Minutes of the meeting

NECSI

Board of Directors

1/11/05 Dallas, TX

The following members of the board were in attendance: Tim Madden, Gary Laxdal, Suzanne Sherrod, Kevin Brennan, Drew Regan, Maureen Gaynor and Barry Simons

Meeting was called to order at 7:45 by President, Tim Madden

President’s Report:

Mr. Madden gave an update on the NECSI member fall survey PowerPoint with an overview of the agenda for tomorrows meeting with NEC. General discussion was held to ensure NECSI present our findings in a concise manner. Added the follow up items to the agenda that were incomplete from our October meeting with NEC.

The board strongly feels the need to work closer with NEC and a method we will suggest tomorrow is the reconvening of the Product Committees. If NEC is agreeable to this method the following are appointed:

Mr. Brennan Key System

Mr. Pentico Univerge 2000

Mr. Regan Univerge 2400

Mr. Laxdal Univerge MPS/SV7000

These product committees will work proactively with NEC to develop features, hot applications and niche markets as well as handle ongoing product issues.

Mr. Madden reported that NECSI had obtained new liability insurance for a lower cost that also included coverage with NEC, which our old policy expressly denied.

Treasurer’s Report:

Mr. Laxdal presented the final 2005 year-end financials. Revenues were $4,000 increase from budget; Travel expense were $8,000 less than budgeted and our net revenue was $7,000 increase over budget. This results in a net income of approx $27,000. Dues for 2006 were put in the income for 2006, not 2005. The 2006 dues revenue collected to date are $20,263, which represents 50% of budget collected already. On a motion by Ms. Gaynor and seconded by Mr. Brennan, the board approved the financial statements and 2006 Budget.

Secretary’s Report:

Ms. Gaynor presented a review of the previous NECSI minutes. On a motion by Mr. Simons seconded by Mr. Laxdal the minutes were approved.

Newsletter Report:

Ms. Sherrod reported that Crosstalk was going to print next week pending the inclusion of the President’s Report from this meeting with NEC. Ad copy was late or missing for a few Business Partners and Ms. Sherrod is unsure of which are in good standing to date for the ads. Ms. Sherrod reported that WBM from Canada had contributed 2 articles and would receive the $100/ea so the program is starting to see some limited success. Dragon 9 and Zeacom have full-page ads.

Business Partners Report:

Mr. Laxdal noted a chair was needed for the Business Partners. The board determined increased communication between NECSI and BP was in dire need to create value and we would seek to do this via highly professional email and web promotion. Mr. Laxdal reported that NEC, Higher Ground and Dragon 9 were unpaid for 4Q05. Discussion ensued on their upcoming ad placement in Crosstalk and Mr. Laxdal will work with Mr. Autor on invoice dates and increased attention to timely collection to meet our Crosstalk deadlines. Mr. Regan volunteered to call Zeacom about 2006 renewal. Mr. Laxdal will provide all BP contract data including renewal dates and amounts at our next meeting.

Old Business:

Confer-Tel: a member raised an item via email/website of inadequate reporting for commission tracking and/or this information is publicly available on the NECSI website. Mr. Madden reported that for a decrease in commission of 5% Confertel would handle all the administration reporting directly to members. On a motion by Ms. Gaynor, seconded by Mr. Laxdal the board unanimously approved the new agreement with Confer-tel such that our members can receive the reporting and method they desire.

Mr. Madden gave a report on the on-going issue of developing and executing contract(s) with Mr. Autor for services. Mr. Autor is currently working on a verbal basis only.

On a motion by Ms. Gaynor, seconded by Mr. Laxdal NECSI will develop two separate contracts for our needed services. One will be for web services and one will be for administrative services. A general discussion was held on the need for an improved professional and up-to-date email communication with membership and business partners. The proposed contract will include the necessary items. NECSI identified the web and Internet as a tool we need to use to improve our image and communications. Mr. Madden will review in detail the desired results with Mr. Autor. Mr. Madden requested the board review both contracts before our next board meeting where action will be taken.

Mr. Madden reported that NECSI is no longer using Gallant for our web services and he would contact other vendors for quotes for this service. Discussion ensued on the division of duties between Mr. Autor web services and the needed new web company. The question was posed about duplication of efforts and consolidation for better use of our funds.

Mr. Madden reported on the survey results and that method for communicating those to members will be in his Presidents report in Crosstalk and a narrative overview will be posted on the web in the password protected sections. NECSI will not focus on specific numbers but more on the outcomes from NEC, the message and the action items taken by NECSI and NEC from the survey. NECSI was extremely pleased with the 136 respondents, as it was certainly a record survey. Mr. Madden will perform the random drawing and notify the winner. Ms. Gaynor will keep the names for the annual drawing.

New Business:

Mr. Madden reviewed the requirements for a replacement for Mr. Macanni who recently resigned due to business needs. Mr. Madden instructed the board to bring a few names to the next meeting that he would with board consent appoint a member to complete Mr. Maccani’s term.

Mr. Madden performed the random drawing for the 2005 NECSI Fall Survey and the winners of the $100 are:

Ron Walter of Capitol City Telephone, Lincoln NE

Cheryl Phillips of Donahue Communications, Inc., Conception Bay South NF

Terry Miller of Telecom Resources, Inc., Bend OR

All names will be entered in the annual drawing for a free subscription to Telecom Tactics.

Meeting Adjourned.