PRESENTATION TO HAL-PC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BY

THE  UNITED WAY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

R. A. BLOME

NOVEMBER 5, 2001

Strengths of HAL-PC :

* Education as the prime mission.

* Large membership.

* A large budget that is funded by HAL-PC activities.

* Very active SIG's.

* Many willing volunteers.

* Dedicated paid staff.

* A very well run internet service.

* A help desk that is complimented.

* A very good web site that is kept current.

* An excellent magazine with well written articles.

* A good central location

* Engaging Blazek & Vetterling for audit.

Changes Needed to Build on Hal-PC Strengths :

1. Employ a full-time, paid Executive Director.

* Allows Board of Directors to spend it's time on policies, procedures and
planning for the future.

* Removes day to day operation from Board responsibilities.

* Provides for more professional operation.

* Allows priority setting, daily staff guidance and quicker response to
the daily questions.

* In Bylaws, provide for other paid manager positions as needed.

2. Strengthen Conflict of Interest statement.

* Build trust in organization.

* Continued protection for HAL-PC assets and operations.

* All Directors and employees are expected to work in the best interests
of HAL-PC.

* Consider covering SIG leaders for non acceptance of any gifts or meals
from PC industry vendors.

* No officers or directors of HAL-PC shall receive any direct or
indirect compensation from HAL-PC.

3. Reduce and redo the standing committees.

* Current standing committees are Finance, Publications, Property,
Legal, Rules, Library, Bulletin Board, Member Services, Elections,
SIG's, Fund Raising, Public Relations, Education, Product Distribution,
Programs, Communications, Membership Database, Volunteer, Youth, Welcome,
and Audit. (21 with many inactive.)

* For the Board, the main  committee focus should be on the mission of
HAL-PC, the financial well being of HAL-PC, membership services,
continuity and the future growth of HAL-PC. 

* Some suggestions for committees are Education (including SIG's),
Finance, Audit, Member Services, Human Resources (including Board
nominating, Executive Director and staff evaluation, etc.) and
Membership Development.

* All committees should be significant enough to be active.

* As much as possible the committees should have equal work loads.

* The Board should have the responsibility for establishing committees.

4. Change the term of office for the Board and the number of directors.

* The term of office should be three years for improved continuity.

* One third of Directors should be elected each year.

* Directors can have more than one term but not contiguous.

* Elect a totally new Board next June with candidates being designated for
one, two and three year terms.  The following elections will be for three
years.

* All Directors should serve on a committee.

* The number of Directors needed, can be determined by the number of
standing committees.

* The Executive Director should be a non voting member of the Board.

* As always, it is desirable for Board members to be professional people
with business experience who can properly represent HAL-PC to its members
and the public.

5. Review the Officer positions of HAL-PC.

* The President's term should remain at one year.

* The First Vice President should be designated the next years President
to provide continuity.

* With an improved and more active committee structure, additional Vice
President positions should not be needed.

6. Provide for non voting classes of membership.

* Providing membership for computer industry vendors could be a real
asset for HA-PC.

* Providing for youth membership supports the education mission and can
lead to future full members.

* A conflict of interest letter sent annually to computer industry
vendor members should cover the HAL-PC non gift policy unless approved by
the Board. 

7. Miscellaneous.

* Change other areas of the Bylaws that conflict with the above
recommendations.

* Consider having an attorney on retainer or at least developing a
relationship with an attorney who can be familiar with HAL-PC issues.

* Make a decision on DSL and BBS and then move on.

* Have written policies and job descriptions.

* Consider joining an organization such as the National Center for Non
Profit Boards. (www.ncnb.org)

* Use a Consent Agenda to use Board members time on the most important
issues and expedite Board meetings.

* Next year when new Board is in place, engage United Way Management
Assistance Program for Board training and a Self Diagnostic review.

8. Communications on Bylaw changes.

* Total Board commitment

* Board meeting with SIG leaders.  Consider asking SIG Leaders for
suggestions.

* Board attend SIG meetings.

* Use HAL-PC web site.

* Use the HAL-PC magazine.

* Start communications now.

* Provide forum for questions and answers.

* Publish Q & A's.

* Board members use their individual influence/contacts in HAL-PC to
promote approval.

TIME TABLE FOR CHANGING BYLAWS AND IMPLEMENTING CHANGES

Current Board agrees with the changes             November, 2001.

Establish Committee to rewrite Bylaws             November, 2001

Establish Human Resources (Nominating)            November, 2001
Committee

Establish Executive Director search               November, 2001
Committee               

Establish Committee to rewrite Conflict           November, 2001
of Interest         

Complete rewrite of Bylaws         Feb/March, 2002 Board Meeting

Special election on Bylaws                           April, 2002

Nominating Committee completes work                  April, 2002

Hire Executive Director                                May, 2002

Complete revised Conflict of Interest                  May, 2002

New Board approves C of I                             June, 2002

Elect new Board of Directors                          June, 2002

Engage U.W. MAP for Director training   July, 2002 Board Meeting

Engage U.W. MAP for Self Diagnostic Review          August, 2002