Minutes of the 24th Annual General Meeting
Kingsway Legion, Edmonton
April 16, 2009
Terry Whitson, VE6EM, President, opened the meeting at 7:35 PM and welcomed all members and guests.
It was moved by Hubert Johnson, VE6AMY and seconded by Bill Gillespe, VE6ABC, that the minutes of the 2008 Annual General Meeting be accepted as distributed. Carried
An amendment to the 2008 Minutes was made that Tony Ratcliffe, VE6AER, was representing his new company, Ratcliffe Wealth & Risk Management and not Investors Group. Motion by Les Abbott, VE6OG. Seconded by Keith Marler, VE6KWM.
Old Business arising out of 2008 Minutes – None.
REPEATER UPDATE – LES ABBOTT, VE6OG.
VE6QCR – Stony Plain. This repeater has operated all year with no major problem, but we made a trip to the site to adjust the squelch setting.
VE6BOX – Athabasca. Repeater running all year. Did a master reset on controller on site and reprogrammed controller function.
VE6SS – Pigeon Lake. Has been a troublesome repeater all year. The repeater output failed several times due to different causes, including failed coax and antenna connections. As well, the repeater went out of adjustment. The Club had an opportunity to purchase a new package for this repeater which was approved. The current status is that the new repeater is being tested in Edmonton with a new controller and will soon be installed on site.
VE6PP – Whitecourt. The repeater has been off the air all winter due to changes by Forestry to the power arrangement. At the end of the fire season, Forestry left the site and turned off the power.
Terry, VE6EM, stated Forestry, doing its own site requirements, requested our removal of shack and equipment. Glentel has a tower within half a mile which we can use to relocate our equipment.
David Lazaruk, VE6BCZ asked “Will coverage be the same or close to present propagation?”
Terry, VE6EM: “Hope to maintain or better the coverage area and continue along with Edson Group for this better coverage.”
Terry, VE6EM acknowledged Ben Hansen VE6FDC for selling his repeater to us.
Project – to get all new repeaters the same model and do identical programming.
May have to vote on it when financial report given.
Financial Report
Bart Vinkenborg, VE6VB, Secretary-Treasurer, gave Financial Report.
AUDITORS REPORT
Jim Munsey, VE6BKW, and Katherine Nicoll, VE6HI, were the auditors for the 2008 – 2009 Club records. Jim presented and read the auditor’s findings and advised that the books were in good order and accurately represented the financial position of the club.
President’s Report
Terry Whitson, VE6EM.
- Purchase of Ben Hansen’s VE6FDC repeater package. This is a Yaesu VXR – 7000 with duplexer.
- Membership was increased to $10.00 per year.
- Encourage more members to volunteer.
- Requirements for President and Vice President be lowered.
- Mentioned value of young members.
- Mentioned putting in new repeaters.
- Club’s term deposit coming due May 23 and cashing in.
- Club will have to make choice to purchase.
- Are looking at repeater packages and prices.
- Repeaters must be up and running before new people are to start using them.
- Have been actively looking for donations, either cash or equipment to sell at local flea markets.
Dave Lazaruk, VE6BCZ, donated an HF rig. Dave Berwick, VE6DD, donated equipment, as did others. Paul Tyschuk, VE6UFO, and Terry, VE6EM, sold donated articles.
Brad Pool, VE6NG, wanted to know why we wanted to replace repeaters.
Terry, VE6EM, advised we bought new package for VE6SS. We also want to replace the one at the Whitecourt site.
- Replacing now ensures the models are the same.
- We have the money now.
- Remote sites should have better quality repeaters.
Terry, VE6EM & Brad, VE6NG discussed repeaters.
Terry, VE6EM mentioned how we could get finances from our budget.
- If we don’t spend it and the club goes defunct – government could get it….
Les Abbott, VE6OG asked if we purchase repeaters what percentage of our finances would it use up.
Doug Seymore, VE6DHS, stated 40%
Terry, VE6EM, talked about maintenance and inconvenience to people maintaining old repeaters.
Bruce Smith, VE6BS, suggested perhaps buy only one.
Terry, VE6EM, advised we are moving into a new shack and the new equipment would create a more professional appearance.
Hubert Johnson, VE6AMY, stated we could spread out over time. Buy two, one for VE6PP and a spare now, buy another next year and the year after for the final site.
Curtis Bidulock, VE6AEW, agrees that we buy a new repeater for VE6PP and have a spare.
Doug Seymour, VE6DHS moved we purchase 2 repeaters. Seconded by Hubert Johnson, VE6AMY. Carried.
John Stinson, VE6BOS, stated that it would look professional to use some good equipment on others’ sites. Work also, would be a factor.
Terry, VE6EM called for approval of members on motion to buy 2 repeaters. Carried.
Terry, VE6EM discussed shack removal. Hubert has a trailer and offered to get the shack and store it on his property. Club should decide what they are going to do with the shack.
Discussion on floor.
Bart, VE6VB requested clarification if repeater was just a repeater or repeater, duplexer and controller.
Terry, VE6EM stated just a repeater, other components were re-usable.
Curtis Bidulock, VE6AEW moved that: “The Club remove the existing shack to a predetermined location by the executive and open offers to members to place bids and final decision for sale by executive and the successful bidder is required to move the shack – as is, where is.” Seconded by Dave Lazaruk, VE6BCZ. Carried.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Terry, VE6EM requested a motion that we change time experience (years licensed) for President & Vice President.
Discussion on the floor pertaining to time frames, by-laws and procedures required to make this change. This requires a by-law change.
Brad Pool, VE6NG made a Notice of Motion resolution for the next AGM that the years experience requirement term for President and Vice President be reduced to 10 years. Seconded by Bill Gillespie, VE6ABC. Motion carried.
Bruce Smith, VE6BS made a Notice of Motion resolution for the next AGM that the years experience requirement term for Secretary – Treasurer be reduced to 5 years. Seconded by Willy Korchinski, VE6WZK.
Discussion on floor.
Hubert, VE6AMY stated President’s Agenda be sent to members a month before Annual General Meeting.
Bart, VE6VB requested one minute silence for Frances Gilbert, VE6ZO of Tomahawk. Hubert, VE6AMY gave information on Flo’s life and her ham activities.
Notice was given that Art Hobden is closing off his station and thanks his association of friends.
Fred Joyce, VE6HQ gave a biography on Dave Berwick, VE6DD who is now a life member.
“One of the duties of your exectutive this evening is to honor Dave Berwick, VE6DD, with a Quarter Century Amateur Radio Club Honorary Life Membership. David could not be here tonight so his certificate will be presented to him at his convenience. In addition, Dave will receive a very handsome clock with an engraved plaque thereon and several souvenir photographs showing him hard at work at one of the Club sites. These tokens are presented to confirm our appreciation for all that he has done for this Club”
A full copy of Fred’s presentation is in the Club records.
ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS, JIM MUNSEY, VE6BKW
President Terry Whitson, VE6EM has let his name stand for 2009-2010
First call – none: second call – none: third call – none: Terry Whitson elected by acclamation.
Vice President: Brad Pool, VE6NG, nominated Fred Joyce, VE6HQ, who agreed to let his name stand for 2009-2010.
First call – none: second call – none: third call – none: Fred Joyce elected by acclamation.
Secretary – Treasurer: Paul Tyschuk, VE6UFO earlier agreed to run for this office.
First call – none: second call – none: third call – none: Paul Tyschuk elected by acclamation.
Director: Willy Korchinski, VE6WZK allowed his name to stand for 2009-2010.
First call – none: second call – none: third call – none: Willy Korchinski, VE6WZK elected by acclamation.
Director: Hubert Johnston, VE6AMY has let his name stand for 2009-2010.
First call – none: second call – none: third call – none: Hubert Johnston, VE6AMY elected by acclamation.
Director: Look for nominations
Hubert Johnston, VE6AMY nominate Al Hall, VE6JP. Al Hall, VE6JP declined.
Request nominations from floor.
First call – none: second call – none: third call – none: Position left open.
Election complete at 9:25 PM.
Terry Whitson, VE6EM asked if anyone would consider a position on the executive.
Jim Munsey, VE6BKW made motion that the Executive could appoint a member in good standing to fill the Directors position. Seconded by Wayne Renwick,VE6NWR. Carried.
Terry Whitson, VE6EM presented Les Abbott, VE6OG with a gift of appreciation for all his work on the repeaters.
Winners of door prizes were:
Neil Brown VE6TCK an antenna with ground plane kit
Les Abbott VE6OG an antenna book
John Marles VE6BIW a technical book
Al Hall VE6JP a technical book
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM.
Entertainment after the meeting consisted of tables with presentations by:
Dennis Coolican, VE6AQ. Topic VE6FI Contest Station.
Curtis Bidulock, VE6AEW. Topic APRS and Winlink.
Terry Whitson, VE6EM. Topic Amateur Radio Projects under $30.00.
Kelly Weist, VE6KSW. Topic ARES demonstration.
These were most informative and greatly appreciated displays / presentations.
Minutes were taken by Kathy Nicoll, VE6HI with collaboration from Bart Vinkenborg, VE6VB.
It was noted that there were 41 members in attendance at the AGM.
________________________________
Bart Vinkenborg, VE6VB
Secretary Treasurer
April 27,2009
Note: In the week following the AGM, Al Hall, VEJP reconsidered letting his name stand as a director and has been appointed to the position by the other executive members. The decision was unanimous in a vote conducted via email. The email results have been added to the club records.
Paul Tyschuk
2009-2010 Secretary Treasurer