VLUG Meeting Notes 2002.11.12

TOPIC: AGM.

Presenter: Guru Panel

Attendance Figures:
Total	28
Non-members
First-timers	8

NEWS

• Linux Lunacy Cruise was recently held successfully.
• EVMS vs LVMS: Winner was LVMS.
• Walmart selling boxes w/ Linux OS.
• MySQL donated $25,000.00 towards Open Source initiatives. Has seemingly settled their issues with NuSphere.

AGM - Annual General Meeting ELECTIONS:

Club financials were presented by Treasurer Thomas McVeigh, voted on and accepted.

NEW VLUG EXEC - BOARD of DIRECTORS.

• President: Carl Constantine
• Vice President: Mark McLaughlin
• Treasurer: Thomas McVeigh
• Secretary: Mike Pfleger
• Membership: Brent Sirna

Congrats to the New Exec. and many thanks to all who volunteered to stand for a post.

MOTIONS put forward for debate at the AGM:

1) Steve Shack proposed VLUG submit a position paper on the Canadian government's internet data collection laws currently under discussion. Contentious elements are the lack of Court oversite and regulation. Submission must be made by Dec. 15/02. Motion voted and carried. The Exec will receive submissions in this regard and fashion a response. Debate on this topic may also be continued on the VLUG Discuss email list.

2) Mark M. proposed for debate the following two topics:

A: That VLUG memberships be run on a Calendar year basis, renewing at the AGM. Members joining later in the year may be prorated. This greatly eases the busy-work load of the membership Chair. The new Membership Chair, Brent Sirna will examine this option further.

A *straw vote* via show of hands at the meeting showed support of around 65%-75% for such a motion.

B: Proposed that a special motion be put to the membership to amend the VLUG Bylaws to institute a 2 year term limit on the position of President. This would state that the post may held thru election or acclamation a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Subsequent to that if no candidate will stand the Exec Board of Directors may Appoint a president, who may also be the previous president.

After a 1 year hiatus on or off the Board of Directors the clock is reset and the individual may run for the presidents post again. The aim of this bylaw amendment is to structurally ensure turn over in the post with consequent freshness of viewpoint and direction in the group. Mark M. will present this draft over the next couple of weeks. A formal notice will have to be given to the membership before a vote may be taken on such a motion ( one that amends the club bylaws. )

A *straw vote* via show of hands at the meeting showed support of around 65%-75% for such a motion.

Formal AGM Ended.

Guru Panel proceeded to field Q&A for the next 40 min.

This meeting maintained maximum excitement thru out. Several races developed in which actual voting occurred. Thank you Angel for escorting VLUG mascot "Tux" the Penguin home. Please return Tux to the next VLUG monthly meeting. Each month we will hold a "Give TUX a Home for a Month" prize raffle. You could be a lucky winner.

Meeting Adjourned  to Graduate Students Lounge, which was closed :-(. Some folks carried on to Boston Pizza.

Next Meeting:

Where: University of Victoria, Cornet Rm. B - 143.
When: Dec. 10/02.
Topic: TBA

Notes from Mark McLaughlin - Outgoing VLUG Secretary.
secretary@vlug.org