Telephone conference Calls

Would you participate in KCBS Telephone Conference Board Meetings

  • Yes

    Votes: 28 70.0%

  • No

    Votes: 8 20.0%

  • I am not a member of KCBS

    Votes: 4 10.0%
  • Total voters
    40
  • Poll closed .
C

Carol

Guest
I want to thank everyone for the vote of confidence given to me, by electing me to the KCBS Board of Directors. 866 members or 43% of the voters said YES.

One of my election points was to make the Board of Directors meeting open to the members, not only to listen but to speak using the present telephone conference call system.

I have been told there is a small charge to use the system. So my question is would you pay the charge to listen and would you use the conference system to attend and listen or participate in a Kansas City Barbeque Society Board Meeting?

Again thank you for your votes and confidence.
Carol <><
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Congrats Carol, I am glad you got elected!!

To answer your question, I would not pay to listen to BOD meetings. There are plenty of free or low cost options available that I dont feel I should have to pay. Another option is to webcast the BOD meetings, unless they are held in locations that dont have internet access.

Very good idea!!
 
Carol, Thanks for taking the step to be on the BOD. You will do a fine job! I would pay to listen in! There are many things going on that I feel as a member should be made public. Contracts, Bylaws and Finance Reports should be printed monthly as other associations are that operated like we do. If this is to be a 501c4 then run it like one or change it to private and run it like you want. As a members based association there sure are alike of issues that seem to be run like it is a privately held company? That needs to change..............
Let me know how I can help?
 
I like the idea as long as the cost was reasonable. I'd also like the option of being able to call in to listen to a recorded replay if I was not available at the scheduled date/time.

Webcasts would also be a solid option.

I think it's a longshot though.
 
I voted yes, but it would depend on how much the "small" charge is....

And what if there was an internet site available, with video and sound for members only... of course a log in name and password would be needed. Just a thought.
 
While I voted yes, a lot would depend on the cost structure. Is it an 800 or similar toll free number?, is it a one time charge or charged by the minute? Things like that.

I will echo what Arlie said - if this is supposed to be a not-for-profit organization - 501c or whatever - They should have open board meetings, posted by-laws and financial statements. There seems to be way too much secrecy around all of this. While I did rejoin last fall, I will have to give it some thought this year if they continue to hide everything from the members. I have worked with a number of non-profit organizations and they always had this information available - I thought they had to by IRS regulations!!
 
Spydermike72 said:
Congrats Carol, I am glad you got elected!!

To answer your question, I would not pay to listen to BOD meetings. There are plenty of free or low cost options available that I dont feel I should have to pay. Another option is to webcast the BOD meetings, unless they are held in locations that dont have internet access.

Very good idea!!
Click to expand...


Why do I have to pay more money to listen to public information that im a paid member of, that im entitled to legally? Thats not going to fly.

Thats analogos of having to pay to hear what my county, state or federal goverment officials are discussing.

There is at least one expert in setting up this type of communication on a daily basis. Rather it be local or international teleconference calls here. I would love to hear his thoughts on your thoughts ref; this Carol.

I hope this all can be worked out in a reasonable manor very soon.
 
Carol
I feel with a change in the Presidency of the Board there is a chance to make the process more open to members.

I'm interested in seeing what effect you have on Merl!!! LOL

Jim
 
bbqbull said:
Why do I have to pay more money to listen to public information that im a paid member of, that im entitled to legally? Thats not going to fly.

Thats analogos of having to pay to hear what my county, state or federal goverment officials are discussing.

There is at least one expert in setting up this type of communication on a daily basis. Rather it be local or international teleconference calls here. I would love to hear his thoughts on your thoughts ref; this Carol.

I hope this all can be worked out in a reasonable manor very soon.
Click to expand...


i think(specualting here) KCBS is using a 3rd party teleconference service.

somewhat like a partyline, but its is charged 'by the line', meaning each time another person connects, the charge is 8-10 dollars. So, if 10 people call in, its a $80-100 phone call. I think thats was a proposal a few years a go that was voted down.. the fee was the 'per line' fee. They may be tryiing to table that same idea again.
 
Carol - Another thought here,is that there ideally should be a very clear and specific agenda available 24-28 hrs beforehand for those potentially interested in calling in to determine if the topics the BOD is discussing are important enough to them from a time and cost perspective.
 
I think I'm in agreement with the majority here. I would be willing to pay but it would depend on the actual charge that would be accessed. Also, how about just making a post meeting pod cast available for others to listen to that could be obtained from the member website.
 
Having done this many times before for previous small companies and a non-profit org I was associated with, the webcast is simple enough with pretty standard equipment. I would have to say asking people to pay is kinda hard.

It doesn't take a really technically adept person to do it.
 
I agree with the Webcast...All you really need is a computer, a pretty good webcam and internet connection...Depending on the software you could even create a podcast and post it on the website for others to see if they can't attend.
 
I also voted no, as a regular user of conference calls, sometimes with up to 15 people, it is not the best medium, IMHO. Instead a pod cast/mp3 cast/transcrition on the website, soemthing I can access at my convenience would be best for me. But that's me. Scott
 
I agree with the podcast idea or webcast.

I see no reason that members need to "talk". If we have an issue we should go to a BOD member before and get it put on the agenda. If the BOD would like the person to explain his/her idea then they could supply a teleconference connection for that person for that subject.

I also agree with open meetings. If the BOD wants to have a closed meeting then they can but not as part of the general meeting. Executive sessions are generally held outside the meetings and are meant to be private. But all decisions should be made and voted on at a regular meeting.
 
Yakfishingfool said:
I also voted no, as a regular user of conference calls, sometimes with up to 15 people, it is not the best medium, IMHO. Instead a pod cast/mp3 cast/transcrition on the website, soemthing I can access at my convenience would be best for me. But that's me. Scott
Click to expand...


i absolutely and steadfastly disagree that teleconferencing is not effective. In my job, I live by the teleconference. I use teleconferencing technology DAILY, with staffing all over the country. We have major, and i mean MAJOR presentations done, with hundreds of people via netmeeting and teleconferencing. Major corporations use it consistently and it is a necessity. It can be set up where one person has the floor at a time and effective and efficient meetings can be done if all co-operate, or it can be run in full open mode where you can hear the shouting matches.

PODcasting may be fine to just listen in, but there is no way it can handle a give and take. Podcasts is a good addition to a meeting and cost nearly nothing as long as they have decent bandwidth.. chit, we Broadcast bashes so members can watch a bunch of fat guys drink and it costs nothing.

however... If you want to talk, and be heard, you need to get in on the meeting. I also think(someone correct me if Im wrong) members who are in KC and nearby can attend and listen in for free.

If KCBS has the members 'signup' prior to the meeting if they want the floor, they can update the agenda for member slots and each person who signed up to speak can get a few minutes "timed". this can help plan the meeting times too.

This is an oppourtunity to have people attend the board meeting from anywhere, for nominal fees. More importantly, it is an opportunity to come forth and let the BOD know we DO give a chit about whats happening. There is strength in numbers. If this starts getting shot full of holes before its even implemented then we loose again.

The option is a free if you live in KC, or few bucks to attend via teleconf, or airfare to fly there and attend for free, or pay nothing/do nothing/say nothing.

So, if the answer is, you wont pay to sit in on the board meeting does that mean your going to pay the airfare and hotel bill to fly there, or you just wont attend and let things stay status quo?
 
Phil, I have no doubt it can be done. Professionals used to handling the nuances of a conference call probably make it a much more professionally organized event. From my perspective, it was very difficult to handle all those folks at once trying to "discuss" issues. I agree with the earlier post that a decision as to whether this is a listening event or a participation event. If participation, I think amateurs (like most of the people I've had on conference calls) are going to find the teleconference a difficult format. But not sure that all members need to comment. Therefore a method to listen, at my convenience, would be beneficial. Scott

As I write this though, i have participated in medical conference calls with many people. Messages we relayed to the "forum" via another call in number or by dialing a certain code which would connect you with someone who would record and ask the question. S
 
This stuff is not cheap. We looked into a monthly broker meeting with web and teleconference capabilities and for 40 people, it was going to cost us around $750 per month for ONE meeting and that was WITH the discount they offered us. If anyone has a cheap alternative you know of, please PM me with the info. I could use a feather in my cap with the damned boss right now.
 
Yakfishingfool said:
Phil, I have no doubt it can be done. Professionals used to handling the nuances of a conference call probably make it a much more professionally organized event. From my perspective, it was very difficult to handle all those folks at once trying to "discuss" issues. I agree with the earlier post that a decision as to whether this is a listening event or a participation event. If participation, I think amateurs (like most of the people I've had on conference calls) are going to find the teleconference a difficult format. But not sure that all members need to comment. Therefore a method to listen, at my convenience, would be beneficial. Scott

As I write this though, i have participated in medical conference calls with many people. Messages we relayed to the "forum" via another call in number or by dialing a certain code which would connect you with someone who would record and ask the question. S
Click to expand...

One thing we do today at my work is - there's a call with an associated live meeting. We use lotus notes products but let me look at a couple of things. I'm pretty good at finding economical solutions.

Yak's comments are right. You don't want people talking on the call because then you have muting issues, etc. A live meting would solve that problem. Essentially use MS IM to post concerns, etc. Even so it should be taped and posted to the website for those that can't attend.
 
BBQchef33 said:
i absolutely and steadfastly disagree that teleconferencing is not effective. In my job, I live by the teleconference. I use teleconferencing technology DAILY, with staffing all over the country. We have major, and i mean MAJOR presentations done, with hundreds of people via netmeeting and teleconferencing. Major corporations use it consistently and it is a necessity. It can be set up where one person has the floor at a time and effective and efficient meetings can be done if all co-operate, or it can be run in full open mode where you can hear the shouting matches.

PODcasting may be fine to just listen in, but there is no way it can handle a give and take. Podcasts is a good addition to a meeting and cost nearly nothing as long as they have decent bandwidth.. chit, we Broadcast bashes so members can watch a bunch of fat guys drink and it costs nothing.

however... If you want to talk, and be heard, you need to get in on the meeting. I also think(someone correct me if Im wrong) members who are in KC and nearby can attend and listen in for free.

If KCBS has the members 'signup' prior to the meeting if they want the floor, they can update the agenda for member slots and each person who signed up to speak can get a few minutes "timed". this can help plan the meeting times too.

This is an oppourtunity to have people attend the board meeting from anywhere, for nominal fees. More importantly, it is an opportunity to come forth and let the BOD know we DO give a chit about whats happening. There is strength in numbers. If this starts getting shot full of holes before its even implemented then we loose again.

The option is a free if you live in KC, or few bucks to attend via teleconf, or airfare to fly there and attend for free, or pay nothing/do nothing/say nothing.

So, if the answer is, you wont pay to sit in on the board meeting does that mean your going to pay the airfare and hotel bill to fly there, or you just wont attend and let things stay status quo?
Click to expand...

Phil, I am in the same boat as you. I spend almost 9 hours a day on conference calls in conjunction with messaging and agendas.

Google and Microsoft support group chats. On my team I have a full time microsoft consultant who I can ask about the live meeting and chat. It could solve the problem. I think it would be a formula like any board meeting - Each agenda item would be covered and people would queue up in person or via chat. One person would moderate the queue and then that person would have specific amount of time like you said Phil.

The other option is that I work with someone who hosts voice/messaging chat for large groups and he might be willing to host it or the same open source software could work.

It could be limited to a preregistration only for capacity reasons just like a building would be. If the turn out was significantly higher than expected and a higher cost was required than budgeted then a donation would be asked for or the number would be reduced to those who registered the earliest or donated the amount.
 
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