ALGOMA DISTRICT COMMUNITY NETWORK (ADnet)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

January 13, 2004

F. R. Mills Centre, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board

240 St. George’s Avenue

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

12:20 pm to 1:00 pm

Name	ADnet Member Affiliation	Present/Regrets
Charlie Whitfield, ADnet President	SSM EDC	Present
Greg Punch, Vice-President	GHC	Regrets
Dan Friyia, ADnet Director	SE CFDC	Present
Allan Frederick, ADnet Director	SSM PUC	Present
Lynn MacKenzie, ADnet Director	Algoma Family Serv.	Regrets
Julian Piwowarski, ADnet Director	SAH	Present
Jerry Dolcetti, ADnet Director	City SSM	Regrets
Art Callegari, ADnet Director	HSCDSB	Present
Tom Marinelli, ADnet Director	OLGC	Present
Norma Diamond, ADnet Director	M,NSTC	Regrets
Peggy Storey-Inkster, ADnet Director	Sault College	Present
Pav Pottekkat, ADnet Director	ADSB	Regrets
Gary Wight, ADnet Secretary-Treasurer		Present
Observer(s)/Delegates
Staff
Wilf Lefresne, Executive Director	Staff	Present
Darlene Walsh, Administrative Assistant	Staff	Present
Emile Malvaso, Market Development Officer	Staff	Present

Charlie Whitfield opened the meeting at 12:15 pm

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

No additions or deletions.

PRESIDENT’S OPENING REMARKS: Charlie Whitfield

Welcomed Darlene Walsh back to work and offered the Board’s condolences to Tom Marinelli.

Charlie wished everyone a Happy New Year and informed the members that he is retiring from his work place this year.

He stated that the Planning Session in October proved that ADnet has matured and in is now time for renewal. Hopefully we will be come more flexible and responsive to any issues and activities in the technology field. The election of new Board members to replace retiring members would likely prove helpful in the renewal process.

He reminded members of his previous announcement not to run for re-election as Chair/President and urged members to give positive consideration to volunteering for these very important positions. He further noted the need to have a Secession Plan for all Executive positions in place as soon as possible.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

MOTION: 2004 – 01 Moved by: Allan Frederick Seconded by: Julian Piwowarski

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board members accepts the minutes of September 16, 2003 and the notes from November 25, 2003 as presented. Carried.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES -

1. Charlie thanked Dan Friyia for writing the Goal and Objectives from the minutes of the Planning Session.

2. The Telematics and Implementation Committee is writing the Marketing Plan.

3. Members requested that staff co-ordinate the budget with both documents.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Gary Wight

Gary presented a brief review of the draft 2004 budget, which states a deficit requiring the draw on our reserves. At the present rate of non growth the reserves will be depleted by 2006. To continue ADnet must find new projects or other means of funding.

Charlie Whitfield stated that he would like to see a list on potential projects that will provide ADnet with working capital. Dan Friyia would like to present ADnet’s case to government for long term funding and Charlie agreed with this suggestion. Members discussed possible presentation methods.

No motion on the December Financial Statements as they were pre-audit figures.

COMMITTEE/REPORTS

Executive Director: Wilf Lefresne

Attached.

Executive Committee: Charlie Whitfield

The Committee reviewed the draft 2004 Vision, Mission and Goals; continued work on an Executive Succession Plan and discussed sources of possible new Directors.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. The March Board of Directors meeting has been changed to March 23, 2004 from March 16, 2004 due to conflict with the annual school break.

2. Nominating Committee: The BoD approved activation of the Nominating Committee in accordance with existing policy. Members appointed Tom Marinelli as chair. All members whose term does not expire in 2004 are asked to sit on the Committee.

3. The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for April 20, 2004, staff will try to book the Bush Plane Museum again.

4. Election of Officers will take place at the May BoD meeting.

PRESIDENT’S CLOSING REMARKS: None

MOTION: 2004 – 02 Moved by: Peggy Storey-Inkster Seconded by: Julian Piwowarski

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the meeting closes at 1:00 pm to meet again on March 23, 2004 or at the call of the Chair. Carried.

MEETING DATES:

March 16, 2004 – Finance and Administration Committee – noon – Great Lakes Power

March 23, 2004 – Board of Directors – to be announced.

_______________________ _____________________________

Chairman Charlie Whitfield Recording Secretary Darlene Walsh

Executive Director BoD Report

Goals and Objectives 2003

(BoD 13 Jan 04)

Abbreviations/Acronyms

ACE	Algoma Community Extraordinaire
AGM	Annual General Meeting
BoD	Board of Directors
BRAND	Broadband for Rural and Northern Development
CFDC	Community Futures Development Corporation
COBRA	Connect Ontario: Broadband Regional Access
CoC	Chamber of Commerce
CRTC	Canadian Radio Television/Telecommunications Commission
ED	ADnet Executive Director
EDC	Economic Development Corporation
FedNor	Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
FAC	ADnet Finance and Administration Committee
FN	First Nation
GIC	Guaranteed Investment Certificate
HRDC	Human Resources Development Canada
IRAP	Industrial Research Assistance Program
IT	Information Technology
JV	Joint Venture of PUC Telcom and ONTelcom
LID	Local Infrastructure Development
MDO	ADnet Market Development Officer
MEOI	Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation
MEDT	Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
NOBA	Northern Ontario Business Awards
NOHFC	Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
NSTC	North Shore Tribal Council
SAP	Service Access Point
SOLS	Southern Ontario Library Service
SSM	Sault Ste. Marie
SSM EDC	Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation
SSM IC	Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
TAG	Telematics Advisory Group (ADnet, SSM EDC and SSM IC sponsored)
TIC	ADnet Technical and Infrastructure Committee

IT Committees in which ADnet participates

Name	Sponsor	Frequency
TAG – Telematics Advisory Group	ADnet, SSM IC and SSM EDC	Monthly
CoC Technology Advisory Committee	SSM CoC	Monthly
IT Cluster	IRAP	Monthly
EDC Operating Committee	SSM EDC	Monthly

Ongoing Activities Note: This report covers activity updates and changes the from last report period. It is not intended as summary of activities in each area.
1.Manage, monitor and support the implementation of funded projects	Infrastructure (SAP). All SAP’s except Goulais River and Garden River FN have been installed. These two locations are targeted for completion by 16 Jan 04. The JV has submitted their final expenses and the staff is processing the final claim to NOHFC. The initial indication is that there will be approximately $75 K left over from the approved amount. Libraries Project. Still awaiting the issue of a cheque by SOLS.
2. Identify sources and secure commitment of funding to ensure continuation of ICT community development activities.	Cellular Telephone Project: The NOHFC BoD reviewed the project at the Dec 03 meeting. A board member raised a question that required research by the NOHFC staff. Research was competed and it had no effect on the project. The funding request will go to the board again at the next meeting in early Feb 04.
3. Conduct Information Communications and Telecommunications (ICT) information sessions in communities within the Algoma District.	New briefing sessions will commence in Feb 04
4. Respond to new funding opportunities as announced by funding agencies	There have been no new funding programme announcements.
5. Implement corporate communications and marketing plans.	As approved at the TIC meeting, the marketing matrix will be amended to reflect the new Goals and Objectives for 2004 once they are approved by the BoD
6. Participate in community and regional ICT activities.	Regular meeting have started again after the holiday break.
7. Improve operational and administrative efficiency.	No new activity in this area.
8. Monitor advances in technology and work with members and partners to ensure they are aware of a potential operational impact to existing infostructure.	Continue to provide members and BoD with news and articles on developments in the IT sector.
Community Development Objectives
1. Establish a personnel presence in the Superior East region, the East Algoma region and the Sault Ste. Marie (SSM) District region to assist local organizations with ICT community capacity building.	A proposal for an Intern was submitted to FedNor at the beginning of Nov. Received a request from FedNor on 07 Jan 04 for clarification on some of the duties of the Intern. Response being prepared for submission.
2. Prepare and submit funding applications under the Federal Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) programme.	No new activity in this area.
3. Assist communities with the development of solutions for local broadband distribution problems identified by the Local Infrastructure Development (LID) project	COBRA submission submitted to MEDT for review and comment. The Thunder Bay MNDM office is now the management office for ADnet. This is a move from the North Bay office.
4. Assist communities in the development of local ICT committees.	No new activities in this area.
5. Develop a community mentoring programme.	No new activity in this area.
Organizational Objectives:
1. Develop an annual business plan and a five year forecast.	Draft Vision, Mission and Goals paper prepared by Dan Friyia. Circulated to the BoD on 11 Jan 04 for review and comment. Target for BoD approval is the Mar 04 BoD meeting.
2. Update the ADnet membership package documentation for use in marketing, membership drives, and advertising.	This will be part of the Marketing Plan.
3. Monitor and respond to opportunities to develop formal partnerships or joint ventures with likeminded organizations while avoiding duplication of effort.	Staff continues to work through the CoC TAG to develop a wireless “hot spot” at one of the local establishments. Working with other Northern CBN’s to comment on the Bell proposal to the CRTC to use special funds to expend DSL service in remote areas.
Continuous Improvement Objectives (ADnet Processes):
1. Conduct Board of Director (BoD) development activities to improve Board effectiveness.	A successful session was held in June. The main outcome was the need to develop an executive succession plan.
2. Conduct staff development activities and attendance at conferences.	No new activities in this area.
3. Review and update policy documents as required.	The next project is to develop the executive success plan policy for approval by the Board.