Board of Directors Meeting August 7, 2024
Robert Kocourek W9RKK Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Attendees
|
Secretary’s Report
Cliff Sowka K9QD: July BOD Meeting Minutes as published in the RHG: John Schofield AC9JS moved to approve and seconded by Chris Brewer AC9GN. Motion Adopted.
Treasurer’s Report
Chris Brewer AC9GN reported:
Month July 2024 Report generated on 7/8/2024
Checkbook Balance 06/31/2024 $7,403.64
| INCOME
12 Zelle deposits |
07/xx/24 |
MEMO
$350.00 Dues (summarized) |
$1,055.00 |
| Teller deposit | 07/01/24 | $55.00 Dues | |
| Teller deposit | 07/01/24 | $450.00 Dues | |
| Teller deposit | 07/22/24 | $145.00 Dues | |
| Teller deposit | 07/24/17 | $25.00 Dues | |
| Transfer in | 07/22/24 | $30.00 Dues | |
|
DISBURSEMENTS |
MEMO |
$810.32 |
|
| Zelle payment | 07/03/24 | $223.28 FD Pizza reimburse | |
| ACH | 07/10/24 | $62.82 AT&T DSL | |
| PPD check fee | 07/23/24 | $42.75 New checks | |
| Check 1371 | 07/30/24 | $281.47 FD food reimburse | |
| Check 1372 | 07/30/24 | $200.00 PO Box yearly pay
Account Balance |
$7,648.32 |
| 07/31/24 | Bank Statement | $7,648.32 | |
|
Petty Cash |
06/31/24 |
$19.00 |
|
| Current | 07/30/24 | $19.00 | |
Funds Available $7,667.32
83 members on roster
Public Service
Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present. Schaumburg Park District held annual Triathlon with the support of 12 of our SARC radio operators. 5:30AM Set-up, event management, and orderly closure was well conducted with no troublesome occurrences (other than some wet weather) observed.
EMCOMM
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK is our acting Chairman until someone may step-up to assume the role. There have been some membership inquiries regarding our Club’s insurance coverage while supporting governmental agencies, or even remote Parks-on-the-Air activities, so we’re checking with our broker to determine where our coverage limits. Cliff K9QD will inquire and report shortly.
Village of Schaumburg (VOS) informed Dennis that SARC members can register as Volunteers with the village’s website on-line application. Holding the Village Harmless is a condition (as expected) but there appears to be no longer a need for FBI Clearance, Credit Rating, Finger Prints, nor Annual Income disclosure as was required for the SARC Trusted Radio Operators supporting the Fire Department/EOC during our initial initiation several years ago.
LINK: https://schaumburgil.seamlessdocs.com/f/VolunteerApp
Repeaters
Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ not present. Net Log-In etiquette seems to be in need of review. Several attendees are stepping on each other due to lack of following Net protocol:
- Key-up (TX) with Call
- Drop
- Determine clearance for subsequent TX
- Announce Call, name, location, with/ without traffic
- Drop for the next person’s Log-in
There may be some additional calibration needed with the squelch tail, antenna noise can become bothersome at times, and professional services Duplexer/COAX/Antenna diagnosis at the 2M site is in order. If our Stationmaster on top of the tank on Barrington Road/Schaumburg Road is in need of replacement, our Treasury is happily capable to purchasing new equipment at the present time.
Robert Kocourek W9RKK continues work to establish an operation manual for our machines with assistance from the Repeater Team and Kent Ochs W9KAO.
Construction Project (CP)
Cliff Sowka K9QD reports CP is on summer hiatus. The elevator service is now restored. We return in September.
VE Testing:
John Schofield AC9JS reported 5 candidates attended our session and 4 have passed. Unfortunately one additional candidate arrived without proper FCC preparation and was unable to be admitted without documentation for this session.
Nets
Attendance remains enthusiastic. Don Dewar KD9NJR supported the successful NIGHT-OUT event. Net Log-In protocol was discussed (see above).
Radio Hill Gazette RHG
Need Editor. No Report.
Membership
Scott DeSantis KB9VRW Membership Committee Chairman not present.
Publicity
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chairman reports the following:
Facebook: SARC members in good standing can request membership on the site. It does not happen automatically. Current membership for the Facebook page has not been reviewed. I might be able to get to it in October or November. Frequent posts from enrolled members like Roberto (W9AE) and Robert (W9RKK). Currently about 123 followers not including members.
VoS (Village of Schaumburg) Emergency Radio Cache: Monday July 22nd, Leo Ribordy (N9NBH), Rob Glowacki (N9MVO) and myself returned equipment used during Field Day to the storage locker in the basement of the Schaumburg Police Station. (Photos attached). A notice posted on the front of the storage locker needs to be updated with current information. We looked for a list of SARC members that are credentialed volunteers with the Village, but couldn’t find one.
VoS Emergency Operations Center: Tuesday July 23rd, Don Dewar (KD9NJR), Cliff Sowka (K9QD) and myself met with VoS Emergency Management & Accreditation. We reviewed how SARC provides trained volunteers for served agencies, for various events including parades & festivals. VoS explained that the Village had decided to limit personnel for the Chicagoland Marathon because it was a for profit event, causing significant liability and cost exposure for the Village.
We also talked about Schaumburg Septemberfest (August 31st thru September 2nd at the Village Hall grounds). VoS felt the event planning was too far along to try to include SARC, but that we might be able to participate next year.
In a subsequent email, VoS thought we might be able to assist during the parade on Monday September 2nd, subject to review and approval by the Schaumburg Police Department. We don’t have confirmation from the Police Department yet, but could go to the Parade Route to check for deployment locations and radio connectivity.
In the same email, VoS did not have a separate list of SARC volunteers and that the Village HR Department requested that volunteers register through their website. A copy of the registration form was forwarded to SARC-BD. Please note that the Village requires volunteers to hold the Village harmless in the event of personal property damage or injury. It would be a good idea to check with our insurance broker about the extent of coverage provided by our policy for volunteer events and club events like POTA.
Schaumburg Park District Triathlon: After a number of attempts we were able to contact the Schaumburg Park District about providing support during the Triathlon. Waiting for a report from Rob Glowacki (N9MVO) for the names of the volunteers and the number of volunteer hours provided.
Schaumburg Township District Library, SARC Radio Classes: Leo Ribordy (N9NBH) finally found the right person to speak with at STDL regarding scheduling classes. Right now it looks like January 2025.
Social
Need Chairperson.
Education
Leo N9NBH not present. We found a Library contact and determined we may be able to restart our education activity in January (see above).
Programs
Don Dewar KD9NJR: Need program ideas and membership presenter support.
Old Business
Paul Burkett KD9FMN moved to purchase a replacement Alps tent for Field Day at expense of $125 ($300 retail). John Schofield seconded. Motion Adopted.
Chris Brewer received PO Box Renewal and the Board authorized him to execute properly with annual fee
New Business
Several members met with VOS Emergency Management & Accreditation to plan for possible support of Septemberfest. We held our meeting at the EOC and were also able to test our radio equipment in the radio room on the north side of the conference room before break for lunch with VOS management at Maxfield’s.
- Cliff K9QD asked for Board reimbursement of $86 expense. Don Dewar KD9NJR moved to approve, Robert Kocourek W9RKK seconded. Motion Adopted.
The good news is SARC has many opportunities for radio-active participation through our numerous Committees.
However, a few recent Club events and activities have revealed some concern regarding an aura of less-than-favorable-engagement by some new members. While several new members have enthusiastically joined our various activities there seems to be a feeling of distancing from any new organizational suggestions.
Paul Burkett KD9FMN presented some recent membership correspondence to the Board. Much discussion ensued with a general acknowledgement that we can find many ways to improve the acceptance and engagement with these new ideas. Individual response will be initiated by Paul as we begin discovery of improvement.
SARC Picnic Bartlett Log Cabin August 18th:
14 members have reserved attendance at the moment. John Douglas KD9KSH is managing the event and notified the grills have been removed meaning that we’re not going to be able to cook our own burgers.
- Cliff K9QD moved to budget $400 headroom for food purchase. Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded. Motion Adopted.
Rob Glowacki N9MVO has an idea for a fun event during our picnic: A communication test.
You get a small assembly of Lego blocks of various colors and shapes. Others get a set of blocks of the same colors and shapes. Your mission: describe your assembly over the radio such that the listener(s) can assemble another set of blocks the same as yours.
Perhaps the activity is timed, and the ones who are able to duplicate the assembly, in the same shapes and colors in the shortest time can be awarded prizes. (or maybe the ones who are able to correctly construct the assembly can win. . .)
Now, the requirement is Lego blocks and HT’s. Most of us have an HT. We would need several sets of maybe 16 – 20 Lego blocks of assorted colors and sizes. I am thinking 1 x 2, 2 x 2, 3 x 2 and 4 x 2 blocks so they can be assembled into a simple 3D ‘sculpture’. 4 or 5 sets *might* be enough.
Does anyone have Lego blocks in a reasonable quantity to permit us to do this? I have heard grandkids sometimes use them.
73 de N9MVO,
Rob
Adjourn 8:42 PM
Submitted Aug 8, 2024
Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary