Minutes of the SARA Meeting

SARA MEETING MINUTES - August 12, 2009 (approved September 9, 2009)

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by the president at 7:29:12 pm.  21 members were in attendance.

Introductions: Each of the members present introduced themselves to those in attendance.  

Guest Speaker: Robert Lopez has rescheduled for September 9, 2009

Announcements: Vern Leavitt (KD5UHB) has assumed responsibilities as the Socorro DEC.  Jon Spargo (KC5NTW) will assume duties as liason with the Socorro Schools.

Approval of Minutes: Dave Johnson moved approval of the July 8, 2009 minutes. Leavitt seconded. Passed.

Treasurer's Report: Jim Lommen reported a SARA balance = $5,800.02 of which the TARA balance = $320.08.

ARES Report: Jon Spargo informed those attending that ARES reports for July were submitted and the records have been transferred to Vern Leavitt.  Next month Jon will go over the mechanics of reporting with Vern.  President thanked Vern for taking on this responsibility. 

LEPC Report: Eric ‘Bear’ Albrecht (W5VZB) reported that he and OTHER Socorro staff attended a statewide LEPC meeting.  The meeting was quite informative including the sense that Socorro will require an overhaul of its bylaws.  Albrecht indicated that he has new duties related to the Socorro floodplain. 

Old Business:

• Triathlon - Bill Brundage reported that 10 SARA hams provided radio communications for the Chili Harvest Triathlon and that the Socorro Striders and Riders (SSR) would be communicating their gratitude to SARA.  All went well.  Johnson reported that he had received an email from SSR president Ephraim Ford expressing thanks and soliciting input from SARA hams on how matters might be improved in the future.  
• Hamfest 
  • Prizes – President has reviewed various vendors for prices.  Albrecht moved to allocate up to $1,000 for the same prizes as last year.  Johnson seconded.  Lommen suggested allowing vendors to recommend considering alternatives to last year's prizes.  Amended motion passed.
  • Banquet - San Miguel Church has indicated approval of holding the hamfest banquet in their parish hall pending receipt of insurance paperwork from SARA.  The SARA president indicated that paperwork for the insurance has been submitted some weeks ago and it should be here soon.
  • Banquet Catering – Johnson will check into caterer from last year to determine availability and cost. 
  • Vendors - Darryl Clutter (NX5W) will attend.  HRO will not.  Radcomm remains unknown, but doubtful.
  • Tables - Johnson will arrange for tables (~35).
  • Silent Auction - The consensus was that we should have a donation table instead of silent auction.   

  • Hamfest Flyer: Sessions, Times and Locations - Prescott will contact Finley regarding adding the tour of AOC Electronics facilities.  In general, it was agreed to use the same schedule for sessions as used in 2008.  Wood will cover scheduling.  

New Business  

• December Banquet location – After a short discussion it was agreed that the banquet would be held in the Socorro Springs back room, tentatively scheduled for the evening of December 9.
• NMT Community Day display/booth - Discussion of whether SARA/TARA should respond to the invitation to participate in the NMT Community Day, September 3^rd, in the Fidel Center.  Consensus was to participate.  Prescott will bring down display for event.  Tom Frawley, Dave Johnson, Seth Price, Anneliese Bowman and James Boswell were among those to volunteer to cover the event. 
• Socorro County Fair – After a lengthy discussion it was generally agreed that the display would be set up at the County Fair if space was still available.  
• Socorro Schools - A goal set with designation of Jon Spargo as liaison to Socorro Schools was the development of a ham station in a Socorro school.  The principal at Cottonwood Valley Charter school is enthusiastic, but space and a sponsor are considerations. A draft proposal developed in discussions between Spargo and the president related to the development of a ham club/station at Cottonwood was read.  The proposal has been prepared to help determine interest of students and parents at the school.  

Good of the Organization  

• Riverine Park - The park was recently vandalized and is now repaired with the assistance of several SARA members.  There was discussion regarding whether SARA should contribute to a reward intended to discourage such vandalism.  Motion to commit to half of $500 for the arrest and conviction of those vandalizing the park.   Tabled so that Frawley can determine if there are consequences of this action.  . 
• Antennas at the EOC – James Lommen reported that the current G5RV loads at well enough on 3939, but there are problems loading on 40 and 60 meters.  A discussion followed regarding the best kind of antenna and who should bear the cost for an EOC antenna.  Johnson will post NVIS powerpoint on the topic and the discussion will continue at a later date.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 pm 

David B. Johnson KB5YIW
Secretary