.
    Moved by:  Christopher Cope (bz787)
    Seconded by: Tom Moore (fw054)
    VOTE All in favor.
    VOTE: Adopted
     
  4. Reports 
     
    1. Executive Director's Report

      Nick Ouzas provided his report in advance of the meeting.

      Financials
      -
      As part of the financials a budget variance spreadsheet was presented.
      -
      Overall we've seen a modest positive variance to budget so far this year.

      Operations
      -
      25M service ie the most popular new offering.
      -
      DSL churn has been trending negative due to bandwidth congestion issues.
      - Bandwidth capacity upgrade contracts have concluded with Bell.
      - Bell encountered technical issues with the second fibre inducing a further delay of the capacity upgrade.
      - Bell`s can't keep up with DSL installs (all ISP`s affected). Major impact on staff, volunteers and members.
      - NCF waiting for Bell to decommission one dial-up PRI.
      - Apache web server software has been replaced with Lighttpd.
      - Discussions on lease have been reinitiated with the landlord.
      -Volunteer levels good but anticipated to decline in September.
      -
      Nick provided the Board with an overview of CompuCorps a local high-tech charity.
      -
      Nick will begin exploring possible symmetries with CompuCorps.
      -
      A draft privacy FAQ has been created, though additional work is required regarding PIPEDA.

      Marketing
      -
      Discounted install fees extended until the end of September.
      - NCF brochures available at OPL locations.
      - Nick provided data regarding NCF`s online adds for impressions, clicks and click-thru rates.
      - A additional (non-disclosed) website will be targeted for online adds.
          
      Motion:
      To accept the Executive Director's Report
      Moved by: Peter Chapman (fx720)
      Seconded by: Alan McRae (fl334)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
       
    2. Strategic Planning Committee Report

      Peter Chapman provided an oral report to the Board with highlights of the meetings of the committee and some of the the next steps. A more formal report will be provided at the next meeting. 

      MOTION: Motion to accept receive the Strategic Planning Committee Report.
      Moved by:  Christopher Cope (bz787)
      Seconded by: Graeme Beckett (aw958)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
       
  5. Ongoing Business  
     
    1. Budget Review

      Alan indicated that the NCF has attained an adequate financial position in regard to the standards on reserves for not-for-profits.
       
  6. New Business
     
    1. Election of Officers

      Following a poll of the board members the following motion was introduced.

      Motion: To appoint Mike Kelly as Chair, Peter MacKinnon as1st Vice-Chair, Peter Chapman as 2nd Vice Chair, Graeme Beckett as Secretary and Alan McRae as Treasurer.
      Moved by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
      Seconded by: Tom Moore (fw054)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
       
    2. Banking Resolution.

      The NCF's signing officers have been updated.

      Motion: To designate the NCF's signing officers to be Mike Kelly (Chair), Peter MacKinnon (1st Vice-Chair), Peter Chapman (2nd Vice Chair), Alan McRae (Treasurer) Nick Ouzas (Executive Director).
      Moved by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
      Seconded by: Tom Moore (fw054)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
       
    3. Motion to Thank Outgoing Board Member and Chair Gary Eikenberry

      Our dedicated board member and Chair, Gary Eikenberry has resigned from his role as a board member.

      Motion: A heartfelt thanks to Gary Eikenberry for his many years on the Board, participation on committees and during his role as Chair!
      Moved by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
      Seconded by: Tom Moore (fw054)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
       
  7. Announcements

    Chris indicated that Willis College was offering Network Administrator courses that might be of interest to some of the volunteers in the NCF office.
     
  8. Date of Next Meeting

    The next regular meeting will be September 16, 2014,
    NCF Offices, Suite 206 Richmond Square, 1305 Richmond Rd.
     
  9. Adjournment

    The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

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