Notes
from kickoff meeting:
- Austin read some guidelines from AA literature
- The impetus for establishing a Board of Directors came from winter bills bringing finances below a prudent reserve and some question whether operations could continue on that basis
- Sue had been acting as treasurer and had been told by previous treasurer that a 3 month reserve what in the past typical. Rent is $650, town subsidizes $400 and income from the various groups that meet at CAIC varies widely, and the various groups have varying standards about who buys what. Prime income staple is the nooner where Al has been acting as sole proprieter, passing along income after expenses, though some of these expenses also support other groups that meet. Not clear whether there is a standard way of calculating what each groups contribution ought to be. Utilities are hard to budget due to heat in winter months. Utility for gas and electric is National Grid. (perhaps the utility could provide a calculated fixed payment plan that could be budgeted like some oil companies do?)
- Landlord has said we should pay for a new boiler (people thought this ludicrous as it is part of the physical plant we are renting)
- Sue estimates that average monthly expenses beyond town subsidy are about $300, but perhaps this would change if a different operational model were adopted that had the treasurer paying all expenses, and group reps presenting bills. Al is obtaining most food stuffs for free from WHEAT and some paper goods, coins and food are donated so there are really not a lot of expenses.
- Some feeling that servants should not be paid, however many “clubhouse” models across the country do employ 1 or 2 individuals to be the daily operational watchdogs of the premises (example Grapevine club in Greenfield, also partially subsidized by town, who are in fact providing the space for recovery activities).
- A bank account needs to be established for use by treasurer with tax id number that is independent of any particular individual.
- Board size initially set at 5. Volunteers for initial board include
- Austin P. - Treasurer
- Nancy R. Secretary (subsequent to the meeting, this was handed off to Rocky due to outside time and personal reasons)
- Tom H.
- Scott
- Big Al
- Rocky will establish website for presiding CAIC board secretary to post meeting minutes, agendas, notifications and other materials for all the various groups that share the CAIC center for recovery activities. (aside: this has been done, you are there now 8^) http://clintonaic.blogspot.com/ )
- Board Meetings will occur the third Monday to allow time for billing due dates on the 1st. Rocky will establish a meeting calendar on the website that can be subscribed to
