December 9, 2008 Board Meeting

·         First allowed Howard Jones to bring the Board up to date on the status of the slide scanner.  His written report notes that after returning the scanner to the factory for repair, he was advised on November 20, that the factory was unable to repair it.  The company offered an option to purchase a replacement unit at a discounted price of $350 plus shipping and handling.  Having obtained TVCUC Board approval, Jones ordered a new PS3600 on November 24.  Dick Schmeling issued TVCUC check #1168 for $369.06.  The new scanner was delivered the next week and remains in Jones’ custody.  He has registered the scanner, S/N 635H00A30125, with Pacific Image for the warranty coverage of one year from the date of purchase.

Consulting with Victor deGroote, he learned that deGroote does not have the paperwork that documents who has paid for use of the scanner, who has already used it and who is left on the list.  deGroote recommended that the new scanner be packaged with the original TVCUC laptop to prevent any possibility of applying the wrong voltage to the scanner again.  Jones offered to assume the responsibility for the Club’s Slide Scanner Project and configure it with the latest software for continuing use by those who have been signed up.  Jones proposed that he would write and article for the Newsletter, followed by a presentation to the membership at a Club meeting to solicit interest from recent members.  He further suggested we plan a series of meetings in the classroom to educate members in the use of the scanner to review other options for converting slides and other images to digital format.

While having no intention to take this task away from someone, Jones said he has the plans in his files for this project what was originally established and approved by the board as a SIG.  He said he would be pleased to reinvigorate the Slide Scanner Project.

·         A number of suggestions were made as to how to proceed, but Sharon Addison recommended letting the signed up members get caught up before undertaking planning any further action such as trying to get additional users.

·         Chuck Hill mentioned that there are about 46 people still on the list and about 5 of them have been calling for an update on the scanner status.

·         Jones clarified that each user pays a $25 one-time charge for use of the scanner for no more than one week.  If not finished in that time, the user goes to the end of the list, but will have no further monetary charges.

·         It seemed the consensus was that whoever maintains custody of the scanner and laptop could also maintain the list of users to maximize efficiency of the project.

·         Warren Sanders motioned to let Howard Jones and Chuck Hill decide how to handle the procedure, then get the information into the Newsletter, then get back to the Board next month.  Karen Brown seconded.  Board approved.

·         Peterson commented that this is his last meeting as President and that it has been a fun year for him.

·         Karen Brown motioned to approve the Board Meeting minutes of November 11, 2008 and the General Meeting minutes of December 2, 2008.  Bob Mugge seconded.  Board approved.

·         Commented that she and Karen Brown have been trying to get POA approval of an appropriate plaque without success.  Schneck will continue to try and would like to get it on order before leaving for Florida this Sunday.

·         Treasurer, Dick Schmeling

·         Though absent, he had previously distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November.  The Club received $465 in dues and $0.54 of bank interest.  There expenses of $404.16 for Equipment Purchase/Repair to net $61.38 of income.  The Pass-Through Account took in $2,845 and expended $1,009.36 for supplies, for a net inflow of $1,835.64 during the month.  Since the TAProgram began, the Pass-Through Account has received a total of $12,260.43and used a total of $7,475.07, leaving a balance of $4,785.36 in that account.  The Treasury’s ending bank balance for the month was $7,949.78 of which $4,785.36 is designated for the Pass-Through Account, leaving $3,164.42 available for Operations.

·         Joyce Knouse motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report; Warren Sanders seconded.  Board approved.

·         Bob Kutschera reported that the General Meeting drew 42 attendees, including 2 guests.

·         There were 3 new memberships and 26 renewals, including 22 additional members, for a total of 51.  $435 will be delivered to the Treasurer.

·         Year to date, the Club has received $3,485 with 23 days remaining in 2008.  The 2008 Budget calls for $3,525 and Kutschera anticipates we will make that number.

·         He expressed his appreciation to everyone who has sent in the 2009 dues rather than paying at the General Meeting reception table.  He also thanks Ethel Tatro, Amy Dunajewski and Peggy Mills for handling the table at the December meeting.

·         Bob Foster commented that after giving 3 Smart Computing subscriptions as door prizes, the Club has none left.

·         Knouse mentioned that when she renewed he subscription, there was no place on the form to mention membership in the TVCUC.

·         Brown suggested putting a blurb in the Newsletter every month to remind people to be sure to mention their TVCUC membership when renewing Smart Computing.

·         Foster said that he has no program planned for January and that he is stepping down from his position as Chairman this year end.

·         Addison offered to take that over temporarily and Foster agreed to share with her the many ideas he has accumulated during his term as Program Chairman. 

·         Addison said she has wanted for some time to help the many organizations here with their e-mail communication problems and incompatibilities.  Some of the members have different software, can’t read what is sent to them, etc.  These organizations need to define standards and Sharon may be able to show them ways to reduce the incompatibilities.

·         Foster suggested that many programs previously presented can always be rehashed.  There are always new members who have not already seen them and there are others who can use a refresher. 

·         Sanders announced that his fund-raising effort has resulted in $4,802 of donations and we have $2,690 in one-year pledges and $1,290 per year in three-year pledges. 

·         The Library has rented storage for their purpose, so sharing space with them is out.  Sanders has met with Donna Akey who has agreed to split her space below Catino’s in half for $538 per month for roughly 1200 square feet.  There are 3 units by the hardware store where the furniture resale shop used to be.  One is 800 feet, the other, a double unit, is 1600 feet.  These can be rented for $700 per unit per month.  Obviously, Akey’s space would be more to our liking.  At some point the Board will need to approve signing of a lease, but this is not a terrible rush because the Community Church has advised that we can maintain our place in the workhouse at least until March.  While we may even have more time left in the Church house, we could lose the Akey option.  If/when the Church decides

·         to go ahead with its building project, we could end up with no place to go.  Sanders doesn’t know utility and internet costs, but thinks we have enough funds to sign a one-year lease. 

·         Roy Trahan got a copy of our solicitation letter and has published a very nice article in his paper.

·         Sanders and Alline were interviewed by Channel 3.  We expect that to start airing next week and run for 2-3 weeks.

·         Channel 3 would like help from Club members.  They lost 3 people this year and are looking for volunteers.  Foster said he would help when he’s off the Program Committee.

·         Sanders is working on a revised letter to send to service organizations and local businesses looking for support for 2009.  His previous letter went out fairly late in the year and many of these had already completed their 2009 budgets.  The response from Tellico Village residents, though, has been great.

·         Alline said they have activated 10 computers under the 20 Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (CMAR) licenses, so we have 10 more to do.  The first was given to Monroe County Friends of Animals.  When 14 (70%) are given away, we can go back and get more licenses.  Under CMAR, we can afford to purchase Windows XP Pro and Office 2003.  Previously, due to cost, we were limited to Windows ME (and lower) and Office 2000.  CMAR restricts gifts of computers to eligible 501(c)3 organizations or governmental agencies only.

·         Sanders commented that under CMAR we can give computers to a school (governmental) and then the school can do whatever they want with it.  We cannot give such computers directly to children.

·         Alline mentioned that he got a request from Loudon High School for mentors for a Senior Project of building computers.  He volunteered, but they still need one more.   

·         Dennis Malcolm had no report, but mentioned that he is resigning as Chairman.

·         Bob Mugge reported that he had planned to have more Open House sessions, but with

His own computer problems and a number of visitors, he won’t be able to in December unless someone else wants to do something.  He will be going away in late January through late February.  He would appreciate anyone who can or will set up sessions for January and February.  He has had numerous great comments about the sessions that he did have.  Any new ones, of course, must be scheduled with Larissa.  Peterson agreed to take over at that, try for 2 sessions per week every couple of weeks.  He will get with Frank for the Newsletter.

·         Howard Jones and/or Chuck Hill should return to the Board Meeting in January with their plan as to the procedure to be followed in the Slide Scanner Project per Board approval (see page 1).

·         Jan Schneck is to order a suitable plaque as soon as POA approval can be obtained.

·         Jim Peterson is to take over scheduling with Larissa, getting same into a Special Newsletter and overseeing Open House sessions in January and February.