Submitted by Tom Brown, Director.
I. Call to Order
Tom called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM in Molloy room at SJCPL, downtown South Bend.
Directors Present: Mike Cook, Richard Zimmerman, Tom Brown
Directors Absent: Fr. Bower is ill. Carol Sanner has previous commitments. Marc Rockwell is repairing his car and will get to the meeting as soon as he can.
[Mark arrived after the meeting adjourned.]
Absent: Chuq Jackels, volunteer, planned to attend the meeting but is not feeling well.
Action: Since only 3 of 6 directors and no volunteers attended the Board meeting, the directors agreed to discuss agenda items but make no binding decisions until the next Board meeting.
II. Reports
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
A. Proprietary Software
In private correspondence to Tom, Richard reported that he and some volunteers are talking about proposing that FGM stop installing Vector Linux or any GNU/Linux distribution on FreeBoxes and instead install Microsoft Windows and applications.
At the meeting, Goose said the volunteers do NOT suggest we quit entirely but allow Microsoft software as an option because some recipients of Freebox systems have asked for it. The volunteers agree that Open Source is first and foremost but allow the option when asked for.
Goose recollects Mike stating that Indiana is largely Microsoft based and will not consider open source software soon as it's a pro business state. That, plus FGM's principles, leaves FGM out of potential training contracts and limits opportunities for FreeBox recipients.
Tom passed out the Free Geek Principles, to which all FGP (Free Geek Portland) affiliates and franchises agree to adhere. FGM is a Free Geek franchise, in fact, the very first Free Geek franchise.
Tom interprets Principle #3 as a commitment to use FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) unless there is no alternative. Tom believes FGM will need to give up its franchise and affiliation with FGP if the Board chooses to use proprietary software privately and distribute proprietary software publicly; this includes giving up all use of the trademark "Free Geek".
Mike is familiar with the Free Geek Principles. Mike thinks there is some reason to ask for clarification from FGP, but doesn't think it wise for us to add support for Windows installations on Freeboxes since we do not customarily install it.
The FREE GEEK Principles are available at the following link and in the Addenda section of the minutes.
http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Free_Geek_Principles
The Free Geek Principles are inspired by the Rochdale Principles which are available at the following link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Principles
Action: Tom will craft a letter to the FGP franchise list asking for clarification regarding the use of proprietary (closed source, nonfree) software.
B. 501c3 application
Chuq Jackel asks by proxy (Richard) for a progress report on the 501c3 application.
Tom reports no progress.
Richard suggests Tom find someone who has the ability and interest in completing the application. Richard also suggests that Tom contact the Notre Dame University law school.
Richard proposes that we pay someone to get the 503(c)3 application done as having asked people for pro bono services have not yielded a completed 501(c)3 application. The 501(c)3 is unfinished since FGM incorporation 6 years ago. All past and present board members are to blame for this.
Richard suggests Tom contact the Notre Dame Law School for a referral.
Action: Tom will contact NDLUG re a referral to the Law School.
C. Review IDEM regulations
Tom reports he mailed two registration forms to IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management), one as a recycler and the other as a refurbisher.
Mike has suggested to the board members, via email, that the Board review the new Indiana regulations and create a plan to conform to the regs. Mike adds that the regulations are probably things FGM should do anyway. Tom makes the formal proposal.
Action: Action postponed until the next Board meeting.
D. Hard drive security
Tom suggests that FGM not claim to securely wipe drives during normal refurbishing operations to avoid misunderstandings and possible legal consequences. The directors agree with the suggestion.
Mike suggests that, if a donor wants secure wiping or destruction, that we document the service and charge a fee for documenting the service. Otherwise we would still destroy all data on drives that we reuse and render drives we do not use unreadable . The directors agree with the suggestion.
Action: Action postponed until the next Board meeting.
E. End of Life (EOL) plan
Tom points out that FGM does not have an EOL plan. Our non-profit incorporation and bylaws require FGM to dispose of its assets in a way that benefits the public, but we have no plan.
The directors agree that FGM should have an EOL plan.
Action: Action postponed until the next Board meeting.
F. Creation of a Council
Tom believes volunteers are unfairly blaming him for some or all problems FGM struggles with. Tom thinks volunteers don't fully understand that FGM policies and practices are set democratically at the Board meetings.
Mike points out that the Board allows volunteers to speak at Board meetings, make proposals to the Board and vote on the proposals. The Board has veto power but has never exercised it.
Tom suggests that the Board amend our bylaws to formally create a Council, separate from the board.
Mike thinks FGM does not need a separate Council. FGM is too small for two governing bodies, and, since volunteers have voting rights at Board meetings, a Council would be redundant.
Action: Mike will create an FAQ about FGM which will automatically post to our lists once per month. Tom will post the Free Geek Principles to the public list. Other action is postponed until the next Board meeting.
V. Adjournment
VI. Next Board Meeting
I. Free Geek Portland Suggested Donation List
Suggested Donations:
- TV-CRT ($10.00 each)
- Monitor-CRT ($7.00 each)
- System w/ CRT ($7.00 each)
- TV-LCD ($5.00 each)
- Monitor-LCD ($4.00 each)
- System w/ LCD ($5.00 each)
- Laptop ($4.00 each)
- System ($5.00 each)
- A/V Gizmo ($3.00 ea.)
- Bag/Box Misc ($1.00 ea.)
- Camera ($2.00 ea.)
- Card ($1.00 ea.)
- Drive (other) ($1.00 ea.)
- Fax Machines ($4.00 ea.)
- Hard Drive ($1.00 ea.)
- Keyboards and Mice ($1.00 ea.)
- Laptop Bag ($1.00 ea.)
- Miscellaneous Item ($1.00 ea.)
- Motherboard ($1.00 ea.)
- Multi-function Printer ($1.00 ea.)
- Network Devices ($1.00 ea.)
- Optical Drive ($1.00 ea.)
- PDA/Cell Phone/MP3 ($1.00 ea.)
- Phones, including Cell Phones ($2.00 ea.)
- Power supply ($1.00 ea.)
- Printers ($4.00 ea.)
- RAM ($2.00 ea.)
- Scanners ($3.00 ea.)
- Service Fee ($1.00 ea.)
- Speaker Set ($1.00 ea.)
- UPS ($5.00 ea.)
This list isn’t exhaustive! If you have a piece of equipment and you’re wondering whether we take it, you might want to guide yourself by the list of what we don’t take below.
We DO NOT Accept:
- Styrofoam
- Microwave Ovens
- Copiers
- Smoke Detectors
- Household Appliances (including air conditioners)
- Batteries
- Fluorescent Light Bulbs
If you’d like to recycle one of the above items, visit Metro’s website to find a drop-off facility near you.
II. GreenWave Drop-off Price List
The fees for dropping off materials are as followed:
- Desktop Computers: $3 each (includes data destruction process)
- Laptop Computers: $3 each (includes data destruction process)
- CRT Monitors (big computer screens): $6 each
- LCD Monitors (thin computer screens): $3 each
- Printers/Fax Machines (less than 20 lbs.): $5 each
- Printers/Fax Machines (20-60lbs.): $10 each
- Printers/Fax Machines (large floor models): $35 each
- VCR's or similar sized video/audio items: $5 each
- Televisions (less than 19 inch): $5 each
- Televisions (larger than 19 inch, not projection): $25 each
- Televisions (projection screens): $39 each
- Networking devices such as routers, switches, hubs, and modems: $3 each
Items such as wires, mice, keyboards, cell phones, remote controls, computer parts, and scrap metal are free to drop off.
III. Free Geek Principles
An organization that would be affiliated with Free Geek must:
- Have a mission that is similar to and does not contradict the Free Geek Mission Statement.
- Dispose of equipment in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner.
- Use Free/Open Source Software wherever possible and must promote the Free Software philosophy in other ways, such as transparent collaboration with others.
- Provide low- and no-cost computer technology and training to their community.
An organization that would use the Free Geek name must additionally:
- Be democratically run in a non-hierarchical way that is open and transparent to all participants in its programs.
- Be a non-profit business (as legally defined in their location) and must follow honest business practices and have the stated goal of advancing the common good.
Board Meeting Minutes 
