Chapter Meetings

[Bill Axelrod]

Folks,

     Recently, we have seen a s steady decline in the number of us
attending our monthly meetings in person.  Last night there were only four
of us in the room - and that raised a good discussion and a series of
questions about our monthly meetings.

     In this fairly lengthy email I would like to lay out that discussion,
the questions raised during the meeting, and some of the ideas suggested
and solicit your thought, inputs, and sugestions

    I ask that you all read the following and share us your thoughts,
ideas, etc about how our chapter should proceed.  I especially would like
to hear from those of you who live in the area but do not regularly attend
our meetings in person.

     First a bit of history.  Pre-COVID we met monthly up at Manchester's.
We usually had 12 - 15 members attend those meetings.  Once COVID hit,
Manchester's closed as did all other meeting places and we switched to Zoom
meetings which were also well attended.

     After the COVID pandemic ended many of us started clamoring for
re-starting in-person meetings.  And so we did.  Manchester's re-opened but
steadfastly decided to not host meetings like ours.  We went on a search
for a new venue.  Eric, NR4O, recommended the Hickory Tavern in Cary.  They
were a good choice.   And so we restarted in-person meetings with a hybrid
Zoom meeting to include those of us who live too far away to reasonably
come to our in-person meetings.  These meetings work well.  But...

     We're not getting much attendance.  Aside from that being very
disappointing, it is patently unfair to the folks at the Hickory Tavern.
They give us use of their private room at no cost each month.  The room can
fit 25 or more people and could be earning even more revenue for them.
They dedicate a server to support us, even if we barely fill one small
table.

     So, my first question to y'all is:  What should we do about it?  We
could do nothing and  continue our present practice.  We could go back to
Zoom only meetings.  We could hold in-person meetings once a quarter and do
Zoom only the other two months?  What do you think?  Any and all ideas you
may have are desired.  PLEASE!

     Another related question concerns our monthly guest speaker program
and the length of our meetings.  A number of us have opined that our
meetings have grown too long with both a guest speaker and our "around the
table" chat.  Should we cut out the guest speakers?  Only have something
scheduled (maye) four time a year?  What do you think?  Please comment on
that also.

     Again, especially for those of you that don't routinely come to our
in-person meetings, please share your thoughts, ideas, preferences, wild
hairs, or other opinions and let's see how we can meet our wants and needs.

QRV.

Thanks and 73...   Bill K3WA
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