12-5-07 MEETING MINUTES
ATTENDING: Chair-April Hildner, Lee Husfeldt, Catherine Marcy, Bob Mahlowitz, and Paula AuburnMeeting started at 3:00 pm and adjourned at 5:30 pm.
1. Website: Free-ranging discussion on ways to increase ONI usage of web site, changes to make to make it more useful, and issues of access and interaction by PSNIC members vs. the general public subscribers. Bob M. demonstrated the GoogleGroup and Ning.com Sunmor web sites he's established. Tested the ONI web site for access by PSNIC members and ease of updating the calendar. The Tool Box section will have a few minor updates and modifications.
TO DOs: CATHERINE continue to work with Chris on design and implementation issues as well as questions about the subscriber list and access to that list, archival of all ONI minutes, subcommittee minutes and other documents, use of GoogleGroup format or GoogleGroup-like format, and costs of these items. Lee will be the "administrator" and keep person for the web site with Catherine continuing in her role as O&E point person and interface with Chris. Ask at next ONI meeting if any PSNIC member is interested in helping with the web site and web issues.
2. Review NORG toolbox: brief discussion of web site Tools section with only minor changes needed. Some resistance by newly forming neighborhood groups to the requirement of Bylaws. Experience seems to be that at least a year is needed to show the value of having Bylaws. Perhaps a "provisional" status is needed for new organizations until they meet the Bylaws requirement. Our goal is to make the process fairly easy and user-friendly.
3. Review 2007/2008 goals and objectives
A. Accomplishments: 2007 Candidate Forum, ONI brochure
B. Work in progress: continued update and refinement of ONI web site, continued update and use of Welcome Bag.
C. New goals and objectives: Division of Vice Chair from 1 to 2 positions as proposed in email of 12-4-07; increased focus on outreach to increase visibility (Speakers Bureau?), special events (March '08 Picnic, '08 Garden Walk), help establish the Citizen "College/academy"
D. Retreat preparation: discuss Candidate Forum and get approval from ONI to repeat Forum at next election cycle and get City approval to use ONI resources. Be prepared to present O&E accomplishments and new goals and objectives.
Notes by Paula Auburn
