WBN, Inc.


The WBN mission is to encourage and facilitate the growth, performance and integrity of professional women by creating opportunities to foster relationships through a creative exchange of referrals.

Archived Board Minutes

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Date: January 13, 2009
7:15 PM at D”Imperio’s ,Monroeville

  1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Melissa Venneri, President at 7:26 pm
  2. Roll Call
    Board Members Present:  Melissa Venneri, Melissa McGavick, Barbara Dull, Beverly Woodside, Gayle Bradley, Joy Kohonatz, Sharon Bone, Maryann Barnes, Barbara Meinen, Kathleen Schneider.
    Board Members Absent:  Annette Ziemba
  3. Approval of Minutes – November 11, 2008 and December 9, 2008.
    Approved: Joy Klohonatz 1st, Barbara Dull 2nd
    Motion carries.
  4. Approval of Treasurer’s Report – December 2008
    1. Review of WBN Budget – Proposed vs. Actual.
      The current loss shown is due to most of our large expenditures occurring during the first half of the year.
    2. Late fee for renewing members $25.00 on website, not $10.00 as seen the invoice.
      Pat Kaley is to be told to correct the error.
      Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report:
      Approved:  Sharon Bone 1st, Beverly Woodside 2nd.  Motion carries.
  5. Reports:
    1. Executive Director’s Report
      1. Update and progress with Ivy Exec partnership.
        Kathleen Schneider reviewed the contract.  The liability issue is questionable.
        Not everyone who applies will be approved.  There needs to be some guidelines.  If someone feels they are discriminated against, will we be liable to a suit as well?  There is no timeframe stipulated in the contract.  The contract is for 1 year and we have the right to cancel within 30 days.  This is not an exclusive contract.  We can do the same with other headhunter companies.
      2. Update on video conferencing of meetings and locations for them.
        1. Suggestion of adding an additional meeting location in the west.  We would also need a hardline hookup at the locations of the meetings.  Talarico’s and the Marriott in Cranberry have hardlines.  Our current meeting locations do not.
        2. Cynthia Dragosin from DMI, OnSync presented their proposal for video conferencing.  They would need a broadband from where we would be broadcasting.  They can record sessions, save them, provide a link or a password to the session.  This has a whiteboard application with chat sessions that can be saved.   Storage is unlimited.  They would provide 1 broadcast to 25 sites.
          The cost is $135 a month.  Cynthia is volunteering to video meetings in exchange for a WBN membership.  The current rate is $250 for ½ day normally.  Their site is Digitalsamba.com.
          The question was brought up that could we get copies of the meetings should we cancel?
          Other suggestions for video conferencing were:  Webinar Citrix, which is $948 a year for 1000 attendees and WebEx at $59 or $69 for 25 locations.  They also have 50 locations or more for $405 a month.  They do provide a free demo for 10 people.
      3. Information on chapters in distress
      4. Update of Chapter adoptions done by board members.
        1. Tri-Towne has no one willing to go to Chapter Rep Meetings
        2. New Latrobe will be having a Feb. 2 information meeting.  They meet at the Coffee Bean on Route 30.
        3. Murrysville has not presented a letter of intent.
        4. Armstrong/Kiski now has 17 members.
    2. Strategic Planning Committee – update to Board on outcome of conference call.
      The committee saw flaws in the organizations communications with members on several levels, which inhibits our effective responsiveness to new and existing members.  The suggestions were:
      1. The WBN handbook should be available on our website which can be printed out and given to new members.
      2. The need to revise the header buttons and simple instructions with a  shortcut guide on “How to find this or how to do that”.
      3. The need for “Key Word Searches” for helping to locate members by categories.
      4. The need to simplify and rewrite our strategic plan with revised target dates for each objective.
      5. The need to better communicate how the approvals for new members and processing of membership dues is to be handled by new chapter formations, as well as, for existing chapters.
  6. Old Business:
    1. Approve WBN to partner in a reciprocal relationship with Ivy Exec to gain more exposure for our organization and provide WBN Members with additional member benefits.
    2. Approve WBN to contract the services of Black Tie of Pittsburgh at an annual cost of $500.00 per year for various event services as well as merchant processing of credit cards for events.  The actual cost is $450.
    3. Approve expenditure $500.00 (Actual = $575.00) to Zoltun Design for redesign and delivery of proof for new WBN brochures.
    4. Approve WBN to go to quarterly billing of membership dues .
    5. Approve expenditure of $750.00 to Scarlett’s Web for hosting and design of WBN Member Directory.
  7. New Business:
    1. Introduction of PhpMyDirectory.com for WBN website as suggested by Tara Lang.
      Tara says this would make the website ore dynamic, easier to navigate and benefit members.  The software program is $100 one time fee.  We can upgrade periodically.  Each member will have their own page and will be able to change certain fields.  This will help with the category issues.  Members will be able to put in their own description.  The cost would be $250 for any additional time to convert the entry.
      Action to approve the use of PhpMyDirectory.com for WBN website.
      Motion to approve:  Gayle Bradley 1st, Kathleen Schneider 2nd
      Motion carries
    2. Inquiry to Board about approval of Affinity program with Liberty Mutual.
      Liberty Mutual is offering a discount to WBN if approved.  After filling out an application, their underwriters then approve it.  It was felt that we need to ask our other insurance members if they would want to make the same offer.
      Action to approve the Affinity program with Liberty Mutual and extend the invitation to other insurance WBN members to provide a group wide discount.
      Motion to approve:  Beverly Woodside 1st, Sharon Bone 2nd.
      Motion carrieS
    3. Suggestion and discussion of changing format of Chapter Rep. meetings to more effectively disseminate information amongst the members of the organization.
      The motion to change Chapter Rep meetings was tabled.
  8. Miscellaneous:  None
  9. Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 pm

Next Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 10, 2009 at Atria’s in Wexford.

Submitted by Barbara Meinen
Recording Secretary
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