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Present: Nicole Williams, Justin Arnhalt, Chris Brown, Joel, Jon Ross, Dan Bower, Kay Newell (arrived late)

Item 1: Documenting & Archiving
Nicole informed us all that each board member is supposed to be keeping all work product (including minutes, letters, etc.) organized in an orderly state that would allow it to be produced on short notice.
Kay has a lot of material from the past that desperately needs to be organized. Nicole gave us each a notebook bearing our title and containing the BNA bylaws. All materials we produce in the line of duty belongs in our binder. At year's end we'll organize and archive all material by committee.
The binder also contained a welcome statement and a pledge to uphold the bylaws which Nicole asked us each to sign.

Item 2: Open chairs
Jon Ross officially stepped down from his position as Communications chair. Nicole provided background on how we'd brought in Joel as a contractor to do layout for the Boise Voice and how Jon & she had immediately recognized that Joel's experience, energy & interest made him an excellent candidate for the Communications chair. Nicole nominated Joel for the position & Jon seconded it but with only 4 of 8 chairs in attendance, we did not have a quorum.
Nicole discussed her interest in bringing on a co-chair to share responsibilities with her. Jon asked Chris Brown & Dan Bower if either of them were interested in being co-chair but neither was sure at this point. Nicole mentioned her desire to get neighbor Dennis involved.
At this point Kay Newell arrived, providing the 5th vote necessary for a quorum. We voted on the motion to install Joel as Communications chair. All 5 present voted in favor of this action.

Item 3: Bylaw discussion
Nicole reported that we still don't have the City's final word on the requirements for our bylaws, but we do know of some ways in which we're non-compliant Nicole ran down her list of suggested changes.
Regarding constraints on voting practices, Kay brought up the fact that we can operate on a consensus basis. Discussion ensued: it was agreed that the election of board members probably needs to happen by vote.
Nicole proposed and the group agreed to writing up language regarding voting, consensus, and the other bylaw issues, distributing it in time for people to review it prior to the next general membership meeting where it can be discussed. Then it can be reviewed again changes submitted for a vote at the following meeting of the general membership.

Item 4: Definition of chairs
We briefly discussed re-defining chairs but Kay voiced her concern that if we don't leave chair definitions somewhat loose we could end up "defining ourselves out of existence."

Item 5: Committees
Kay said that she would like to see more "at large" chairs in order to allow people with different interests to get involved and define their own areas of interest.
Discussion ensued: Dan mentioned that, like Chris, he might like to be "at large. "
Chris pointed out that Eliot has 20 board members and is organized into action committees with many fewer general membership meetings (only 2 a year). Nicole noted that the City does require certain chairs including grievance, treasurer, secretary & head chair. We discussed the need for "outreach" to numerous areas of the community.
Nicole volunteered to draft verbiage re-defining chair positions, making 3 "at large" chairs where the senior & youth chairs were. We reached a consensus that she would do this and we would proceed with these changes in the same manner as described above for the changes to the voting/consensus procedures.
We discussed the language regarding the dismissal of chairs for missed meetings. Because Joel's work schedule will keep him from attending general membership meetings, it was suggested that missed meetings "coupled with inactivity" would become the basis for dismissal of a chair.

Item 6: Agenda Items for the April meeting of the general membership?
Nicole said a man named Xander who is running for a county commission position wants to come to our meeting and "listen to our issues." Dan said he thinks it's okay for him to come introduce himself. Kay was concerned that we should have more than one candidate present to avoid the appearance that we're endorsing someone. Nicole suggested we let him come, introduce himself and hand out a survey. There was general consensus that Nicole's suggestion would be fine and when the election gets closer we could consider having/facilitating some kind of voter/candidates forum.
Kay said the Shriners want to circulate a petition so they can be added to the Oregon State tax form to receive charitable donations. We agreed that the petition can be made available at the next meeting.
Justin wondered if we should specifically invite the Mississippi Co-op folks to the next meeting again, in the hopes of encouraging further engagement regarding the Kurisu project. There was general agreement that they should be invited and that to whatever extent possible we should invite as many people as we can.
Kay said that NAYA is planning to move down to Knott street (out of their digs in the Mississippi Rising building) and were interested in having a letter of support from the Boise Neighborhood Association. There was general agreement that such a letter would be proposed to the general membership.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM