Nov 2011
Mid-South Amateur Radio Association - Club Meeting Minutes November 17, 2011
Location: Clubhouse - 2417 Lacosta Drive, Bartlett, TN 38134
Attendance: President Tony Brignole (WA4KHN), Vice President Del Earnheart (AJ4EM), Secretary Linda Ware (KJ4ELL), Treasurer John Parish (KD4EUZ). Attendance: approx 25.
Welcome: Meeting called to order by Tony at 7:00 p.m. Introductions and introductory comments. Everyone welcome to enjoy the warm, casual atmosphere, hot cider and 2-table smorgasbord, along with the roaring fire in the fireplace. Members signed Christmas cards to be sent to our troops overseas.
Minutes for previous meeting posted on MARA website (maraonline.org) and printed copies, along with Treasurer’s Report available on front table. Motioned (Del AJ4EM), seconded (Jeff AJ4GY), and accepted as posted by attending membership. Treasurer's Report (October 21 through November 17, 2011) read by Treasurer, John Parish (KD4EUZ). Motioned (Don AA4JA), seconded (Jeff AJ4GY), and accepted as read (viva voce).
Old Business: MARA meetings at the Northeast Police Precinct are confirmed for the first Thursday of each month, starting January 5th, 2012 - January through August. The precinct is not available for us during the months of September, October, November, and the Christmas party is December. Alternate location for those meetings will be announced.
This year’s Christmas party is officially booked for December 8th 2011 at Coletta’s at 6:30 p.m. Please begin collecting items for the gift exchange (don’t have to be ham-related), $10 range. There is a sign-up sheet for the party, please sign up for the head count and pass the word. Please e-mail Linda (kj4ell@arrl.net) to RSVP if not already signed up. Coletta’s needs the head count prior to time for the party. Link to Coletta’s location, maps, and menu on MARA home page.
New Business: John Parish taking membership renewal forms and dues. Forms are available online and at meetings.
Please take the time to fill in the membership renewal form to keep our club records and contact information up to date.
Elections: Slate of MARA Officers and Board Members for 2012 elected as follows:
Motion to vote made by Nina Stone (WB4CHH), seconded by Rick Kanschat (NØKYN), motion passed by acclamation.
Announcements: Still need volunteers for Saturday, December 3rd 2011. St. Jude Marathon, contact Roger wr4r@bellsouth.net. Bartlett Christmas Parade, contact Dennis kj4bdu@arrl.net.
Randy VanVoorhis (W4RMV) will try to put together another software order for members. Hopefully it can be early in the new year, and will be discussed further in January.
Program: The History of FreeFest … Where We Are and How We Got Here.
Tony presented a very complete overview of the concept and history (last 30 years in Memphis), components, planning, demographics, marketing, amount of time and people / work involved, along with a summary of our last FreeFest with a good look at what is involved in making it all happen; followed by a preliminary discussion of the next one, Q&A, comments. The venue and setup will be similar to last year, and the charity will again be LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. Advance ticket sales were successful, and will be made available again this time.
We have been approved by the ARRL Executive Committee for the 2012 Delta Division Convention; Glen Clayton, Tennessee Section Manager, has approved MARA to host the Tennessee Section annual meeting. We will need a lot of membership participation for the additional work involved hosting this event – at freefest, April 14, 2012, and a social event the night before.
Tickets were drawn for two door prizes: ARRL Handbook and Antenna Book w/CD. Won by Bill (KB4SQV) and Ned (KA4BLL).
Notes: Meetings at Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Parkway) 6850 Whitten Bend Cove, Memphis, TN 38133 will resume January 5, 2012. For maps to clubhouse and precinct, click on “meeting locations” on website. (maraonline.org)
Motion to close (Del AJ4EM), seconded (Lynne AK4FT), adjourned by Tony (WA4KHN) at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Secretary Linda Ware (KJ4ELL)