[K3pzn-board] Club van
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sat, 7 Feb 2004 16:55:39 -0800
Frank,
Oh how I enjoy these discussions with you. I'm enlightened that you
took the time to discuss so many of the points from my initial Email. If
that Email only did one thing, I wanted that to be "provoking the thought
process" as it has with you.
You are quite correct that a cost can not be put against human life
and suffering. However, Keith and Eric represented the Club and the
amateur community when we had the Hurricane last year and they staffed
the Emergency shelter. They did a superb job that we can all be proud of
and with that said, how would the van have benefitted their efforts???
I'm sure they brought a modest compliment of equipments (kept it simple
as you suggested in your Email), mingled with the officials and those
taking shelter because they were co-located in the building. That
wouldn't have been the case had they been working out of the van.
Someone would have had to been shuttling back and forth. The situation
would have been more business and less hands-on (less personnel in
nature). We have learned from doing the public services events over the
years, that if you are to be successful, you have to establish a rapport
with those you are supporting. You have to be in close proximity to them
so they don't have to look for you. Often in these situations and being
so close, they don't have to say anything to you because you've already
overheard the conversation and are reacting to their concerns. While I
must admit the van can be an asset at times, it can also be a liability
by not allowing you to "SHADOW" your customer.
With the Feb meeting rapidly approaching it would certainly behoove us
to tie up all the loose ends and present a complete package to the club
before the vote. Do you know how Jack,BIll and Keith are coming along in
their respective efforts?????
Jerry, N3GQK
On Sat, 7 Feb 2004 15:45:39 -0500 "Frank Rodski" <[email protected]>
writes:
>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
>
>
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>-----------------------------------------------------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
>
>-----------------------------------------------------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
>
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