[PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings

Mon Sep 9 22:10:28 EDT 2024

Jim,

Interesting ideas...How are the members in the DC area dealing with this?
Traffic there is worse than here, or at least it was 20 years ago! (XYL
from Arlington/Alexandria area).

73,
Henry - K4TMC

On Mon, Sep 9, 2024 at 9:07 PM James Jordan via PVRCNC <
pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: James Jordan <k4qpl2 at gmail.com>
> To: Bill Axelrod <bill at axelrods.org>
> Cc: PVRC NC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> Bcc:
> Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2024 21:06:34 -0400
> Subject: Re: [PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings
> Bill and all,
> Seeing all the responses and thinking about this some more, I just don't
> see a "One size fits all" answer to our meeting dilemma. It's actually 60
> miles between Wake Forest and Pittsboro, not to mention other member QTHs.
> Even if we find a spot halfway in between a lot of folks will have a 30
> mile drive to get there so with gas, (possibly tolls), traffic and food,
> being there in person is a major time and $ commitment. Then we have the
> gap between retirees and those with job commitments. Evening may be the
> only time for some--for others it means traffic and night driving. So where
> am I going with this?
> For program presentations to everyone, virtual is the only way to get
> everyone together and a zoom meeting at say 7 p.m. so everyone can be at
> home and fed, but still finish up by 8 would work.
> So how about in-person? Why don't we set up "pods" in convenient locations
> for a significant geographical group at a time and place they agree. Like a
> NE group finding something on say Falls of Neuse near I-540 or even
> something on the south end of Wake Forest like Carolina Ale House. It would
> be a smaller group (couldn't be smaller than the last meeting at Hickory!)
> so we just find a place where we can book a table and make our own noise if
> a private room isn't available. Won't matter if we're not hybrid zoom.
> Likewise, maybe a SW location for another group like Cary Crossroads (We
> used to meet there before Manchesters) which is at the intersection of
> I-440, I-40, U.S. 64 and U.S. 1 South.
> Those of us either in between or so inclined and able could attend both
> when the stars converged. It wouldn't even have to be at the same time or
> place every month. Breakfast, lunch, dinner--doesn't matter. Just a matter
> of email coordination.
> Then we have a couple "specials" for everyone like a lunch after RARSfest
> in February, or just a park picnic or hosted cookout in September where
> everyone makes a special effort to attend.
> We really need to keep this great group together, but the metropolis has
> grown around us and we need to adapt in a way that's both personal but
> workable.
> Comments or flames please!!
> 73,
> Jim K4QPL
>
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 12:23 PM Henry Pollock - K4TMC via PVRCNC <
> pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: Henry Pollock - K4TMC <kilo4tmc at gmail.com>
> > To: Bill Axelrod <bill at axelrods.org>
> > Cc: PVRC NC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> > Bcc:
> > Date: Sun, 8 Sep 2024 12:22:35 -0400
> > Subject: Re: [PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings
> > Bill,
> >
> > Good idea to assess our meeting process. I do enjoy the round-the-table
> > discussions, learning what others are doing contest/radio-wise that does
> > not make it in an email on the reflector.
> >
> > I have always found it difficult to work the club meetings into my
> > schedule. When working full time, prior to our Zoom format, I was often
> > out-of-town or had family commitments so could not make the meetings. The
> > times I did make an appearance during the period at Manchesters, I always
> > enjoyed the meetings and the food. It was only a 10-minute drive from my
> > north Raleigh home.  Now that I have moved to south Cary, the drive to
> > either Manchesters or Hickory Tavern is over 20 minutes, sometimes worse
> > due to traffic issues. I have no issues with the Hickory Tavern food.
> > However, the acoustics in the meeting room are not pleasant; too much
> glass
> > and the entrance door opens to the full restaurant's noise level.
> >
> > Regardless of any changes, my family commitments often get in the way of
> > making the meetings. The past year has been tough, the XYL has fallen
> twice
> > this year, and we pick up our twin grandsons from pre-school and keep
> them
> > for a few hours before returning them to their home, Monday - Friday. By
> > 5:30pm I am ready to just sit down and relax.
> >
> > 73,
> > Henry - K4TMC
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 10:32 AM Bill Axelrod via PVRCNC <
> > pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > > From: Bill Axelrod <bill at axelrods.org>
> > > To: PVRC NC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> > > Cc:
> > > Bcc:
> > > Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2024 10:31:51 -0400
> > > Subject: Chapter Meetings
> > > 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
> > > Add reaction
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > > From: Bill Axelrod via PVRCNC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> > > To: PVRC NC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> > > Cc:
> > > Bcc:
> > > Date: Fri,  6 Sep 2024 10:32:15 -0400 (EDT)
> > > Subject: [PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings
> > > ______________________________________________________________
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> >
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: Henry Pollock - K4TMC via PVRCNC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> > To: Bill Axelrod <bill at axelrods.org>
> > Cc: PVRC NC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> > Bcc:
> > Date: Sun,  8 Sep 2024 12:22:58 -0400 (EDT)
> > Subject: Re: [PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings
> > ______________________________________________________________
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>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: James Jordan via PVRCNC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> To: Bill Axelrod <bill at axelrods.org>
> Cc: PVRC NC <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>
> Bcc:
> Date: Mon,  9 Sep 2024 21:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: Re: [PVRCNC] Chapter Meetings
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