PAECT
Board of Directors Meeting
September 24, 2005
The board meeting was called to order at 8:16 a.m. by President Jim Bolton.
In attendance: Mary Ann Achorn, Ron Bennett, Jim Bolton, Lisa Brightman (via audio), Jack Day, Martin Friedman, Mary Beth Hengelbrok, Holly Jobe (via audio), Linda LaCoe, Wally Leech, Laura Matechak, Sean McDonough, Dan Shelley, Kathleen Smith, Carol Teitelman
A warm welcome was extended to the newly appointed Northeast Regional Director Laura Matechak.
A motion was made by Sean McDonough to approve the 4/16/2005 Board minutes. Wally Leech seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Treasurer Ron Bennett gave the treasurer’s report. He handed out four reports: August 31, 2005 Receipts, August 31, 2005 Expenses, September 1, 2005 Expenses, September 1, 2005 Receipts (proposed budget). The August 31, 2005 reports were the wrap-up reports from last year. During his report, Ron noted that the memberships listed on the August 31, 2005 receipts were only for the paid memberships. It does not include the various “free” memberships that were awarded. Ron also reminded all regional directors that they each have $1200 to expend for their region.
Sean McDonough made a motion to accept the August 31, 2005 treasurer’s report. Dan Shelley seconded. Motion passed.
President Bolton gave Ron some names of people (given to him from Karen Galbraith) that applied for monetary support for the student showcase and/or NECC. After reviewing the names, Ron stated that many of these have invoiced us and many of these have already been paid.
Ron continued by presenting the treasurer’s report for September 1, 2005, the proposed budget. Ron noted the adjustments made in various categories and his reasoning for doing so. Ron discussed his feelings of the need for national representation and the possibility of supporting sending the president and a liaison to national conferences such as AECT and NECC. He also discussed the possibility of making sure our leadership is in attendance at the state conference by having PAECT pay for officers to go to PETE & C. His thoughts are that they are needed to be in attendance for an annual business meeting (which is held at PETE & C) and to be in attendance for a more professional organization. Martin Friedman reminded Ron that two of the board members are on the board of PETE & C and therefore already receive free room and board for the conference. There was then some discussion regarding payments of membership for AECT and who should attend the national conference to represent PAECT. Ron continued the report by stating that his proposed expenses must be adjusted for some additional legal fees that just came in. Ron stated that after completing the proposed budget, there are some additional funds available that could be invested (about $10,000) in a CD or money market to earn additional revenue. President Bolton discussed the possibility of extending free memberships to board members for their service and past presidents receiving a free lifetime membership in PAECT. Ron agrees with both of these concepts. A lengthy discussion occurred regarding these and additional matters regarding the budget. Ron will review the proposed budget and readjust the category totals to be more in line for next month. Ron also stated that a credit card is now setup for use for PAECT. Ron Bennett (Treasurer), Jim Bolton (President), and Martin Friedman (Vice President) currently have a card for the account. Sean McDonough made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report for the 2005-06 fiscal year as presented. Second was made by Carol Teitelman. After a vote, the motion carried.
President Bolton listed several thoughts that he would like discussed among the board. They include:
a. Mileage reimbursement for board members from one way to round trip reimbursement. The discussion included that the payment should be for any PAECT function.
Ron Bennett made a motion to have PAECT pay the IRS rate roundtrip mileage to PAECT Board Members in the function of their duties. Martin Friedman seconded. Motion approved.
b. Support for conference expenses including travel, lodging, registration, and meals for PETE & C for the board. Discussion occurred concerning what part of the board was being considered – executive board, voting board, or board-at-large.
c. Support for conference expenses including travel, lodging, registration, and meals for national conferences such as AECT and NECC for the president and affiliate liaison.
d. Paid memberships for the board. Ron Bennett made a motion for the PAECT membership dues to be waived for Board Members. Sean McDonough wants clarification for all board members. New motion: PAECT to waive membership fee for all board members. Sean McDonough seconded. Discussion occurred regarding this matter including Holly Jobe asking if our organization relies on membership fees to make the organization a “go” or could we offer free memberships to all members. The discussions also included the feelings of some board members and why they feel they should still pay the membership fee and how some board members are lifetime members. Volunteerism was also discussed.
Sean McDonough made a motion to table the current motion until next meeting. Ron Bennett seconded. Motion accepted.
e. Concept of hiring an Executive Director/secretary/assistant/contact person to help with having a central address, contact person, person to make sure items are followed up on and getting done, etc. Jack Day questioned what a list is of the items that should be specifically included in the job description. A question was also raised on whether this person would be expected to attend board meetings. It was stated s/he would be, but not be a voting member. Duties of a past Executive Secretary were reviewed as a starting place. It was decided that a committee will be formed to make a proposed job description including a list of roles and responsibilities, time commitments, and reimbursement. This committee will be headed by Carol Teitelman and include Sean McDonough and Laura Matechak. President Bolton would like a preliminary job description sent to him within three weeks. Martin Friedman reminded members that a central address and phone are not central if they are tied to a home. These still need to be centrally located at some business and forwarded to someone in a timely manner.
Award update by Jack Day. After handing out a list of awards, Jack reminded all members present to send thoughts, ideas, and possible award recipients to him via email to: jackday@alltel.net. He also reminded the board to keep in mind the people that were active in getting NECC ready and to remember that awards might have more than one recipient.
Jack Day gave an update on elections and the positions available for election in February 2006. They include: Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, and 5 regional director positions (Northwest, Northcentral, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest). The voting will take place in the early part of the PAECT banquet held at PETE & C. A discussion occurred as to when the banquet will occur – lunchtime or nighttime. Several people expressed their desire to keep the banquet in the evening to keep our identity. Thoughts were also given on ways to increase the participation in the banquet. Some of these thoughts included: signs to find the dinner, packets to members only including a specific meal ticket for the banquet, a reminder note to PAECT members only to remember to attend the banquet to receive their free “item”. Martin Friedman will start to formulate the plan to make this packet happen. Linda LaCoe offered her assistance.
NECC Report. President Bolton extended his appreciation to everyone for their assistance and hard work. The PAECT room was a huge success. Jim was flabbergasted. He stated that a big part of the success was thanks to Holly Jobe, Carol Teitelman, and Paula Laholt. He then read a letter he received last week from Donella Evoniuk, Senior Director ISTE Conference Services, thanking us for our significant contribution to the success of NECC ’05. Holly Jobe mentioned that she received wonderful pictures recently from Kirk McMinn and would be passing these along for posting on the website.
Student Showcase Report. Karen Galbraith could not be here due to shoulder surgery (give her a call!) but sent shirts for the board members.
5013c status update. According to Martin, we don’t have this status yet, but we are getting closer. Formal responses were given to the attorneys and will be submitted in the very near future. Martin stated we should have an answer by PETE & C.
Membership Report. Mary Beth Hengelbrok thanked Sean for hosting the meeting last night. She stated the database will be done by November 1, 2005 for upload to the website. The rest should be completed by October 15, 2005 for regional directors to have to begin cleaning the data. Jamie Plaster will be helping Mary Beth enter all the data with all the new accounts that have been received. Things are much better now that we’ve recently upgraded to Filemaker 7. Mary Beth handed off the information of two individuals who want more involvement to their respective regional directors. Some discussion occurred as to whether our web host can host an active database and whether we have the access to this with our current membership with the host. Discussion also occurred regarding posting of data and if members gave approval. President Bolton wants a written plan from the presence committee (members include: Martin Friedman, Mary Ann Achorn, Karen Galbraith). The plan should include the process for how things will be taken care and the process for what someone should do if they have something to post on the web or the listserv. The old minutes posted on the web should also be moved into an archive area. And, only the most recent approved minutes should be posted. The web page should also include a thank you page thanking MicroTechnology, LAM Systems, Geneva Logic, Compass Learning, Apple, and Riverdeep for supporting us at NECC. Finally, a reminder was made to Mary Ann that she should recruit people that she needs to make this happen.
Presence Committee Report - Mary Ann Achorn. She reported that the Act 48 credit reporting has been completed and should be posted on the Department of Education’s website. PAECT is able to continue offering Act 48 credits. When anyone in PAECT wants to offer an Act 48 session, they should first submit a proposal for approval to the presence committee. Then, once it is approved, then the session can be offered.
Mary Ann handed out a listing of the states that accepted or
reference the ISTE Technology Standards that is posted in ISTE’s catalog.
PETE&C Report.
Martin Friedman stated that
Sean McDonough discussed how many of the members of NJAECT attend PETE&C. After discussions with them, we would be able to go to their conference (held in October – Columbus Day weekend). They will be giving us a booth at their conference. Sean asked if we could reserve a booth for them for PETE&C. Martin responded that he wasn’t sure because booths booth reservations had to be in before now and he thinks there is already a waiting list. Sean McDonough made the motion that with the availability of a booth, that we purchase a booth for NJAECT. Martin Friedman second. Motion carried.
Other updates about PETE & C were also mentioned including: Sean also discussed the pre-conference session being held at PETE & C and PAECT’s possible role, Martin discussed that the main organizations involved are now down to 4 since PETC no longer exists, and a reminder about the need for interns at PETE & C. Names for possible interns need to be given to Martin. You should include with the names the times they would be available (including dates), which college they are coming from, and whether they are male or female (for room arrangements). Interns receive free registration, lodging, meals, and a staff shirt. He is looking for 32 interns again this year. Linda LaCoe brought up the issue of the band eating in the room during our banquet at PETE&C. She feels that this takes away from the formal banquet and the air of professionalism that PAECT wants to portray. Martin will look into this matter. Kathleen Smith also questioned if there is a newcomers meeting at PETE & C (for new members to PAECT).
The PAECT board meeting at PETE & C will be held on Sunday at 5 p.m.
At the Friday night meeting (last night) it was discussed that we need a postcard going out to membership reminding members of membership renewal and the banquet being held at PETE & C. Kathleen Smith will work on this. She also is interested in doing a newsletter. She will send drafts to President Bolton.
There was a discussion of helping others affected by Hurricane Katrina. With the information that some members had, there is still a debate as to what is needed most, technology or money to purchase technology. Holly Jobe will look into this matter and report back to the group.
Our next board meeting will be a virtual meeting on October 15, 2005. Our next physical meeting is November 12, 2005. President Bolton is looking to hold the November meeting in Edinboro. More details will come in the future.
A special thank you was extended to Wally Leech and Bill Craig for hosting us today.
Wally Leech made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Laura Matechak seconded. Meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m.