Palm-Mensa

Contacts page on web site - pix?/bios?

Group name change?

Birthday announcements to members?

Advertising (only for members) on the web site?

Bulk mail costs (John S.)?

New member packet?

Email addresses to board

Eliminate n/l subscription price

The Executive Board convened at 7:00 P.M.

There were no opening remarks.

1. Attendance.

Local Secretary - Barry Karas

Program Director - Joel Martin McTague

Newsletter Editor/Webmaster - Glen Moulder

Treasurer - John Swick

There were no guests attending.

2. Agenda Approval.

No formal agenda was discussed.

3. Approval of minutes of the previous board meeting.

None.

4. Updates and questions on Officers' Reports.

None.

5. Updates and questions on Committee Reports.

None.

6. Unfinished business and General Orders.

None.

7. New business.

1. Barry Karas introduced discussion comparing the old newsletter format with the new "brochure style" newsletter and associated web site. The group constantly lost money each month on the former newsletter postage and reproduction costs compared with the one hundred-fifty ($150.00) dollar monthly subsidy from the national office. It is anticipated that the group will now save money regarding these same factors. Postage will be marginally lower and reproduction costs will significantly decrease. Mr. Moulder mentioned that since he has assumed the position of Newsletter Editor he has been familiarizing himself with the bulk mail procedures and that the current bulk mail account at the post office only contains a little over seventeen ($17.00) dollars. Mr. Swick gave Mr. Moulder a check in the amount of one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars addressed to the postal service for deposit in the bulk mail account. Since the old newsletter format is nearly completely replaced by the new single-page format, it is resolved (1999-001) to abolish the old newsletter subscription cost of $6.00 per year. Subscriptions that are sent out to persons and corporations other than those on the labels provided monthly by the national office are at the discretion of the Newsletter Editor (resolution 1999-002).

2. Barry Karas raised the question of creating an advisory board of former officers who could be called upon periodically to assist the current Executive Board with operational advice. It is known that our group has a number of members who have been Local Secretaries, Newsletter Editors and other officers of our group and other groups and it is believed that they could be infrequently called upon to meet with the Executive Board to provide guidance. No resolution was passed and no responsibility was assumed by any officer for coordinating this effort.

3. Joel Martin McTague introduced the idea of creating programs whereby Mensa speakers would address schools, business and social organizations to introduce them to the benefits of group membership and offer to assist the community in developing and mentoring younger members. Mr. McTague, as Program Director assumed responsibility (resolution 1999-003) for coordinating and reporting on this effort.

4. John Swick discussed the possible formation of monthly meetings for the group outside of the dinners and happy hours that are currently the group's primary functions. He mentioned that we could have speakers on various topics, presenting both pro and con points of view and afford members the opportunity to engage in discussion about the issues. Games nights were also mentioned as a possible activity. Mr. McTague volunteered (resolution 1999-004) to begin coordinating this effort and discussed the possibility of creating a short questionnaire that might be mailed to members to poll them on their professions and interests. Mr. McTague offered to investigate the possibility of using the recreation room of his housing association for monthly meetings.

5. Glen Moulder introduced discussion about the new web site which became live at the end of April. Mr. McTague asked about incorporating pictures and short biographies of board members and group officers on the Contacts page of the web site. It was resolved (1999-005) to implement this and Mr. Moulder will assume this effort. It is noted that the pictures do not have to be of the actual member and the biographies may be farcical instead of serious. Barry Karas suggested that we look into including banners on our web site for educationally-oriented firms (such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, etc.) in order to increase group revenue. It was resolved (1999-006) that Mr. Moulder will look into implementing this. Mr. Moulder also recommended that we begin offering advertising to members of our local group on the web site. Mr. McTague raised a question about the permissibility of this in accordance with the group by-laws. It was resolved (1999-007) that Mr. McTague will look into this and report back to the board.
6. Glen Moulder introduced discussion about a possible name change for the group. He noted that while the name is Palm Beach County Mensa, the group actually serves Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties in Florida. It was resolved (1999-008) that Mr. Karas and Mr. McTague will investigate this with the national Mensa office and by reviewing the by-laws.
7. Glen Moulder raised a question about creating an information packet to be sent to new members to introduce them to the group and to provide awareness of group activities and invite active participation in the group. Mr. Karas mentioned that he thought there was something like this already in place and will investigate further (resolution 1999-009).
8. Barry Karas raised the question of creating a committee for an annual holiday party at the end of the year. It was decided that this party shall be held at least three (3) weeks before the Christmas holiday to give members the opportunity to attend without conflict with vacation plans. Mr. McTague also recommended that this party not be held the weekend of the traditional "boat parades", typically held the first weekend of December. No resolution was passed in association with this point.

1. Adjournment.

The executive board meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 P.M. by unanimous decision. The next executive board meeting will be on a currently unspecified date in late July or early August. It was resolved (1999-010) that instead of holding monthly meetings, the executive board members will stay in frequent contact via electronic mail for keeping current on business items.

Respectfully submitted,

Glen Moulder

Newsletter Editor