Made 3 audio copies of the Oak Ridge presentation; gave them to Bob Foster.

Distributed the financial accounting for the month of July. The Club received $60 in dues, $35 in Class Tuition and $0.27 of bank interest. Schmeling noted that (1) Class Tuition is a new operational income category, currently unbudgeted, and (2) the records indicate that 6 members paid dues twice and are to be refunded. On the expense side was $17.48 for supplies, affecting a positive net cash flow of $77.79. The Pass-Through account received income of $325 and expended $128.95 for ink cartridges, paper, etc. leaving a balance of $780.43 in that account. The Treasury’s ending balance for the month was $3,195.25 of which $780.43 is designated for the Pass-Through Account.

Schmeling commented that he heard the Club might purchase additional sound equipment at an unbudgeted cost of approximately $1,400. If that happens, the year-end bank balance would be about $1,700 rather than the $3,267 currently projected.

Reminded all the committee chairpersons that, if they planned to step down from their position, December would be a particularly bad time with a new President coming on board. Postponing such a move until February would give the new President a chance to look for a new chairman.

Bob Kutschera’s written report states that the General Meeting drew 67 attendees including 8 guests and the speaker from Oak Ridge. There were 19 new memberships with 11 additional members. A total of $285 was submitted to the Treasurer with the required documentation.

The Club now has 253 paid memberships for 2008 plus 163 additional members, bringing the total member count to 416. The total dues for 2008 from October 1, 2007 to present is $3,795 and from January 1, 2008 to present is $2,235. The Club is on track to exceed 2007 memberships and income. Kutschera commented that new and renewed memberships were unusually high for this time of year and he attributes that to interest in the computer classes.

With Ethel Tatro’s assistance, Kutschera is continuing to manage the Access database which allows him to learn Access as a back-up or as a primary manager of the database should that ever become necessary.

The Board needs to start thinking about the dues level for 2009; we start collecting October 1.

Bob Foster said that he sold an XP system for $240 and gave the check to Dick Schmeling.

Expressed his opinion that the General Meeting was a good one with more in attendance than expected.

The September meeting will have Carl Beck, the Apple Computer representative from Best Buy.

For the October program a local resident, Lou Miller, will give an overview of setting up your own website. Interest in this topic could lead to a class in the future.

Foster announced his plan to step down as Program Chairman as he plans to run for a position as Director at Large. He has no problem with staying on as Chairman, however, until February or so.

On the topic of the sound system, introduced by Schmeling, Foster stated there are two mikes for each of two systems. Bill Jochem said the system was sort of "thrown together" from the beginning and should be disposed of. We need to keep the better system, but need new mikes, transmitter, and receiver.

Mugge said we need to make decisions as to what can be done to get a system working well for meetings. He will follow up with Jim Peterson on this matter before the next meeting.

Sanders said that he had requested a Nominating Committee be appointed by this month, but he’s not aware of any activity yet. He would like to know who he’ll be working with. Under the By Laws, the proposed nomination slate is to be presented at the November meeting and the election is to be held at the December meeting. Sanders asked Kutschera to provide him with the last 4 or 5 attendance lists so that anyone with continued interest in serving the Board or Committees could be contacted.

Kutschera mentioned that about 99% of membership gets e-mail newsletters. He recommended a good strong article in the Newsletter asking for volunteers to serve. It should be stressed that serving the Board does not require computer expertise. What the Club needs is leadership, not a computer geek.

Kutschera offered to check on the price of insurance to cover the scanner.

Mugge’s written report stated that classes got underway this month. In advance of getting a formal sign-up procedure in place and to get a feel for how the Learning Center was going to work out, he taught a one-session class on How Your Computer Works on July 15 and 16 to a total of 5 students. Fees were collected at class time and were sent to Dick Schmeling.

Sign-up for classes at the August General Meeting was minimally attended. We are getting people who want classes, but who need to join also. That is going to continue to happen, se we have to be able to handle it. We are also discovering that it is necessary to allow people who want a class but could not attend the meeting to sign up at class time. This should not be a problem as the instructor has the class sign-up sheet and can collect fees as prescribed at that time and give the complete data and checks to Dick Schmeling without a problem.

Ken Ray spoke regarding the classes that he has conducted on Microsoft Works. Basic will be taught this week and Intermediate will be taught next week. He found the classroom to be a neat set up, well thought out. We need to identify the needs of students. Some are unclear about what the class is about. One student doesn’t have a computer. Ken had read positive feedback from students. There is a real need for Microsoft Word. Also need basic housekeeping such as setting up files, backing up the computer, etc.

In the absence of Penny Visconti, Mugge stated that he would check with Jim Peterson regarding contacting her.

Sanders announced that he had sent 57 letters out soliciting help with donations. The expected typical response rate is 10%-20%. Several people asked if the Club has considered a surcharge or add-on to help with this. Many people in Tellico Village might provide some support, but how to approach them? We might have the Connection do an article with a pledge card included. Might also use the POA website and/or the POA e-mail addresses. Kutschera suggested the Tel-E-Gram.

Donna Akey advised Sanders that she has some space below Catino’s Restaurant, formerly a beauty shop. It would be terrific space if it’s affordable. She’s supposed to let Sanders know how much she would charge and she knows about TAP and that we don’t have a lot of money. There could be tax advantages for her if she discounts the rental rate and handles it appropriately.

Vince Alline commented that we still have 27 systems to give away.

Dennis Malcolm said that last month was very quiet.