ARIA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting start time 8:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
December 5, 2020
• Call to Order
– – Meeting called to order by Mike Squatrito at 7:08
– – All members present except Debra Zannelli who joined a few minutes later
• Approval of Minutes
– – September 01, 2020
– – Paul moved to approve minutes, motion seconded by Guy Natelli carried
unanimously.
• Membership Update:
– – Mike reported 289 current members, down from last year at this time
(340) We did not experience the Expo due to COVID.
• Financial Update:
– – Guy reported a balance of $12, 258.90 in checking and $2,816.81
in savings Guy proposed moving excess funds into the savings account
as it earns interest.
– – Paul noted that we must have sperate accounting for funds received
through Go Fund Me, which at present should be the total amount in the
savings account, because those funds are restricted.
• Old Business:
– – Elections and Transition
– – Mike noted the transition is complete. A new member of the board will be
elected at this meeting.
– – Marketing Plan:
– Steve Porter had contacted a company to do ARIA marketing but it was
put on hold due to COVID. It will be readdressed at the January 2021
meeting. Mike will update as information is available. Steve will ask
Judith Glynn to become part of the planning group as it was her idea.
– – Cable TV Space:
– Paul noted that we were advised of a television spot but it was put
on hold due to the pandemic. Amy Deluca, who agreed to host the
cable TV show will need to confirm her continued involvement. Paul
has not spoken to her in almost a year. He will follow up in January
– – Expo
– Mike reported that all expo plans are in place. All ARIA members need
to promote it
– Guy requested revisiting how to advertise the Expo. Mike agreed to
get the information out to its members via emails and ARIA news-letters
with a discussion on how to better advertise individual events
– Mike reported that ARIA was contacted by Rhodes regarding next year’s
expo needing to be cut short. A half an hour earlier end time, 4:30 with a
saving of $500.00 has been agreed to.
– Guy asked what Rhodes charges are, cost of the expo approximately
$7000
– Also 2021 Expo will be held on the second weekend after Thanksgiving
rather than the first. Next year’s date is December 11th.
– – Catalog
– Rob Bently will distribute the catalog after the Expo
– There will be a discussion on the actual benefits of the catalog
– – Anthology
– Mike reported that the anthology is complete but there has been no
opportunity to sell it
– A discussion around coming up with incentives to promote members
marketing and explore ways to make selling it sales tax free
• New Business
– -After much discussion, Angela Singer was elected to the open board seat
– – Guy made a motion to acquire a post office box at the North Kingstown Post
Office and a safety deposit box at the North Kingstown Bank RI
– – Debra Zannelli seconded
– – Motion carried
– – Tabitha offered to be the extra key holder in case of emergencies
• Next Meeting:
– – Next general membership meeting postponed until January.
• Adjourn:
– – Motion to adjourn unanimous
– – Seconded unanimous
– – Motion approved
Addendum to Meeting
P.O. Box and Safety Deposit Box Procured
New Address
PO Box 333
North Kingstown, RI 02852-0333