[CC-ARES-RACES] CCARC Clubhouse and Station

[Flick, Darryl L.]

> Dear Fellow CCARC Members and Radio Enthusiasts,
> 
> A casual discussion topic in recent years has been our own CCARC Club House and Operating Station. Occasionally, I casually 'surf' the internet and review Club Websites from around the world.  And I of course compare their successes and their failures to our Club. A common thread among many very successful Clubs (my observations) is a Clubhouse.  A Clubhouse may include:
> 1.	An operating station for HF phone/CW, digital modes, VHF/UHF, etc.
> 2.	A bench for experiments and projects (I envision AA3WS dutifully soldering components with a huge grin on his face while instructing any one of use on proper form)
> 3.	Chairs lined up and facing a dry write board or chalk board, for AA3RT to instruct students for initial licensing and upgrades. Don't forget, a few of our members are Volunteer Examiners that are excited about becoming current again.
> 4.	A coffee pot brewing in the corner for those three o'clock in the morning contesters working the Maryland QSO party.
> 5.	A couple of cots racked up in the corner for ARES / RACES drills and actual events, and an address that can be included in any emergency response plan for the County and for the region.
> 6.	A place to keep in mind to receive donated gear, from the outside and from all of its members (remember, we are 501C3 !!!).  If we get more than we want or need, let's have a representative visit a Hamfest and tailgate the stuff away, with proceeds going to The Club.
> 7.	If any one of us has a broken radio, or antenna problem, or any type of distress, bring it to the Club and we will channel our best resources.  If no bench expertise is available, make recommendations, or even consider donating the dead radio for a bench exercise, where we give it a try without concerns for "gee, what if we really screw it up?".  A lot can be learned like that.
> 
> Many non-profits are granted space by local governments, such as Christmas in April (they have the double-wide office trailers near the repeater building on Radio Station Road). Our hook is obvious....we provide direct and immediate support to our Local Government body, in the form of ARES / RACES.  And we rush to the front lines for community events here in our own Charles County, such as March of Dimes, Bike events, and so on.
> 
CCARC President Rob Hoyt (N2OMC) fully supports this effort and suggests that I send this email to the group with hopes and anticipations of participation from a committee that can provide recommendations to the CCARC Board of Directors. I am aware of a few folks among us that have the same desires to see this through, and thought it would be a good idea to get these minds together for the purposes of developing a plan of action.  Please contact me if you are interested in participating on the Charles County Amateur Radio Club House Committee.  We will meet every two weeks (or more / less based on success of meeting goals), and the Committee Chair will present a report to the Board, either at a CCARC Board Meeting or CCARC Membership Meeting.  It should not be assumed that I am automatically the Chairperson of the Committee simply because I have cast this idea among our fine group of Club Members, and the formalities of the group may be kept simple. Albeit with a requirement to provide the CCARC Board of Directors a report of activities. 

> I look forward to hearing from you as a participant in this Committee.
> 
> Regards and 73
 
Lee Flick, N3YWZ




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