[K3pzn-board] Club van

Sat, 7 Feb 2004 15:45:39 -0500

Gerry and Board

While I agree with you in principle, we have not spent any monies yet. I
believe everything to this point has been donated. And our only liability
may be storage at the garage.

Cost/benefit analysis in a situation such as this is not applicable. What is
the cost of a human life? or just the suffering incurred by folks involved
in a flood or tornado?  How do you cost suffering, because that needs a
number in the cost/benefit analysis.  The costs are real but the benefits
are intangible, but, could they be tangible if a fund raiser was a success.

The project is not consuming everyone ... but what you are seeing is some
REAL interest that a few are willing to look into. Yes, look into, as
NOTHING is in stone as of the moment. We are in effect doing the cost
/benefit analysis by doing the research, the planning and the discussion.

As far as I'm aware, no Club functions have been compromised nor has monies
been allocated. Yes, a motion is on the floor, but that is to cover repairs
and insurance. If repairs and insurance can't be covered by that amount,
then we aren't going foreword until some other approach is found that works.

I feel the biggest expenditure is the initial cost of getting it rolling,
provided we can find reasonable insurance. I really feel that the WRONG
words had to be said to the insurance folks to illicit that kind of premium.
The rule of thumb is to tell the absolute truth but not to volunteer
information or anything that is not required.

I have a 1986 truck that runs but doesn't run perfect. Unless I happened to
blow a transmission, all I can expect in costs are regular maintenance costs
annually such as Insurance, oil change, lube, gas, tags. The same for the
van. It doesn't have to run like new and wont no matter how much money will
be put into it. I realize the insurance is a shocker and if we can't get
around it or find some way to pay it outside of our regular income, then the
project is a bust.

There are many ways to skin a cat. First, we can make the truck drivable by
getting the water pump fixed, pay the man whatever storage costs are
appropriate, getting temp tags and driving it to Scotts garage for the
moment. Moving a vehicle like that  may be covered under your own insurance.
Actually, that is something to look into. I have Alstate and I think it
covers whatever vehicle ( for liability) that I am driving, such as rentals
etc. I don't buy insurance on rentals. I will have to ask my agent on Monday
about that.

Once things are stabilized, we can sit back and do more planning without
incurring and more costs.  Getting the water pump fixed isn't much more than
having it towed. Actually, I would sign up with AAA before I got it towed.

Another option would be to again look into votech for repairs. I wouldn't
believe all the negative stories that are told. I have heard some very
positive ones. Again, the votech folks may jump on the opportunity to take
on a project like this. It is certainly worth looking into and I would be
willing to be part of a small representative group to talk to them. I feel
several people need to listen to what they may say or propose.

I also feel that the initial radios that we staff it with can be used or not
necessarily top of the line. For the most part they need to be simple enough
to use. No one in an emergency has the time to figure out exotic menus etc.
Basic hf,vhf and uhf positions are all that is needed to start. Even the HF
could be delayed or initially staffed with an inexpensive used radio like a
Kenwood Ts 440 which is familiar to all from the club station.

The cost of this project can be what we want it to be with the exception of
the insurance. Even the initial repairs have several options.

As far as direct yearly cost to the club, I would like to see it be as
little as possible. But keep in mind that we are subsidizing other projects
to an extent that is not required i. e., field day costs are higher than
necessary, food provided by the club during operating evens beyond coffee
and donuts are not required, and the Christmas Party does not have to be so
heavily subsidized. That is to say that if the Club wants these to be the
main subsidized events over others, then so be it. Other projects we have
recently pledged to support for over a $1,000  didn't require a cost/benefit
analysis while a little more discussion on the one project may have realized
that an analysis of the same past project would have shown under utilization
of the resources. This is not the requestors fault, it is the BoD. The other
project currently underway seems to be fairly high per capita and no
cost/befefit analysis was performed. In fact, I don't believe that any
evaluation criteria was set to specifically monitor the projects success
(return on the dollar?, number of new hams? number of hams remaining after 1
year, 2 years, 5 years? or what ever would be appropriate).

Jack Kolb is supposed to be writing up a plan. Until I see and analyze that
plan, along with the fund raizing activities I am working on are available,
the results of Bills initial county and Homeland security contacts as to
grant monies etc. Keiths repair studies (along with talking to votech), I
like Gerry would not be in a hurry to spend more than a minimal amount of
money. But I'm all for keeping the momentum going as long as possible. I for
one get bored easily and one or two more months of non professional
wrangling would be enough to cause me to find other things to do. I do
support the proposal for the initial funding with the understanding that no
or minimal monies will be spent by the BoD or Committee until sufficient
answers are available to support moving forward.

73, Frank [email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 2:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [K3pzn-board] Club van

   It appears that several things are converging on us at once.  First,
our GUNG HO initial reactions to the van are being tempered with the
realization that we can ill-afford our champagne tastes with a BEER
pocketbook.  For all intensive purposes this project is DEADLINED due to
insufficient funds (in excess of $4K to get it on the road and insure
it).  We do not have the resources in the treasury, at this time, to make
the van road worthy, insure it, much less populate it with equipment.  I
realize that Frank and Keith are doing a stellar job in preparing
solicitation letters.  This may solidify the project for a while, but I
feel it prudent that we sit back and reflect on the postive and negative
aspects of this venture.  Since we first got word that the van was
available, it has all but totally consumed our energies and now the
club's resources.  What existing club functions/activities are being
sacrificed or compromised (Education/training, Field day, Holiday party,
the other various committees) to establish and maintain this vehicle?
   This club has always had a significant Public service presence within
Carroll and Fredrick counties and at virtually no expense to the Club.
We always respond to the natural disasters and the various charitable
organizations.  At times we have to stretch to round up a compliment of
operators, but we have never failed and have always received accolades
and kudos from those we support.   Will the van's added
capabilities/presence accentuate our situation to the extent that we
significantly surpass our present situation????
   Although I personally have no experience in what I'm about to suggest,
I feel the BOD should consider a COST/BENEFIT analysis on this matter and
present it to the club membership prior to the vote at the upcoming
business meeting.  As with the January meetng, we should also appeal via
the reflector for optimum member presence to vote on this issue.
   As most of you are probably aware by the positions I take on the
various issues dealt with by the BOD, I tend to take a DEVILS' advocate
and slightly negative approach to the issues.  I want to be totally
convinced by the staunch supporters on any issue that we are taking the
right approach.  The van issue is no exception and considering the
monitary commitment we are dealing with, I'm probably more than slightly
negative on this matter.  If we make a mistake, I perceive that it will
take the club years before it will fully recover.  I want our decisions
to be based on a substantiated, bonafide need and not the desires of a
few over zealous individuals.  We owe this to the club and ourselves.

			Thanks in advance,
			Jerry, N3GQK

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
-----------------------------------------------------BREAK------------------
-------------------------------
Next Board Meeting Wednesday, February 18, 7:30 PM at the FTC. Dinner at
Harry's Beforehand ??
_______________________________________________
K3PZN-Board mailing list supporting the Carroll County Amateur Radio Club
BoD
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/k3pzn-board