Technology Committee minutes – Lincoln NE
                                                            28 July 2008

Present: Jim Weibert, Dodie Rotherham, Mabel Kiessling, Marge Benson, Dennis Zitterkopf

Excused: Roger Rutz, Bob Lembke, Ray Lambrecht

Guests: Larry Bohlender (CIC), Connie Kevorkian (CIC), Joyce Philabaum, John Groh, Don Schenk, Mary Schenk, Ken Lefler, Ron Greenwald, Frank McLean, Henry Schmick, Lauren Brantner

Minutes for March 2008 were approved.

A presentation prepared by CIC describing the current SOAR manual processing of obituary files and a proposed automated process was discussed. Larry Bohlender, CIC President, explained the necessary software development for the automated process would be completed by CIC for no additional cost to AHSGR (using the automated system will save money that can be used to improve and further develop the SOAR system and its databases. The committee was definitely in favor of the recommended new process. Additional discussion will occur in the SOAR committee meeting.

Marge Benson gave a report about the status of SOAR. She reported 297,700 records in the system with 271,000 obituaries and 46,050 of the obituaries being in German.

Membership Plus (MS+) status and plans were discussed. 57 subscribers were reported as of 25 July and the number continues to increase. Methods of continuing to promote MS+ were suggested including through the Chapter Newsletters and encouraging village coordinators to inform their researchers about the service. Dodie Rotherham agreed to contact the coordinators via the VC mail list.

Scanning of obituary card backlog continues at the Benson house in Sacramento. Progress has been made but there are still more cards to process. No ECD was given by Marge.

A concern exists that our copy of Microsoft Office XP corporate edition will not run on new computers with the Vista operating system. If the new 2009 computers cannot be purchased with XP, this represents a budget risk for a TBD cost for the four computers.

The Google ‘click ad’ campaign initiated by Bob Lembke using funds from the Lauren Foundation to promote AHSGR and SOAR has been terminated. There was no observable increase in membership and no obvious gains to SOAR participation. Part of the problem is a lack of a method to measure success of using such an advertising technique.

Jim Weibert reported on the on-going VOIP investigation for the headquarters telephone system. Jim contacted Gary Harbeck, the representative for the equipment being considered, and the telephone connection was far less than satisfactory. The study is being terminated for now until the technology is significantly improved or until a real problem with the headquarters telephone and voice mail system occurs.

Budget forecast for 2009 was discussed. Proposed 2009 budget includes

§         four new PC $4000 (recommendation to replace two of the old computers now in the vault in addition to two new staff stations)

§         Symantec Anti-virus license renewal $250 **

§         Peachtree Tech Support $250 **

§         Peach Tree Tax Update $230 **

§         On-line store server fees (SSL, IP address, server access) $(50+80+120)=$250

§         On-line store technical support $1000

§         On-line store license/maintenance renewal fee $400

§         Lincoln office technical support (ANCCS) $1000

§         QuickBooks-Simple Start Plus Pack (requested by Diane White for Book Store)  ($120)

§         AVG license for computers taken to convention ($150)

This will be forwarded to Al Hart/Treasurer as required by the procedures.

Jim Weibert will prepare a draft for a recommended part time staff person with Information Technology (IT) support capability. Diane White is now the only on-site staff person with the capability to provide any such services and as new technology is added to the office this workload will continue to increase. The intent is the new person would provide other needed support in the office but also have the ability to serve in an IT role when needed.

Dennis has been unable to contact the local/Lincoln Time Warner sales person about changing our ISP from Cornhusker (DSL) to Time Warner (cable). Given the difficulty of even getting a return phone call or e-mail message there is no incentive to change from Cornhusker at this time even though Cornhusker is sometimes a less than desired solution.

The following agenda item was not discussed and will be included in the October 08 agenda - Continue with present local back up procedure and process OR opt for an automatic remote server backup method as offered by Cornhusker?

The redesign of the AHSGR web site as proposed in March 08 by Jess Enns (Foundation board member) was not discussed. Without a candidate to do the redesign with a design support tool there is little incentive to begin a serious discussion of the topic. If anyone knows of a candidate, preferably an AHSGR member who will not be extremely expensive,  to consider for this assignment please tell Dennis.

The committee discussed if web conferencing would be of interest or of value to the committee for future board meetings or for discussions between meeting periods. The discussion was inconclusive with some thinking it was a ‘good’ idea and others not enthused – typically with a concern about cost VS the benefit.

The 2008 Work Plan was briefly discussed. The reference to the VOIP system will be removed. A topic to investigate web conferencing options for use at Board Meetings or to help facilitate board committee discussions between meeting periods will be added

Dennis Zitterkopf, chair

PS: the committee has been given an assignment by the full board to investigate options for web conferencing for use at Board Meetings or to help facilitate board committee discussions between meeting periods. Dennis will outline an approach for the study but welcomes assistance from committee members for this task.