MCWA Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022
President Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) called the January 2022 meeting to order at 7:04 PM by Zoom. The Pledge of Allegiance followed led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT). Ralph noted that the program will be recorded. Ralph welcomed new members Brad Shufelt (KD9UBK) and James Sarcia (KD9UBH). Ralph then went over the comments about 2/3 members present or 2/3 of a quorum being able to change the Constitution and said we are following the latter.
Board members present were Gary Dembski (W9GD), Dean Hettel (WC9C), Ralph Iden (WB9ICF), Gary Kaatz (W9TD), Dan Larson (KD9M), Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) and David Whiteside (N9BSA).
A total of 53 members were in attendance and two guests, John Zietlow (K9WIC) and Alex Geron.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the December 2021 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. John Cankar (W9JM) motioned to approve the minutes with Dennis Ryan (KA9PUC) seconding the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.
Membership and Financial Reports
Treasurer Dean Hettel (WC9C) presented the membership and financial reports for December. MCWA has a membership of 131 full members including 7 family members.
| Opening Balance | $10,769.44 | |
| Deposits | $168.93 | (dues) |
| Expenditures | $76.52- | (Pobox plus. club brochures) |
| $23.00- | (4 months Web hosting) | |
| Interest | $0.09 | |
| Final Balance | $10,838.94 |
Dean reminded the membership to pay their 2022 dues by PayPal, check or cash tonight at the meeting. A motion to approve the financial report was made by Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) with a second by John Cankar (W9JM). The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. Jim McDonald (N7US) asked if all 131 members are current on their dues. Dean replied that as long as a member has paid by meeting’s end, he is current. John Kalenowsky (K9JK) asked about Pobox plus. Ralph explained that it is for more reliable email than Google provided.
Constitutional Amendment
Ralph reiterated the reasoning for needing the amendment. The proposed text is as follows:
ARTICLE VII – Meetings
SECTION 1
The Bylaws shall provide for regular and special membership meetings, A minimum for a quorum to conduct club business is one-third one-fifth of the full members in good standing.
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) moved to amend Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution, replacing the words “one-third” to “one-fifth”. The motion was seconded by Mike Metroka (WB8BZK). Discussion followed. Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) said that a percentage should be replaced with a fixed number. Tom Craner (KD6KHK) asked about the history of attendance. Ralph showed the chart and reiterated that around two-thirds of the membership never attends meetings. Ron Delpiere Smith (KD9IPO) and David Cooper (KA9OZP) also commented. John Kalenowsky (K9JK) said that on-fifth was too low. Mike Ricketts (ND9G) asked if any other part of the Constitution was affected by a change in the quorum. Ralph said only those two sections shown on the slide (Article VII, Section 1 and Article VIII, Section 1). Jim Bolm (N0RWL) asked about whether any notice was required to change the Constitution. Ralph answered that Article VIII, Section 1 required that it is proposed at one meeting and voted on at the next. The first proposal was made two meeting ago and could not be acted upon at the last meeting because there was not a quorum. Mike Metroka (WB8BZK) noted that a large effort was made to get a quorum for tonight’s meeting. Ron Delpiere Smith (KD9IPO) noted that even minimal business cannot be done without a quorum. John Cankar (W9JM) said let’s vote!
Since the current quorum requirements were met, a roll call vote was taken. There were 48 yeas, 2 nays and one abstention so the 2/3 of members present requirement was met and the amendment will be as stated above.
Announcements
Field Day 2022
- Rush Creek Conservation Area site has been reserved by Mike Metroka (WB8BZK)
- Planning will begin soon – See Dan KD9M for details or watch for announcement on reflector
Ron Delpiere Smith (KD9IPO) said that the ARRL has not yet determined about home stations for the 2022 Field Day.
Summer Picnic volunteers are needed for planning.
We need programs for our meetings beginning in March and a program coordinator
Hamfest and Event Update
PAST
None
UPCOMING
WCRA 55th Annual Mid-Winter Hamfest, January 16, 2022, Kane County Fairgrounds
Scott DeSantis (KB9VRW) noted that a decision on whether the fest would be held will be made tomorrow, January 5. (subsequently, the decision was made to cancel)
Winterfest, ARRL Midwest Division Convention, January 27, 2022, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, IL
Also deciding on whether or not to hold it soon
Orlando Hamcation, ARRL National Convention, February 10-13, 2022, Central Florida Fairgrounds & Convention Center, Orlando, FL
QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, March 12-13, 2022, on-line
Dayton Hamvention 2022, May 20-22, 2022, Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Xenia, OH
Ron Delpiere Smith (KD9IPO) noted that the Sandwich hamfest is also in May
Contest Reports
ARRL 10-meter Contest: no reports
OK DX RTTY Contest: no reports
RAC Winter Contest: no reports
Stew Perry Top-band Challenge: no reports
ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW): no reports
ARRL Straight Key Night (CW): Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) pounded out a few QSOs.
ARRL Kid’s Day: no reports
Upcoming:
ARRL RTTY Roundup – January 8-9
North American QSO Party (CW) – January 15-16
ARRL VHF Contest – January 15-17
North American QSO Party (SSB) – January 22-23
CQ 160-meter Contest (CW) – January 28-30
Winter Field Day – January 29
10-10 International Winter Contest (SSB) – February 5-6
North American Sprint (CW) – February 5-6
Upcoming MCWA Presentations
February 1 Antenna Construction
Tim Duffy (K3LR) of DXEngineering
A program coordinator is still needed since programs are an important part of our monthly meeting. Please contact Ralph (WB9ICF) or Mike (WB8BZK) for more information as to what is involved.
Awards and license upgrades
none reported
Old Business
A picnic Committee needs to be formed now:
- Volunteers needed
- Select a date and secure/rent the location
- Begin to plan the food and activities
Later, the menu needs to be finalized, budget made and approved and the activities planned in detail.
Harold Burt (W9HB) asked about the picnic time frame. Ralph replied that it was either June or July on either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
New Business
None proposed
Wrap up
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) will be presenting “3D Printing for Radio Amateurs” following the adjournment of tonight’s meeting.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at the Algonquin Township meeting room. Open “eyeball” QSOs start at 6:30 PM, with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. The program is “Antenna Construction” by Tim Duffy (K3LR).
A motion to adjourn was made by Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) and seconded by Dennis Ryan (KA9PUC). The motion was approved by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 PM.
Prepared by Gary Kaatz (W9TD), MCWA Secretary.