MCWA Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2023
President Dan Larson (KD9M) called the December 2023 hybrid meeting (in-person and by Zoom) to order at 7:01 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Dave Holmgren (K9AT).
Board members present were: Director – Glenn Otto (K9OK), Director – Kent Dulaney (K9KMD), Secretary – Andrew White (K9AJW), Treasurer – Bob Temes (KD9IDD), Vice President – Wendell Smith (N9REP), President – Dan Larson (KD9M), Past-President – Ralph Iden (WB9ICF)
A total of 46 members were in attendance and 4 guests:
Jon Cook (WB9MEB), John Dendor (K9OPE), Neil Joslun (No Call) and Dave Yelk (KD9ZER)
Awards and license upgrades
Ryan Broussard (KD9WPY) upgraded to his General
Doug Tucker (KD9PQI) upgraded to his Extra
Jeff (KD9LNH) upgraded to his Extra
Kevin Potter (KD9YYO) upgraded to his General
Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes from the November 2023 meeting were previously posted to the MCWA website for review. Dave Whaley (NT9E) moved to accept the minutes and Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.
Membership and Financial Reports
Bob Temes (KD9IDD) presented the membership and financial reports for September. MCWA has a membership of 141 full members including 11 family members and no Associate members.
| Opening Balance | $10,837.26 | 2023-11-01 |
| Deposits | $60 | ($40 Dues, $20 donations) |
| Expenditures | $6.53 | (DigitalOcean, PO Box) |
| Interest | $0.09 | 2023-11-2 |
| Final Balance | $10,890.82 | 2023-11-30 |
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) moved to accept the treasurer’s report and Ron Rogers (KC0ZN) seconded the motion. Hearing no objections, the treasurer’s report was approved.
Old Business
Board Discussion on EIN, Tax Status, and Investment
The board met to discuss the motion from the previous meeting. The board decided that we need a committee to take this on. If interested, please contact the board to lead this effort. The committee will need to hire a CPA/Accountant to research the details of club investments.
New Updates from Membership
Wendell Smith (N9REP) spoke about November Sweepstakes. He had 3 special event callsigns to honor former MCWA club member and former President Terry Garrett SK (K9HA).
Gary Kaatz (W9TD) operated the FT Roundup this past weekend and did quite well with an antenna in his attic.
Keith Schreiter (N9QDS) says starting tomorrow the Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio association will be operating. All information is on the ARRL Website. His grandfather served as a radioman on the Iowa.
Andrew (N7IDE) has been playing with the VarAC modem from the Winlink days.
Future Events
None
Hamfests
Starved Rock Radio Club Hamfest – Mendota, IL – 6/2/2024
Midwest Superfest – Milwaukee – 9/22/2024-9/23/2024
Radio Expo – Chillicothe, IL – 9/20/2024-9/22/2024
Contests and Activities
| Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration | Dec 1-11 |
| ARRL 10M | Dec 9-10 |
| Rookie Roundup CW | Dec 17 |
| Olivia Digital Winter 2024 QSO Party | Dec 24 |
| Straight Key Night | Jan 1 |
| Kids Day | Jan 7 |
| RTTY Roundup | Jan 7-8 |
| Jan VHF | Jan 21-23 |
| Winter Field Day | Jan 27-28 |
| 160M Contest | Jan 27-28 |
Glenn Otto (K9OK) mentioned that you can sign up on line for a Santa Net on 3.916. Several members mentioned that they’ve done this with their kids/grandkids.
New Business
Ralph Iden (WB9ICF) mentioned that work is underway to schedule our future programs. There is a sheet in the back that members can identify types of programs that they would be interested in. He’s also going to send out a Google Survey to the membership to gauge interest on different types of programs.
Dan Larson (KD9M) asked the membership to consider volunteering for the program chair position so that we can take a little bit of work off of the President.
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) invited everyone over to Gary’s farm for Winter Field Day. All are encouraged to attend.
Wrap up
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024 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 to be determined.
Tonight we will have a social event instead of a formal program. Enjoy socializing with your fellow MCWA members!
Sam Haldiman (KC9GPY) motioned to adjourn and Roger Scott (KF9D) seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 PM.
Prepared by Andrew White (K9AJW), MCWA Secretary.