Natural Building Network
Board Meeting
Minutes
1/14/10
Present – Carrie Campbell, Tim Owen-Kennedy, Chris McClellan, Sasha Rabin, Linda Lloyd
Opening Circle – Sasha reported that she and Tim and David Eisenberg were in Sacramento and that the State of California passed a new greywater and green code
Minutes – from meeting 12/30/09 were approved
Review Retreat – retreat notes are now finalized – Carrie will amend (take out some personal info) for posting on the web site
Dynamic Governance – Carrie feels that we have other things to resolve before any additional training. John suggested that we consider having an Executive Committee and an Executive Director.
Carrie’s letter – Carrie read a letter that was emailed to the Board indicating that after 4/15 she would not longer be able to do the NBN Administration including processing memberships, accounting, taxes, phone calls, email and web site updates. She asked that all Board members email to the Board by 1/28 what their personal commitment is to the NBN Board. Several people indicated appreciation for Carrie resolving to take care of her own needs. Chris and Linda suggested that we need an ED. Tim indicated that when we agreed to serve Jack advised he could have a limited role. It was also suggested that we have had the retreat earlier in our terms, that some were not aware we did no longer have an ED. Tim indicated the Architects and Designers for Social Responsibility have been operating for 45 years without an ED, but they do have a staff member and Tim will share that structure.
Functional Dormancy – Tim – this is a way that when you bleed $ beyond your resources, you get to a base level, then when there is income work happens – you decide the base minimum that keeps membership. Carrie will put together a list of tasks with times and get to us in 2 days.
Decision Making – Sasha – Sasha had sent her proposal out to us in google docs, so that everyone could make changes. Motion was made and approved that for decision making a google doc be posted for one week – as long as there is input from at least three Board Members, the proposal will be approved. If there are more than 2 objections, then the proposal will be remanded to the next Board Meeting for a decision. The proposal initiator to be the tickler to make sure people review the proposal.
Membership Model – Chris – Proposed membership model had been emailed to everyone. If we do the membership drive, we need to know what the structure will be. People felt that the pricing structure was too vague and perhaps also too low, plus it requires people to make presumptions with a suggested rather than required fee structure. One suggestion was to have a hobbyist level between student and professional, and also to have a base plus additional donation. If we go to automated renewals there must be a specific number. Tim and Chris to work on a second draft.
Natural Building Magazine – Mark Piepkorn will do a proposal for us.
Mentorship – Sasha – no report
Health Insurance – Linda previously emailed report – not feasible for us under current regulations
Other business –
The Open Architecture Network was mentioned – they have free membership and people can post projects and events.
Bruce King has gotten approved a new ASTM standard for earthen construction.
Possibility that we could suggest donations for people who do NBN work.
Next meeting is scheduled for February 11 at 3pm Pacific.
Action Items
Board members respond by 1/28 regarding personal commitment
Tim and Chris provide second draft of membership model
Tim to provide ADSR staffing structure
Carrie to amend retreat notes for web site
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Lloyd, secretary
