The MCAI board meeting was called to order by President John Coleman at Marie Calendars on Wednesday February 1. He said that Patricia Shanks would be joining us later, and that we needed to vote on whether or not to add her to the list of board members. During the course of the meeting, the vote was unanimous, and Patricia joined us as our new board member. We all were very glad to have her on board.

Treasurer Emmett Kesel reported that January’s meeting lost about $200. While it was very successful in other terms, the expenses for food were $351 which was about $200 more than the money collected at the door. Emmett also reported that he has filed the chapter’s annual financial report with the International headquarters as required. The bottom line for 2005 is about a $3,000 loss. We spent about $5,013 for meetings and other activities which exceeded our income of about $2,231. John Coleman said that the February 15th meeting would be hosted by Cannon Camera. Tim Smith of Cannon USA, will be demonstrating the new digital camera. He also asked us to think about ideas for new meeting locations. Gary Stone mentioned that Coast Media had expressed an interest in hosting us. John Primm mentioned Monitor Video. John Coleman suggested that we email him possible names, addresses and phone numbers of facilities that we could check in to. Travis mentioned the possibility of the new Orange County Media Center in Santa Ana as a location possibility. 

As far as new membership was concerned, Emmett said that Nathan Prenovost joined the national chapter as well as Tina Wilson and Matt Baeer. He said that Scott Arundale joined as an associate.       

Grace proposed that we remove our ad from the DV magazine. She said that Electric Pictures would cover our obligation of the ad in the DV magazine through the end of the contract, releasing us from our obligation. Grace said that she would notify us with regards to what month she could get the ad copy changed over to her company and as of that period, she would take over the payment. This was approved by the board.

Travis gave a report on the Denver judging. He said there were seven judges present, and seven films were judged. Larry Goldsmith hosted the judging at Starlight Video, and three pizzas were delivered for all who volunteered.

John Coleman mentioned that we needed to vote on telling the national office whether we would volunteer to judge the Golden Reel awards. The board agreed to notify national, and Larry Goldsmith said that he would hold the judging at his facility. John Coleman, Larry Goldsmith and Travis agreed to coordinate when this would take place and help put it all together.

Gary Stone volunteered to call the four new members and write a short synopsis of who they are and what they do to put on the web site.

John Primm volunteered to take over the Blast. John Coleman said that he would help spread the word in order to get promotional items for John Primm to put in the blast such as new member announcements, a great project that someone worked on or an interesting client who someone worked with.

Travis mentioned wanting to move the web site to a new host. Larry said he would work on the web site with Grace’s assistance, and Beverly Turner said that she would work on the calendar.

The next topic of discussion was the $5,000 video contest. The board agreed to cancel it since we were unable to find someone to help us market the project, and it was agreed that those people who participated would receive their money back. It was unanimously voted to unpublish the contest from the web.

John Coleman suggested a weekend video contest, using a particular location in Orange County being done with the Film Commission, to promote Orange County. Patricia Shanks mentioned a possible cell phone video competition and said that she would research that possibility. 

Gary Stone mentioned that the Florida chapter is looking for judges for their contest. It was decided that we would investigate that further before making the final decision.

The topic of the Newport Beach Film Festival was discussed, and the board voted unanimously to have the MCAI be a sponsor and support the Media Alliance in picking up the film festival.

John Coleman mentioned that we need to put a committee together to promote sponsorship for the MCAI and to look at a one year commitment. He also brought up the fact that we need to form a committee of volunteers to visit college campuses to recruit administrators and professors as members in the hopes that they would in turn encourage students to join our organization. Tina Wilson mentioned that at our last meeting, two students sent emails, expressing interest in joining the MCAI. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50, just in time for pie.

Tina Wilson, MCA-I Recording Secretary