The first Bi-Tech Users Organizational meeting was held on Saturday, 12 October 1985, at the Virginia Beach Hilton Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Presiding Officer was Mr. Robert L. Wolfe, Old Dominion University Research Foundation. This meeting was for the purpose of starting the Bi-Tech Users Organization and reviewing the proposed organizational bylaws. Those institutions in attendance at the meeting were:

• Whittier College
• Union College, Schenectady
• New School for Social Research
• Claremont College
• California State University
• Principia College
• Whitman College
• American Red Cross
• Reid College
• Old Dominion Univ. Research Fdtn.
• Muhlenberg College
• Bi-Tech

Introductory remarks were made by Messrs. Bob Wolfe of ODURF, Gary Sitton of Bi-Tech, and Bob Wolfson of ODURF. Mr. Wolfson gave a summary of ODURF's history and how the Foundation began its relationship with Bi-Tech. Mr. Wolfe asked attendees whether there were any objections to forming a Users' Group. No objections presented, the suggestion was made that each individual attendee introduce himself/herself to the other members of the group.

A discussion then took place concerning the purpose of the organization. Mr. Wolfe explained that the main idea behind the organization is to bring together groups of people who use Bi-Tech Software. The general idea, according to Mr. Wolfe, is there would be regional groups which would divide into subgroups, that is, users of particular types of software for particular needs such as Accounts Payable, Payroll, etc. These subgroups would be brought together at regional and national meetings. All those in attendance concurred that the purpose of the organization was for the exchange of information among users of Bi-Tech Software; assist in the investigation of problems and help provide solutions for the benefit of all users; and perform other beneficial activities between Bi-Tech and the users of Bi-Tech software.

The idea of incorporating the Users Group was briefly discussed and, although it was established that incorporation was not mandatory, it was agreed, after some comments, that incorporating would probably give the Users Group some formality, but the issue would be left open at this time.

It was established that only one type of membership would be recognized, that is institutional membership, and that one vote would be allowed per institution, at this time.

Next on the agenda was a brief discussion which emphasized that, in essence, meetings would be held on an annual basis. Other meetings would be held as required, and officers of regional sections would be responsible for setting up regional meetings and special interest group meetings.

Discussion proceeded to the election of officers. Using one vote per member procedure, the following officers were established: President - Bob Wolfson; President-Elect - Tony Burke; Secretary/Treasurer - Joyce Friedman; Directors-at-Large - Gary Norbritton and Kathy Peterson; Past President - Bob Wolfe.

The meeting was turned over to Mr. Sitton for the second half of the meeting, for the purpose of Bi-Tech's introduction and a question and answer session.

Mr. Sitton began by stating that the internal procedures at Bi-Tech, concerning client's problems, proceed as follows. When a client calls Bi-Tech about a problem, an OSAP (Oh Shucks Another Problem) form is filled out by a customer representative. These forms are accumulated and set up in a priority order, depending on the severity of the problem, and whether the downtime is serious enough to warrant an immediate reply. All the forms describing the problems are reviewed, solutions provided, and the client is contacted. Mr. Sitton advised that he mentions this in order that members realize that there is a procedure in place for handling client's inquiries on problems when they call, as expeditiously as possible. Mr. Sitton also advised that Bi-Tech provides extensive services to its clients, from training and installation to followup and assistance with problems.

Mr. Sitton asked the members whether they would prefer to break up into groups or use a general open-floor discussion method. All members appeared to prefer the open-floor question-and-answer method, and the floor was open to members for questions to Bi-Tech.

A motion for adjournment of the meeting was made by Mr. Wolfe, and seconded by Mr. Sitton, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 P.M.

A document containing by-laws of Bi-Tech Software National Users Group, Inc., is available in PDF Format.

A document containing by-laws of Bi-Tech Software National Users Group, Inc., is available in PDF Format.