SUN CITY COMPUTER CLUB

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

F ebruary 9 , 2006 , 9:30 aM

Holiday Inn Express Meeting Room

Georgetown TX

The Meeting was called to order at 9:30 A.M. by Dick Smith, President .

Present :

Peter Roll , Founder
Dick Smith, President
Dick Doane, Vice President
Linda Shanhouse, Treasurer
Dave Hanna, Communications Director
Don Snapp, CyberCenter Director
Peggy Uselton, Membership Director
Rex Davenport, Programs Director
Grady Manley, Training Director
Nelda McQuary, Special Interest Groups Director
Linda Walke, Secretary
Gael Miller, Past President

Agenda Changes

None

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Dick Smith on January 12 to accept by e-vote and publish on the Computer Club web site the revised minutes of the January 5, 2006 Board Meeting. The motion was seconded and passed by e-vote.

Financial Report

Linda Shanhouse presented the January 2006 Financial Report. A motion was made by Gael Miller and seconded by Peggy Uselton to accept the report. The motion passed. The Financial Report will be filed for audit.

Highlights:

• As of 1/31/06 , we have achieved 79% of budgeted membership dues for 2006.
• As of 1/31/06 , we have reached 49% of our  2006 budget for copies.   The last CA statement, dated 12/31/05 includes copy expenses dating from 8/8/05 - 12/12/05.
• Cox cable expense increased about $6/Mo for its service.

Movie supplies income:  $12.00

It was noted that the increased number of classes providing hand-outs for students result in a higher number of copies being made.

It was requested that future financial reports separate “PC equipment” from “computer systems” to clearly identify the use of funds. The final agreement was to label the expenses as “computer and related items”

DISCUSSION OF DIRECTORS’ REPORTS RECEIVED BY E-MAIL

Communications, Dave Hanna

New Web Server Host - Status

At some time during the next month or two, our Club Web site will be moved from the PrismNet provided server to a server being provided by OnRamp as a part of the CA Web portal project. We now have limited access to this new server and some testing has been done. A copy of our Web site has been uploaded to the new server and everything seems to work as expected. We can access this site only by numeric IP address until our sctxcompclub.org domain name is moved there.

We have not been able to test the operation of "form" based functions such as the QandA request form because we do not have our domain name in place yet. Mailing list function testing has been limited also for the same reason. Peter has successfully tested the Mailing list functions using a CA site located on the same server. The current plan is to complete the transfer of the Web sites now hosted on the sctx.org server and get them set up under their new regular domain names. We will then set up a few Web pages with forms and mailing lists to be used in testing these functions for the Computer Club. Once we verify that everything works OK, we will have the Club domain name transfered to the OnRamp server. It will then take a few days to get all of the mailing lists and the form processing functions set up.

At this time it appears that we will have all of the functionality that we currently have and possibly we will have access to some additional functions. Mailing lists will be handled using the Mailman program instead of the current Majordomo program.

Ballroom Expansion Project

Dick Smith, Don Snapp and Dave Hanna attended a meeting on February 7 with CA and Del Webb representatives to review the audio/visual systems planned as a part of the Ballroom expansion project. Some of the highlights of the meeting were:

*  The overall project is running ahead of schedule with the completion date now expected to be mid-June, 2006. It was noted that building materials are generally in short supply in this geographic area. There may be some unavoidable delays.

*  The audio/visual portion of the project is being done by John Lesesne who has worked with CA for several years and is familiar with our problems and needs.

*  The Theater Group is driving the Audio design and they seem to be getting what they have asked for. But, much of their audio equipment will not be available for use by others. They did state that others could use their wireless microphone receivers if the users provide their own compatible microphones.

*  Little thought has yet been given to equipment selection and the location of visual equipment such as a projector and screen. They have "discussed" making provision for a ceiling mounted projector.

*  No information was available about any LAN wiring or Coaxial cable to be installed.  It appears that at this time nothing has been planned in this area.

*  They seemed to be unaware of our needs as expressed in our letter to the Property and Grounds Committee dated December 30, 2005 .

We need to decide if we want to try and get some of our needs addressed. There is still time before the walls are closed up to get wiring installed. And we may be able to have some impact on the screen placement and the projector choice. John Lesesne said that he is able and willing to do most of the things we have requested but he would have to receive direction from the project manager or Lane Bostick.

After discussion, it was agreed that while floor located equipment systems are not without problems a ceiling mounted projector is awkward to adjust. Being inaccessible except from a boom it is not possible to adjust it just prior to a presentation. The Board asked Don to meet with Bob Nelson on the Property & Grounds Committee to review our specific visual, LAN and co-axial needs. Don agreed.

Monday Programs on Channel 79?

Dave raised the question of having some of our Monday programs presented on the Sun City Cox Channel. We have the ability to tape them as a part of our remote video display in the Lab. Don Snapp suggested that we try to get them included on channel 79.  This might help relieve some of the over capacity situation that is occurring on Mondays since the Ballroom has been closed. This possibility will be discussed with Sondra Carlton. As a reminder to the membership, the broadcast of the taped sessions could be posted on the weekly bulletin and in the Sun Ray. Provision for video taping is being included in the redesign of the Ballroom.

CyberCenter, Don Snapp

We are creeping closer to acquiring the proper equipment to feed the Monday programs into the CyberCenter Meeting Room. We need some help from John, the audio man, to properly set the parameters on the Master Control Panel and on the CC  Mixer.  We get distorted sound into the Meeting Room.  At least we have eliminated the use of dual pa transmitters/receivers.

Membership, Peggy Uselton

The number of club members as of January 31, 2006 1,616

The number of new members who joined in January, 2006 127

We now have 80% of 2005’s membership.

We hosted a Reception for New Members on Tuesday, January 31, in Meeting Rooms 3 & 4, at 9:30 am . Approximately 65 new members attended. Invitations were sent to 187. It was necessary to send the overflow to the lab and give the short program a second time.

We have been giving the new members a handout describing the many opportunities for volunteering in the club. Peggy asked how this handout should be given to members. With the number of new members we are having, the new member reception will be scheduled every other month through mid-year. The volunteer handout will be offered at that time. Monitors will be reminded to suggest volunteering as members join. The handout will be available at the new member registration station.

Peggy noted that the Computer Club practice was to maintain the privacy of our members by guarding the information in our database. She asked how SIG leaders and mentors should determine if those requesting help or attending SIG meetings are Computer Club members. The Board decided that the word of the individual will be taken rather than devise a system of verification.

Programs, Rex Davenport

MONDAY PROGRAM CALENDAR 2006

February 6 SIG -- “Photoshop One Year Later” (O’Dell ).

February 13: “How Did You Do That?” You’ve Got Mail Anywhere (John Bosch)

February 20: Tax Program (Louise Anderson) 869-0856

February 27: “Googling” (Ruth Lehman)

March 6: SIG -- Koffee Klatch (Ask the Experts)

March 13: Web Portal (Peter Roll & Committee)

March 20 “How Did You Do That?” (John Bosch)

March 27: New 2006 Hallmark greeting card program (CarolUtterberg ) 863-6904

April 3: SIG -- Genealogy

April 10: “How Did You Do That” (John Bosch)

April 17: “Scanning” (Marlene Sloan)

April 24: “Open Office” (Jim Crutcher)

May 1: “Keeping Your Computer Up To Date” (Beginners SIG)

May 8: “Using Word to make letterheads & business cards ( Barbara Resnick)

May 15 “How Did You Do That” (John Bosch)

May 22: Computers & cell phones technology -- (Tony Morrison, SBC 925-8665)

May 29: Holiday

June 5: Vector Vest (Investment SIG)

The Program Committee will not meet in February.  The next meeting will be March 14, 4 PM .

Training, Grady Manley

This first monthly report from your new Training Director must begin some time before January 1, because I spent the greatest part of December in a rather vigorous orientation to my new job. And to complicate matters further, I have been away for the entire month of January (and will continue to be away for most of the time until the end of March). I am deeply indebted to a number of people who have given freely of their time and expertise to help me get started in my new job:

Joe Razek was invaluable in orienting me to the details of the position, explaining procedures for the class calendar, and familiarizing me with the curriculum, classroom, and faculty.

Jan Miller has gone far beyond the call of duty in taking care of numerous details of calendar changes, setting up new classes, and responding to questions and concerns of teachers, students, and inquirers.

Dick Smith and Gael Miller have given valuable administrative assistance and advice.

I have had several occasions to call on Don Snapp and Domingo Martinez for assistance with equipment.

And special thanks to the board for allowing me the flexibility to be away for these first several weeks.

During the past month the training program has seen a number of significant changes. The PhotoShop, Mac, and Internet faculty have requested several changes and additions to their class offerings. Some have already been instituted and others are being formulated. PhotoShop and Mac groups have requested time and facilities to conduct labs and workshops to follow up some of their class offerings. These have required some changes in equipment, facilities, schedules, and software installations, but these issues seem have been expedited with a minimum of confusion.

In January we conducted 15 classes with total enrollment of 101:

Digital Cameras 101 8

Genealogy-Compiling and Printing 6

Intro to Personal Computers 101 8

Intro to Personal Computers 102 10

Intro to Mac 7

Intro to Quicken 5

Mac-Address Book/Mail 102 3

Mac-Cleaning Up Your Desktop 3

PhotoShop 101 8

PhotoShop 102 8

Scanning 101 6

Excel 6

Windows 101 9

Windows 102 8

Windows 103 4

We welcomed 2 new faculty members in January:

Charlotte Brinkley – Intro to Computers 101

Louise Anderson – Excel Spreadsheet

One of my initial goals is to maintain a calendar at least 3 months in advance. Thus far this seems to be working fairly well. The April calendar is in the final approval stage and should be ready for the web site this week. Cooperation of teachers has been commendable.

There was a discussion about methods and procedures for flagging classes as “full” in the enrollment program. Because of time required, no final decision was made at this time. Currently the decision of whether to accept students at the last minute is left up to the instructor. The nature of the class governs this possibility.

Special Interest Groups – Nelda McQuary

The meeting of the SIG Leaders on Monday, January 9 th went well with 15 attending.

Rex described the new format for the first Monday meetings and asked for different Leaders to commit to a month, beginning with March, to present the program. I believe a large part of the year is now scheduled for the first Monday.. Rex will work directly with the Leaders concerning these programs without me being in the loop.

Investment Education SIG is being dropped as a SIG. Over 50 members signed up, at a January Monday Meeting, as being interested in an Investment Education Club, and that is being pursued. Kathryn Bywaters will continue as Leader of Vector Vest.

The New Member’s Reception was well attended on January 31, and there seems to be many that are interested in joining a SIG.

Kaffee Klatch over-filled the CyberCenter Meeting room last month. We are waiting to see if a large attendance continues. If so, we will have to secure a larger space for them to meet.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Audit of Computer Club’s 2005 financial records. Linda Shanhouse reported the 2005 audit is complete and Ann Dodson has received notice.

NEW BUSINESS

Request for CS2 software . Marlene Sloan, Digital Camera Leader, has a sub-discussion group on CS2. This is an Adobe product that is rather costly. Typically it costs $699. She has asked for 3 copies of the program to be installed in the lab. Dick contacted Adobe who agreed to give a discounted price to the Club of possibly $299. This offer will be further investigated. Don made the motion to approve the purchase of one copy of CS2 at the discounted price to be placed on a lab computer. The motion was seconded by Dick Doane. The motion carried.

Purchase of Scanners Gael Miller made the motion to purchase three scanners similar to those currently being used in the Classroom. The motion was seconded by Peggy Uselton and passed. Jim Hackett will research the software source required for these scanners. The end goal is to have as near the same type as possible in the classroom.

2005 Audit The Audit for 2005 was completed and approved. Thanks were given for the work done by Linda Shanhouse. Ann Dodson has received notice.

New Mentor Coordinator Dick Doane reported that Darrylin Coleman is the new coordinator of the mentor program. He said there have been three meetings to reorganize the program. He thanked Jan, Gael, Doug, Dave and Bruce for their suggestions and help. The program seems to be well established. Eleven new mentors were added as of February 8 th. The list of mentors is being updated on a weekly basis. As a result of the reorganization, the following new areas were added: VOIP, Digital Cameras, Scanning and Computer Cleanup. Darrylin was asked to conduct a survey of services provided during the past 3 months. She found there were at least 600 contacts made. They roughly broke down as:

Of the 35 mentors listed there are about 20 who are currently active. Don made a motion to fund a mentor appreciation lunch to include newly volunteering mentors as well as those who have been participating in the program. Dick Doane seconded the motion. After discussion, it was agreed to limit the amount to be spent to between $11.00 or $12.00 per person which would probably not be more than $400.00. The motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

Junior Camp Joan Keith has volunteered to work with Jr. Camp. Part of her presentation is to give a tour of the Computer Club. The officers were reminded the lab would be closed for that reason on June 22 and on June 29 th. No classes or meeting should be scheduled on those dates.

The next Executive Board Meeting will be 9:00 A.M. Thursday, March 2, 2006 , at the Sun City CyberCenter Meeting Room.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 P.M.

Linda Walke, Secretary