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,

2^nd 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

2^nd:     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

2^nd:                 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

2^ND:                 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          

2^ND:                 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

2^ND:  TOM STENBRAATEN

MEETING CLOSED AT 16:36 (4:36) p.m.

All attendees in favour

MOTION PASSED