Re: Motion to purchase new lap top for Electronic Services Chair

[John Jones <jijones@usjoneses.com>]

I believe that paying for equipment from the Electronic Services Restricted Fund, including a system for Bob if the Board wants it, has nothing to do with the AIS budget and General fund.

It has everything to do with providing the best electronic services we can for the members. I created the fund years ago with the first revenues from the Geek auction and over the years have asked the Board to allocate payments from the fund to allow us to bring new and/or better services for the members, all of which was "ex-budget."  That was the whole point of the ESRF from the very beginning - to have funds for electronic services that were not subject to budget cuts and the general operational budget problems.

John


On Jun 7, 2012, at 2:11 PM, andi rivarola wrote:

> Very good point, Bob. If AIS in general is still in the *red*, could we not
> wait?
> 
> John, is this something that could wait, even if let's say six months to
> see where the organization is at that time?
> 
> Could we do at the next meeting somehow? What do you say?
> 
> Andi
> 
> On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 1:32 PM, Robert Pries <robertpries@embarqmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> The AIS is reactive and not proactive. I have spent the last 8 years
>> trying to change this. The last I heard we were again running at a deficit.
>> My complaint is we do to many things focused only on a narrow point of
>> view. But the over-all health of the organization is the sum of these
>> actions. Each may be important, and desirable individually, but if they are
>> not considered in how they affect the global picture of our organization we
>> will be in bad shape.
>> 
>> A couple of years ago I found that the Daylily Society was paying a lot
>> less for their printing their bulletin and they we were and possibly
>> getting a better product. I discovered Sundance Press. Prior the the change
>> we had been running a deficit such that I projected our $90,000 in reserves
>> would run out in 3 years. But changing printers liberated half of printing
>> budget and we were back in the black. But immediately the board increased
>> the pay of all paid workers. It was much deserved. Yet we again were close
>> to being in the red. Then we got a new registrar increased that salary and
>> spent $7K+ in new computer equipment. I was sitting out from my terms on
>> the board and believed I had left the AIS with a positive budget. Yet I now
>> see it has yet to get into the black, despite a huge windfall from the
>> change. The board raised registrations  from $10 to $15. Since previously
>> they would take in about $14K it was assumed they would recieve an extra
>> $7K. They raised the registrar!
>> s salary and were happy to spend on new equipment. But instead of the
>> 1300+ registrations recieved previously the next year we only got 900+.
>> Even at the new rate there was practically no net gain in income. But we
>> had spent all that anticipated gain.
>> 
>> Yes I could use a new computer. And Yes I think John should have a new
>> computer. But i can not in good consciousness ask for anything until I see
>> how we intend to get out of this red ink. There is no plan of Action, short
>> term or long term. There is much in the works that could increase revenue.
>> E-membership is showing great promise. The shopping cart could be great.
>> But most of these things are not a reality and/or fully developed or
>> proving themselves to their potential. We have no plan giving timelines on
>> completing tasks and what they might produce in revenue. Even if we did. I
>> would like to see us in the black before we spend. I can suffer with what I
>> have and can scrape by. I do not wish to spend AIS money that appears to be
>> there because it is in a restricted fund when the overall budget is in the
>> red. Could not we wait a few months and try to get our act together, or are
>> we just going to react to everything as it pops up. Lets think about the
>> Society first and oursel!
>> ves second.
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> Hallelujah!
>> 
>> We finally got to the point between John and Cheryl's response:
>> 
>> Bob needs a computer.
>> 
>> After the current motion, we shall make a motion to request a computer for
>> Bob, since Bob cannot make a motion himself.
>> 
>> Andi
>> 
>> On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 11:38 AM, cheryl deaton <region15kids@hotmail.com
>>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Andi,
>>> As I said, we are volunteers and the amount of time spent on volunteer
>>> activities is our choice, or we would not volunteer.  I spend more than 3
>>> hours daily for the various AIS jobs I do, and if I didn't think I could
>>> spare
>>> the time, I would step back and resign from one of those jobs.  It is MY
>>> choice, just as it is everyone's choice, whether it is AIS, church,
>> scouts
>>> or
>>> school.
>>> 
>>> John has an AIS computer for his paid position as AIS Registrar/Recorder.
>>> He
>>> has been using his personal laptop for all the Board meeting motions and
>>> programs presented at the conventions for years, in addition to using it
>>> for
>>> the website, Iris Register and other activities.  He 'volunteered' it.
>> Now
>>> that it has bit the dust, he has made a request that the AIS Electronic
>>> Services fund the purchase of a laptop for use by the Electronic Services
>>> Chair to accomplish all that has been done previously on a volunteer
>>> laptop.
>>> If it is not purchased, then someone would need to volunteer a laptop at
>>> all
>>> the board meetings, etc.  I am sure Bob spends more hours for AIS than we
>>> know.  Maybe it is time someone makes a motion to purchase an AIS laptop
>>> for
>>> the WIKI.
>>> Cheryl
>>> 
>>>> From: andinsky@gmail.com
>>>> Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 08:37:08 -0700
>>>> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] Motion to purchase new lap top for Electronic
>>> Services Chair
>>>> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>>>> 
>>>> Cheryl, also, in case you didn't know, Bob spends a good eight-hours a
>>> day
>>>> (probably more; he can let you know more of all he does) on his
>> computer
>>>> working on AIS stuff. The Encyclopedia takes most of his time, I
>> believe,
>>>> but also in other committees. So, yes, we all use our equipment, but we
>>>> should consider those in positions serving full-time a priority and
>>> somehow
>>>> help them and if not purchase a computer when they are not able to
>>> purchase
>>>> one themselves. So, it's not the same case as you and me.
>>>> 
>>>> In John's case, he is working for AIS, so to me the equipment goes
>>> without
>>>> saying, but for those who do not work for AIS I guess what I am asking
>> is
>>>> at what point can someone be helped with equipment that helps them
>>> fulfill
>>>> their important role? It's a good separate topic of discussion, don't
>> you
>>>> think?
>>>> 
>>>> Andi Rivarola
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 7:32 AM, cheryl deaton
>>> <region15kids@hotmail.com>wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Bob,
>>>>> This is the first I have heard that there were problems with any
>>> equipment
>>>>> during the convention. Would have been nice to know at the time. All
>> of
>>>>> us,
>>>>> as VOLUNTEERS, use our own personal computers. I myself just bought a
>>> new
>>>>> computer in addition to a laptop and am in the process of learning
>> the
>>> new
>>>>> programs. The majority of my use is personal, although I do spend
>>> almost
>>>>> 50%
>>>>> of my time online responding to emails, etc. It is just a part of my
>>>>> volunteer committment.
>>>>> 
>>>>> John has used his laptop for our board meetings and presentations for
>>>>> various
>>>>> sections. Purchasing a new laptop for the Electronic Services Chair
>> is
>>>>> something I completely support. I just wish John would give lessons
>> - I
>>>>> could
>>>>> really use them!
>>>>> Cheryl
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 15:27:00 -0400
>>>>>> From: robertpries@embarqmail.com
>>>>>> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] Motion to purchase new lap top for
>>> Electronic
>>>>> Services Chair
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> While i support this in theory would also like to note that there
>> are
>>>>> several of us within AIS who use computers daily answering questions
>>> and
>>>>> working on the AIS websites, facebook, The blog, Slides chair, etc.
>>> Right
>>>>> now
>>>>> I am in the process of buying a new computer and software because the
>>> old
>>>>> one
>>>>> just is not working well enough. Everything I have is out of date,
>> and
>>> I
>>>>> have
>>>>> been making do without a laptop for a couple of years now since mine
>>> died.
>>>>> I
>>>>> realize that as far as i know there has been no or little charge for
>>> the
>>>>> hosting of the Iris Encyclopedia which I appreciate greatly. But in
>>> trying
>>>>> to
>>>>> figure out what the real costs could be I have seen estimates as high
>>> as
>>>>> $10,000 a year. It makes me nervous, not having better data on these
>>>>> things. I
>>>>> believe there should be sum sort of depreciation figured on AIS
>>> Equipment.
>>>>> The
>>>>> projector at convention was absolutely terribly. I guess I needed to
>>> bring
>>>>> my
>>>>> own. But yellow Irises were Green. I have e-mailed changes for the
>>> website
>>>>> !
>>>>>> but have never seen them changed. Do we need to hire more people? I
>>>>> dislike
>>>>> the idea of asking for equipment for myself, but have to admit I can
>>> not
>>>>> afford all the programs and equipment that would make my jobs
>> easier. I
>>> am
>>>>> just expressing my frustrations because it does not seem to me that
>> we
>>>>> have a
>>>>> lot of money in Electronics considering all the needs. I do not know
>>> what
>>>>> the
>>>>> answer is.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> FYI--Balance in the Restricted Electronic Services Fund as of March
>>> 31,
>>>>> 2012
>>>>> is $15,580.51. This does not include the $2,000+ that the Geek
>> Auction
>>>>> brought
>>>>> in at the 2012 convention.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> John, being the electronics guru that he is, knows what he needs.
>>> There
>>>>> is
>>>>> plenty of money in the Fund. As Treasurer I support this 100%.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Jill
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Michelle Snyder <AISSecretary@irises.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Jun 5, 2012 10:14 PM
>>>>>>> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>>>>>>> Subject: [AISdiscuss] Motion to purchase new lap top for
>> Electronic
>>>>> Services Chair
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> John Jones moved and Dana Brown seconded the below motion. As such
>>> it
>>>>>>> is now out for discussion.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> "That the Electronic Services Chair be authorized to spend up to
>>>>> $1500.00
>>>>> to purchase a new laptop system and software as the property of the
>> AIS
>>> for
>>>>> use by the Electronic Services Chair. Said Funds to be allocated from
>>> the
>>>>> Electronic Services Restricted fund."
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Michelle Snyder
>>>>>>> AIS Secretary
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
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>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
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>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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>>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> *"Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make
>> glorious
>>>> and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting
>> for
>>>> your being here. Make. Good. Art."* ~ Writer Neil Gaiman
>>>> 
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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> *"Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious
>> and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for
>> your being here. Make. Good. Art."* ~  Writer Neil Gaiman
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> *"Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious
> and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for
> your being here. Make. Good. Art."* ~  Writer Neil Gaiman
> 
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__________________ 
John and Joanne Jones
Registrar-Recorder
American Iris Society
35572 Linda Drive
Fremont, CA 94536
aisregistrar@irises.org


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