Chebucto Community NetBoard Minutes
May 7, 1997

Present: Ben Armstrong, David Trueman, Peter Mortimer,
Robert Currie, Doug Rigby, Michael Colborne, Peter Morgan.

The Nominating Committee recommended the following appointments:
Peter Morgan - Chair
Doug Rigby - PATs and Treasurer
Michael Colborne - Policy
Peter Mortimer - Expansion
Joan Waldron - Communications
Tony Atuanya - Membership
Ben Armstrong - Information Providers
Robert Currie - Support and Training
Bernie Hart - External Relations
Charles MacDonald - Volunteer Coordination

Doug agreed to support Charles in the Volunteer Coordination.

It was agreed there would be a meeting of Peter Mortimer, Doug
Rigby and Bernie Hart to discuss the status of expansion to other
areas in HRM.

There was a discussion of the need for greater emphasis on fund
raising and volunteer support.  Previous plans to engage a staff
person in these areas was reviewed.

It was also noted that as yet no one has been assigned the role
of secretary.

It as moved by David Trueman and seconded by Ben Armstrong that
the slate be accepted subject to the acceptance of the positions
by those not in attendance. Carried

It was moved by David Trueman and seconded by Ben Armstrong that
the signing officers for the Society be the Chair, Vice Chair,
Treasurer and Robert Currie. Carried.

It was agreed that the auditors appointed for 1997 be asked to
review the books for 1996.

David Trueman reported on several issues with which the Board
will have to deal in the near future.
a) A hardware update is overdue. This would involve computer
upgrades as well as modems and phone lines.  Funding for this
might come from the C-Suite surplus which is now at about
$10,000.  
- The total cost could be in the range of $12,000
- It was suggested we try a targeted fund raising drive. An
appeal could be made for $7,000 through an e-mail to each member.
- It was also suggested we offer a premium service for a limited
period for all of those members who made a special donation.
Discussion indicated mixed feelings about this approach. (It was
agreed that Doug and Joan should work jointly on preparing a
message for members on the fund raising program. Bernie agreed to
speak to Joan about this)
b) The pending move of the Computer Science section to TUNS.
- David Trueman, Peter Mortimer and Bernie Hart will meet to
consider an approach to Dal to raise the awareness of the
importance of the University's contribution to Chebucto and the
possible increased benefits which could accrue.(studies by
students in Humanities; increased students for on-line courses;
staying connected with the community; data collecting projects; 
c) applications for summer students. David pointed out that we
have a number of funding requests in and we should be hearing
soon. He added that we now have selected a Coop Student, Tara
Dunn who will be responsible for assisting in three areas - TC97,
CSuite promotion and Chebucto promotion.

Peter Morgan asked each member to give their thoughts about
directions he felt Chebucto should be following.  Some of the new
Board members indicated they would like to have more time to
become familiar with the Society's present status.

David Trueman - Would like to see the Board prepare a manual
which could be used to orient new members. David indicated he
will have to withdraw from some of the Executive Director
functions which he has been playing.  He would like to
concentrate on the technical support.

Ben Armstrong - Shift more work to the sub-committee level - the
Board should exercise greater leadership and improve its ability
to recruit, train and maintain volunteers.

Robert Currie - The Board should concentrate on the larger issues
and make better use of committees.

Doug Rigby - Better financial planning. Improved volunteer
training. Chebucto should develop a strategy for the recruitment
and use of volunteers which would be mutually rewarding.

Bernie Hart - Would like to raise the awareness of the larger
community about the important information sharing and town hall
forum roles of the Community Net which are not a part of a
commercial ISP.  This message is particularly important for the
IPs.

Peter Morgan - We must concentrate on building a much stronger
organization.

It was moved by David Trueman and Seconded by Michael Colborne
that Hugh Wright be appointed a Board member. Carried.


Minutes prepared by Bernie Hart.