Board
Minutes
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council,
Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
November 21, 2008 @ Blackstone Valley Tourism Headquarters
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
David Balfour, Chair
Maurice Rondeau, Member
Dave Richards, Member
Len Clingham, Member
Ted Garille, Member
Richard Murphy, Member
Louis Yip, Member
Absent:
Jackie Boudreau, Treasurer
Louise Boulanger, Vice Chair
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Najwa Murphy, Member
Mark Brodeur, Member
Sue T-MacKenzie, Member
Paul Eno, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Helen Fairbrother Moroney, Member
Also:
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
2. The meeting was called to order at 12:15 pm with
a quorum present.
3. Minutes
The minutes of the July 17, 2008 meeting were
approved as presented.
4. Treasurer’s Report
The Chairman noted that Ms. Boudreau, the
Treasurer, was in Boston and therefore not able to attend the
meeting.
On a MOTION by Mr. Clingham and a Second by Mr.
Richards the Income Statement and Balance Sheet for the Blackstone
Valley Tourism Council dated 11/20/08 was approved as presented.
Mr. Garille asked if a third column could be added
to the Treasurer’s Report to show the variances. Ms. Carter stated
that she would speak to the Bookkeeper to make the necessary changes
for future reports.
5. President’s Report and Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the following:
a. The Fall train excursion to Putnam Connecticut
and the Polar Express.
He said both were profitable, however he would
review and compare expenses and revenue on the Fall train excursion
for 2009. Mr. Garille noted his family had a great time on the Polar
Express and suggested it to others.
Mr. Billington noted that the wheel chair lift,
used for the train and purchased by the Levy Foundation, worked very
well. He added that BVTC might be able to be rent the lift to other
groups seeking that type of train access.
b. Bank RI Line of Credit
Mr. Billington asked the Board to consider a Bank RI Line of Credit
that was offered to the Tourism Council. On a MOTION by Mr. Clingham
and seconded by Mr. Murphy, the Board voted to consider the offer.
Mr. Richards suggested that we prepare “Line of Credit” applications
from several banks prior for the Board’s consideration. Mr. Rondeau
asked if the Small Business Administration was contacted for a Line
of Credit.
After several motions, reconsiderations and
questions such as interest rates and if there be a cost if the “Line
of Credit” isn’t used, the Board agreed to pass a Resolution in
support of applying for the “Line of Credit” offer from Bank Rhode
Island with the proviso that the full application with details be
presented at the January meeting for the Board’s full review. A full
vote on the Line of Credit would be taken at that meeting to
determine if it was still needed by the Tourism Council. Ms. Carter
noted that it would help with Cash Flow during the winter of 2009.
6. New Business
There was no new business to present and the formal
business meeting was adjourned for a special presentation at 12:52
pm.
Mr. Francois Bedard of the Center for Excellence in
Destinations of Montreal spoke on the Center’s work and noted that
there is an excellent possibility that the Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council might be the first agency in the United States to
participate in their program.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business before the board,
the board formerly adjourned at 1:10 pm with a MOTION by Mr. Garille
and seconded by Mr. Rondeau.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert D. Billington
President
