Special Minn-stf board meeting to discuss Minicon 55 and COVID. December 22, 2020, 6pm on Jitsi. Attending board members: Matt Strait (recording), Aaron Vander Giessen, Linda Lounsbury, Scott Raun, Eric Forste. Minicon 55 chairs (starting midway): Don Stremski, Sharla Stremski. == Procedural note == This meeting was called with less than the two days notice required by bylaw III.5.c, but as per bylaw III.5.d since all the board members were there, it "shall be deemed a legal meeting and all the business transacted thereat shall be legal and valid in all respects the same as though such meeting had been regularly called and notice thereof had been regularly given." == Minicon 55 in 2021 vs. COVID == The question arose as to whether we should cancel our hotel contract for Minicon ahead of a contractual deadline after which the penalty for doing so increases. But if Minicon 55 in 2021 is impossible because of a continuing or renewed state order banning large gatherings, we will pay nothing under our force majeure clause, just like what happened in 2020. We also realized we did not have clarity on whether this decision was to be made by the chairs or the board. The board discussed each of these issues prior to the Minicon 55 chairs joining the meeting, then further with the chairs. The board was split on to what degree the decision should be the board's or the chairs. Opinions ranged from "it's the chairs' con and it should be their decision" to "it should be decided together with the board" to "it affects many years' worth of finances and should be up to the board." Fortunately, it turned out not to matter exactly who was to decide, because the joint consensus of the board and chairs was not to cancel the contract. Adjourned 7:15pm.