NIRAA board meeting minutes, 2016.01.09 @ 6:00 pm

All board members were in attendance prior to the Feb club meeting
	President: Mark Colby (N8TWO)
	Vice President: Curt Wilson (NK0T)
	Treasuerer: Dave Knittel (KC0CQH)
	Secretary: Nathan Fisher (N0ZYC)
	Director: Chris Conclin (N0CF)
	Director: Stan Johnson (W0SJ)
	Director: Tom Bicket (AE0TB)

The focus of this evening's meeting will be on a review of the club itself - specifically, historic things like documentation and procedures, to see what all needs to be modernized.  A large number of things have remained unchanged for years, and are badly in need of updating.

Discussion of bylaws.  Some of them are VERY out of date.  All board members are requested to reivew our current bylaws and come prepared at the next board meting to discuss any items that they think should be ammended, preferably along with the specific updates to be made.

Currently, our bylaws require an entry in the club newsletter (which most of us had either forgotten about or never heard of, it apparently was printed and mailed?) followed by two months to discuss before changes are made.  This is one of the things that needs updating, we presume the modern equivelent will be an emailing followed by the delay for discussion.

Two other bylaw topics brought up tonight by Stan/W0SJ included a move to eliminate the radio frequency interference committe (which very few of us were aware NIRAA had?) and the FCC licensing committee as well. (unnecessary)  Consideratios were also made for adding a repeater committee.

Also discussed the club's constitution.  The bylaws may be our constitution as such.  But we may require a formal constitution to re-file for tax-exempt status.

Discussed adjustment of quorum requirements for holding meetings, since we occasionally don't have a quorum. (specifically around christmas holidays)  Tabled for further discussion later.

Also discussed other club assets and properties, Chris (N0CF) remains the trustee for the club call.  There doesn't appear to be any formal position for trustee of club property.  We need to sort out precisely what assets the club has and get them into a database to keep track of, rather than trying to keep mental track of things. No one is aware of any existing documentation.  That should probably be a responsibility for the club secretary. (Nathan)

Anothert club asset that needs a fresh look is our Mission Statement.  No one is aware of NIRAA actually having one, but it's probably a good thing to have.  Scott/WA0TPN was suggested as having a good way with words to possibly come up with a new mission statement for the club.

We still have two radios over at the EoC that we need to maintain.  The power supply for one took a hit some time ago and has not yet been replaced.  Nathan may have a replacement.  It was one of those low profile 35 amp switchers.

Treasurer reports as of right now we only show 15 paid members, with 6 spouses, total membership at 21.  We need to remind peopel to get in their dues for 2016.  We also have $685.54 in the club account, along with $5 in a club savings account to hold it open.

Tom has the new member form but it is not up on the web site yet, there were a few minor edits for the new year.  Might have the Treasurer or Secretary send out email reminders to 2015 members to renew for 2016.

Chris's recent hardware purchases for upgrades and maintenance of club stations has an outstanding balance of $559.90, and insurance will be due in May. (Last year's insurance renewal cost $227)  We'll need to wait for more of 2016's dues to come in before paying the remaining tab on the recent repeater work.

Motion passed to pay our $5 for the repeater council. (AE0TB/NK0T)

FYI from Chris, we turned down the output power on the fusion repeater to 20/in 14/out.

For the time being, the board will be meeting monthly, an hour before the regular club meeting.  This will likely continue until we have taken care of the majority of outstanding issues, at which point we will either shorten the expected time or go back to a quarterly or less frequent schedule.

Reminder to all, Monday March 21 is stormspotter training at hawkeye.  We will encourage all club members to attend and renew their training.

Motion to end meeting (W0SJ/AE0TB)