BEARS February Meeting February-11-2023
Current Officers:
Jonathon Carver: President
Keven Nield: Vice President
Alan Eborn: Treasurer
Mikel McNeal: Secretary
It has been a rough road to get the club going on a firm footing again after the Covid-19 Pandemic. Jonathon has worked hard and accomplished many minor miracles, but it has not been easy. Good going, Jonathon!)
Keven Nield graciously stated that he has started monitoring M-Hill more consistently, displaying a renewed commitment to communications and to the club itself, as well as being an inspiration for the rest of us. Mikel has had health issues that have made it difficult to keep records as effectively and efficiently as Joclyn Nield previously did, but hopes this will improve along with her health.
Members Present:
Jonathon Carver, Emma Carver, Keven and Joclyn Nield, Eldon and Jan Kearl, Mikel McNeal, David Turner was accompanied by his wife and son, who hope to also have their licenses soon.
An extremely useful app called Echolink was brought up in last month's meeting by Eldon Kearl. Eldon indicated that it was an easy app to enable and use. Alan Eborn agreed, as he was quickly able to begin using the app. However, there is a "validation" process required that can be a bit convoluted and confusing for some.
Mikel addressed the matter of finding a way to acknowledge those that founded the club, as well as the long-time members that have consistently done so much these past many years, like Keven and Joclyn Nield, Rick Stirling, Alan Eborn, and Eldon and Jan Kearl, among others.
Without them the club would no longer be able to function, or even exist. I believe Randy Shepherd was one of those who was integral to getting the club going. There are others, and they deserve to be acknowledged. One of the newest members, David Turner, was in fact also among the founding members. He left the valley for a number of years, but has returned and rejoined the club. His input and knowledge have been exceedingly valuable.
Eldon Kearl purchased the repeater on M Hill in the very beginning, without which there would be no ability to communicate, nor for the club to even exist, and was therefore given an honorary, permanent membership status. Eldon was quite humble when forced to admit to this most thoughtful and generous act. Despite being given a lifetime membership, Eldon and his wife, Jan, have continued to support the club by paying yearly membership dues all these years, and indicated that they planned to continue doing so.
The matter of financial reports was briefly discussed. Keven Nield stated that they used to occur on a regular, if not monthly, basis. The members present agreed this would be a positive practice to reinstate, beginning next month. John Lusk expertly handled the position previously.
As the club reassess where it is, and where it is going, returning to consistent practices seems integral to this process. Amidst the residual impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to complete the process of passing the torch of the old officers to the new. It is hoped that this can be accomplished in the March 2023 meeting. Hopefully, Jocelyn will mercifully give Mikel some pointers, and John can finally be relieved of his financial responsibilities, thereby officially passing the Treasurer torch to Alan Eborn.
David Turner brought up the idea of T-shirts/ sweatshirts with logos and call signs on them as a way to create more club recognition in the community, and a greater sense of belonging to something special among the members. Keven Nield felt the patches that were made long ago were adequate, and could be sewn on anything, and that no club money should be used for the purchase of clothing items, or the cost of printing anything on them. David proposed the idea that personal money could perhaps be added to the yearly dues for anyone who might want a t-shirt or Hoodie/sweatshirt.
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