DACS HQ – Resource Center, 198 Main Street, Danbury CT
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
MEETING OPENING
Called to order by Dick Gingras at 7:20PM.
Attendance: R. Corzo, D. Gingras, B. Goff, L. Leifels, J. Scheef (via Skype), S. Henderson (late arrival), A. Woodruff, and T. Zarecki
Opening Comments & Discussion
- MINUTES: last meeting’s minutes discussed.
- TREASURER’S REPORT: Bert Goff discussed double expenses putting us back on an even keel financially. DACS now has 2 years of back data, showing a better financial performance than this time last year. Dues came in strong, discussion as to why, perhaps due to single-board computer topic. 3 people have paid ahead. Annual 990 electronic non-profit form has been successfully filed with IRS (this form used by companies making less than 50K per year).
- MICROSOFT/SCORE/DACS WORKSHOP is moving forward, the actual sessions will begin in May 2015. Frequency of sessions still under discussion. Discussion of target audience: small business owners/operators, other business owners and interested parties from SCORE, DACS, and the general public. Time of event and weekend/weekday placement likely a Saturday morning between 9AM and 11AM, but actual day/time slot not yet selected but will be announced.
- SURVEY/RAFFLE CARDS redesigned include checkbox asking about starting a workshop on specific topic.
- GENERAL MEETING of 3/3 postponed due to snow rescheduled for Monday, March 16 at 7:30PM. Flyer already made and distributed.
Old Business
- RECORDING SECRETARY needed – will ask casually at next General Meeting
- MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE report (Jim Scheef)
- Discussion of duplicate names appearing in list.
- Number of paid members: 107 plus 13 in grace.
- MARKETING COMMITTEE report
- None – Cathy Quaranta not available
- PROGRAM COMMITTEE report
- REVIEWER NEEDED for March meeting
- MAY MEETING discussion, related to presenter John Patrick. Andy Woodruff presented a number of possible ideas for Mr. Patrick to work in collaboration with DACS to use any combination of these ideas:
(a) TABLE: have a table out front of the meeting where he sells copies of his new book and a person to handle purchases
(b) FREE BOOKS: provide funds from J. Patrick to equal the number of his books distributed for free at the meeting, “Health Attitude: Unraveling and Solving the Complexities of Health Care”.
(c) CO-SPONSORS: additional sponsors will be considered
(d) VIDEOTAPE Patrick’s presentation to make the video accessible on DACS and/or WCHN websites, plus on YouTube, Vimeo or other sites.
- HOSPITAL CONNECTION: Andy explained ongoing discussion with Patrick to brainstorm ways to collaborate in the future, in what DACS will provide in terms of promotion, advertising, etc.
- WEBSITE status
- SSL CERTIFICATE needed to protect membership data on website, 20% off a possibility. Jim says this needs to be discussed in detail separately.
- Motion (Andy): up to $300 be spent for SSL.
Seconded (Jim), passed unanimously. Richard suggests that we use the membership topic on the forum to discuss in more detail.
- COMMUNICATION OVERLOAD discussion again. Recommendations:
- USE DACS FORUM rather than email – remember that replying to one person often will reply to the whole board; be cautious when replying, to make sure it goes only the person sending.
- USE EMAIL TO POINT TO FORUM: Richard said to use mail pointing to discussion on the forum thread or, if needed, send email message to the appropriate mailing list (forwarding group).
- ELIMINATE DUPLICATE/Be careful about replying to groups when a reply to the original sender is all that’s necessary.
- SLOGAN/TAGLINE/DESCRIPTOR: Board agreeed this topic should be discussed at a marketing committee meeting, plus topics/ideas discussed can be posted on forum until final decision made by the board.
New Business
- WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE: Dick brought up possibility of creating new Ways & Means committee to discuss ways increase revenue. Andy suggests committee times/days should be added to the calendar.
- FUNDING IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Sean has 2 companies he can approach for funding. Discussion of approaching savings banks or other financial institutions. Jim suggests we apply for a grant to upgrade our Resource Center as a service to the community. Dick discussed the issues related to getting visitors or one-time-only people into the building, and is considering possibility of a move to another location. Dick may approach the city to offer corporate membership with discount. But the decision to move will be based on fixing up the resource center or not.
- DACS CREDIT CARD: Annette reports to Dick that she can’t foot the bill for meetup charges and that a DACS credit or debit card be needed to handle these types of expenses. Bert suggests we apply for a credit card from Union Savings Bank. To avoid additional PayPal charges, Sean suggested these be examined carefully before moving forward. The next meetup is in 2 weeks, so Bert will get a DACS credit card and check into the PayPal if reasonable. Dick suggests we have both as a cushion. Bert will look into all options and report back to the board, and if no issues, he will go forward with the credit card.
- SMALL SERVICE PROJECT: Annette reported to Dick about an out-of-work local woman with a broken computer who needs it to continue her online training. She approached the Danbury library and they recommended she contact DACS. Discussion. Sean will follow up with this person.
- REVIEW: Lisa asked Tom to write a promo piece (formerly called ‘Preview’) within the next week, promoting his upcoming presentation on social media.
- IMPROVEMENTS: Jim will create (and send to Sean) a list of 20 items to be done/upgraded/improved/fixed up. Discussion of better access to Resource Center for general members; key fob costs $25. Sean explained access means Danbury Innovation Center/Hackerspace used for day/night/SCORE and co-working space. Andy suggests getting space within Danbury Innovation Center. Richard suggests that our mission should be focusing on establishing new workshops rather than renovating existing premises. Agreement to ponder these ideas further, and discuss with Innovation Center or the city. Sean ‘evangelized’ DACS to a company in Brewster and will follow up with more info. Richard suggests we push the idea of a Microsoft workshop (e.g., Windows, MS Office), including workshop for Office 365 developers. All agreed SCORE workshops act as great “funnels” to attract possible new members. Dick says workshops are the keys to drawing new people.
- WEBSITE discussion but no resolution, postponed to future meetings.
CLOSING OF MEETING:
Motion (Bert): to adjourn.
Seconded (Lisa): unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 9:21PM.
Respectfully submitted 3-5-15, 9:00AM
Tom Zarecki, acting typist/scribe