About Us | Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes - September 15, 2016

Present:

  • Pam Merchanthouse, President (Friends Fellowship Community)
  • Brad Glover, Vice-President/Treasurer (First Bank Richmond)
  • Aubrey Blue, Secretary (Cope Environmental Center)
  • Jenie Lahmann (Morrisson-Reeves Library
  • Rob Tidrow, (Richmond Community Schools)
  • Beth Fields (Wayne County Government)
  • Tim Love (Reid Hospital & Health Care Services)
  • Linda Przybysz (Ivy Tech Community College)
  • Richard Peterson (Porter Advertising, LLC)
  • David Burton (Burton & Simkin Attorneys)
  • Jane Holman (Executive Director, WayNet.org, Ex-Officio)

Absent:

  • Randy Baker (Richmond Power and Light)
  • Lynn Knight, (Earlham College)

Call to Order:

President Pam Merchanthouse called the meeting to order at approximately 12:10 PM in the Community Room at the City of Richmond Building.

Approval of Minutes

Rob Tidrow motioned the approval of the minutes dated July 21st, 2016, seconded by Jenie Lahmann and the motion passed unanimously.

New Business:

Slate of Nominees - Term 2016-2018
  • Pam Merchanthouse, Friends Fellowship Community
  • Aubrey Blue, Cope Environmental Center
  • Beth Fields, Wayne County Government
  • Tim Love, Reid Health
  • Lynn Knight, Earlham College
  • Open

Richard Peterson motioned to allow nominees to stay on board, seconded by Brad Glover and the motion passed unanimously. Aubrey Blue update everyone about a possible new board member, Erica Coulter. She is out of the country until the beginning of October. Once she is back in the U.S., she said she would like to talk to Jane more about the opportunity.

Slate of Officers - Term 2016-2017

Tim Love motioned to keep the current officers (President: Pam Merchanthouse; Vice-President/Treasurer: Brad Glover; and Secretary; Aubrey Blue), seconded by Rob Tidrow and the motion passed unanimously.

Director's Report

Before Jane reviewed the Director's Report, she informed the group that Waynet.org's past board member/President, Dave Fulton, passed away. He was Waynet.org's first board president and helped establish Waynet.org's status of a 501(c)(4).

Jane provided an update on membership as well as an update on County Connections.

New Creations has paid, but they are not open and do not have an active website. Therefore, Jane took them off of our website.

Steven's Wire Products, Inc. used our employment section and was very happy with the results. They received a qualified applicant the first day! They are now members.

Mrs. Holman mentioned that Tony Foster from Area 9 was on Wayne County Connections. She will be interviewing someone from IDNR next to discuss deer.

Issues / Projects:

We have finally received a letter from the state. They have issued us a new number for our tax-exempt status.

We now have the option to file a business entities report through Biz IN and is $22 every two years.

Still no application from Center City. We need their letter of determination.

Tim Love spoke with Jane about the printer and has someone to work on it.

David Burton is going to look over Platinum Benefits for Jane.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 15th, 2016, location to be determined.

Photo Sessions:

Photo sessions include: State Fair Band Day, Heritage Festival, Canal Days, Potterypalooza, Sunsplash and InRich.us, Farmer's Market, Jubilee Days, Hagerstown Flying Circus, new Teen space a MRL and Chanticleer String Quartet.

Log Analysis:

Google pages are down tremendously. Jane stated that this is probably due to them moving us down because we are not "mobile friendly". We were in the top 4 when "Richmond, IN Wayne" was searched. Now we are on the 3rd page.

It was suggested that we investigate the options available to make the website more "mobile friendly" due to the increase in people using their phones/tablets to use the internet/check email/etc..

Two options mentioned include using a Dreamweaver template for mobile devices or a complete overhaul through WordPress (will need quotes).

Miscellaneous:

It was asked if we are able to apply/receive grants. Jane explained that no organization will write a grant to a 501(c)(4). Waynet.org has tried to get the IRS to recognize us as a 501(c)(3), but we are a membership-sponsored organization. The members receive benefits.

One option discussed was to create a separate organization as a 501(c)(3) that is fully supported through grants.

The next meeting is scheduled for November 17th, 2016. The location is First Bank Richmond, 31 North 9th Street, Richmond, IN.

Adjournment:

Being no further business, Brad Glover made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at approximately 12:45 PM. Rob Tidrow seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Aubrey Blue, Secretary

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WayNet is Sponsored by:
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We R Richmond - Richmond Community Schools
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City of Richmond, Indiana
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Did You Know?

Rich Mullins, Christian songwriter, recording artist and winner of Artist of the Year at the 1998 Dove Awards, graduated from Northeastern High School in Fountain City in 1974.