GCARA MINUTES OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING
September 22, 2020
Call to Order – The regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc., was called to order on Zoom on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 7:02 p.m. by President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
Attendance – There were approximately 27 members and guests participating in the Zoom meeting, which was sufficient for a quorum.
Minutes – The Minutes of the August 25, 2020, meeting were approved as submitted and available on the Association’s web page.
Reports
Treasurer – Erik Olmer, W4EJO, Treasurer, reported income of $235, $30 for dues and $205 in donations toward memorial bricks, with expenses for the month of $24. Assets on hand as of September 22nd are
Check Account Balance $1,122.96
Don Search Memorial Fund 250.00
Roy Neiman Memorial Fund 705.00
Chuck Gress Memorial Fund 50.00
Reserve Fund 3,500.00
Total GCARA Assets $5,627.96
Membership – Joe McGee, NX4T, reported 82 members of whom 17 are Life Members, and 56 are members of ARRL.
Covid-19 and Testing – Jeff Stahl, K4BH, said caution remains essential to reduce the spread of the virus. Testing has not been resumed.
Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, said he has been receiving donations toward a new antenna, and a vertical antenna has been donated and will be erected soon.
Web Site – John Cole, N1QFH, said board members have been learning WordPress in order to post content on the website. Dave Warner, KB4ICU, offered to assist with the website. There was a discussion of facilitating the payment of dues by enabling payment through PayPal and also of moving forward with becoming a 501(c)(3) organization.
Old Business – Imperial Point Hospital remains unavailable as a meeting site, and picnics and quarterly dinners remain on hold.
Announcements and Informal Discussion
Melanie Fernandez announced that Peter Rimmel, N8PR, has become a silent key.
Jeff Stahl announced the annual SET (Simulated Emergency Test) to be held on October 3rd and 4th. Members with shelter assignments are encouraged to go as close as possible to the site to check in. Four frequencies will be used, changing every 15 minutes, between 9:00 and 10:00. Participants should check in on each frequency.
GCARA will host a Halloween happy hour on Zoom on October 10th at 7:00 following the SEFTN, including a costume contest.
Ralph, N0LO, and Sherry, KB5VWW, Tullo said goodbye, since they are moving to North Carolina.
Speaker – Dave Warner introduced the speaker: Wolfgang, KJ4ATV, who gave a presentation, along with Roland, KC6JPG, on amateur television. Amateur TV has a number of repeaters in California, Arizona, and Nevada, and a weekly “net” on Tuesdays at 10:30 Eastern Time, on whereby.com/atn1, to which GCARA were invited.
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ
Secretary Pro Tem