Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
June 23, 2010
Tourism Council Conference Room
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chair
Najwa Murphy, Member
Moe Rondeau, Member
Dave Richards, Member
Judy Fischbach, Member
Jackie Boudreau, Treasurer
Paul Eno
Dave Richards
Absent:
Sue Tessier Mackenzie, Secretary
Helen Moroney, Member
Louis Yip, Member
Ted Garille, Member
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Mark Brodeur, Member
Rich Murphy, Member
John LeFrancois, Member
Also Attending:
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
2. The meeting was called to order at
12:00 pm with a quorum present.
3. Minutes
On a MOTION by Mr. Richards and seconded
by Mr. Rondeau and Ms Boudreau, the Minutes of the April 23,
2010 meeting were approved as presented.
4. Treasurer’s Report
Ms. Boudreau presented the details of
the Financial Report as of July 14, 2010. (attached) Ms.
Boudreau noted a surplus of approximately $59,000. Ms.
Carter explained that at the end of the FY that surplus
would be used to pay down debt service on outstanding loans.
Ms. Boudreau noted $161,000 in assets were in the procession
of the Tourism Council.
On a MOTION by Mr. Eno and seconded by
Mr. Rondeau, the report was approved as published and
presented.
5. President’s Report
Mr. Billington updated the Board of
Directors on the following:
The need for a By-Laws Committee to review and update as
necessary. Mr. Rondeau requested that each member of the
Board be sent a copy by email for their review.
Billington mentioned that Jim Leach,
Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities was
hosted in the office last month. He is on a 50 state tour
titled American Civility Tour.
He noted that a financial grant was
received from the state of RI to help finance the operations
of the Visitor Center
He noted that Natalie Carter represented
the Tourism Council at the state-sponsored tourism planning
session.
He updated the Board on his and Mr.
Yip’s participation at the World Tourism Summit held in
Beijing in May.
Billington noted that long-time Board
member Ted Garille would be retiring and stepping down from
the Board of Directors. He recommended Judith Allaire, the
GM of the Pascoag Utility District replace him on the Board.
He pleaded with all Board members to
purchase an ad in the 25th Anniversary program. He noted
that over 15 ads were sold to date.
He noted that Barry Mechanic is working
with Lloyd Albert of AAANE to
develop an advertising program that will promote 24
non-profit visitor attractions in the Blackstone Valley.
He noted that at the Annual Dinner the
William Blackstone Society will induct Rick Greenwood of the
RIHPC and John Gregory of the NRICOC into the Society.
Upon a MOTION by Mr. Rondeau and a
SECOND by Ms. Boudreau the Presidents report was accepted.
6. New Business
Mr. Rondeau noted again that the Tourism
Council should work with the Cumberland Lincoln Boys Club on
their Rubber Ducky race in 2010.
Dave Richards asked why the work discussed at a meeting he
held with Billington and Mr. Reeder was not completed as
yet. Billington explained that due to time constraints the
changes were slow to engage.
Dave Richards questioned if the
Riverboat Explorer was coming to Woonsocket this year.
Billington noted that the condition of the temporary dock
deteriorated so much that it had to be removed and the new
landing is taking longer than expected.
Dave Balfour and Dave Richards noted that the Backyard Tour
regarding Ghosts in the Blackstone Valley needs to be
respectful to the dead. Both had questions and comments
about the presentation being offered in August. Mr. Eno,
after a lengthy discussion, offered to speak to the
presenter, who was his friend, to insure that a respectful
tour was offered to the public.
Mr. Mechanic noted that the ads he was hoping to produce in
next week’s paper were not ready to go due to the artwork
was not ready. Billington assured him the designer was being
pushed to get it done quickly.
