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MAY 23, 2006
The Show-Me Net Board of Directors met at 7:30am on May 23, 2006, at the Healing Arts Center. Present were Larry Loos, Stan Sides, Betty Martin, Wayne Bock, Eric McGowen, and staff Randy Black and Danny Stratton.
Larry Loos called the meeting to order and presented a financial review. Show-Me Net's financial status is good.
Randy Black gave a review of membership data. Membership has dropped a small percentage in the last 10 months. The total number of connections and connection hours has also dropped a small amount. The Board considered either dropping the number of telephone lines or expanding the service area. The Board chose to expand to Ste. Genevieve if a suitable arrangement with Big River Telephone Co. can be arranged.
Randy reported on Big River's performance over the last year, which has been excellent. Although there have been several short outages, Big River's response has been swift. That's a huge improvement over the previous provider.
Larry and Danny gave an update of the community mapping project. Danny recently attended the 2006 MidAmerica GIS Symposium and the ESRI sponsored ArcIMS Administration course. Show-Me Net has a development map server online. The board approved the purchase of a production server including software. The map server should be in operation within a month.
Randy reported on the Postini mail filter service. Spam and viruses are so widespread, Postini filters out all but 12% of the email addressed to Show-Me Net members. It has blocked 75,000 viruses in the past year.
Randy reported on Show-Me Net's computer repair service to our members, which includes adware, spyware, and virus removal and often modem replacement. In the past year, 450 computers have been serviced.
MAY 27, 2005
The Show-Me Net Board of Directors met at 7:00am on May 27, 2005 at the Healing Arts Center. Present were Larry Loos, Stan Sides, Betty Martin, Wayne Bock, Eric McGowen, guests Chauncey Buchheit, James Dismuke, and staff Randy Black, Danny Stratton.
Larry Loos called the meeting to order and presented a financial review. Show-Me Net's financial status is still very healthy.
Larry discussed Show-Me Net's history concerning GIS (Geographic Information Systems). In 2002, Show-Me Net considered setting up a GIS server, but, we couldn't get maps from area cities or counties. Recently, the SEMO Regional Planning & Economic Development Commission (SEMO RPC) expressed interest in creating a GIS system in this area. Chauncey Buchheit and James Dismuke, SEMO RPC, discussed the commission's GIS project which covers seven counties in this area. A complete GIS system should be in operation in three years. They submitted a proposal to the Board detailing an agreement where SEMO RPC will develop a GIS system that will be available to Show-Me Net members, and the Internet as a whole. Show-Me Net will provide a server, connection, and some funding. SEMO RPC will provide maps and technical support.
Randy Black presented graphs showing modem usage. Show-Me Net pays Big River for 334 modems. That number has been about right. It's likely no member has received a busy signal when trying to connect since we moved to Big River.
Randy reported Big River's performance has been excellent. After working out a few bugs in the beginning, there have been practically no outages. Service has been much, much better than with previous providers.
The webcam is now operational in uptown Jackson. It's on top of the Andrew Jackson building aimed at the Courthouse, fountain, and gazebo. http://www.showme.net/webcam/
Randy Black reported the Postini virus and junk mail filter has been excellent. It filters out more than 90% of all mail coming into Show-Me Net. Member response has been very favorable.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45am
JUNE 29, 2004
The Show-Me Net Board of Directors met at 7:00am on Tuesday, June 29, 2004. Present were Larry Loos, Dr. Stan Sides, Betty Martin, Wayne Bock, Eric McGowen, and employees Danny Stratton and Randy Black. Nancy Howland was absent.
Larry nominated Eric McGowen, the new Director of MIS for Cape County, to replace Robert Cox, who is no longer with the County. The Board unanimously approved the nomination.
Randy reviewed with the Board changes in Show-Me Net since the last Board meeting:
++June 2003--Added first full-time Help Desk person. Extended Help Desk hours 9am-5:30pm, Mon through Fri
++August 2003--Extended SMN service to Bollinger Co. with 3 POPs at Leopold, Zalma, and Patton
++December 2003--Added Postini junk mail and virus filtering at no extra cost to members
++January 2004--Added second full-time Help Desk person. Extended hours from 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, and 9am-2pm Sat.
++February 2004 thru June 2004--Converted all POPs from SBC to Big River Telephone
++April 2004--Moved office to 626 W. Main, Jackson
++Throughout year--Upgraded office computers, printers, furniture Near future--Move server from RRL to BRT
Larry reported Show-Me Net is still in good financial condition.
Danny reported that total membership is still steadily increasing. He added that Show-Me Net has a lot of surplus equipment now for sale. We hope to sell some of it to other Community Information Networks in Missouri. We already sold one router with modems to the Columbia Online Information Network.
The Board unanimously voted to keep the same relationship with the Riverside Regional Library. We will still offer free accounts to library staff. Regarding the free accounts for the schools in Bollinger County - Leopold. Patton, and Zalma, the Board agreed to continue the status quo for one year. It also extended the free teacher/staff accounts to the other public school in Bollinger County - Woodland. This promotes Show-Me Net's goal to bring Internet access to under served areas.
The Board agreed to continue MOREnet's policies about non-commercial and non-political web sites on the server.
Larry suggested the need for a new server. The current server, Bluebird, is two years old. The Board agreed to replace it.
Randy reported the traffic data since the move to Big River is good. Average session length is about 30 minutes. The total daily connection time for all users is about 2,500 hours for 5,000 individual connections.
The Board went into executive session to discuss employee wages and benefits.
The Board adjourned after 8:30am.
JUNE 5, 2003
Show-Me Net's Board of Directors met at 7:15am at St. Francis Hospital.
The Board agreed to give the Riverside Regional Library funds to purchase the building where Show-Me Net's office is located. In exchange, the Library will give Show-Me Net a rent free office space.
The Board unanimously voted to expand Show-Me Net's service area to Bollinger County. In conjunction with the Bollinger County Library, we will add new modem pools in Marble Hill, Patton, and Zalma. Service is expected to start this summer.
OCTOBER 15, 2002
Show-Me Net's Board of Directors met at 7:30am on October 15, 2002, at the St. Francis Hospital. Members present were Larry Loos, Stan Sides, Walter Denton, and Betty Martin. Danny Stratton, Show-Me Net employee, also attended.
Larry Loos gave the President's report:
-- The financial health of Show-Me Net continues to be good.
-- Show-Me Net has 312 modems and 3099 active members.
-- Hollie Burns has been temporarily employed to help with answering calls to the Help Desk and to actively encourage communities and non-profits to create a web presence.
-- The new email server is about a month away from being operational. It will soon handle Show-Me Net's email and webpages. Larry Loos intends to install an anti-spam program on it.Upon the recommendation of Larry Loos, Betty Martin moved that Show-Me Net hire Hollie as a permanent employee, with the recommendation that she work Saturdays.
The Board unanimously approved employee pay raises.
The Board unanimously accepted, with regrets, Walter Denton's resignation. He is moving out of the area to further his professional career.
There was no other business.
The meeting was adjourned.
MARCH 20, 2001
Show-Me Net's Board of Directors met at 7:00am on March 20, 2001, at the St. Francis Medical Center. Members present were Larry Loos, Stan Sides, Betty Martin, Wayne Bock, and Robert Cox. Danny Stratton, Show-Me Net employee, was also present.
Larry Loos gave the President's report:
-- Show-Me Net's financial health continues to be strong.
-- The MOREnet service contract for FY02 is due.
-- Show-Me Net now has 246 modems and 2414 active members. This Friday, 24 56kbps modems will be added to the Benton modem pool.
-- The e-mail newsletter recently sent to all members generated much positive feedback. We will continue to send them periodically.
-- The Riverside Regional Library reports receiving an increasing number of Show-Me Net related questions. The Library director has asked Show-Me Net to inform everyone that it cannot answer Show-Me Net questions and to call Show-Me Net's Help Desk, 573/204-1097.
-- SWBell has recently started charging for outgoing calls from the modem pool lines. But, the modems cannot dial out. We have been subtracting the erroneous amounts from the bills.
-- The bridgcam (http://www.showme.net/bridgecam/ ) camera images are blurry and have several spots. The seller has shipped a free replacement which will be installed soon.
The Board unanimously approved renewing Show-Me Net's service contract with MOREnet for FY02.
The Board approved a small salary for Larry Loos. He has donated a vast amount of time for no compensation since Show-Me Net was founded in 1995.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2000
Show-Me Net's Board of Directors met at 7:00am on September 12, 2000, at St. Francis Hospital. Members present were Larry Loos, Stan Sides, Betty Martin, and Robert Cox. Danny Stratton also attended. Larry gave the President's report:
-- The financial health of Show-Me Net continues to be good. Members are continuing to join at a good pace, with a renewal rate over 90%.
-- An e-mail glitch was fixed by increasing a limit intended to prevent denial of service attacks. The problem was caused by an unexpected surge in e-mail usage.
-- Search capability was added to Show-Me Net homepages. See the homepage http://www.showme.net/ and webmaster instructions http://www.showme.net/members/search.htm
-- Programs have been installed on the server which enabled web usage statistics and broken link reports.
-- Progress reports were given on outreach projects: Community web pages, Geographical Information Systems, Wireless networks, and Community Connection.
-- Show-Me Net now has 2 part-time employees - Danny Stratton and Mitzi Cook. Mitzi was hired last week to help with the growing number of clerical chores. Danny reported on modem usage. Currently, modem availability at Jackson is very good, with highest usage around 9:00pm. The only period when members might receive busy signals is around 9:00-9:30pm.
Availability at Benton is good, and excellent at Perryville. Missouri Express participation fees for fiscal year 2001 were discussed. It was agreed that MOREnet's services and support continue to be necessary and are the most feasible option. A motion to renew the agreement with MOREnet for another year was unanimously approved.
MARCH 28, 2000
Show-Me Net's Board of Directors met at 7:00am on March 28, 2000, at the St. Francis Hospital. Members present were Larry Loos, Stan Sides, and Betty Martin. Three guests were also in attendance: Scott Lipke, RRL Board Member; Roberta Brown, Riverside Regional Library; and, Danny Stratton, Show-Me Net employee.
Larry Loos gave the President's report:
-- The financial health of Show-Me Net is very good. Until recently we were not sending notices to those whose memberships had expired. Now we send notices and cut off those who do not renew. This has improved income significantly.
-- Show-Me Net now has 200 modems and 2081 active members. (See attached chart)
-- The CIN2000 Conference will be held on April 12-13. Larry Loos and Danny Stratton plan to attend.
-- Efforts are continuing for funding of the Missouri Express Project.
-- Larry discussed MACIN's (the Missouri Association of Community Information Networks) strategic planning. Larry is on MACIN's Executive Committee.
-- The written agreement with the Riverside Regional Library was discussed and approved by all members present. Other members will be contacted for approval. Larry plans to present the approved agreement to the RRL Board at it's next meeting on April 27.
-- A new title and salary for Danny Stratton was discussed and approved.
There was no other business.
The meeting was adjourned. |