[FreeGeek] Fwd: [VCN board-list] Successful AGM!

[agent humble]

Hi folks,

Wanted to update you on last night's Vancouver Community Net AGM (take2). 
Apparently David and Ifny made a big impression! Well done you two.

Scott

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------

Subject: [board-list] Successful AGM!
Date: Friday 08 December 2006 12:56 am
From: James Sayre <jimsayre at telus.net>
To: "board-list at vcn.bc.ca" <board-list at vcn.bc.ca>

The AGM, Take 2, was a resounding success, at least in my view.  There
was a "real" quorum of 20+ members, and more serious questions and
discussion than I can remember at any of last few I've attended.  Part
of that was due to the absence of any speakers' program, but in some
ways it ended up as a blessing.  The members who came got a chance to
talk, not just listen, and the meeting went on until nearly 11:00.

Craig took the minutes, and will provide the official account of the
meeting.  Some of highlights included:

-  Numerous questions about CAP and other public access issues.  Based
at least on those who attended tonight, there's still a real appetite
for telnet access to email accounts (PINE), and a real need for public
computers by those who don't have their own.  The freegeek project may
provide a better answer to that need than anything VCN itself can offer,
at least from 411 Dunsmuir, but the need still seems to be there.  I
promised that the Board would continue to look into ways to "encourage"
CAP recipients to keep their computers publicly accessible after the
contractual obligation is over, something we've discussed in the past.

-   Lot of interest in mesh networking. One member who works with a
community centre said that they were trying to get BC Housing to fund
some kind of affordable access for a public housing project located
nearby.  I asked it that might be an appropriate site for another mesh
pilot project, and encouraged her to let us know more details.  I didn't
get her name, though - does anyone know how to reach her?

-  We elected the "slate" by acclamation, plus two new members:

    -  Romina Wendell, a web designer (and more) recommended by Scott.
See her web site at:  www.romina.nexialist.org   Welcome, Romina!

    -  Michael Gurstein, an internationally known academic and longtime
board member who told me last week that he is moving back to Vancouver
and would like to participate again.  Welcome back, Michael!


After the break, which didn't occur until after 9:00, we discussed the
issues listed on the agenda:

-  Ifny (sp?) and David from the FreeGeek project gave an excellent
report on the project's goals.  Members asked lots of questions, and
seemed highly interested.  There's a "film night" (featuring a film
about the Portland project) at Spartacus Books on December 12, at 7:00.
I'd definitely be there, but I'm tied up in court next week, and won't
be able to make it.  We were all very impressed by the presentation, and
the principles of the project.  See their web site at
www.freegeekvancouver.org for more information and for ways to
participate.

-  I tried to omit the linux discussion, but several members really
wanted to hear about it, so Ifny and David carried on and answered a lot
of technical questions as well as general ones.  There seems to be an
appetite for people to find out how to try out linux, but they need
introductory courses and other user help.  That's another item to talk
about at future Board meetings.


Jim

--
Community Legal Assistance Society
Per:  James Sayre
Suite 300, 1140 West Pender Street
Vancouver, B.C.  V6E 4G1
Tel: 604 685-3425 (68-LEGAL)
Fax: 604 685-7611
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