[FARC] February meeting notes and activities

[Scott Galbraith]

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Hello to one and all.  This message is to bring you up to date on the
happenings at the February FARC meeting.  This is just my notes from the
meeting, _not_ the official minutes.

First of all, we did achieve an official quorum at the meeting (10
active members) - but just barely. I want to thank all everyone who
braved the dark wilderness just past the Frederick airport and managed
to join us.

All of the existing officers agreed to stand for re-election and there
were no additional nominations from the floor. Last year's officers were
re-elected by acclamation of the members present.
Scott Galbraith, N3OK - President
Jeff Fishman, KB3FIO - Vice President
James Gillespie, K3DQ - Secretary
Eric Gammeter, N8AAY - Treasurer

2005 dues are now "due" ($10), payable to the Frederick Amateur
Radio Club and sent to Eric Gammeter, N8AAY.

There was a significant amount of discussion concerning alternative
meeting locations and times. Jeff graciously offered a conference
room.  After lengthy discussion, the group decided to stay with a
meeting site at the Frederick County Animal Control Building in
their education room. (This is where the club met for quite some
time prior to moving out to the CAP building at the airport.)  This
decision was adopted by the members present even though it meant
changing our regular meeting night (again.)  Instead of going back
to the traditional second Tuesday night, the members voted to move the
meeting to the THIRD MONDAY of each month at 7:00 PM.  While this
could cause conflict with _one_ of the RACES nets each month, it
avoids conflict with the monthly emergency exercises which have also
been routinely scheduled on the second Tuesday.

So, our March meeting (our next meeting) will be held in the Animal
Control Education room at 1832 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick. We hope that
many more of you will be able to attend now.

Following this action, there was also extensive discussion on the type
of programs and material members wanted to see covered in the meetings
and I think that Jeff got some good ideas (and even a few volunteers)
for future programs. I would anticipate a tentative program schedule from
him to give you all an idea of coming attractions.

We also had a good briefing and discussion on our upcoming Hamfest. Some
changes are in store for that activity. We will be changing the physical
layout and trying to schedule activities which will encourage longer
attendance and also provide space for meetings, casual discussions, etc.
as well more and better food service and a better prize lineup. We will
be providing amateur equipment as main prizes this year instead of the
smaller cash payments we had in the past. First prize will be an Icom 718
HF rig with rigs also provided at the other prize levels.

As always, volunteers will be needed before, during and after the hamfest
and there will be a prize awarded solely within the volunteer group. Anyone
willing and able to assist in the hamfest planning, setup, operation, or
teardown is asked to contact me off the list via email or via telephone
(301.865.3035) or on the air.

Thanks to all who have continued to support the club and we look forward
to seeing you at the meeting in a few weeks.

-- 

73 de Scott Galbraith
N3OK, Frederick County, MD
FM19ji
ARRL, QCWA 30013, GERATOL 2198, PVRC
NAVMARCORMARS - NNN0OPY, NNN0GAW
National Communications System SHARES
scottg (at) n3ok.com
nnn0opy (at) navymars.org