[QCWA] Questions asked on the reflector

[Bob Roske]

Dave, VE3JX,
A reported health issue kept Tony from attending the convention in Rhode 
Island.

The Corporate fund was at $145,294.68 on December 31, 2009 and at $90,108.99 
on October 31, 2011.  These are the numbers that Tony sent us earlier this 
month.  The $200K is from January 1, 2008, I don't know where Tony got the 
$60K number.   We are not aware of the origin of this account. Chuck expects 
it may have been established when there were more dues received than 
necessary to cover expenses.

The cost of a life membership was increased last year. An across the board 
dues increase has been approved to take effect in 2012.

Prior to this year, the last time in recent history a convention did not 
make money was in 1997. QCWA received a bill from the hotel for the shortage 
and the Board of Directors paid it.

The Endowment fund was established with donations from members to cover a 
rainy day. It has been used to make up shortfalls where ever they occur, 
conventions, day to day operations, whatever. On December 31, 2009 the 
balance was $36,387.39. On October 31, 2011 the balance was $42,094.20. This 
does not include the - $21,000 to cover the recent Warwick, RI convention.

The Board of Directors held a special meeting at RI when we discovered there 
was a huge shortfall. The result of that meeting was to request a final 
accounting from the Convention Committee that showed what all the income and 
expenses were.

After teh information was received we had a motion, discussion and by a 
narrow margin decided to pay the shortfall. Tony did not vote on the motion, 
he resigned while we were taking the vote. The shortfall was paid out of the 
Endowment fund.  Member's dues were not used. Scholarship money was not 
used.

Our third fund is the Scholarship fund. The numbers there are; December 31, 
2009 $616,689.26 and October 31, 2011 $661,736.99. Scholarships are paid 
from the interest accrued.

The Board is currently discussing the upcoming 2012 Reno convention and 
that's all I'm prepared to say at this time.

I understand Tony's frustration, I hope his condition has improved.

Gerry,  WA6POZ,
The Board and our General Manager have been cutting expenses for well over 
five years, there isn't much left to cut.  QCWA is no different than many 
U.S. corporations, they have all been suffering in these rough economic 
times!
It's been awhile since financials were posted in the Journal. The last time 
we did we were bombarded with the comment, "Why did you waste the space?" 
Another problem that we have had in the past is that many simply do not 
understand financial statements.

Associate members; This issue has been discussed by every board for the past 
14 years (or more).
I asked for a simple count from the chapter officers on a closed reflector 
that is just for them and as everyone can see, it's mushroomed out of 
control. I have been keeping the emails that include a count and deleting 
the rest as there isn't a new idea in any of them. I've heard them all 
before. Yes the guidelines are tweaked a little but the idea has made the 
rounds many times.

Would you let someone join 10-10 as an associate that only worked 5 members? 
How about 6 members if it took them a year to do it?   How about a SWL who 
heard 10 members in a QSO?

Steve, WF2S,
It wasn't a $41 meal, they never are.

I can't help that you were held liable for your Mason's convention 
shortfalls, but this is QCWA.

Yes the motion to not reimburse board members for part of their convention 
expenses passed. This means that every board member is going to need to come 
up with an extra $500 to $1,000 to attend a convention. We were already NOT 
reimbursed for travel to and from the conventions.  The Board has never been 
reimbursed for any cruise QCWA has ever sponsored!

As I told Gerry, cost cutting measures have been implemented. That's the 
problem with corporate America, if the bottom line doesn't look good, cut 
cost. No one ever seems to look at the other side of the equation,  DIRECT 
SALES toward BOTH EXPIRED AND POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS. When is the last time 
each of us has sponsored a new Member or asked an expired member to renew?

We are looking at the 2012 Convention and beyond, as you said, WE MUST.

How many times can we lose $21K, ONCE.

In conclusion, it is imperative that we all be proactive in our 
organization, be it at the chapter or the national level, for us to be a 
vibrant association.

73,
Bob Roske, N0UF
President QCWA



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