QCWA WILD ROSE CHAPTER 151 (Annual Luncheon Meeting Minutes - September 25, 2004)

Minutes of Chapter 151 Meeting Held On September 25, 2004 at Royal Canadian Legion #264 - Calgary, Alberta

 

President Ken Oelke VE6AFO called the meeting to order at 11:15 AM.

Introduction of Guests and New Members

The president did an excellent job of introducing everyone table by table and when the memory failed the guest introduced themselves. There were 7 members, 1 friend and 23 guests for a total of 31 people in attendance.

President's Report

President Ken Oelke VE6AFO gave his annual report to the members.

Secretary's Report

Al McNeil VA7QQ pointed out that minutes of the May 8, 2004 meeting were available if anyone wanted one.

Moved: Les Card VE6CA Seconded: Bill Metcalfe VE6BF "to adopt the minutes of the May 8, 2004 meeting"

Discussion: Nil

Carried: with no objections.

The only correspondence was via email from the QCWA headquarters announcing the passing of Jim Walsh W7LVN, past QCWA General Manager, and Gerry Wentz KC4EHT who was the editor of the QCWA Journal.

Silent Keys

A moment of silence in memory of Jim Walsh and Gerry Wentz.

Financial Report

John Smith VE6AI was unable to be present but submitted a written financial report that the President read.

Moved: Les Card VE6CA Second: Jack Ambler VE6CAQ "to adopt the Financial report as presented by the Treasurer"

Discussion: nil

Carried: with no objections.

Old Business

Ken announced that there will be a 2006 convention committee planning meeting this coming October 7 at Devry Institute. Ken introduced some of the committee members who were in attendance. The proposed date for the 2006 convention is September 26-29 and the Port-O-Call Hotel is the proposed venue.

Ongoing Business

Ken described how the Chestermere Lake RAC Youth Education Project is progressing.

Ken also stated no progress has been made on the "Kids Net" that was suggested last meeting.

New Business

Discussion on QCWA nets and some other handy nets. The official QCWA Chapter 151 net frequency is 3747 kHz at 7 PM MST following the Alberta Public Service Net. However there hasn't been any check-ins so the net has been temporarily postponed until more interest is shown.

Ken asked for suggestions on future meeting locations and dates etc. He mentioned it has been a struggle to get the 30 people needed to book the Legion 264 Royal Kensington Room where we have been in. Several members mentioned they would rather continue to use the Legion for luncheon meetings.

50/50 Draw

The 50/50 draw was held and the winner was Luke White VE6CBO in the amount of $21.50.

Door Prizes

There were two door prizes: 1. Sunday brunch for two at the Port-O-Call Hotel Restaurant. Won by Brian Hoyte VE6IMB. 2. A 3 year Chapter 151 membership or membership extension. Won by Bill Hallett VE6RQ.

Adjournment

Moved: Bill Metcalfe VE6BF "to adjourn the meeting".

Carried: with no discussion or objections. The meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM for lunch.

After lunch Wild Rose Chapter 151 had a 20th anniversary cake cutting ceremony. Past President and QCWA Life Member Les Card VE6CA did the honours of cutting the cake which all enjoyed for dessert.

Presentation

An interesting video presentation on the 3B9C Dx-pedition on Rodrigues Island.

Minutes by

Al McNeil VA7QQ
Secretary

Attached: President's Annual Report

September 25th, 2004

QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151
(President's Annual Report)

The year 2004 has been a busy and productive year for QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151. Our membership has been steadily growing with both eligible members licensed for at least 25 years as well as friends of Chapter 151 who have been licensed for less than 25 years.

Over the past year our goal to sponsor amateur radio in schools has been met with much success. In cooperation with the RAC Youth Education Program and the Chestermere Lake Middle School administration and grade six science teacher Brian Jackson VE6JBJ, Chapter 151 has brought amateur radio into the classroom. As well Chapter 151 member Jack Ambler VE6CAQ helped make the task of finding amateur radio equipment easy with his generous donation of numerous radios, antennas and accessories. The school and Chapter 151 are grateful to Jack for providing all of the necessary items in order to fully equip a functional amateur radio station.

The Cherstermere Lake Middle School and Chapter 151 look forward to setting another goal in the near future. This will be an amateur radio contact between the International Space Station and the school kids. An application was submitted earlier this year for us to be put in the queue for this prestigious amateur radio contact. Although there will be a waiting period of two or more years, we all wait in anticipation.

And still another goal for Chapter 151 will be upon us exactly two years from now. This is the hosting of a QCWA National Convention in September 2006 in Calgary, AB. Excitement is already building while a handful of convention committee volunteers set out to begin organizing and arranging for a class act event to first ever be hosted in western Canada. Our first planning meeting is scheduled for October 7, 2004. We hope all members and friends talk up this event with their peers in order to bring a warm sense of pride to our amateur radio community and amateur radio in general. Many scheduled seminars and other activities will be going on throughout this event as well as the QCWA National Annual Board of Directors' meeting will be taking place prior to convention activities. What a perfect opportunity to meet your elected Board and Executive to discuss the future of QCWA and its many chapters throughout the world.

And finally as president I am pleased to be a part of the 20th anniversary celebrations with our members, friends and other amateur radio associates who have joined us to make this a special day in Chapter 151's history. Chapter 151 was chartered on May 18, 1984 by 11 founding members. All but two are now Silent Keys. They are George Spencer, VE3AGS (ex VE6AW) and John Erickson, VE6NB. John has been a faithful supporter of Chapter 151 over these 20 years though his health and distance from Lethbridge make it difficult for him to attend meetings. John was licensed in 1932 and just celebrated his 94th birthday on July 25. Over the 20-year history Chapter 151 has traveled down many paths and made many inroads in bringing Amateurs together in fellowship.

In closing, to each and every one of you thanks for sharing this auspicious moment with the rest of your peers. May QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 live long and see yet another 20 years of accomplishments!

Sincerely,

Ken Oelke - VE6AFO
President
QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151