IFDA New England Chapter Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting February 5, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 12:10pm. Attendance: All present except Al Lagueux and Gloria Robertson who were excused. Jennifer Driscoll made a motion to accept the meeting agenda. The motion was seconded by Bob Grossman. A vote was taken and the agenda was approved. Jennifer Driscoll made a motion to approve the minutes of the January Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Bob Grossman. A vote was taken and the minutes were approved. Gary Rousseau delivered the Treasurer’s Report. Please contact Karen Dzendolet at karen@kdzdesigns.com if you have any questions about IFDA NE finances. Rob Henry delivered the Membership Report. We have 6 new members this year and 144 members in all. 88 are paid members; 56 have not paid, as of Feb. 5th. Vivian Robbins delivered the Membership Retention report. Vivian has data on which members attended our events. This data will be included in the minutes. Rob will evaluate the data to determine if there is a correlation between the members who attended events and renewed their membership and those who did not attend events and did not renew. Vivian did not include in the report those people who attended the Louis Postel writing workshops. It was requested that Dianne Ramponi keep track of people who signed up for events and failed to attend. Rob suggested that we follow up with people who join the chapter but never participate. Vivian followed up with a member who never attends events. This person remarked that he/she doesn't like that we have to pay dues and pay to attend events. Vivian called people who have not renewed their membership. Rob will also follow up with people he knows or has brought into the chapter. Vivian reported on the results from the holiday party survey pertaining to the newsletter. People preferred a local over a national newsletter and quarterly over monthly frequency. Only 15 people responded, however. People wanted to know what the Board is working on, what's new with members, and receive earlier notice of events. Jennifer Driscoll delivered the Event Programming Report.