Minutes of Board of Directors Monthly Meeting via Conference Call

August 11, 2005 - 1pm Pacific, 3pm Central, 4pm Eastern

1. Meeting was called to order by President Steve Battista at 3pm CDT.  All members present:  Sheldon Allen, Steve Autor, Steve Battista, Garry Laxdal, Gordon Maccani, Tim Madden, Barry Simons, and Suzanne Sherrod. 

2. Treasurer’s Report - Garry - Checking account balance is $50,823.31.  We have purchased a $25,000 CD that rolls over every 30 days.  Currently 2.568 percent.  Steve A to check with accountant re income tax.  Gordon made a motion to approve the treasurer's report.  Motion passed.

3. Business Partners Report – Steve A.  Received Payment from Zeacom for Q2.  Working on Q3.  Garry talked to Telrex (no payments received), but they promised to make 2 payments per Garry.  Suggestion that we each reach out to 2 new business partners by the October meeting.

4. Membership (added 1 since last meeting)

5. Old Business:

   a. Membership Options – Gordon  - Discussion at the October meeting on what services non-payment members will get.

   b. Confertel Steve Autor reported that the contract signed and faxed.  Signed pages faxed back to NECSI.  Discuss at October meeting to set aside for reimbursing dues if over $100?

   c. Graphic Standards/Logo – register trademark? - report from Barry on costs - $600 to register; cost to search is being determined.  Barry will find out search fees and report at the next meeting.

6. New Business:

        a. Election in progress – comments, suggestions?  Steve A suggested we move the election to the last week in August as several were on vacation.  Members felt the ballot looked good and were pleased that we had 33 ballots already.

        b. Meeting in Chicago – get airline tickets soon to get best rates.

        c. Agenda items for discussion with NEC. – Gather now so we can give them info in advance.

 

        d.  New Policy on Financial Controls Garry presented the reasons for the new written policy to provide a faster and easier way to pay bills and maintain a checks and balances for the finances.  Motion by Sheldon to adopt the policy.  Motion passed.

        e. Marketing brochure from MKB.  Motion by Tim to proceed using a local printer.

        f. Election and possible bylaws change. (Tim M). We should have made all seats at large because we did away with holding our Canadian friends to one seat on the Board.  Please add this to our Agenda tomorrow and we can discuss changing it next year or leaving it the way that it is now.  Also election of officers at the last meeting of the year.  This will be put on the October meeting agenda.

 

        g.  Steve Battista reported that Mike Rosen at NEC was interested in us doing a survey on Buyerzone to see if that is still getting leads for NEC dealers.  Steve A will send out a survey next week.

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:10pm CDT.

 

Steve Autor

Executive Secretary