Open BOD Meeting- This Sunday Nov 15th

[Pennies2Cents]

Attention All Members, :bighug:

The Open BOD Meeting has been scheduled.

Date: October 25th, 2009
Location: Bass Pro Shop Conference Room
Time: TBA

We the BOD would like to know of any concerns that you the members may have that can be addressed during this meeting. If so, please post them here.

This is not a discussion thread. Please refrain from doing so.

We look forward to hearing your concerns in making MAAST a better place for you to enjoy.

Sincerely,
The MAAST BOD

Reminder: OPEN BOD MEETING This Sunday! :)

Date:
Sunday, November 15th

Time:
1-3pm

Location:

The Pig Stand
1508 Broadway
San Antonio, Tx 78215

Lunch Special Available: $5.99

Hamburger/Fries & Milkshake

[Pennies2Cents]

You may also PM me with your concerns.

Thanks Again...

[Pennies2Cents]

>>>>>><<<<<<<<

[Darth-Tater]

Can we just show up and ask questions?

Tater

[Sherri]

Can we just show up and ask questions?

Tater

Of course you can, David...:)

[Ping]

Q1. Where are we on Non-Profit Status?

Q2. How are we looking for a San Antonio MACNA? Are we ready?

Q3. Can we make it easier to post video's to the MAAST forums?

[Sherri]

Thanks Ping... :)

[Pennies2Cents]

Attention All Members,

The Open BOD Meeting that was originally scheduled for this coming weekend the 25th of October has been postponed until November 15th, 2009 from 1-3pm. Location: TBD.

Due to the current state of our By-Laws, there are many conflicting and unclear/ambigous sections of the Bylaws that need to be amended in order for the club business to move forward.

During this time we the BOD will be holding our very own meeting to discuss & make changes in order to clear these sections up. Please understand, there is nothing underhanded going on - we just have some serious housekeeping to take care of.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. We look forward to seeing you in November.

Sincerely,
THE MAAST BOD

[Sherri]

Q1. Where are we on Non-Profit Status?

Q2. How are we looking for a San Antonio MACNA? Are we ready?

Q3. Can we make it easier to post video's to the MAAST forums?

Ping...I'd like to go ahead and answer your questions above and not have you wait. :) Be right back....:wink_smile:

[Sherri]

Q1. On the Non Profit Status....

We (MAAST) are under 501C3 - Educational (Non Taxable)

We owe no sales tax on purchases for educational reasons

We owe no sales tax on membership dues

We are allowed two (2) one day raffles per year with no taxes due under Non Profit

Law now reflects that no Federal taxes due for less than $50,000 gross (previously $25,000) received per year under this 501C3

When Non Profit status is approved, we then can then apply for 990N by electronic post card (CPA would be able to do for us upon NP approval)

The above information is from our CPA whom processed the application and mailed to US Treasury along with our $300.00 check.

Update:

MAAST Ck #621 in the amount of $300.00 (NP application fee) was mailed to the US Treasury on 8/5/09 and cleared the bank on 8/13/09. Early September, received a letter from the US Treasury dated 8/20/09....stating receipt of our Non Profit application and the below explanation:

During the initial review process, applications for exemption are separated into three groups:
1) Those that can be processed immediately based on information submitted,
2) Those that need minor additional information to be resolved, and
3) Those that require additional development.
If the application falls in the first group or second group, you will receive your determination letter stating that you are exempt from Federal income tax or a request for information via phone, fax, or letter. If your application falls within the third group, you will be contacted when your application has been assigned to an Exempt Organizations specialist for technical review. You can expect to be contacted within approximately 90 days from the date (8/20/09) of this notice.

Update II:

As of today...10/20/09 : I have checked Post Office Box twice a week since receiving letter and have heard nothing. We are currently 60 days into the application process...so hearing nothing is good news (no problems so far!) And should be hearing "something" within the next 30 days. I will post AS SOON AS I hear anything. Hope that helps explaining the complete Non Profit Application process....:bigsmile:

This has been a long process that Steve & I have worked very hard to make happen for MAAST. Keep fingers crossed that we fall into Group 1 or 2! :applause:

[Sherri]

Q2. MACNA - San Antonio? And are we ready?

As far as MACNA...we all were pretty excited about pushing for MACNA to come to San Antonio about a year ago. TMAC was formed initially as a gateway to MACNA. If we could handle TMAC - it would help prepare us for possibly snagging MACNA. Down the road - after TMAC - it became obvious that we really didn’t need MACNA right now. What we were attempting to do with TMAC was bring together Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and the Valley. Texas basically. TMAC was a success and something we could build on currently. The BOD felt that giving such an event to our members - convenience, affordability, friendship, education & speakers so close to home - that it was an event that would grow into something that could be held annually - and become bigger and better. Aside from all of the above...the time and commitment to MACNA is enormous. With Non Profit still in the works...MACNA would end up costing MAAST. I (personally) feel/felt the support and commitment needed to pull off such an event wasn’t/isn’t totally there...and it is something that once committed to...can not falter. Not to say it can’t be sometime in the future...but at a time where the foundation of this great club is strong and can handle the commitment. :)

[ErikH]

:heart:

[greenmako]

Q3. Can we make it easier to post video's to the MAAST forums?

What kind of video formats?

I have already worked on the youtube embedding which you can see how to use here:
http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51753&highlight=youtube

uploading and view movies from maast will be to much of a bandwidth eater so anything video related will have to be embedded from 3rd party video hosting services

[Ping]

Thank you all. Questions answered.

[DrMark]

Accurate and well said, Sherri

[Sherri]

Thanks Brian for answering Q3 for me. :)

[Sherri]

Accurate and well said, Sherri

Thanks Mark...and Ping. :wub:

[Sherri]

And should be hearing "something" within the next 30 days. I will post AS SOON AS I hear anything. Hope that helps explaining the complete Non Profit Application process....:bigsmile:

This has been a long process that Steve & I have worked very hard to make happen for MAAST. Keep fingers crossed that we fall into Group 1 or 2! :applause:

Update: We have heard back from Dept of the Treasury with a additional information request...in the process of working with CPA on response...

[danny]

A user named Teeb keeps sending me private messages and threatening me. I'm concerned for my safety. Can we ban him or something?

[Pennies2Cents]

Danny. Pm Sent...

[Pennies2Cents]

Reminder: OPEN BOD MEETING This Sunday! :)

Date:
Sunday, November 15th

Time:
1-3pm

Location:

The Pig Stand
1508 Broadway
San Antonio, Tx 78215

Lunch Special Available: $5.99

Hamburger/Fries & Milkshake

See ya there! :bighug:

[Kristy]

Thanks for the update on location!

[kkiel02]

Sorry if I've missed this but is this the november meeting or is the tank tour still on? Been outta town so I might have missed a thread in which case.... Oops

[txav8r]

This is going to be an open BOD meeting, not the tank tour.

[Bill S]

Yes, the tank tour is on - we go to your house as the first stop directly after the meeting... JK.

I think that the Austin Tank Tour has been postponed until January, to move it away from the holidays.

This meeting is to give MAAST Members the opporunity to discuss anything on their minds, with the MAAST Board of Directors.

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Just to be clear, are we obligated to eat (I would think not).........I have already received several calls on this matter.

Thanks in advance......

[Mr Cob]

It says "Lunch Special Available: $5.99", so I would think that means it's "available" for members if they are hungry.

I'm pretty sure that's a discounted rate for the members too.

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Thanks Rob, I understood it to mean the same.....just wanted clarification. Never assume anything, lol!

[Pennies2Cents]

It says "Lunch Special Available: $5.99", so I would think that means it's "available" for members if they are hungry.

I'm pretty sure that's a discounted rate for the members too.

Yes you are correct Rob. There is "NO" obligation to purchase. But it is available for the members if they are hungry! :)

[Mr Cob]

Wish I could get that lunch special right now.

: )

Kind of hungry at work. Who wants to volunteer? LOL! Haha!

[kkiel02]

Yes, the tank tour is on - we go to your house as the first stop directly after the meeting... JK.

I think that the Austin Tank Tour has been postponed until January, to move it away from the holidays.

This meeting is to give MAAST Members the opporunity to discuss anything on their minds, with the MAAST Board of Directors.
LOL I actually have 4 tanks/tubs going so we could make a day outta it.

[Sherri]

See everyone at the meeting...:wub:

[Pennies2Cents]

Bump for reminder! :)

[Mr Cob]

BUMP.


Eve, we should add this to the first post so there isn't any confusion. The first post has the old location info.


Reminder: OPEN BOD MEETING This Sunday! :)

Date:
Sunday, November 15th

Time:
1-3pm

Location:

The Pig Stand
1508 Broadway
San Antonio, Tx 78215

Lunch Special Available: $5.99

Hamburger/Fries & Milkshake

[profntbtr]

i missed the meeting, too busy around the house

[Bill S]

For those that attended, thanks for coming by and expressing your opinions and asking your questions.

[Pennies2Cents]

Yes, Thank You..... :) We are glad to have answered any and all your concerns. :)

[txav8r]

Thanks to those that came by. Nice to see you all.

[justahobby]

It was a great chance to see the BOD in action. Is this something that will be occuring regularly?

[justahobby]

It was a great chance to see the BOD in action. Is this something that can occur regularly?

[Pennies2Cents]

Im sure we can make it possible. :) There is no reason for it not to happen. We are here for you the members. :)

[txav8r]

I'll take the time to answer Justin's 2nd question.

Im sure we can make it possible. :) There is no reason for it not to happen. We are here for you the members. :)

[Pennies2Cents]

Hey CopyCat! lol :) Thanks Jack! :)

[JimD]

So hows about a run down on what questions were asked and how they were answered? Im sure those of us who were unable to attend this historic event would like to know.

[Pennies2Cents]

As Secretary, I am already working on the Minutes for this meeting. They will be posted soon. :)

[JimD]

I'll be looking forward to seeing these minutes... :)

[cowboy572]

Yep it was a good meeting.

[Mr Cob]

Nice meeting with everyone today! Thanks for showing and participating!

Thanks to Sherry and her Mom for having us.

[justahobby]

I will look foward to attending future meetings. I think its a great way for all the members to voice suggestions and concerns without getting lost or missed in threads.Thank you to the BODs for making this happen and the really great door prize!

[txav8r]

Got a pic of the zoas opend up yet Justin?

[Pennies2Cents]

Door Prizes were courtesy of MAAST! :)

[justahobby]

Gotta get my brother back over for pictures. I finally got him to come over Saturday afternoon. Then, as fate would have it, I get great coral from Rob and MAAST and can't show em off :cry_smile: Until I can get pictures, it's a colony of zoas (30 plus heads) that covers the entire plug. They have a pink center and I believe there's some blue in the eye. I've never been lucky so I was a little shocked when my name was called. Good stuff :bigsmile:

[justahobby]

Yep
Door Prizes were courtesy of MAAST! :)

[justahobby]

Haha just re-read my previous post. Sounds like I was thanking the BOD Yes, thank you to MAAST for donated frags as door prizes.

[cowboy572]

Forget to mention that also, I was another one that won one of the zoa frags door prizes for attendance. Guys you should have been there, one of the perks for attending the meetings.

[Bill S]

And please note, folks. Board Members were NOT eligible for Door Prizes.

[Gseclipse02]

And please note, folks. Board Members were NOT eligible for Door Prizes.


thats crappy

yall should be allowed to join in on stuff like this .... just because yall are helping out yall get disqualified


i vote to change that

check

[justahobby]

I believe the rules are placed to prevent chances of ... I hate to say ....cheating. Their could be accusations if only BODs won consecutively. With that said, I do also agree that it's unfair given the fact that it is an unpaid position. Perhaps a new system of drawing could be in order. Every person places their name in after the meeting? Making sure no one skips or includes names? Maybe someone who knows better will chime in.

[justahobby]

Why is editing not a function on this thread?

[Gseclipse02]

Why is editing not a function on this thread?
works for me

[Bill S]

thats crappy

yall should be allowed to join in on stuff like this .... just because yall are helping out yall get disqualified


i vote to change that

check


Actually, I think that's a good idea. As a Board Member, I'll continue to buy raffle tickets at meetings, but anything I win will go to the classrooms of educators that attend the meetings. The same will be true of any door prizes I happen to win. At the last club meeting, I declined a door prize ticket.

[txav8r]

To clarify, it's not a rule, it's a choice. We all chose not to participate. It's a morality thing. We choose what gets given as door prises. It's not fair for us to participate when we get to pick what is given away.

[justahobby]

To clarify, it's not a rule, it's a choice. We all chose not to participate. It's a morality thing. We choose what gets given as door prises. It's not fair for us to participate when we get to pick what is given away.

Can't argue with that, well not yet anyways :bigsmile:

[JimD]

As Secretary, I am already working on the Minutes for this meeting. They will be posted soon. :)

Are these minutes available yet? :zzz:

[Pennies2Cents]

The minutes of any meeting whether they are open or closed takes quite a bit of formatting along with precise attention to detail. I am currently working on getting those minutes out to the public and will post a new thread as soon as I am able.

Thanks.