Rogers County Wireless Association

Annual Club Business Meeting

Minutes for October 9, 2010

 

·        Meeting called to order by President, John Meek (AE5HQ) at 9:00 am.

·        The Pledge of Allegiance was observed

·        Self-Introductions were made.  There were 2 officers and 10 members present.

·        John gave a recap of last month’s meeting regarding incumbent officers remaining in office for another year

·        Minutes –Motion made by Dirk (K7QVD) and 2nd by Ken (WB5Y) to accept minutes as published. Motion passed by show of hands. 

·        Treasurer’s report - Checking account balance has altered by $1.15 due to interest paid.  Additionally, $379.00 ($94 is repeater fund donations) was deposited, making the account balance 2175.19.  Motion made to accept treasurer’s report as given at meeting by Dirk and 2nd by LeaAnn (KE5TQD).  Motion passed by show of hands.

·        Repeater Fund: Donations received since June amounts to $94.  Of $2739, $365 is still needed.   $1500 has already been paid, leaving $1239 due to Calvin.  When ultimately paid, funds will come out of the club’s bank balance.  Repeater fund is not being maintained as a separate account.  Attempt at a motion to pay Calvin now.  A reminder that the decision had been made to wait until after the Green Country Ham Fest in March 2011.  Motion was rescinded.

·        Old Business

o       Repeater update – There is still some intermittent noise issues on the repeater. 

§         A suggestion was made about using the back up repeater equipment and secondary antenna to set up a temporary repeater located at the Emerson’s homestead.  This would put an antenna at about 90’ and would be for about a week with possibility of making the antenna setup a permanent one as backup. 

§         The idea is to set up a repeater off-site from RSU trying to eliminate sources of interference the most cost effectively. 

§         Calvin is willing though wanted to make sure everyone knew communication for the Emerson’s might be adversely impacted until taken back offline. 

§         It was suggested that any expenses for setting up this backup location be settled out of club funds, within reason. 

§         Motion by Dirk that the matter be tabled until next month while everyone gathers data and costs to determine feasibility.  Red (W5UW) 2nd and motion passed by show of hands.

o       There has been no word from Dallas (N5FEE) regarding 70cm coordination

o       Recipe book

§         LeaAnn indicates has many recipes and could use more

o       Regarding buttons for the ham fest – there was no discussion on that matter however John and Dirk have decided perhaps hat pins (which many people tend to collect) might be of more interest.  They, on their own, will be purchasing 750 pins and likely sell for $2.00.  I did not get the remainder of this discussion for the minutes.  This document will need to be amended once information has been received.

o       Picnics

§         First, Calvin indicated that cost of meat (burgers in particular) has continued to rise then handed the $74.56 receipt for the fall picnic burger purchase to the secretary for payment.  Reminder was voiced that the club voted $100 budget for meat purchase still in effect so there should not be a worry at this time.

§         While on the subject, decided to agree on dates for 2011

à        Spring picnic will be May 21, 2011

à        Fall picnic will be September 17, 2011

à        Neither date will be concurrent with club meetings

à        Frances will reserve the shelter for these dates on 1/3/2011

o       Annual dues for 2010/2011 are being accepted and roster roll-offs will begin as of December   Currently we are at about 50% paid to not paid (2 more received today to nudge just over 50%)

o       501 3(c) – Ken (WB5Y) reported that paperwork can be completed for free and filing fee is $400. 

§         There is a required annual filing to the IRS to maintain 501 3(c) status.  Beverly indicated her employer may be willing and able to help with filing (CPA).

§         John asked for advantages and disadvantages of filing for 501 3(c):

à        Sales Tax money saved – club would be exempt so long as properly approached

à        Grant monies that might still be available – original reason for the suggestion to file

à        Possible donations, where advantageous for the donating business – radios and equipment

à        If club should ever be disbanded, assets must be donated to another 501 3(c) club.  They cannot sold off and distributed to membership (current bylaws handle in this way).

à        Should the required annual IRS filing be missed 2 years in a row, the 501 3(c) status is lost and will have to be redone from the beginning (including the $400 fee)

à        There is no guarantee the initial request will be accepted.  Should it be turned down, it is believed the entire process must be restarted, including the $400 fee.

à        There are other legal plusses that were not elaborated

§         Frances (KC5CSC) suggested that asking for a vote by the small group in attendance may or may not represent the true feelings of the majority of the club.  Within those present there were opposite responses to the possibility of gaining 501 3(c) status by the club. 

§         Frances motioned that this information be put into the minutes and email used to let the membership know that a vote on this matter will be part of the November meeting.  Dirk 2nd and the motion passed by show of hands. 

§         Frances will solicit comments from membership to make sure other’s thoughts are made known.

·        New Business

o       Don (KE0CQ) handed out a printout regarding eCom – Emergency Communication.  Please contact him for the URL as that was not provided as part of the handout. 

§         Basically even people trained in amateur communications need to be trained and certified before many organizations will allow your participation as emergency communicators during an event.  There is training available and some of it free and recognized.  If you are interested in pursuing this possibility on a personal level, please contact Don Fuhs (see roster).

§         One comment made is that we aren’t sure that as a club we should be limited to any one unit but probably remain at large, with appropriate training no matter the calling.

§         The ICS (Incident Command System) and NIMS (National Incident Management System) courses are required training by nearly any unit/organization involved in emergency response.  They are free and available on-line through FEMA

·        Net Controls (Thank you to all the volunteers):

o       Oct 12       -           W5UW            -           Red

o       Oct 19       -           KC5CSC       -           Frances

o       Oct 26       -           KE5TQD        -           LeaAnn

o       Nov 2        -           W5YDL           -           Dan

o       Nov 9        -           OPEN             -           LeaAnn will ask KC5UOQ or the other Larry

·        Announcements:

o       Next meeting is November 13, 2010 and will be at Golden Corral. 

·        Motion to adjourn was made by Dirk and 2nd by Red.  Motion passed and meeting was adjourned at 9:50 AM.