AMS/NWA Southwest Michigan Chapter
Meeting Minutes: 12/4/2010 Cascade Township Library
Meeting begins at 11:12am
**Discussion before:
(Peter has contacts at GVSU-their facility as possible meeting place)
Restaurants
changing time and location to fit everyone’s needs
Making public or not
University contacts
Agenda
Why are we here?
Goals/Brainstorming:
-Dinner and a talk with a smaller group
-Maybe meet for dinner before
-Once we know how many members, have annual dinner (special occasion)
-Media seminar (catered lunch)
-Restaurant banquet rooms
-Annual social gathering (not business)
-Not speakers every week (pick and choose quality speakers)
-Many available speakers in the area (depending on frequency of meetings)
-Most of clientele non-professional (probably)
-Creative talk ideas (Anchorage Chapter: international guard paratroopers, forecasting frustration, corporate entities that are heavily impacted by weather, road commission, nuclear plant, history of “technology” used in forecasting…)
Frequency of meetings:
-Maybe start out slow (to develop interest)
-Every 2 months was agreed upon, since quarterly is too infrequent
-Continue through the summer…maybe have a social gathering
-First 2011 meeting in January, then March, May…
-
Looking at Bylaws: (just one set for the dual chapter)
Agreement on Article 1, Objectives, Article 3, Article 4
(President must be member of both AMS, NWA)
(Vice-president need not be member of both unless the president steps down and the vice-president desires to take his place)
(Chapter will cover the expense of membership for the vice-president?)
…Decide on that issue later
Defining Positions: (according to the bylaws)
ü President
ü Vice-President
ü Treasurer
ü Secretary
-Is it worth going through the process of becoming a non-profit? $400-500 filing expenses to be 501(c)(3) certified.
-Reserving spaces will cost less for non-profits vs. for-profits
-Connect with universities as an alternative to high-cost meeting places
-If we don’t file as a non-profit, can we collect dues?
(Reporting income to the IRS, paying taxes, etc.)
-We may be able to acquire donations from businesses, etc.
-Peter will check with a contact about finance questions, individual liability and protection, etc.
-Contact someone in the AMS for how other chapters do finances
-We’ll need to raise funds somehow
-Committee members attendance requirement? (3 per year)
-Leaders (board members) at least attending 4 meetings per year or 2/3 of the annual meetings
-Making the meeting public (30-60 members?)
-Make sure mission statement and goals are solidified before going public (Maybe for spring meeting—have a speaker lined up?)
-Make sure professional base is in place before we invite “enthusiasts”…so January 2011 meeting will still be closed (invitation only)
-WFO Grand Rapids okay for board meetings, not general meetings
-Board meetings take place on off-months
-Making selections at the soonest appropriate time
-Dues: $?
-For 2011, maybe easier to have one flat rate
-Too difficult to keep track on when people join, when the renewal comes around, etc.
-No concerns with voting and elections in bylaws
-Brandon will revise bylaws and submit to board
Next meeting:
-See about professional interest
-Legal questions answered
-End of January
-Bring in a topic speaker
-“Closed-door” meeting
-Using Doodle Poll for selecting a meeting date
-Have everyone brainstorm about speaker ideas
-Maybe next meeting at MSU or stay locally? Rob recommended GR area.
-Discuss dues amount
Elections:
-Check with AMS about doing elections again in April or May?
-Next elections would be in December? (1 calendar year)
-Brandon nominated for President, Nathan for Vice President, Bill for Treasurer, Rob for Secretary. Nominations were approved.
Website:
-Can use Google Sites (free of charge)
Meeting adjourned at 12:30pm