WEST SOMERSET AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Minutes of an Annual General Meeting of the West Somerset Amateur Radio Club held at West Somerset Community College on Tuesday 4 April 2006 at 7.30pm
Present: Mr Barry (Oli) Twist, Chairman; Mr Robert (Bob) Bonar, Vice Chairman; Mr Simon Emary, Secretary; Mr John Farmer, Treasurer; Mr Basil Helman; Mrs Judith Helman; Mr Malcolm Newton; Mr Mike Wheeler Mrs Carol Wheeler.
Apologies had been received from: Mr Kenn Everad; Mrs Jean Everad; Mr Robin Cramp; Mr Alan Elliott; Mr Stephen Spurrier
06.14 The Chairman thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and explained that Bob would present to members later on in the meeting some financial savings that had been made. Oli thanked Malcolm Newton for the donation of a bottle of wine as a raffle prize.
06.15 Committee – The Chairman reminded members of the present Committee. Oli Twist (Chairman), Bob Bonar (Vice Chairman), John Farmer (Treasurer), Simon Emary (Secretary), Mike Wheeler.
It was agreed that Mr John Farmer, who had taken over as treasurer at the extraordinary meeting, be made a signatory on the club Bank account.
It was further agreed that the present Committee be re-elected on block.
06.16 Financial savings and other administration matters – Bob explained the current financial situation savings that had been made and other administration matters.
The Web site had been fully paid up until June 2006 at a cost of £98.00. At the beginning of June 2006 the host site will be swapped to another cheaper site from a US firm. The club will have a sub folder on a site run by Bob’s Son. The expense of the site will be shared at a cost to the club of £6.00 per year, plus a fee to register the club name which will be payable yearly. We will notice no difference in the speed, content or availability of the new site and the club will benefit from a saving of approx £90.00 per year. Members congratulated Bob on being able to negotiate and arrange this significant saving of Club Expenditure
Bob explained that the meeting room at the West Somerset Community College had been changed so that the club could hold its own key to the room making it easier when meetings ran late. There was also a possibity of running an aerial feed into the room if agreed with the College. There was no change in the room fee. Malcolm reported that Taunton ARC had recently moved to another school venue where their presence had enabled the school to obtain a science grant from the Education Authority. I recognition of this the school gave Taunton ARC the room for free for their meetings which was enabling them to meet more often. It was agreed that a similar grant funding (supported by our presence at the college) and if successful free use of a room needed to be discussed with West Somerset Community College.
06.17 Finance – John reported there was currently £120.00 in the clubs bank account. This did not include any monies collected at tonight’s meeting. Expenditure in 2005 was £325.00 with an Income of £116.00. He was pleased that measures had been taken to reduce future expenditure and this together with the increase in club subscriptions agreed at the Extraordinary Meeting held in February, John estimated made the club financially viable.
06.18 Car Boot Sale – Bob mentioned to members the possibility of holding an Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale on the 1St September 2006 on the Playing Field at Allerford. The cost to hire the field and the hall for 1 day was £50.00. Bob suggested that spaces for car booter’s could be sold for £5.00 with buyers charged £1.00. We only needed 10 sellers to cover our costs. Bob’s daughter-in-Law had offered to run the kitchen providing tea and coffee etc. We could advertise in the amateur radio mags and on the internet and could maybe have a club stand. Members agreed that it was a good idea and we should try it for this year. Oli, Simon, Bas, Malcolm, Mike and John all said they would help. Bob said he that two non-club members who had volunteered to act as anti gatecrashers and to help with security to the field. Bob agreed to book the field.
06.19 Club Licence (Call Sign) and Affiliation fee to the RSGB – It was agreed that, as affiliation to the RSGB covers insurance for the club and an entry in the RSGB call sign book, that the affiliation should be renewed. Bob reminded members that the cost for renewing the clubs licence was changing. Offcom had announced that you pay the first fee for the licence and then you get renewals free if done over the Internet. There was a charge for mail renewals. It was agreed that the club licence should be renewed.
06.20 Bookings at West Somerset Community College – John agreed to see if bookings at the college could be reduced to 8 months as July was the club Bar-B-Q, August - operating at Kenn's, September - Club Car Boor Sale and January the club Dinner. It was agreed that the secretary send a letter to the Bursar of the College to see if we can encourage them to obtain a Science Grant in recognition of the clubs presence at the College. If they will give us a reduced booking fee, what terms and limitations are placed if any on the use of the room or even a free room for future meetings.
06.21 Future topics for meetings – The following meeting topics were agreed for the rest of the year.
May – Aerials 1 (Kenn or Oli)
June – Items for home brewing (Oli)
July – Club Bar-B-Q
August – Operating on the Air at Kenn’s
September – Club Amateur Radio Car boot Sale
October – Aerials 2 (Oli)
November - Aerial construction (Oli)
December – Club Quiz
Members thanked Oli for his offer to carry out so many talks.
06.22 FT817 – Bob said that if any member who owned a FT817 wanted help in changing frequency coverage 7.100 to 7.200 mhz on their rig he would be happy to show how it was done and suggested members brought their rigs to the May meeting.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.45pm
Oli gave interesting and informative talk on the construction of a bench power supply
Simon Emary M0NDL