Hawaii Island Wellness Travel Assoc.
Minutes of the Meeting of Board of Directors
October 8, 2008 - Kailua-Kona

Members Present:  Barbara Moore,  Julia Fairchild,  Denise Janelle Salomie, Evelyn McCarthy

Apologies:  Marcel Hernandez, Nancy Emery and Randyl Rupar

Approval of the Minutes:  Minutes of the July 27, 2008 meeting were read and approved

Treasurer's Report:
We have a $400 bill to our accountant, which Barbara Moore has agreed to pay until we can collect sufficient dues to cover it and repay Barbara.  (Thank you, Barbara!)

We paid Phoenix $140 for four hours website work.  (Thank you! Phoenix)

We have had several members renew since our last meeting. 

Our current bank balance is:  $154.20
Bills paid:

  • $8.40 - postage stamps
  • $95.65 to Joyce Marvel-Benoist, reimbursement for web hosting fees
  • $34.10 telephone, September
  • $140 to Phoenix/web work (4 hours @$35/hr)
  • $38 - One year P.O. Box rental
  • $210 - Julia/ web work, membership drive
  • $442.71 - Hanah Anderson, tax accountant


Bills outstanding:
  • Loan from Barbara to pay Kohala Tax Accountant, $442.71
Old Business:

1.  Membership continues to be contacted by Julia Fairchild, and membership dues continue to dribble in.  Our intent is to increase the flow.

2.  The new tax accountant has been able to straighten out the confusion and set our tax status back on track.  Her bill for finishing the work is $400.  Barbara Moore agreed to pay the bill awaiting further dues income.

3.  Web maintenance continues to run smoothly under the able care of Phoenix and Julia.  At present, a new or renewing member's application is mailed to Evelyn, Julia and Phoenix.  Evelyn takes care of the dues; Phoenix posts to the HIWTA.org site, and Julia posts to the member directory on HIWTAMemberForum.com

4.  Holistic Hawaii Wellness Expo:

Sharman O'Shea was gracious in her offer to give us a free table at the Expo.  Julia and Barbara staffed the table over the weekend, and while no direct sign-ups occurred, many people were introduced to HIWTA, and Julia has some leads to follow up when she gets time to do so.

New Business:

HIWTA General Membership Meeting:

Planned a Meeting for November 9, 2008 - to feature Susanne Simms sharing her presentation at the New Zealand Wellness Tourism Conference.  (Susanne's date was later changed to October 19, but we will continue to plan the November 9 meeting with a different speaker)

Evelyn will procure the home of Alan Thal to hold the meeting.  She will also arrange for live entertainment in the form of music.

A board meeting is planned for 12 noon @ Alan's house, and general meeting at 2:00, with a potluck to follow.

We will have various computers there with opportunities for members to renew at the meeting, and a projector to introduce the sites to those present.  Denise will provide the projector; Julia will oversee computer sign-ups.

Topics discussed for the meeting included:
  • Recession coping skills and attitudes which may help us to see the situation from a more positive perspective
  • Opportunities to bring in more overseas travelers who are not so affected by the recession in the US
  • Using this quiet time as a way of reorganizing and releasing old things, and welcoming new ones, for renewed expansion

As the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce does, it was suggested that we plan meetings to be held at the business places of various members around the Island.  Suggested upcoming places were:
  • December - Dragonfly for Christmas (may have to change now)
  • February - Volcano, perhaps at the Ira Ono Coffee House.

All aspects of these general meetings will be captured and posted on the Member Forum website for virtual availablility to those who are unable to travel to the meetings.

It is intended by the Board members to have these meetings planned at least three months in advance, and give members ample time to plan to attend.

Bartering as a way of doing business was discussed, and Evelyn will check with our tax accountant to see what ramifications doing so amongst our membership would impact HIWTA.

We also want to have a spot for carpool postings, so that people can make it to the meetings in more responsible and friendly ways.

Services of Julia Fairchild regarding web maintenance/marketing/etc.

It was unanimously decided that Julia has volunteered enough of her time, having built the HIWTAMemberForum.com website, and volunteered her services in calling all members, etc., and that from now on, she will keep track of her time, and bill HIWTA her normal fee for such services of $30/hour.

Board Assignments from October 8 meeting:

Julia Fairchild -
  • Prepare Minutes  - Done
  • Post minutes on the Member Forum Website - Done
  • Continue contacting current directory listed members, and renewing their memberships. Ongoing



Evelyn McCarthy -
  • Procure Alan Thal's house for the November meeting
  • Find musicians to come and play
  • Get a map and directions to Julia to add to the November Flyer to be posted to the website and emailed to members

Denise Salomie -
  • Create flyer for November meeting
  • Help with distribution of flyer and advertising for November meeting.
  • Provide projector for November meeting


Newsletter and other Business matters pending:

  • It was proposed that a monthly newsletter be posted to the Member Forum website, where members can post their healthy links, articles, proposals, and other supportive and encouraging things that benefit HIWTA membership.
  • In addition, it was agreed that HIWTA shall subscribe to ByRegion.net, and that HIWTA members can post their events through our account as members of HIWTA. 
  • For a nominal  fee per listing, it was proposed that Julia Fairchild post member events to the region of their choice (as well as to the HIWTA Forum Calendar of Events to be created on the member forum website). 
  • By-Region.net is a good "deep portal" which many members already know of, and if not, they could join from our site, if By-Region has an affiliate program.  In this way, we can benefit each other by promoting and using the services of the Directory for healers and artists.
  • These improvements will be implemented as member dues begin to fill our account, and are still pending that event happening more fully.



Meeting Adjourned:  12:00 p.m.
Next Meeting:  General meeting Sunday, November 9, 2008


/s/ Julia Fairchild,
Secretary, HIWTA
Click here to print MSW.doc