Minutes from the meeting can be downloaded in .pdf format here.
The Zoom meeting was recorded and will be put on the Club's YouTube channel soon. I will post the link here, so keep checking back!
A big Thank You to all who attended!
MANITOULIN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
April 25 2021
Meeting was held on ZOOM platform due to COVID 19 restrictions.
IN ATTENDANCE
Allan Boyd VE3AJB President
Rusty Auxier VE3WVA Vice President
Louella Noble VE3LDY Secretary/Treasurer
Eugene Grenier VA3EMG Jenny Cruise VA3JCX
Tom StenbraatenVA3TSS Bob Young VE3ETE
Ted Court VA3CTE Maureen Nightingale VE3MIO
Denis Brunette VA3DCB Claude Chauvin VE3CYX
Doug Smith VE3OUI Lucille Smith VA3OAG
Christa Keck KC9KAF Dave Filmer W9DF
Vic Liimatainen VE3KBU Janice Clanfield VA3POX
Jeff Noble VE3JFN Igor Slakva VE3ZF
Wilf Olin VA3WFO Michael Dewson VE3MFV
Joey Shynn VA3GOC Sherry Synn VE3XMU
John Enns VE3BB Frank Maddix VA3DQ/VE3AC
Mike Bauer VE3OLC Andrew Betterton VE3ORE
Tom Stenbraataen VA3TSS Martin Connell VA3MFC
Ken McIlveen VE3PHC Igor Slakva VE3ZF
Robert MacFarlane VA3AGN Phillipe LaPalme VE3POF
Stan Koren VE3PSE Rolly Blanchette VA3CRE
Gary Cotnam VE3WGC Sean Patterson VE3SFP
Robert Elston VE3LLE/SJ BJ Rumley VA3BJN
Denis Bois VE3OOZ Rob DiMegio VE3SUD
Bill Wickenden VE3BEK Faye Wickenden VA3YOY
Andrew Pegoraro VA3XAP
Meeting called to order 13:02 (1:02 p.m.)
Permission requested by Louella Noble, Secretary Treasurer to record the meeting to ensure the Minutes are correct, and to post the meeting video to our YouTube Channel.
MOTION TO ACCEPT by Rusty Auxier, Vice President,
2nd by Tom Stenbraaten
ALL MEMBERS IN AGREEMENT
Al reminded participants of a few general “housekeeping” measures such as keeping microphones muted unless asking a question.
Call for introductions: Each participant called to introduce themselves, name, call-sign and if applicable, position in the club.
Al Boyd read in the Agenda for the meeting and shared onscreen for those who had not seen it. No additions, changes or questions regarding the agenda.
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA: CLAUDE CHAUVIN
2nd: EUGENE GRENIER
ALL IN FAVOUR - UNANIMOUS, MOTION CARRIED
Al Boyd read in the Minutes of the AGM from 2020 (abbreviated due to length of minutes)
MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES: WILF OLIN
2nd: MAUREEN NIGHTINGALE
ALL IN FAVOUR - UNANIMOUS, MOTION CARRIED
Al Boyd - STATE OF THE CLUB REPORT
Comments, questions or concerns? NONE
MOTION TO ACCEPT REPORT: BOB YOUNG
2ND: DENIS BRUNETTE
ALL IN FAVOUR - UNANIMOUS, MOTION CARRIED
Lou Noble - FINANCIAL REPORT
Comments, questions or concerns?
Frank Maddix question regarding how many of our members are RAC members as well. Lou gave best guesstimate at 65% to 70%. Exact figures will be forthcoming.
Al Boyd explained to the attendees how the RAC membership helps the club pay less insurance premiums.
Joey requested we revisit page 2 of the Financial Report as there was a discrepancy in what Louella said and what was on the report, regarding Bank Fees. Concern was addressed and the correct total given to the attendees.
Questions regarding the RAC Membership and discussion regarding the possibility of charging NON RAC MEMBERS a little more for Club Dues. To be taken into consideration for discussion at a later time. Bob Young asked how much the RAC memberships are, question addressed by Al Boyd.
Discussion with Claude Chauvin regarding RAC membership and membership in more than one Radio Club.
MOTION TO ACCEPT REPORT: MAUREEN NIGHTINGALE
2ND: RUSTY AUXIER
ALL IN FAVOUR - UNANIMOUS, MOTION CARRIED
Al Boyd presented STRUCTURE OF THE CLUB WITH REGARD TO ELECTIONS
Explained the positions and when they come up for election, explained that they are offset to ensure continuity within the club.
3 nominations received in regard to the positions of VICE PRESIDENT and SECRETARY/TREASURER
From Denis Brunette VA3DCB - Rusty Auxier for another 2 year term as Vice President
From Denis Brunette VA3DCB - Louella Noble for another 2 year term as Secretary/Treasurer
From Sue Miron - Rusty Auxier for another 2 year term as Vice President
From Sue Miron - Louella Noble for another 2 year term as Secretary/Treasurer
From Maureen Nightingale - Rusty Auxier for another 2 year term as Vice President
From Maureen Nightingale - Louella Noble for another 2 year term as Secretary/Treasurer
Floor opened for further nominations: No further nominations.
Wilf Olin moved that the nominations be accepted.
RUSTY AUXIER accepted and agreed to a further 2 years as Vice President
LOUELLA NOBLE accepted and agreed to a further 2 years as Secretary/Treasurer
BOTH POSITIONS ACCLAIMED
Al Boyd - VE3RMI OVERVIEW
Overview included some history of VE3RMI, as well as what we have accomplised with it in the past year. Ideas put forth as to what we can do with VE3RMI in the future -
- leave it as is
- put the Yaesu DR-2X in operation with C4FM System Fusion and FM analog
- look into getting internet in at the CBC site and what options we can look at
- leave the ICOM repeater at VE3RMI as it is and install the Yaesu repeater as a C4FM
repeater but on a different frequency which would require a multi-coupler, which may require a reduction in coverage
- once internet is established look at installing IRLP, Echolink, Asterisk (AllStar) in FM analogue mode
Al opened the floor for suggestions, ideas. feedback or comments regarding VE3RMI
Rusty Auxier suggests we hold off on the multi-coupling until we HAVE to do it, like when we lose the Macleans Mountain Site
Claude Chavin states we should be thinking pro-actively rather than reactively. We should consider being proactive considering the D-Star repeater.
Al Boyd brought up the fact that ICOM is coming out with a brand new repeater which acts much like a C4FM repeater in that it can do both D-Star and FM analogue. Should we lose the Maclean Mountin Site, we could look at selling off some of the equipment we have now, and purchase the new ICOM Repeater system.
Discussion regarding bringing Internet into the CBC site - what our options are, and potential costs to the Club. Possibilities of using a Bridge OR a Hub, and whether the club can sustain a monthly subscription fee for the internet. Bill VE3BEK stated he has a TurboHub which the club can get free of charge, one is an older one from Rogers, the other is one from Bell.
Ken McIlveen asked if we have permission to add more equipment at the CBC site, Al explained we have permission to add equiment only into the one cabinet. Ken also states that coming from the Sudbury area, more repeaters are not necessarily better, as members typically utilize only 2. He suggests putting together a poll or questionnaire to find out what the membership wants.
Rusty Auxier - update on VE3RMI website. Website moved from one server to another and is still a work in progress. Rusty will school Al in posting and making changes on the website when time permits. Rusty also addressed the fact that he is making equipment changes/improvements for the Broadcastify and VE3RMI feeds
Louella Noble - FaceBook page and YouTube channel. Informed attendees of the FaceBook page, currently at 63 members, and YouTube channel currently at 13 subscribers. Let the attendees know that if they want to post a video to the channel to just email Louella and she will ensure they have uploading privileges.
Update of Field Day, Canada Day Lighthouse On The Air possibilities with Igor Slakva.
Depending on the situation with the pandemic we may be able to get together for these events, however as it stand now, social distancing will still be in effect, necessitating our operating from separate locations. Any club events we will have to take it on a day to day basis due to the pandemic. As a club we want to ensure everyone’s safety.
Al Boyd -will still be hosting the Zoom meetings on Saturdays, frequency to be determined by attendance and member wishes. Will continue to bring in new speakers for the meetings, and invited everyone to consider making a presentation as well. Al also states that if a member has a thought for an event using the repeaters to let us know.
Regarding the daily Round Table, Al let the attendees know that at any time should they wish to act as a moderator, they are more than welcome.
MOTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING: MAUREEN NIGHTINGALE
2ND: TOM STENBRAATEN
MEETING CLOSED AT 16:36 (4:36) p.m.
All attendees in favour
MOTION PASSED
MARC in the press