NCF Board of Directors
Minutes of Board Meeting
February 20, 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
Michael Chan (ga869)
Chris Taylor (fs180)
Stephen Fanjoy (gd782)
Regrets:
Eddie Villarta (gd683)
Christopher Cope (bz787)
Emmanuel Adenlolu (gc476) Treasurer
Laura Novitsky (gd477)
NCF Management/Staff present:
Executive Director: Shelley Robinson
- Confirmation of Quorum
Quorum was confirmed
- Consent Agenda (45 minutes: questions & comments or corrections)
- Minutes of board meeting January 16, 2023
Motion: To move in-camera.
Proposer: Majd Karam (gc029)
Seconder: Stephen Fanjoy (gd782)
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.
Summary:
• NCF presented at a CRTC hearing on the review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework.
• NCF will be offering upcoming workshops.
• Upcoming power outage at Carleton's data center where our network equipment resides.
• NCF has arranged for a secondary power source backup.
• Info on this event https://www.ncf.ca/en/help/network-status/
• NCF staff will be HelpDesk available during this time.
Updates since the last meeting:
• We recently finished up activities for the Investment Readiness Program grant activities. This included support to update NCF’s membership agreement and terms of service and move forward plans for additional business internet services, community WiFi and fibre internet in multi-dwelling units. The contribution of $20,000 from the federal program was managed by the Ottawa Community Foundation.
• In early February we will be sending out a general survey for all NCF members, as well as launching new automated surveys when members install new services or cancel services, and when HelpDesk tickets have been closed.
• The Marketing and Communications Committee is recruiting members with experience to help support NCF’s work to get the word out about our services and digital equity work.
Dashboard:
NCF members:
Progress on Strategic Goals:
• In 2019, the Board and staff of NCF developed a five-year strategic plan. Obviously COVID-19 meant things changed significantly. We have updated a Strategic Roadmap for the coming year, and will meet this year to create a strategic plan for the future. We will post updates online: www.ncf.ca/stratplan Industry and sector news:
• Federal Court of Appeal Upcoming events:
• NCF presented at a CRTC hearing on the review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework on Feb. 13. This relates to the submissions we have been making on getting wholesale access to fibre-to-the-home internet services as well as more affordable wholesale rates for DSL and cable internet services.
Good news and thanks:
• We paid back the $40,000 Canadian Emergency Benefit Account (CEBA) loan in October and have received confirmation of the forgivable $20,000 portion. Thanks to the government for this program, it helped.
Motion: To approve the consent agenda.
Proposer: Peter MacKinnon (fr198)
Seconder: Chris Taylor (fs180)
The motion was carried.
- Strategic Discussion: (60 minutes)
- 2024 Draft budget (Shelley Robinson)
This item was struck from the agenda and rescheduled to the next meeting.
- Date of Next Meeting _________
The next Board meeting was scheduled for March 19 but subsequently rescheduled to March 26, 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 was conducted in-camera.
Motion: To move out of camera.
Proposer: Peter MacKinnon (fr198)
Seconder: Majd Karam (gc029)
The motion was carried.