General Membership Meeting September 2023

BRARA General Membership Meeting minutes for 5-September-2023

The BRARA monthly association meeting was held in person at the Boca West Brank of the Palm Beach County Library and via Zoom conference. The meeting was called to order by the President, Bruce KO4XL at 7:00pm local. Attending: 23 at the library and 12 Zoom participants.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Officers and directors provided an update of their club related activities followed by members present or on Zoom given the opportunity to introduce themselves and any operating updates they had.

Directors and Officers Present

Bruce KO4XL, Mike K8BQ, Bonnie KC2JVS, Jay S N2ELG, Jeff S K4BH, George WA2VNV, Lou K4LA

Secretary: Mike K8BQ

Mike reported that the August minutes have been uploaded to the BRARA Blog. Motion to accept Jeff R W4AEQ, seconded by Fran KC2JVS. Motion carried. New members Robert LaBella KC2ZSL and Thomas Rogers KQ4JFK.  Currently have 190 members. It was pointed out that the website needs to be updated to reflect the hybrid meeting using the library and Zoom.

Treasurer: Bonnie KC2JVS

Treasurer’s Report August 31, 2023

December 31, 2022       Available Balance                $9096.26

July 31, 2023                   Available Balance              $10,237.24

August 31, 2023             Available Balance              $10,740.83

Income:  $670.24  

Income includes $135.24 in memberships and last $500 check for air conditioner fund clearing

Expenses:  $166.65

Expenses included were 166.65 for generator conversion

Not included: $370.19 for director’s insurance, $87.92 for LP gas refills, check order from September 1.

Total new air conditioner cost was $7,853.22.

Available Balance includes $5,000 cash reserve.

President: Bruce KO4XL

We have been trying to figure out why the VHF repeater performance is so poor. Art, Ralph, Mike, Lew, and George have made a number of trips to the site. We’ve tried replacing the duplexer and transmission line. It appears the issue is internal to the repeater which is over 30 years old.

We are planning a Holiday Dinner in December. Scheduled date is 12/9 or 12/16.

Doors open 12 noon
Event starts 12:30
Ends 3:30

Price is $49 per person, includes Meal, Gratuity, Tax, PayPal fee
Minimum 65, Maximum 80

Garlic and Plain Rolls
Choice of Soup or Salad
Choose from 3 appetizers
Choose from 5 entrees
Family style pasta and vegetables
Soft drinks, coffee, tea, are included
Choose from 3 desserts
Beer, wine, espresso, and cappuccino available ala carte on an individual basis

Elections: We are looking for members who want to serve as Directors. Vote will be at the November meeting for seven directors. The Directors then choose the officers.

Barry KO4FBU is building a new bookcase for the main room of the Shack. The old one was falling apart.

Winter Field Day is the end of January. We need somebody to run it. Marc W6MGV volunteered.

A couple of the membership survey topics were discussed at the mid-month meeting of the Board. The first was suggested activities for BRARA to do. These included Field Day, Winter FD, FL QSO Party, JOTA, CERT, RACES, a bus for Hamcation. Non ham related suggestions were a trip to a car museum or broadcast station. Seth KC2WE suggested Radio Miami International. One concern was doing many activities when the snowbirds are away. We are going to try to hold at least one of the auctions and Radiator Grilles when most are in the area.

Sam Wilfond WS4BSA: JOTA Presentation

Jamboree on the Air will be the weekend of 10/20-22. You can contact Sam at ws4bsa@gmail.com. BRARA was given posters about JOTA and radio to be used at the Shack. JOTA information can be found at https://www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/jota2023. There were 162 Scouting participants last year.

They are looking for operators to bring and demonstrate radios and people to teach merit badges. Men can stay in the dorms, women in cabins if they wish to stay more than a day. All adult participants must complete Youth Protection Training, a 70 minute online program and bring the completion certificate with them.

Director at Large: Jay S N2ELG

Jay is working on organizing material for the next auction.  We need excess radio stuff for the fall auction. He is at the Shack most Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Director at Large: George WA2VNV

Geeorge suggested a hand mic would be helpful for Zoom partipants to hear those in the room. There is a VHF/UHF this weekend that Rick K1DS will be operating. Cooridnate with him on groups.io for simplex contacts. The APRS station is operational. Jan and Rick are working on AZ-EL control for the satellite station.

Director at Large: Jeff S K4BH

Jeff is active in ARES and RACES and serves as Broward County EC. Boat Parade will be December 16

Director at Large: Lou K4LA

Lou reminded all that the Shack has great equipment and members should come down and use it.

Membership Chairman: Henry WA2ROA

Henry is looking to increase membership especially getting more women and youth. He is looking for suggestions. Next lunch is 9/30 at Casa Tequila. The October lunch will be on the 28th. The next Radiator Grille will be 11/18 with 11/19 as the rain date. Andrew KO4TZK has offered to help coordinate summer FD in 2024.

Adjournment: