GMARC MEETING MINUTES 21-NOV-06

 

I.  Call to Order by President, Scott W1BIC at 7:07 PM.

II.  Introductions & Upgrades

            The following visitors were introduced:

                        W1IK – Jim Wickstrom
 

III.  Minutes

 

            It was noted that the 17-Oct-06 minutes incorrectly reported the name and call sign of the Australian Station that routinely checks into our Monday night InfoNet.  The correction is David VK5FDMR.  A motion was made to approve the (corrected) minutes of the 17-Oct-06 meeting was made by Bill W8WRB, and seconded by Chuck N8ZA.  Motion passed.

 

IV.  Treasurer’s Report

            T.J. N8RUH was not present, and no Treasurer’s Report was given.

 

V.  Membership Report by Bobby N8CY

            We have 72 members who have paid their 2006 dues, and 11 have also paid their 2007 dues.  The following members paid their 2007 dues at his meeting:

 

                        W8BHF – Bob

                        WU8V – Kurt (New Member)

                        KC8DHS – Wes

                        W8QED – Ken (Formerly K8KJB)

 

VI.  Nets and Newsletter by Dave W8RIT

            Dave W8RIT reported that he has enough articles to publish the Dec-06 Edition of The Transmission Line.  He still needs articles for future editions.  The InfoNet from 20-Nov-06 had 13-14 Check-ins – including a Station from Boston, MA via EchoLink®.

 

VII.  Club Liaison Report

No report given.     

VIII.  Tech Committee Report

            Chuck N8ZA reported that both repeaters operational, and there have been no recent issues reported.

 

IX.  Old Business

Scott W1BIC noted that the subject of selling some of the GMARC-owned Emergency Radio Vests was discussed at the 17-Oct-06 meeting.  A motion was made by Dave W8RIT and Seconded by Bill W8WRB to sell up to 10 of the Club’s vests to interested members for $30 (the Club’s original cost of the vests).  After a brief discussion, W8RIT amended his motion to sell up to 5 vests – again seconded by W8WRB.  Motion passed.  The five members approved to purchase vests are:

            W8RIT – Dave

            N8EB – Keith

            KC8WPW – Rich U.

            KD8CXY – Ray

            KD8DHS – Wes

 

X.  President's Remarks

            Scott W1BIC requested assistance from any member of the Club to help him in resolving firewall issues related to the EchoLink® “Link Transmitter” in his basement.

            W1BIC also highly recommended the WF8R repeater in Roscommon, MI at Mile Marker 243 on
I-75.  This repeater is at 145.450 MHz – PL=none and is EchoLink® Node=205097.  It has characteristic “oaerwz” and has an effective range on 2-meters from Mile Marker 212 to 254 (at least).  This repeater provides a convenient way to connect (via EchoLink®) to the GMARC WW8GM Repeater Node=99846 from Northern Michigan.

 

XI.  New Business

            Chuck N8ZA brought up the subject of revising the Club By-Laws to remove the requirement that the President be a full-time employee of GM.  There was considerable discussion in favor of this proposal.  Larry N8WJ expressed concern that the club has “gone away” from its original charter to serve the Amateur Radio Community at GM.  Dave W8RIT suggested that this proposal would open-up the Office of President to a larger number of qualified members.  No decision was made.

 

            Dave W8RIT suggested that existing “appointed positions”; e.g. Newsletter Editor, Repeater Trustee, and various Committee Chairpersons (see below) have a process for “nomination” during annual elections.  It was pointed out by Scott W1BIC that a change to the Club By-Laws would be required to accept this proposal.  No decision was made.        

 

XII.  Nomination for Officers - 2007

 

            The following nominations for 2007 Officers of GMARC were made:

            President – Val N8OEF (declined), Ingo DL5AL

 

            Vice President – Kurt WU8V

 

            Secretary – Keith N8EB (declined), Bobby N8CY

 

            Treasurer – Rich K8OX (declined), T.J. N8RUH (declined), Joel KC8DQH

 

            Directors-at-Large – Mike N5WCS, Hugh KE6YRC, Rich KC8HMJ, Mark KC8WPS, Brad N8VI, Jeff N8XN

 

            Scott W1BIC noted that nominations will remain open until the time of voting at the 19-Dec-06 meeting, and additional names may be added to the ballot prior to voting.  There will be space on the ballots for write-in candidates.  W1BIC also noted that having “new blood” assume leadership positions in the Club indicates the strength of our membership and bodes well for the future of GMARC.

            There will be no program at the 19-Dec-06 meeting.  As has been our custom, Pizza and Pop will be provided beginning at 7:00 PM for all members and visitors, and election will be held after socializing.  This is anticipated to be a relatively short meeting.  Those members unable to attend the December meeting can request an absentee ballot from the Secretary.  In order to be counted the ballot must be placed in a signed envelope and received by the Club Secretary prior to the 19-Dec-06 meeting.

 

XIII.  Break from 8:15 PM to 8:35 PM

 

            50/50 winner was Wes KD8DHS - $23.00, and Dave WI8C consolation $1.00.  Scott W1BIC noted that $23.00 almost covers the monthly electricity bill for our repeaters.  In response to his comments, the following donations were made to the club by the members indicated:

 

                        George KB8VQP - $2.00
                        Dave WI8C - $1.00
                        Wes KD8DHS - $3.00

 

            The Coffee Fund collections were $7.50.

 

XIV.  Additional Comments by the President

 

            Scott W1BIC noted that there are numerous “appointed positions” – some included in the By-Laws, and some that are not.  W1BIC encouraged members to volunteer for these positions or seek out other members to fill these positions:

 

                        “Blue Bucket Duty” – Ray KD8CXY volunteered

                        Program Director – Currently Brad N8VI (also a Director-at-Large)

                        Activities Chairperson – Open

                        Newsletter Editor – Currently Dave W8RIT

                        Repeater Trustee – Currently Larry N8WJ

                        Field Day Chairperson – Open

                        Historian – Open

                        ARRL Liaison – Currently W1BIC.  Dave W8RIT expressed interest in this position.

                        Inter-Club Liaison – Open

                        ARRL Public Information Officer – Currently N8CY

 

XV.  New Members & Attendance

           

            Kurt WU8V joined as a new member at this meeting.

 

            23 Members attended, and 1 Visitor was present.

 

XVI.  Meeting adjourned at 8:46 PM. Motion by Rich K8OX, seconded by Dave WI8C.  Motion passed.

 

 

            Respectfully submitted,


            Bobby Corr N8CY,

            Recording Secretary – GMARC

            N8CY@gmarc.org