Vancouver CommunityNet Board
Minutes--May 20, 1997

Present:  Penny Goldsmith, Larry Kuehn, Jack Vickery, Ryan Hung, Katharine
Shipley, Greg Sturk, Lily Fu, Margaret Coates, Carolyn Saunders, Neil K.
Guy.

The meeting was called to order by Penny Goldsmith at 6:35.

1.      Agenda.

M/S/C  That the agenda be adopted.

2.      Minutes.

M/S/C  That the minutes of the April 8, 1997, meeting be adopted.

3.      Treasurer's report.

The cash position of the VCN at May 19, 1997, was $32,492.  The amount to
be received from the casinos is $46,000.

M/S/C  That the casino revenues be distributed on the basis of $20,000 GIC
for 1 year, $10,000 GIC for 6 months, $5,000 for 6 months, $5,000 for 3
months, with $6,000 going into the operating account.

4.      Staff reports.

Staff is asked to develop a system to deal with users who go over the
limits to storage of email messages.

Margaret Coates and Peter Royce were asked to meet with HDRC about getting
the information on the job bank updated on a regular basis.

M/S/C  That board formally thank the long-term volunteers who have provided
the support for the VCN and recognize them at a celebration on the fourth
anniversary of the VCN in June.

M/S/C  That the board authorize the purchase of a printer for up to $600.

Ian Pringle's term on staff is finishing on June 13, 1997.  There is an
application for two students to work for the summer.

Several flyers are being designed and printed and will be available for the
VPL anniversary event.

5.      Grants.

An application has been submitted for a BC Anti-racism and multi-cultural
grant for a pilot project for online service in languages other than
English.

The LMCIA grant proposal is proceding for a project on jobs and resources
for youth at-risk.

A preliminary meeting has been held with the Vancouver Foundation about
their potential role in community networking.

ITAO has provided a grant of $10,000 for the development of a report on
resources for community networking.  The B.C. Library Association project
will have $20,000 available for a grant.

6.      Committee reports.

M/S/C  That staff be asked to explore the Ottawa Freenet annual form
renewal approach and to carry out an email survey of non-members on why
they have not become members, with a report to the next board meeting.

M/S/C  That VCN accept corporate sponsorship as long as the corporation's
goals and objectives do not conflict with those of VCN.  If there is any
disagreement regarding a potential sponsor, that the board will decide on a
case by case basis.

The fundraising committee has been active in pursuing funding sources.
Investigation of credit cards is being carried out.

M/S/C  That the VCN respond to Glen Clark's letter with an explanation of
why library access is not enough and how the VCN service is essential for
full access to interactive service and that the VCN seek a meeting with Dan
Miller to pursue government support.

Research is under way on telephone costs for freenets across the country.

7.      Board meeting schedule.

        June 17

        July 15

        August 19

********

Larry Kuehn, Director                   lkuehn@bctf.bc.ca
Research and Technology                 lkuehn@vcn.bc.ca
B.C. Teachers' Federation               Fax: (604) 871-2294