[PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings

Fri Sep 6 15:56:18 EDT 2024

Bill,
Thanks for putting all this up for consideration. Being 25% of the live
attendance last night, I stated my case that *something* needs to be done.
Other than the cost of the toll road, it's pretty convenient for me going
against the evening RTP traffic but I'll go anywhere that works
for the gang. Food for a sports bar is good. Fish and chips rival what you
get in England. One beer, entree and tip end up around $30 which isn't bad
but I wouldn't object to fast food if we need to be more economical.

Everything else, I also agree with Nate. Zoom meetings work OK for a small
group or for a larger presentation. Maybe a program on lighting, audio and
how to put your best foot forward in a virtual meeting would be useful. In
any event, virtual meetings are a poor substitute for getting together in
person, "mini-Dayton" fashion. Mike N4GU and I are driving up to the NR4M
pig fest just to see our northern neighbors. Still have room....

I confess my violations, but each of us in the round table report needs to
get to the point and with a SHORT summary. Maybe the chairman should have a
stop watch and a red light.😄 That also leaves more time for informal
discussions.

We've had some very good programs and I like those, but I think one per
quarter would keep it fresh. Dispense with personal reports at those
meetings.

Having attended PVRC NC meetings for 25+ years, I look forward to the next
25!
73,
Jim K4QPL

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 1:50 PM Nathan Moreschi via PVRCNC <
pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

>  Hi Bill,
> Hickory Tavern is kind of a pain to get to from the Wake
> Forest/Youngsville area and that typically results in me not wanting to
> attend the meetings.  I'm not a huge fan of the room we meet in - the
> layout makes it a little difficult to run the hybrid meeting. I see the
> appeal to the hybrid meeting but I prefer in-person only. I find the
> zoom-stuff to be a little distracting (audio issues, mic being passed
> around, general QRM). However, it is nice to see folks who can't physically
> make it to the meetings.
> My thoughts on reviving attendance would be the following:
>    - Find a better location - Milton's in Raleigh comes to mind or even
> revisit Manchesters. Manchesters did not close, they had staffing issues
> and that led to them not wanting to mess with the meeting room (if I
> remember correctly).
>    - Offer some sort of activity at the meetings - we used to do paper
> contests - those were fun but also require someone to put one together each
> month. Show and tell?
>    - Do not do the around the table conversation when there is a program.
> We did that at one point in the past.
>    - Keep the meetings on a monthly schedule
>    - Encourage presentations - maybe give the presenter a free beer or
> something.
>
> 73,
>
> Nate/N4YDU
>     On Friday, September 6, 2024 at 10:32:20 AM EDT, Bill Axelrod via
> PVRCNC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>  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
> ReplyForward
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