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Minutes of the SARA Meeting

SARA MEETING MINUTES - May 14, 2008 (approved June 11, 2008)

Meeting called to order at 7:28 pm by Vern Leavitt.   Sixteen members and one visitor were in attendance.  Two proxies were provided for actions related to the business of the Annual Meeting.  The minimum quorum was exceeded.  

Speaker: Collaborative Efforts at River Restoration by Gina Dello Russo of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.  Ms Dello Russo presented information of the historic changes in channel and vegetation along the middle Rio Grande as well as the restoration projects and entities involved in efforts that will maximize the useable water available from the river.

Announcements:

• SARA has received the sanction for the 2008 SARA/TARA Hamfest
• Hams are discouraged from using 14.270 MHz which is reserved for the relief effort in China.
• The Duke City Hamfest is scheduled for August 15-16, 2008.
• The New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society has been assigned the reporting number 'NMSX" for their locomotive restoration.  An amateur radio club license with the call NM5SX has been obtained by the Society.

Approval of Minutes

It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved.  The minutes were approved as set.

Treasurer's Report

Bill Brundage reported that as of April 30, 2008 the SARA portion of the balance in the treasury was $4,623.79.  The TARA balance is $320.08. 

Reports

• LEPC/Fire and Emergency Services - Bear Albrecht reported that the Granite Mountain repeater was nearing completion and installation.  This repeater will serve Socorro County sheriff and fire providing radio communication between Socorro and Magdalena.  Albrecht also reported that this month's LEPC meeting in Albuquerque concentrated on hazardous materials and plans.

• ARES - Glenn Mauger appealed for greater participation in the twice monthly ARES HF sessions held at the Socorro EOC.  It was noted that Sandoval County ARES provided comm for the recent Trigo fire.   Discussion centered on why Socorro was not called out.  Mauger noted that there was a profound disincentive to seek reimbursement for expenses related to ARES activities since this required sending personal SSN information to unknown individuals.  It was agreed that this was a topic that should  be aired at the State ARES meeting in October.  

Old Business

• Insurance - Penny Lommen was not in attendance and the matter was continued to the next meeting 

• Festival of the Cranes Special Event Station - Jim Lommen was not in attendance and the matter was continued to the next meeting.

New Business

• Field Day Planning - The city has not yet been contacted regarding use of the Plaza.  Brundage will do so.  
• Hamfest - Arrangements are underway to have the banquet prepared by the firemen again.  It was agreed that we should seek to use the San Miguel hall for the banquet.  Dealers Daryl Clutter and Rick from Radcomm are scheduled to participate.

Good of the Organization - Election of officers.  Three people have indicated there willingness to serve.

• Vice President - Vern Leavitt
• Treasurer - Bill Brundage
• Secretary - Dave Johnson
• Past President - Glenn Mauger 

A Prescott Grey was nominate to serve as president.  The remainder of the slate was nominated and elected.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm

David B. Johnson KB5YIW
Secretary