Ocean State Free-Net 10 Davol Square, 3rd Floor Providence, RI 02903 (401) 277-2762 ext. 500 Steering Committee Meeting Thursday, February 15, 1996 WSBE- Channel 36 ATTENDING: Peter Simon (RIDH) Howard Boksenbaum (DSLS) David McCreadie, Jr. (RI Donation Exchange) Leroy Czaskos (WSBE-TV - Channel 36) Margaret Chevian (Providence Public Library) Mike Silvia (Woonsocket Harris Public Library) Sam Viner-Brown (RIDH) Mike Cerullo (Common Cause) Peter Harmon (Common Cause) GUESTS: Andrew Egan (DSLS) Cal Messler (OSIS) D. Jane Harrop (OSIS) Jennifer Bale-Kushner (Support Center) Meeting called to order at 3:38 PM. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: MOTION: To accept the minutes as amended - adding Sam Viner-Brown who attended the meeting, but was not listed. No discussion, motion passed. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION: The Nominations Committee read the slate of nominees for Officers and Executive Committee members. The slate was accepted by the Steering Committee, but the election was tabled because there was not a quorum. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PLANNING - J. Bale-Kushner User Survey - a user survey has been drafted by the Support Center and has been reviewed by the Executive Committee and members of OSIS. With assistance from OSIS the user survey should be mounted on the OSFN by Friday, February 17. The survey includes an introduction from the Support Center with a brief explanation of the strategic planning process and the role of the survey in that process. We also made a commitment to place the results of the survey on-line by April 13, 1996. That way the participants will see the results of theirs and others efforts. Planning Retreat - The Steering Committee planning retreat will be held on Saturday, April 13, 1996 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Location will be reported once established, but tentatively the retreat will be held at Edgehill conference center in Newport. Key Informant Interviews - Part of the planning database is a series of key informant interviews with approximately 50 individuals. The Support Center is developing interview guides, and will conduct several of the interviews, but the Steering Committee will also be asked to each conduct 2-3 interviews each. Each interview should take between 30 minutes to one hour and can be conducted over the phone or in person. More details on interview assignments will follow. Nonprofit Survey - The Support Center has developed a survey for the nonprofit community which will be sent by bulk mail in early March. The Support Center is looking for a few Steering Committee volunteers to help label, sort and bundle the mailing. It should only take a few hours if several people help. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - P. Simon There is an information session for potential vendors who have questions regarding the letter that was sent to internet providers requesting proposals to provide internet access to OSFN. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 1996 at 2:00 PM at Channel 36. The original deadline for proposals from the vendors was March 1, 1996, but we will probably extend the deadline to March 15, 1996. will be sent out within the next few days. The Executive Committee also reviewed and made changes in the initial draft of the user survey. The United Way of Southeastern New England will meet in March to discuss possible funding for the OSFN. NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS - A. Egan The committee did not meet in February, but committee members still reported on committee work. The committee is still working on a new brochure and in the meantime a version of the old information packet was printed (1,000 copies) and is now available. Andy Egan gave a report on public access to the OSFN in the Rhode Island Libraries. Providence is the most active and advanced, and is proving to be a good model for others to follow. Resources are the biggest stumbling block for libraries attempting to provide access. Andy also presented a draft report on the community presentations that committee members have made over time. He is attempting to keep a historical record of the presentations. The next meeting of the Networking and Community Relations Committee will be held on March 5th at 3:00 PM at MHRH. DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT - H. Boksenbaum The Local Information Providers were all invited to the last meeting, but only a few showed up. Many people said they would attend prior to the meeting, but didn't follow through. Those who did were provided with training on the new procedures for information providers. Margaret Chevian from the Providence Public Library presented some use policy language that she would like to see the OSFN implement. MOTION: To post the following language, developed by Berkeley Public Library on the OSFN. The Ocean State Free-Net does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. As with other on-line materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Please stay involved in your children's adventures on the Ocean State Free-Net. No discussion, motion passed TREASURER'S REPORT - D. McCreadie Opening balance - $17,004.27 Checks/Debits: Printing - 26.70 Consulting/Staff fees - 2,820.00 Total Debits - $4,807.73 Deposits: Donations - $1,234.00 Foundation Grants - 5,100.00 TechACCESS Acct - 4,439.87 Total Deposits - $11,360.87 Ending balance - $25,286.20 MOTION: To accept the Treasurer's report as submitted No discussion, motion passed OLD BUSINESS Howard Bokesenbaum reported on the meeting with D. Jane Harrop from Interprise Consulting on February 1, 1996. At the meeting the due dates from the contract were re-negotiated and the new final due date is February 29th. An invoice for the work completed was submitted and subsequently paid, and a final invoice will be submitted on/or after February 29, 1996. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Steering Committee moved into executive session to act on a motion regarding Steering Committee membership, as there was no quorum to act in the Steering Committee. MOTION: To make no changes/amendments to the Steering Committee membership until the planning process is concluded. No discussion, motion passed Committee resumed regular agenda GUEST BUSINESS Cal Messler from OSIS had a question about the PUC Tariff decision. Howard Boksenbaum reported that NYNEX is proposing to give schools and libraries 7.5 million in rate reductions over the next five years. Howard will keep us posted on this issue as it unfolds. The next steering committee meeting will be held on March 21, 1996 at 3:30 PM at Channel 36. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 PM. .