Monthly Meeting Tues 8 th January 2008

BRISTOL WIRELESS MONTHLY MEETING, TUESDAY 8TH JANUARY 2008

PRESENT:

Rich H, Woodsy, Jim F, Acesabe, Ben G, Jules, Sean K, Sam R

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Lu, Lloyd, Bails, Pete F, Mike H

In the absence of Pete F, BenG chaired the meeting.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Agreed nem con.

MATTERS ARISING

1. LTSP project management: Acesabe reported that the job description was being progressed on the admin wiki.
2. Christmas/Solstice/insert_festival_of_choice event: This took place and a good time had by all.
3. Quickbooks/Crossover Office purchase: No report as Pete F absent.
4. Twinnell House upgrade specification: Lloyd has completed writing the specification.
5. Pervasive Media project proposal: No report as Pete F absent.

REPORTS

1. Financial: Jules circulated copies of the accounts (profit & loss account, balance sheet and project accounts) to the year ended 31 December 2007 and commented on them. He highlighted the need to keep an eye on VAT registration in the light of our turnover and will discuss this with Malcolm, especially with regard to the grant funding element of our income. Jules again stressed that Car Club expenditure needs to be watched (currently running at £600 p.a.) and that all outstanding monies for personal use of the Car Club must be paid by next meeting. Indeed Car Club spending is getting to the point where buying/sharing a van would be feasible. All told the year is ending with a healthy surplus. As regards possible corporation tax liability, Jules is to ascertain the correct wording for the amendment of our rules, so we can hold short EGM next month (action - Jules). Finally, Jules stated that our accounts receivable are still far too high and monies outstanding need to be chased up more vigorously.
2. Recycling project: Sam announced that the user manual for the refurbished machines has been prepared and will be distributed with new machines and posted online. Sam also emailed 10 schools, so far without any reply, but will follow up, as installing gcompris makes ideal machines for primary school children. He is also investigating business sponsorship/grant funding to make free machines available to benefit claimants.
3. WCC cabinets progress: Rich informed the meeting that the designer, John Chilcott, is making progress and Rich will be viewing the latest mock-up tomorrow. The final number of cabinets is still dependant on the final cost (as yet unknown pending the final design). The cabinets are to be installed in time for the Social Source South West conference.
4. UFI update: Sam reported that Wireless Werburghs has now virtually finished except for minor tidying up. User journey got off to a slow start but numbers are picking up. The antenna install in St Pauls is still being held up by the council's internal machinations.
5. Social Source event update: Sean reported that Lu has been progressing the arrangements. As regards funding, Sean is no longer dealing with this matter, but stated that, as regards sponsorship, an approach to Sun Microsystems had been suggested. Woodsy announced that a press release and other publicity would be prepared next week. Registrations to date: 8.
6. Unmet needs fund: Sean reported he had circulated an email to prospective interested parties and would be following up the mailshot by telephone. He will be attending the B&NES VCS AGM. A contract is still needed for this project (action - Sean).
7. Bridewell opportunity: Sam and Sean announced they were monitoring opportunities at the old Bridewell complex offered by building managers Artspace and another organisation, Plan 9. These could involve infrastructure installation/space in return for IT help.
8. Xtream Second Life event: This is to be held on 23 February under the DROID name (flyer produced by Mike H) and will involve streaming from Trinity to Second Life and vice versa. Trinity will be connected to the network in time for this event.
9. ICT Hub telephone training: Sean reported this circuit riders' training event for marketing VoIP to the VCS was being held shortly in Exeter and that Bails would like to attend and wondered if we would pay his rail fare. This was agreed. Sean will liaise with Bails (action - Sean).

AOB

None.

Date of next meeting: Thursday, 7th February 2008 at at St Werbughs Community Centre. Please note change of day!