MnStf Board Minutes - 20090418

In attendance: Dean Gahlon, Betsy Lundsten, Scott Raun, Matt Strait,
		Kelly Strait

Preliminary M44 Financial Report:
--The Sheraton has forgiven the function space cost, so M44 is in the black

--The lower room block cut-off was hit, so the hotel is not owed any revenue

--So far, the hotel has not charged us for 215, 218, 219

--There was a budget for the consuite/bar, which seems to have been
ignored; this issue has been addressed, and Andra will keep closer tabs
for M45.

M45 Cochairs:
--The board would like to see someone a little more connected to MnStf
also involved with running M45.

--Matt will approach Kevin Austin re: his interest in this position.

MnStf Vice President:
--Rachel Kronick is nominated.  There is unanimous consent.

MnStf Meetings/Events:
--Rachel K and Greg Larson are both interested in putting together events
that "start" MnStf meetings - speakers at U, discussions, readings,
film, etc.  Neither are deterred by probable total lack of budget.

--There is general agreement that this is a good idea, but no budget.
Matt will give them the go-ahead.

MnStf Bank Accounts & Other Financial Concerns:
--MnStf has  ~$30,000 in Ameriprise accounts

--Some (up to half) of this should be made available to MnStf in a more
flexible account.

--This could be done either by closing one of the accounts, or taking
~half out of each when they each next come due. when is this?

--The challenge in this is that the accounts have to be associated with
a name, not a position (e.g. MnStf treasurer).

--The board would like an accurate treasurer's report from Carol and an
updated detailed MnStf budget for 2008 (a complete list of expenditures
from 2008, not what we thought we would spend or what we might spend in
2009).

MnStf Storage Locker
--The storage locker measures: 140" (deep) x 110" (100" wide in the
front, 120" wide in the back) x 113" (tall).

--Criteria for moving storage locker: not smaller than current, not more
expensive, and "not less convenient"*.

--*Right now, it is reasonably close to most MnStf members, close to
DreamHaven, and close to a truck rental place.

--We would not want it to be significantly south of the hotel if we're
going to continue to use DreamHaven to store the art show panels.

--Define hotel as southwest corner of "convenience" zone; downtown/river
as northeast bound.  We should be a little flexible on these boundaries
if it saves us a bunch of money.

--We need to be able to access from indoors - for Minicon, there is no
wiggle room for waiting for better weather.

--It would be really good if we got a place that actually sends out
bills - ask "how do you handle billing?".

--Is climate-controlled storage required?  We should keep the
requirement that the locker not go below freezing.

--Betsy suggests Liza Furr (relatively new-ish to MnStf & Minicon) as
someone to whom we could hand such a project who would likely be
enthusiastic about completing it - Betsy will contact her about this.

ByLaws:

--Matt sent out an e-mail pre-Minicon about the changes made in the
MnStf bylaws for how one becomes a voting member, noting that the way we
actually do it is NOT in the official document. Matt will bring wording,
etc, to next meeting to finalize.

--We may need to clarify how the meeting is counted if there is Minicon
meeting from 2-4 and a MnStf meeting immediately following. Suggested
wording: "You can only get 1 meeting credit per calendar day".

Convivial 4:
--Laurel Krahn is ratified as Convivial 4 chair.

Minicon 45:
--Keith Malgren is ratified as Minicon 45 chair.

Printer donated by Visi:
--HP LaserJet 5SI

--We need to replace a ~$200 piece.

--Scott will house the printer, as he will use it to print the Einblatt
and occasional directory, etc.

Next Meeting:
--May 16th at Dean's at 2PM.