[ADXA] Meeting Report and Other Notes

[w5znjoel at gmail.com]

Greetings ADXA Folks,

It was good to see everyone last Saturday at our 3rd Quarter meeting with
around 30 folks attending. There were several who had scheduling conflicts
and were unable to attend so our attendance number was good. Thanks to
Charles, K5CS, for presenting our program.

The board reported we had approved the following DXpedition funding
requests:
T2C Tuvalu - $300
TX5S Clipperton Island - $100

Roger N5QS presented, on behalf of the board, an officer nomination slate
for 2024. Nominations will remain open until voting at the annual meeting in
November. The nominated officer slate was:
President - W5ZN
Vice President - W5VY
Sec/Treasurer - N5RN

I had previously announced in our 3rd Quarter Newsletter that I plan to step
aside as ADXA President next year. I still plan to do that and have not
accepted this nomination. The board discussed this and then advised me of
their plan to nominate me again. I really do want someone else to step up. I
made it clear I am not leaving and plan to still be fully involved in ADXA,
just not as President. If we cannot identify someone to serve as President
then it would appear I will be "stuck" with the job however, PLEASE identify
someone willing to step up and serve.

If we are unable to do so, then I want to be very upfront with you regarding
some things I will push for as President next year. These are (not a
complete list!!):

1. Quarterly Meetings - In today's ADXA, do we really need four "in-person"
meetings? We have a strong membership with members from all over the state,
not just central Arkansas. Identifying a meeting location that accommodates
everyone is difficult, very difficult, and something I have struggled with
over the past few years. Russellville is as good of a "half way point" as
any location but that still requires a 1.5 to 2 hour drive for most of us.
Providing something of interest for in-person meeting, other than eating, is
also a struggle. Its nice to visit with everyone but I'll be honest - I
prefer to spend time working on my radio projects at home rather than spend
most of the day to drive 2 hours, eat and visit for 2 hours, then drive 2
hours back home. That simply doesn't "elevate" my amateur radio experience.
If we reduced the number of in-person meetings to two per year and then hold
virtual meetings two times a year we could line up some really great
speakers for those meetings. We have the capability to hold a Zoom meeting
for up to 100 or more folks. If the decision is to continue with four
in-person meetings then someone will need to step up and organize the
quarterly meetings. I will no longer do that with the exception of the
annual meeting.

2. I want to see one of our board positions held by someone in northwest
Arkansas. Who will step up to be nominated???

3. Revise Article 4(a) of our Articles of Association. That still requires
us to meet weekly on the air. I know the old dogs of ADXA like to reminisce
about how great that weekly "net" was. You still want that as an association
requirement? OK, someone needs to volunteer to be the "net control". Who
volunteers?

In my President's article in the 3rd Quarter Newsletter (you did read it,
didn't you?) I stated "We must have new ideas and direction while
maintaining our history and traditions that brought us to where we are
today." Let's not fall in a rut that causes us to lose interest in our
activities as ADXA but identify ways to maintain interest and excitement in
working DX!

My lone goal as ADXA President has been to provide the members the
opportunity and encouragement to bring your station and on-the-air operating
accomplishments, your "amateur radio experience", to the next level. That
continues to be my objective.

73 Joel W5ZN