NCF Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting
November 19, 2013 

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

• The Board greets our new Executive Director Tony McNeill.
• The Board thanks outgoing Executive Director Nick Ouzas.

Minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. with Gary Eikenberry as Chair and Graeme Beckett as Secretary.

INTRODUCTIONS

Board members present:
Gary Eikenberry (aa353) President
Mike Kelly (fm342) 2nd Vice-president
Alan McRae (fl334) Treasurer
Graeme Beckett (aw958) Secretary
Christopher Cope (bz787)
Tom Moore (fw054)

Regrets:
Peter MacKinnon (fr198) 1st Vice-president
Ken McCarthy (fr786)
Amy Yee (fp017)
Michael Weiss (ft850)

NCF Management/Staff present:
Executive Director: Tony McNeill

Guests:
Jim Elder (aa456)

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. Greet the New Executive Director: Tony McNeill
    
2. Confirmation of Quorum
   
   Quorum was confirmed.
    
3. Review of the Agenda  
   
   Item 7 d) was added "New Not-for-Profit Corporations Act".

   MOTION: To accept agenda as amended.
   Moved by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
   Seconded by: Mike Kelly (fm342)
   VOTE: All in favor. 
   VOTE: Adopted
    

4. Review of the Minutes of the October 22, 2013 Previous Meeting
   
   MOTION: Motion to adopt the minutes as circulated.
   Moved by: Alan McRae (fl334)
   Seconded by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
   VOTE All in favor.
   VOTE: Adopted
    
5. Reports 
   1. Executive Director's Report (Tony McNeill)
      
      The Executive Director circulated his report in advance of the board meeting.
      
      Highlights
      
      Executive Director Tony McNeill explained that in general terms, operations were running in a steady state. Revenue and DSL subscriptions were fairly flat for the year and expenses down slightly from budget. Net churn in DSL subscriptions began to flatten out in April of 2013. The Board was reminded that next year in February 2014 expenses for our new larger office will increase after our promotional rent free period ends. The increase will also cover the costs of the required renovations. Some cost reductions will be obtained when shutting down PRI`s as dial-up continues its expected decline. The NCF has also finally received the return of the final Bell deposit.
      
      Shortly before the board meeting the Executive Director ran some trial advertisements online and these appeared promising. Tony felt confident that with further marketing, plus an offering of additional DSL packages and with improvements in support services the NCF could see an appreciable increase in subscribership in 2014.
      
      The NCF`s volunteer Help Desk has increased in size and is now running all day long answering calls. Tony discussed additional ideas that could be implemented that would further bolster the Help Desk since this is an area of operations that requires more development.
      
      MOTION: To accept the Executive Director's Report.
      Moved by:  Christopher Cope  (bz787)
      Seconded by:  Tom Moore (fw054)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
       
6. New Business
    
   1. 2014 Draft Budget
      
      The pre-draft budget for 2014 provided by the Executive Director was an information item only and a draft budget will be provided in the New Year after plans for additional DSL packages move through developmental stages into fruition.
       
   2. Thank Outgoing Executive Director: Nick Ouzas
      
      Gary Eikenberry momentarily steps down from the Chair and Mike Kelly takes the Chair.
      
      MOTION: The Board of Directors would like to thank outgoing Interim Executive Director, Nick Ouzas for his valuable contributions to the NCF in maintaining operations while guiding us through the transition to our new office location. He and the office staff and volunteers did a great job, for which we are grateful.
      Moved by: Gary Eikenberry (aa353)
      Seconded by: Christopher Cope (bz787)
      VOTE All in favor.
      VOTE: Adopted
      
      Gary Eikenberry resumes the position as Chair.
       
   3. Year End Dinner Planning (Gary Eikenberry)
      
      Koreana Restaurant - Target date December Tenth. Gary Eikenberry will seek out assistance from Amy Yee in reserving space and Chris Cope will mail-out invitations.
       
7. Ongoing Business  
    
   1. NCF Anniversary Planning Update  (Tony McNeill)
      
      The Anniversary Planning team  has increased from three to four members. An upcoming meeting will discuss choosing a location, creating a theme and engaging partners.  
       
   2. Strategic Planning Committee Update (Peter MacKinnon)
      
      It was agreed that this item will be deferred to a later meeting.
       
   3. Nominating Committee Update (Chris Cope)
      
      Chris furthered his request to the rest of the Board to continue their search. Among the suggestions were candidates from seniors organizations and social groups.
       
   4. New Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (Mike Kelly)
      
      As a not-for-profit corporation the NCF must comply with the new Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (Assented to 2009-06-23) by October of 2014. Mike Kelly outlined some of his existing progress and goals towards this. Mike is using Industry Canada's guide along with NCF`s existing by-laws and suggestions from the Board to determine what will require updating.
       
8. Announcements
   
   Gary Eikenberry spoke about the The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.     
    
9. Date of Next Meeting

   The next regular meeting will be January 21, 2014,
   NCF Offices, Suite 206 Richmond Square, 1305 Richmond Rd.
    

10. Adjournment
    
    The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

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