Using Technology to connect with members

June Lewis on

Has anyone drafted a Technology policy on how members that
move for example to another state for part of the year can
attend meetings remotely using an approved method. (For
example: Skype, Go to meetings, Conference calling, etc.)

Ann Dexheimer on

Hi, June.

Our club had the same issue so we made this change to our By Laws about a year ago:

MEETINGS

1. Regular meetings shall be held monthly. Four meetings a year will be face-to-face with the remainder being held long-distance using whatever digital technology is available to make sure the work of the club is handled in an efficient manner.

We felt that the wording was broad enough to encompass any future changes in technology. We use Google Chat, not the most efficient means but the price can't be beat, to run our meetings that are online. We make sure that all stock information, the agenda, and the minutes are emailed by the Sunday night preceding our meeting. It has worked out pretty well; one of our first online meetings we had members attending in five different cities in three states! We usually have 100% attendance at every meeting as those of us who must travel out of town can now tune in for the meeting.

We added this also:

4. Dues must be received by the Treasurer before each monthly meeting. Members may mail their checks to the Treasurer or use a bank Bill Pay set-up (MyCheckFree is another option not related to a particular bank).

So far we haven't had to make any changes to this set-up, though we will probably switch our club to E*Trade so that we can use Bill Pay (Scottrade requires that all deposits be submitted together so it is a real pain), and take advantage of the $5 trades. ;)

Ann
Money Mavens

On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 6:42 PM, June Lewis <jtmlewis@aol.com> wrote:

Has anyone drafted a Technology policy on how members that
move for example to another state for part of the year can
attend meetings remotely using an approved method. (For
example: Skype, Go to meetings, Conference calling, etc.)

Bob Bigrigg on

Ann Dexheimer said, "...So far we haven't had to make any changes to this set-up, though we will probably switch our club to E*Trade so that we can use Bill Pay (Scottrade requires that all deposits be submitted together so it is a real pain), and take advantage of the $5 trades. ;)"

Our Model Club under the DC Regional Chapter uses our local Scott Trade office - most of us use some form of Bill Pay to send in our checks direct to Scott Trade - - - No bundling required. It may be a local office restriction you could get changed if you pushed it.

Later,

Bob Bigrigg

Model Investment Club of Northern VA

Ann Dexheimer on

Thanks, Bob.

I have tried to push the issue with two different Scottrade offices. They went to their managers and both came back with the same reply...no dice. Perhaps it is a California thing?

Ann

On Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 8:25 PM, Bob Bigrigg <clarkgib@yahoo.com> wrote:

Ann Dexheimer said, "...So far we haven't had to make any changes to this set-up, though we will probably switch our club to E*Trade so that we can use Bill Pay (Scottrade requires that all deposits be submitted together so it is a real pain), and take advantage of the $5 trades. ;)"

Our Model Club under the DC Regional Chapter uses our local Scott Trade office - most of us use some form of Bill Pay to send in our checks direct to Scott Trade - - - No bundling required. It may be a local office restriction you could get changed if you pushed it.

Later,
Bob Bigrigg
Model Investment Club of Northern VA

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