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.