February 2004 BOD Meeting Minutes
This meeting was held electronically on February 11, 2004 9:07 PM EST

BOD Present:
Charles Scannell (President/Internet Relations)
Lee Morey (Vice President)

Cheri Phillips (Dir. Membership/Secretary)

Rob Tess (Newsletter Editor)

Joe Scavo (Webmaster)

John Brandt (MAC/USCRTF Representative)

Members Present:

Marvin Parrimore

Moe Kirby

Jim Nguyen

Ron Wisna

Kelly Jedlicki (LMAS Vice President)

BOD Absent:

Larry Burt (Treasurer)

NOTE: all Officer reports were distributed via eMAIL to the BOD in advance of this meeting. They are inserted into these minutes.

1)       President’s Report:

Chuck has not filed a change of tax status yet, but he has been working on it. He’s reviewed Rob’s club’s forms and has determined that there are 5 forms that need to be filled out. The information that needs to be collated will take some time to go through financial reports for the last 4 years. Chuck suggests that we need to rework some of the wording on our website to not stand out with regards to the legislative process. Chuck has talked on the phone to our attorney and he did emphasize that regarding the 501(c)3.

Chuck created a membership database to make things easier for Cheri and suggest though Joe wants to do the website over that we at the minimum link the new members page so that all information stays current with membership. Chuck also created a few other pages, such as a new index page and membership forms in his spare time, but all design aspects are up to our Webmaster.

2)       VP Report:

Lee corresponded with members of several past/present MASNA clubs this month.

Lee also had one inquiry from a professor Imelda L. Daganio of the Technological University of the Philippines about getting financial assistance to attend Regional Grouper Hatchery Training Course in Indonesia.  He is asking for $3,425. His objectives in taking the class are to (quote):

“1.  Impart my knowledge to our countrymen the proper handling in

      culture grouper;

  2. Sustainable the source of life in living for thier daily needs;

  3. To protects the aquamarine natural resources”

3)       Treasury Report (w/ Chuck’s help):

Last Month’s Balance:       $4,183.36

Monies Received Since:    

                $150.00                   10 Individual memberships

                $  50.00                   1 Club memberships

                $   6.00                    Returned check LMAS

                Total Income:       $211.00

Expenses:

                                                $36.53                     EMS Charges

                                                $61.85                     Westhost

                                                (–)$98.38

Ending Balance to

                    Date:                     $4295.98

4)       Membership Report:

1. Current Membership:

2. Cheri brought MASNA brochures she had printed to the SEABay meeting on 1/17/04. A few brochures were taken from the table, but she hasn’t seen any new memberships resulting. At the March meeting she will ask for time to address the group regarding MASNA and also talk up MACNA.

3.        Cheri started using Chuck’s excellent web-based membership database and has worked with him to tweak the functionality. Nice job Chuck!

5)       Secretary Report:

January meeting minutes were completed and were mailed to bod@masna.org on 2/10/04.

6)       Editor Report:

·         Thanks to printing problems, specifically a graphic that wasn’t printing properly, newsletters have still not been mailed.  The issue has been corrected and Rob should have them in hand this week for mailing.  For the record, our printing cost is confirmed as $2.00 per copy.

·         Rob has begun contacting “notaries” for newsletter articles.  He’s sent emails to Anthony Calfo and Eric Borneman.

·         Rob would like to discuss the possibility of soliciting donations from vendors.  He would like to get something of value to bring to a Boston Reefers meeting for raffle to MASNA members only.  He will take MASNA signups at the meeting and raffle whatever it is off to any who are already members or who sign up at the meeting.  He had hoped to do this for the Boston Reefers’ January meeting but with two newsletters to complete and MACNA coming up, he hasn’t had a lot of spare time.  In addition Rob suggests that we could have a periodic raffle within MASNA itself, raffling off some things to members only, post the winners on the website etc etc.

7)       Webmaster Report:

·         Updated home page of website

·         Updated MAC Q4 newsletter

·         Added article by John Brandt

·         Updated minutes

·         Added PHP Ad rotator. Still need to get DB access

·         Chuck produced a very nice revision of the MASNA site using PHP technology, however Joe would like to integrate a few changes

8)       MAC/USCRTF Report:

John reported on his plans for presenting at the Marine Ornamentals conference – the plenary lecture (abstract posted on MASNA’s website) and he’s organizing and chairing a panel discussion, “The Role of the Media in the Marine Ornamental Industry.” James Wiseman, also on that panel has the topic, “The Role of the Internet in the Marine Ornamental Trade.” Tim Hovanec will be discussing SeaScope publication. John has also been acting as a consultant for the University of Florida, who are putting together a Marine Aquarium Hobbyist survey. John requested they include the question, “Do you belong to an aquarium society?” The results will be presented at the Marine Ornamentals conference and available via the Internet to anyone in the marine aquarium trade or hobby. John will send the link to the survey once it is approved and the MASNA BOD will do an eMAIL vote to decide to pass the survey links to the MASNA membership. He encouraged all MASNA board members to take the survey.

Call to order 9:07 PM EST

9)       Motion was made and passed to accept the January meeting minutes.

10)    Motion was made and passed to cut John Brandt a check for $1352 to send him to the Washington D.C. USCRTF meeting and to support his speaking at the Marine Ornamentals conference in Hawaii. Since the check requires two signatures, Larry will send Chuck the check and he will forward it to John as soon as possible.

11)    Reminder was made that the goal is for all officer reports to be eMAILed to the board by Monday of the meeting week.

12)    Cheri reported still having no success contacting John Link of Reef Central for corporate membership renewal. Lee agreed to try for contact as well.

13)    Cheri asked for clarification on whether the new member online database (for BOD members only) would still be available once Joe made his planned website changes – answer was yes.  John and Chuck are discussing the look and feel. Chuck reminded the board that they could get eMAIL lists as needed via the function he provided for the member database.

14)    Chuck gave an update on Drs. Foster & Smith discount plans – they are still on board, but awaiting their new fiscal year for advertising budget. This will be ready to go in time for the next newsletter. The artwork is in progress and they will have a check for MASNA. We will be doing the coupon.  Chuck’s next contact for lining up a possible MASNA discount is Joy Meadows/Harbor Aquatics.

15)    MACNA update – they are refining their speaker list and deciding upon event placement for the weekend. They are still considering Takashi Amano as a potential speaker if they can find a contact for him. Cheri reported on her efforts to locate the contact information. Carvi Shamsid-Deen was suggested (carvi@aquagifts.com) as a possible source of information.

16)    Rob asked for the OK to solicit donations from vendors to auction in MASNA’s name. The idea would be to get a decent item (RO/DI as example) and raffle it to MASNA members only at a club meeting – as a way to encourage new membership. Rob thinks he can get stuff donated; the Boston Reefers got a great response in their own local auction. Chuck suggested making a mass eMAIL and a big feature on the web.

17)    Cheri asked for clarification on the relationship between MASNA and MAC. John said MASNA “doesn’t necessarily have a ‘position’ on MAC” and Chuck said that MASNA is neutral and that the relationship is “just an affiliation.” MAC has a BOD position for a hobbyist organization and MASNA suits them. John stated that he supports MAC and uses his BOD position to help them improve. John will be up for re-election to his BOD position on 2/27/04.  John’s “inside view” of MAC leads him to believe that much of the negative propaganda regarding MAC is false and misdirected. John believes MAC is a “work in progress and certainly needs good direction.” Lee asked whether AZA (American Zoo & Aquarium Association – also on MAC board) tries to get AZA members to purchase animals only from MAC certified sources. John is unaware of that kind of effort being made.

Motion to adjourn by Chuck, seconded by Rob. The motion passed at 10:17pm EST.