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.

 

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

 

  1. 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