NCF Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting
March 15, 2005

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

• ED to conduct survey of feasibility of adding high-speed service

Minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors

The meeting was called to order at 7.30 p.m. with Chris Cope as Chair and Sandy Campbell as Secretary.

1. INTRODUCTIONS

   Board members present:
   Christopher Cope (bz787), President/chair
   Sandy Campbell (dt820), Secretary
   Mark Mielke (al278)
   Graeme Beckett (aw958)
   Shing Kwong Lee (ez191)
   Don Francis (ba990)

   Regrets:
   Gary Eikenberry (aa353), 1st Vice-president
   Michael Fletcher, Treasurer
   Mary Anne Dugmore (er983)
   John Hennessey (ev776)
   Michael Williamson (cm234)
   Michael Mei (bi195)

   NCF Management/Staff present:
   John Selwyn (es347), Executive Director

   Members/Guests:
   None

   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.

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MEETING
   (see minutes of prior month)

   MOTION: That minutes be approved as published, with clarifying amendments to Executive Director's Report.
   Moved by: Sandy Campbell
   Seconded by: Shing Kwong Lee
   VOTE: All in favor

3. REVIEW OF THE AGENDA
   (see draft agenda)

   MOTION: That the agenda be adopted as published.
   Moved by: Sandy Campbell
   Seconded by: Don Francis
   VOTE: All in favor

4. ONGOING BUSINESS
   1. Recommendation of Nominations Committee

      MOTION: That the recommendation of the Nominations Committee that Gary Eikenberry, Mary Anne Dugmore, Elaine Condos, and Tony McNeill be approved as candidates in the 2005 AGM meeting.
      Moved by: Chris Cope
      Seconded by: Shing Kwong Lee
      VOTE: All in favor

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

      Although many members continue to contribute more than their share, "a significant number" of members are claiming hardship as the reason for not being able to contribute anything. This results in a shortfall and "continued financial difficulties for NCF."
      "We're finding that NCF is not on the radar screen of most mainstream families in the Ottawa area. NCF is viewed as internet by those that cannot afford internet, and as such a lower-quality service. That NCF offers only dial-up service reinforces this impression.
      "Higher-speed access (such as DSL or cable)has been offered by Ottawa ISPs for several years and has become commonplace-- many members have been asking if NCF could provide it. Offering broadband access along with dial-up would help NCF to remain relevant to a broader range of local, helping NCF better accomplish its purpose.
      "Therefore, I am exploring means for NCF to offer high-speed internet access. I will be surveying the membership to determine their interest in high speed, as well as looking further at the means of offering such a service and will report prior to the next Board meeting."

      MOTION: That the Executive Director report to the next Board meeting on the feasibility of offering a paid high-speed internet access service while continuing to offer dial-up service.
      Moved by: Graeme Beckett
      Seconded by: Mark Mielke
      VOTE: All in favor

   2. Board Governance (Chris Cope)

      It was agreed to delay discussion of this topic to the May meeting of the Board.

6. NEXT MEETING

   April 19, at 7 p.m.
   Room 402, Dunton Tower
   Carleton University

7. ADJOURNMENT

   The meeting adjourned at 9.25 p.m.