QCWA WILD ROSE CHAPTER 151 (Luncheon Meeting Minutes - April 28, 2007)

Minutes of Chapter 151 Meeting Held On April 28, 2007
German Canadian Club (Heidelberg Restaurant)
2626 - 23 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta

 

Silent Keys

There was a moment of silence in memory of Harvey Milne, VE6JV, and Niels Kristjansson, VA6NJ.

President's Report

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO, introduced all of those present. There were 28 members and friends plus 2 guests present.

A new member present was Marty Raine, VE6TS, of Edmonton.

Chapter 151 Secretary's Report (Minutes of April 29th, 2006 Meeting) The minutes of the April 29th, 2006 meeting were distributed to those present. Moved by Barry Middlebrook, VE6TN, and seconded by Jack Blair, VE6ARQ, that the minutes be approved. Carried.

Chapter 151 Treasurer's Report -Financial Update and Membership Update

John Smith, VE6AI, issued the report to all members present. Under the accounting notes it should be noted that we currently have a total of 57 members, of which 41 are full Members and 16 Friends. A motion by John, VE6AI, seconded by Les Card, VE6CA, to accept the report. Motion passed.

Old Business

The QCWA International Convention-2006 was a tremendous success. Chapter 151 faired well financially.

New Business

Bob Roske, N0UF won a three year membership in Chapter 151 for designing the logo for the convention. This was moved by Les Card, VE6CA, and seconded by Bill Metcalfe, VE6BF. Carried.

Chapter 151 is partnering with the Calgary Communications Club to assist in purchasing Morse code equipment to support the Morse code education program at the Calgary Military Museum Society as introduced by Carolyn Foard, Manager Education and Interpretation at the Museum. This would illustrate the importance of Morse code communications during wartime. QCWA Chapter 151 and the Calgary Communications Club would each provide $300.00 and volunteer to demonstrate code. Upon a motion "that QCWA supports the Calgary Military Museum Society with a cash donation of $300.00 for the purpose of purchasing Morse code equipment. Recognition of amateur radio's contribution to the legacy of Morse code is requested. Moved by Dave Watson, VE6EH and seconded by Marty Raine, VE6TS. Carried.

Earle Smith, VE6NM of Grande Prairie gave a report as president of RAC. Two committees directed by Bjarne Madsen, VE5FX, have issued reports on Restructuring of Amateur Radio in Canada and an Education Program to attract young people to the hobby. Details can be found on the RAC web site www.rac.ca. Ken Oelke is representing RAC at the Dayton, Ohio Hamvention Awards Banquet. A replacement is needed for Deborah Norman, VA3RGM, the late General Manager. It could be a part time worker and they are looking for volunteers. Earle thanked QCWA Chapter 151 for being able to attend the meeting, which he enjoyed.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Jack Blair, VE6ARQ.

There was a 33/33/33/ draw which is similar to a 50/50 draw except the total pot is divided into 3 equal amounts rather than 2 equal amounts. Draw tickets were sold 1 ticket for $1.00, 3 tickets for $2.00 and 6 tickets for $4.00.

On the first draw Earle Smith, VE6NM won $17.50 or 1/3 of the pot. Ken Oelke, VE6AFO won the second, who, if he had picked an ace from a deck of cards, would have won the another third of the pot. An ace was not drawn so 1/3 of the pot went into a separate pool to be drawn on at the next meeting. Subsequently the pool builds to a larger amount each time. The card drawn from the deck of cards is discarded only leaving 53 (the 2 Joker cards are left in the deck) cards left to draw from. At the next Chapter 151 meeting the process starts over until someone draws an ace. The winner gets the entire amount of the pool.

There were two draws for gift certificates for the German Canadian Club. These were won by Jean Card and Cliff Linton, VE6PLC.

Program

Our guest presenter, 17 year old Allison McPhail, VA6FLY, gave an excellent PowerPoint presentation on her experiences at the Johnston Space Centre near Houston, Texas. Ken Oelke, VE6AFO, introduced Allison, who had given her amateur radio exam test when she was 13. Allison is the third Calgary youth to be selected to make a trip to the Johnston Space Centre. At the May 8th, 2004 meeting Liz Ferguson VA6LIZ, gave a very interesting talk on her two weeks at the Johnston Space Centre on a youth program.

Allison spent 16 days in Houston. Her talk was well illustrated by slides, described the division of the group into green, blue and red teams. Her blue team designed a space suit for the mission to Mars, which was complicated by the different atmosphere of Mars. They also designed a living space for the stay on Mars.

At the Houston station there are scale models of everything. Also very interesting are Moon rock samples and the huge gift shop. Also there was a full size replica of the space shuttle cabin. They spent time at the Houston Natural Science museum, were lectured by Chris Hadfield, VE3OOG and also by a lady who designs space suits. There was time spent in a space station simulator. There were representatives from all over the world who prepared a meal of their local dishes. Canada's dish was poutine.

Each delegate had a budget. Tom Kelly, VE6TDK, worked with Allison at the Calgary Aero Space Museum. Allison plans to be an astronaut and the first lady on the moon.

Jack Ambler VE6CAQ
Secretary QCWA Chapter 151