Minutes – September 2016

Subject: Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2016

The September meeting was called to order by President Jim, N7US at 7:00 p.m. on September 6, 2016 in the Crystal Lake Bank meeting room.

The Pledge of Allegiance kicked off the meeting, led by Jim, N7US .

President Jim extended a welcome and asked if there were visitors or guests present. John Cankar N9GUU from Lake Villa, IL was a visitor.

Introductions around the room followed. 31 people were in attendance for the meeting.

President Jim encouraged all to join the club Yahoo reflector, K9RN.

Minutes from the August meeting were published for review on the club website by Secretary Roger, KF9D. Ken KB9I moved to accept the minutes as published, and the motion was seconded by Dave NT9E. The motion passed by voice vote.

Treasurer Joe, N9OK reported additional dues totaling $5.00 and the payment of the club’s ARRL liability insurance of $200.00 and bank interest of $0.40 for a balance of $4272.21 in the treasury. The new member brought the paid membership to 92 full members and 1 associate member. John KA9CAR made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report which was seconded by Jerry N9AVY. The motion passed by voice vote.

President Jim reminded the group of the club’s VE testing. He also displayed a few new books from our library collection that could be loaned out to any interested members.

President Jim reminded club members that the NIDXA & SMC sponsored W9DXCC event was coming up on September 16 & 17.

Jim, N7US advised club members that club callsign badges can be arranged through Ken, KB9I by sending him a check for $10.

Several upcoming operating activities, including contests, were highlighted. The ARRL September VHF Contest will be held this weekend starting on Saturday September 10th at 1 pm local time and continuing on through Sunday night at 10 pm. See QST for additional contest details. Up-to-date DX information can be obtained from DailyDX.com.
Program topic ideas and requests were briefly discussed. The October program is currently TBD.

Under the topic of old business,
Gary KD9FML presented very nice embroidered samples of MCWA clubwear and items that could now be purchased with the MCWA logo. Gary will provide ordering information to Jerry N9AVY for publication in the next Newsletter.

John KA9CAR presented a sample of a very nice heat transfer club logo T-shirt that can now be purchased through Think Ink, 890 Cog Circle, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-459-4565.

President Jim stated that the Board of Directors held an open meeting prior to the general membership meeting.

Under the topic of new business,
President Jim held a preliminary discussion to get a handle on membership interest in MCWA participation in the 2017 ARRL Field Day operating event.

Jack, W9MU, held a preliminary discussion to gather membership interest in a 2017 version of the “Introduction to Amateur Radio” class at MCC. It was noted that the club brought on several new very interested members as a result of the 2016 class earlier this year.

Club Officer Nominations/Elections for 2017 were held. President Jim kicked-off this session by reading the election guidelines from the MCWA constitution. Jim noted that the current Directors would continue in their posts for new full terms due to their late installation this year.

The Nomination Committee Chairman Dave KA9OZP presented a full slate of nominations: Treasurer – Joe N9OK, Secretary – Roger KF9D, Vice President – Mike WB8BZK, and President – John KA9CAR. There were no other nominations from the floor. Ken KB9I moved to close the nomination with Dave NT9E seconding the motion. All Officers for 2017 were then approved by voice acclamation.

Per the MCWA constitution, Jim N7US, the exiting President, will serve on the 2017 Board of Directors.

With the election of John KA9CAR to 2017 President, the club now will have an open Director position. Nominations for the open Director position will be taken at the October club meeting. Any interested members should contact Dave KA9OZP.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Following a short break, Joe N9OK presented an interesting program: “HF Power Amplifier Basics for Hams Who Are Not Engineers”. All members left the bank facility at approximately 9 pm.

Minutes recorded by Mike, WB8BZK in the absence of Club Secretary Roger, KF9D