NCF Board of Directors
Minutes of Board Meeting
October 15, 2024
Minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors
Board members present:
Anis Hanna (gb499) Chair
Majd Karam (gc029) 1st Vice Chair
Peter MacKinnon (fr198) 2nd Vice-Chair
Graeme Beckett (aw958) Secretary
Chris Cope (bz787)
Stephen Fanjoy (gd782)
Spencer Callaghan
Regrets:
Stephen Fanjoy (gd782)
Len Fardella
Sean Geddes
Eddie Villarta (Stepped down prior to meeting)
NCF Management/Staff present:
Executive Director: Shelley Robinson
Guests:
Chris Tacit
- Confirmation of Quorum
Quorum was confirmed
- Consent Agenda (45 minutes: questions & comments or corrections)
- Approval of minutes of previous board meeting September 17, 2024
Motion: To move in-camera.
Proposer: Chris Cope (bz787)
Seconder: Spencer Callaghan
The motion was carried.
- Executive Director's Report
The Executive Director's report was submitted in advance of the Board meeting. Highlights of the open portion of the meeting are provided below.
NCF members at Apr. 1, 2024: 4860
NCF members at Aug. 1: 4581
NCF members at Sept. 1: 4523
NCF members at Oct. 1: 4472
Updates since the last meeting:
NCF turns 32!
National Capital FreeNet was registered as a federal not-for-profit on September 29, 1992 which means we just turned 32! The original mission planned “to provide interactive, free access computer based information services that will interconnect all members of the community, public agencies and other participating organizations.” The language has changed but the fundamentals have remained the same.
Thirty-two isn’t as noteworthy as when we turned 30 and shared 30 diverse perspectives on digital equity or when we created a history book of our first 25 years. This year we celebrated with cake, new HelpDesk volunteers and new projects underway!
The last few years have been tough for NCF in a tough industry, but we’re proud of all we’ve
been able to accomplish over 32 years, including not changing our prices since February 2021.
Plus we have plans for some big projects to anchor the next stretch of years. Thanks to all NCF
members over the years for their support and especially those who have been with us since the
beginning, or for a long time or just joined.
Strategic Planning:
• The Board of NCF is meeting on Saturday, October 26th to start setting a Strategic Plan
for the organization from 2025-2028. The process is being facilitated by Board members
who are professional consultants trained in this kind of planning.
• We’re sending out a member survey soon and ask any interested NCF members to
submit comments and feedback there for board review.
Community WiFi:
• Technical work at 251 and 255 Donald Street is speeding up. These buildings will be the
first to get free WiFi in their indoor and outdoor common spaces as part of our CIRAfunded pilot. 251 Donald Street will also host our supernode, connecting the fibre
connection donated by our partner Hiboo Networks to at least 10 community
organizations in Vanier, Overbrook, Sandy Hill and Lowertown.
For more information on the project, email communitywifi@ncf.ca or check out our
initial plans for the project.
Community WiFi:
Technical work at 251 and 255 Donald Street is speeding up. These buildings will be the first to get free WiFi in their indoor and outdoor common spaces as part of our CIRA funded pilot. 251 Donald Street will also host our supernode, connecting the fibre connection donated by our partner Hiboo Networks to at least 10 community organizations in Vanier, Overbrook, Sandy Hill and Lowertown. For more information on the project, email communitywifi@ncf.ca or check out our initial plans for the project.
Upcoming Panel Discussions and Workshops:
Tuesday, October 29 @7pm: Misinformation, Disinformation and Fake News
This online panel discussion will help give context about the kinds of disinformation and how
you can trust what you’re reading online. This is especially important during the run-up to the
upcoming U.S. and eventual Canadian elections. More details and register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ncf-presents-misinformation-disinformation-and-fake-newstickets-1042180017487?aff=oddtdtcreator
Wednesday, November 6 @ 2pm: Password Managers
Presented by Chris Taylor who has won awards for his digital skills workshops with the Ottawa
Public Users Group, this workshop will help teach you how to use an online password protector
in a way that’s safe and useful. Registration details coming soon.
Volunteering at NCF:
We have a batch of recent volunteers who have all completed their training and have started
working in the office and remotely. Welcome to Ali Yildirim, Alex Killby, Hatab Sanyang, Matab
Houssein and Rui Zhou! Check out their bios: https://www.ncf.ca/en/who-we-are/people/
- Motion to Appoint Asiya Shams as Treasurer/Motion: To appoint Asiya Shams as Treasurer.
Proposer: Stephen Fanjoy (gd782)
Seconder: Spencer Callaghan
The motion was carried
Motion: To approve the consent agenda.
Proposer: Spencer Callaghan
Seconder: Peter MacKinnon (fr198)
The motion was carried.
- Strategic Discussion: (60 minutes)
- Board Responsibilities (Chris Tacit)
- Date of Next Meeting _________
The next Board meeting November 19, 2024: Hybrid, electronic and in-person at NCF office.
- Standing agenda item for discussion without staff and review (15 minutes)
- Discussion item (Anis Hanna)
This item is conducted in-camera.
Motion: To move out of camera.
Proposer: Majd Karam (gc029)
Seconder: Peter MacKinnon (fr198)
The motion was carried.