Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. Board of
Directors Meeting
November 16, 2007 @ Council Conference Room
Roll Call
Attendees:
David Balfour, Chairman
David
Richards, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Len
Clingham, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Robert Cahill,
Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Robert Billington,
President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Absent:
Louise Boulanger, Member
Sam
Butera, Vice-Chairman
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
David DePetrillo, Member
Louis Yip, Member
Richard Murphy, Member
Sue
Tessier-Mackenzie, Secretary
Jackie Boudreau,
Treasurer
2. Minutes
On a MOTION by Robert Cahill
seconded by Paul Eno, the Minutes of the September 21st
2007 meeting were approved as submitted. Unanimously
approved. (Copies attached)
3. Treasurer’s Report
David Balfour explained that the
Treasurer was at a conference out of state. On behalf of
the Treasurer the following reports were presented. The
Profit and Loss statement dated 11/13/07 for the BVTC
for the period from July 2007 through September 2007 was
presented. The Transaction Detail for the Annual Meeting
dated 11/13/07 was presented. On a MOTION by Robert
Cahill seconded by Paul Eno, the Treasurer’s Reports
above were approved as submitted. It was suggested that
a thank you letter be sent to Sue Tessier Mackenzie for
her success with the Tourism Council Annual Auction.
4. President’s Report and Old
Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on
the following:
a. The Place Making Conference
staged by the Tourism Council’s Sustainable Tourism
Development Laboratory. The Conference attracted 80
people
b. Boat Operations
The Explorer attracted 500 more
people than last year. Several news articles were
submitted that drew additional attention to the
operations
We are still waiting for a meeting
regarding Water Cruises of Rhode Island LLC and Peter
Conway of Conway Tours and Navigant Credit Union. The
Credit Union would like to help the BVTC financial
situation regarding the debt on the boats.
c. Billington updated the Board on
an upcoming training of our Volunteers and Dunkin Donut
staff at the 295 Visitor Center.
d. A discussion of the Point Counter
Point boat coming to the Blackstone Valley was
discussed.
5. New Business
a. John Lefrancios and David Balfour
suggested that a Committee be formed for next year’s
Annual Meeting. He suggested we move the meeting to a
new location that would suit the Tourism Council better.
John Lefrancois suggested that we accept advertising for
the Auction Booklet next year to raise more funds.
Billington spoke about the Civic
Tourism Conference that we are hosting in October of
2008. The Board was then given a presentation on what
the Civic Tourism is.
Dave Balfour was concerned about the
fact that many of BVTC’s initiations are taken over by
others and that they then forget that BVTC should be
credited. Geo Tourism is an example.
Dave Richards suggested we continue
to do our good work. Other organizations will continue
to take the good ideas and we should be prepared to
generate even more good ideas.
Paul Eno noted that he met with Len
Ladarro of URI recently and Paul raised the question
about what we should be doing to hedge ourselves against
severe budget cuts. Billington spoke about being
prepared for the potential loss of a $9,000 grant from
the state legislature.
6. Adjournment
With no further business before the
board, the board adjourned at 1:15 PM upon a motion by
Paul Eno and a Second by Dave Richards.
Respectfully
submitted,
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie
Recording
Secretary
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