[KCDXC] Important Letter to all Members of KCDXC

[Robert Underwood]

It appears that Alex may have some interesting points.

#1,... When I joined the club, my dues were paid several months in advance and the first day I showed up at a club meeting Lee says to me are you a member in front of the entire group.  As I stated then and I do now, yes I was a paid member and my check was cashed by the treasurer NOBODY knew, nor had a record that I'm told.   Where was the accountability?  I asked then as I do now I was a paid member for almost 6 months, never received a newsletter, my call was not added to the club roster nor was it even recognized that I was a paid member.  Until I made several comments to people about updating the club roster...

#2... I read somewhere that the payment of dues is a "donation" that is not so... You as a club have an obligation to your membership to be accountable for all financial transaction for its membership.  When I submitted my MEMBERSHIP FORM it did not say I was DONATING anything...  It said I was paying for a membership.

#3... Mike has been doing a wonderful job as treasure I'm sure, but in Mike's interest as well as the clubs interest their needs to be accountability.   (God forbid) something should happen to Mike and let's just say he became unavailable there needs to be some sort of proper record keeping maintained for accountability for the monies as well as the memberships.   If Mike were gone, we all would be wanting to knock on his HOME DOOR wanting explanations for the monies, rosters, etc.  His family doesn't need that kind of pain, you think I'm NUTS, were all setting here bickering over this issue of the radio moneys' imagine what it would be like if Mike became a Silent Key and then we needed to figure out what, when, where etc for the clubs funds...  Mike and his family DOES NOT need those kinds of headaches.   (Mike; I hope you live a long and prosperous life, but things can happen)... This not only protects the clubs interest, but also Mike's   Looks what's going on now just in the squabbling over this issue with Alex right now... It could get worse if there are not proper accounting tools put in place to protect all the parties that are involved.

#4... As Alex has stated, many large and respectable Amateur Radio organizations (clubs will you) have many formal accountability tools in place to ensure every member can see how the club is operated and financially positioned.  We should expect the same from our club... It is OUR club remember ...   It's NOT Lee's club, it's NOT Alex's Club, nor any one individual ... it is everyone who is a member responsibility to ensure the clubs future is secure and successful.

#5... Voting... This needs to be reviewed, are all voting actions accounted for?  I mean those that are voting are they even current, paid, members?  If NOT, their VOTE is not justified.  If so, then they should be properly recognized via email, mail, or whatever methods to ensure that all members are given proper notification of a formal discussion that is about to take place with the club procedures, finances, activities whatever those issues that are at hand that would require a majority vote.

I've seen many of clubs come and go in the almost 40 years I've been a ham, and each time its due to Grand Standing positions, overzealous attitudes, accusations unjustified, or just plain stupidity..   Remember were all adults, we all want the organization to be successful.  Its time as a MEMBER you step up and accept your part as a MEMBER to ensure the proper activities and procedures are established for YOUR CLUB and that everyone and get onto more bigger and better things like Dx'ing, Contesting, and rag chewing because that’s what we all want in the end.


K0RU - Rob - 73
-----Original Message-----
From: Alex, KU1CW [mailto:ku1cw at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 00:51
To: KCDXC-for-fun at crcltd.com; kcdxc
Cc: woodrr at att.net; Wm. LAUX; W0ZAP; W0XK Perry McLean; W0ns at aol.com; w0mw at comcast.net; W0LHK at aol.com; w0bv at att.net; Tom NM0N; Tom Hammond; T E Isaacson; Steve Walz K0UO; Steve Lufcy; Steve Gecewicz; rick barnett; pfcambel at micoks.net; NX0I at aol.com; N0ATH; Missouri Guy; Mike ZooLoo; Michael L. Bogard; Marshall AA0FO; lee at crcltd.com; Lee Ward; Larry Wilson; L. Wilson; KI7WO-1 at comcast.net; Kevin Schavee; KC0TjX Dan; k0ru at arrl.net; k0lw at crcltd.com; John Rodgers; John Patterson WC0W; John K3FP; John Chass W0JLC; JimRCessna at aol.com; jim at walkersdomain.com; Jim Smith; Jeff Blaine AC0C; Jan KC0IWK; James Arther W0NV; J Brown; gyantis at midtec.com; George Yantis; Fred N0XA; Dwayne K0LLS; Dragan K0AP Davkovski; Don Reed K0IFO; don devins; Dick Posz; Cliff Ahrens; Clark Stewart; Charles Lovgren; Bob Sutton N0GMG; Bill WS4Y; Bill Henderson; Bernie W3UR; bbrown at crcltd.com; barnett rick; B Roske; Arsk0jn at aol.com; ak0a
Subject: Re: Important Letter to all Members of KCDXC

 Club members,
 I was working in the contest this weekend and had some things to be done after RTTY fun, so had no plans to work on e-mails. Was quite a surprise in many ways to see reverse of the long private exchange into public matter and someone trying to say that I took club's money. Irresponsible, to say the least-especially without knowing details of the issues-sale in particular.  
 I will call special meeting to discuss issue as soon as space available and before next club meeting.

Lee,
 You should keep private e-mails in Private and if presented to others (with permission)-then without cuts of the important questions. This is not right.
 Part Lee has removed from "flatly refusing" e-mail below:

  "P.S. I have asked you to help with organization and so far you have refused. You have been against better accounting? Why? Do not sound right."
 
Eight (!) week private effort to change things to how others club doing it is out, so let's see...  

 I was told that we keep track of the annual membership by the club roaster. One who paid dues-get name on the roaster:). This issue is strictly KCDXC matter and not all of the people on CC: are on the club roaster... 
 Probably another good example of possible improvement in accounting? Hope everyone agrees. 

 Matter is very simple and was NOT in any way (at least when it started) related to sale of the K0ZM equipment. Equipment sale broad here to make issue a bit fuzzier just 2-3 weeks ago.
 BTW-radio was delivered on Dec.22 and not 8 weeks ago. Amplifier with some burned parts was delivered last week of November and check not deposited until late December to see if it works properly. Bill and I have spent a lot of time and effort arranging a lot of things to make it happened. NO ONE HAS ASKED ME IF I HAVE MONEY and for how long-just assumed so and pulled 8 weeks from somewhere...
 Thanks to Tom K0ZM (SK), again. We shall respect this last contribution and come up with a good way to make use of it, every dollar will be accounted for.
  
Now how it's all started:
After seeing in Oct.2008 newsletter treasury report (below):

 “As of Sept. 30, 2008, the KCDXC Treasury shows a balance of $1080.18. This is the highest I can remember in the history of the club this late in the year. Generous donations of members, careful use of funds by the Treasurer and some corporate support from our
newsletter printer have allowed us to make great progress. A special Thanks, to Pam & Curtis Cooper at the UPS store in Shawnee and the Legends!”
 
...and hearing surprising verbal comment of the treasurer, that "by now we normally have no money” I have asked Mike if there are any existing document keeping records of the:
-members annual fees
-donations
-sale
-expense
-other forms of possible club income and expense. 
 Data needed for financial analysis and improvement of the club financial activities and different form. Spread sheet accessible on the WEB for all club members-way the other recognized amateur radio clubs functioning.  Simple matter which may be solved in hours with Excel SS, right? 
 Not so. I was told (for about 7-8 weeks by) now that such a document had never existed and my requests in different forms to create one were ignored 100% in many different ways. 
 Comparisons to world worse dictators were made, freedom explanations etc, treating that 'whole world will see' how low I fell by holding club money for weeks...but nothing provided to fulfill reasonable request. The best answer was' "Why do you need it? What you going to do with information? Did I miss your accounting degree???"  
 I'm not trying to go backwards with this request-just looking FORWARD and only for the good future of the Club. No degree required. Makes sense? 
 
 As I have said well known clubs have it and KCDXC should do something to be similar in a good way.

 Since privately kept issue is out-I would ask members for the ideas and tools to bring accounting of the club members to the respectful level for years to come. Any programs, SS with macros and other ideas will be looked at and discussed in opened manner.

 Once again-all I’m trying to do since beginning of my presidency is make club more interesting, organized and efficient in all aspects and not necessary follow ‘it was done like that for years’ rule, were it’s not making sense anymore. 
 I’m counting on support of the Club members who would like to see positive changes happened.

 
Sincerely,

Alex, KU1CW. KCDXC President.


--- On Sun, 1/4/09, Lee Ward <lee at crcwireless.net> wrote:

> From: Lee Ward <lee at crcwireless.net>
> Subject: Important Letter to all Members of KCDXC
> To: "Alex Tkatch" <ku1cw at yahoo.com>
> Cc: woodrr at att.net, "Wm. LAUX" <n0ag at yahoo.com>, "W0ZAP" <w0zap at everestkc.net>, "W0XK Perry McLean" <w0xk at att.net>, W0ns at aol.com, w0mw at comcast.net, W0LHK at aol.com, w0bv at att.net, "Tom NM0N" <nm0n at arrl.net>, "Tom Hammond" <n0ss at embarqmail.com>, "T E Isaacson" <ikeisaacson at earthlink.net>, "Steve Walz K0UO" <stevew at rsicorp.com>, "Steve Lufcy" <k0ou at comcast.net>, "Steve Gecewicz" <lance at myedl.com>, "rick barnett" <rick at crcwireless.net>, pfcambel at micoks.net, NX0I at aol.com, "N0ATH" <n0ath at charter.net>, "Missouri Guy" <n0tt1 at juno.com>, "Mike ZooLoo" <aa0mz at yahoo.com>, "Michael L. Bogard" <kd0fw at att.net>, "Marshall AA0FO" <mrtoburen at sunflower.com>, lee at crcltd.com, "Lee Ward" <lee at crcwireless.net>, "Larry Wilson" <K0RWL at YAHOO.COM>, "L. Wilson" <k0rwl at townsqr.com>, KI7WO-1 at comcast.net, "Kevin Schavee" <n0cwr at kc.rr.com>, "kcdxc for fun" <KCDXC-for-fun at crcltd.com>, "KC0TjX Dan" <doctordan8 at embarqmail.com>, k0ru at arrl.net, k0lw at crcltd.com, "John Rodgers"
 <johnrodgers22 at att.net>, "John Patterson WC0W" <WC0W at AOL.COM>, "John K3FP" <k3fp at hotmail.com>, "John Chass W0JLC" <johnchass at midlandradio.com>, JimRCessna at aol.com, jim at walkersdomain.com, "Jim Smith" <jimkirsti at ni.net.nf>, "Jeff Blaine AC0C" <ac0c at arrl.net>, "Jan KC0IWK" <janny66101 at yahoo.com>, "James Arther W0NV" <w6yj at pacbell.net>, "J Brown" <n0nut at yahoo.com>, gyantis at midtec.com, "George Yantis" <k0gy at swbell.net>, "Fred N0XA" <n0xa at embarqmail.com>, "Dwayne K0LLS" <K0LLS at arrl.net>, "Dragan K0AP Davkovski" <davkovski at yahoo.com>, "Don Reed K0IFO" <k0ifo at arrl.net>, "don devins" <wd0bwm1 at swbell.net>, "Dick Posz" <rvposz at hotmail.com>, "Cliff Ahrens" <cahrens at mywdo.com>, "Clark Stewart" <w8tn.wv at gmail.com>, "Charles Lovgren" <clovgren at sunflower.com>, "Bob Sutton N0GMG" <N0GMG at yahoo.com>, "Bill WS4Y" <ws4y at arrl.net>, "Bill Henderson" <bill at hendersonkc.com>, "Bernie W3UR" <Bernie at dailydx.com>, bbrown at crcltd.com, "barnett rick" <barnett_rick at yahoo.com>, "B
 Roske" <broske at hutchtel.net>, Arsk0jn at aol.com, "ak0a" <ak0a at kc.rr.com>
> Date: Sunday, January 4, 2009, 6:10 PM
> Please Read!!!
> 
> First my e-mail to the president on 1-3-09:
> =====================
> Alex,
> 
> There is a potential problem with the club.
> 
> I read the bank statement for the club and did not see the
> money from
> Tom Roses' radio sale.
> 
> Dayton is rapidly approaching and we need to get the
> finances in
> order. I hope you will get that money to Mike ASAP so he
> can take care
> of the obligations ahead.
> 
> Since we have a new "constitution" it may even
> impede the ability to
> get these things done without a vote.
> 
> Time is of the essence. Please get those funds in the club
> account so
> that the club can move forward.
> 
> Holding those funds could be an impeachable offense.
> 
> This club has existed for many years without controversy.
> This is not a
> good way to start your presidency. Let's move ahead in
> a positive
> way.
> 
> LW
> =========================
> This response came directed towards the Treasury:
> =========================
> To make it short-I'm the president now and I will do
> what is better.
> Everything and everyone (-1 or 2) indicates things are
> better.
> This how club works.
>  Alex
> =========================
> And This flatly refusing to put the funds in the club bank
> account:
> =========================
> Lee,
>  I'm looking forward.
>  ALL (-2) of the people I have talked are extremely happy
> about the club
>  changes and were not happy about the past.
>  I do not own the club, I just making it better organized
> and interesting
>  by working with all people. So far it was working,
> confirmed by many.
>  Issue of money of sale Tom's equipment? Simple, I will
> not put money into
>  account with no simple accounting controls. but see
> surprising resistance
>  of ex-president and treasurer. Will fix it for the good
> future of the KCDXC.
>  Alex
> 
> =========================
> This, from the constitution that Alex produced for the
> club:
> =========================
> 
> Article IV: Duties of Officers
>  
> Section 4 - The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all
> monies paid to
> the club, keep an accurate account of all monies received
> and expended, and
> pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or
> its officers
> constituting a business committee). At or prior to each
> regular club meeting,
> the Treasurer shall report on the state of the club
> finances. The Treasurer
> shall be prepared to submit an itemized statement of
> disbursements and
> receipts to the club membership upon request, within a
> reasonable period of
> time.
> 
> ==========================
> Now my comments to you, the members.
> ==========================
> Is there a problem if AB0X receives this check, makes note
> of it with a
> receipt in the newsletter, and then deposits it in the club
> bank
> account? It will appear on the next bank statement for all
> to see.
> 
> Keep in mind that this is not a major corporation with
> loads of money
> for Ernst and Young to keep track of for us. In fact since
> it is a
> rather loose group, that has operated quite successfully
> for decades
> without putting any member or officer under the microscope
> for
> details. There has never been any indication of impropriety
> in our
> club and we have all been open and trustful of each other.
> Ask for
> details if you like, there are no secrets. Expenditures
> amount to the
> newsletter cost (now all but 2 get it as e-mail) and Dayton
> Hamvention
> Hospitality Suite.
> 
> If you think it is OK for Alex to keep this club money and
> do whatever
> he thinks is "right" with it then OK, I am out of
> line. But obligations
> need to be met and he is holding money to help meet them.
> 
> If you think Alex should get this money to AB0X for deposit
> in the
> club account, then let Alex know with an e-mail saying so.
> 
> The clubs 2 reflectors are as good as any place to let him
> know. None
> of this should have been in private (as it has so far), but
> instead the
> whole membership should be involved. We have separate
> officers to
> prevent any one officer from having too much power. The
> President is
> not the Treasurer!
> 
> I will make public all correspondence if requested. There
> should be no
> secrets in this club.
> 
> We have never had this kind of thing happen in this club
> and it should
> not happen now or in the future. Members have always worked
> together for a
> common goal, fun, it is our hobby after all!
> 
> Please tell me if I am out of line.
> 
> 73
> 
> Respectfully, Lee, K0LW, President Emeritus, KCDXC
> 
> --
> The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The
> ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the
> tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. The wireless
> is the same, only without the cat.
> 
> Albert Einstein
> 
> -.-. --.- -.-. --.-
> http://www.kcdxclub.com/