The text of the file, as a machine read it. Open the original below for the layout, the pictures and anything the reading missed.
MAARS Club Meeting – 13 October 2017 Manhattan Public Library, Manhattan, KS Meeting Commenced: 6:33
Meeting Concluded: 7:45
Attending:
Ashley Benteman – KE0IQV
Officer Reports:
President
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Boy Scouts
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First request was someone on Fort Riley. Bill Koon showed interest and will take over.
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Second request was in Wakefield. She knows that it is probably too late but Jim gave her Dave’s, KD7QAS, information in Clay Center
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Casa Bike Ride Feed back
Email from Karen Hawes, Oct 7 2017
I wanted to get back to you regarding the ride after I spoke with a few people. The people out on the course stated that the biggest asset to having MAARS there was Public Safety. They thought the length of the course and the lack of biking fitness of some of the solo riders was downright scarey. Rachel told me that she saw people at mile 40 so exhausted she did not know how they would finish, but she knew your group was tracking them, so the riders were safe.
My husband, Tim Bolton, Mile 25 SAG person told me that without your group the ride should not be done. He thinks riders covering so much ground would require 10 people driving the course just to make sure someone had not been hit, or was hydrated enough to finish. He really appreciated having a person next to him with a radio that could tell him how many riders were out and what shape they were in. He seemed pretty proud that a woman who was extremely tired turned around at 25 miles to finish 50 instead of 67 miles. He believed that was safer for them.
I was out on the trail and at the base station and found the base station person was quite helpful. My main goal was to open and close SAG stations and it is hard to know how fast the fastest are riding, and how slow the slowest are riding. So he kept me up to date. The whole process was worry free. Your group was the most safety concerning group, with the least fuss. People were very skilled and low drama. That allowed me to worry about the numbers, and finances, and getting food and water to people. We did have a few riders that got sick near the end and I really appreciate that your team was able to pick them up and get them to safety.
This ride was over 3 counties, and no one county was very interested in the route, or even being aware we were there. it is possible they followed the event through the radios, but I never saw a policeman, except the riders.
Overall, MAARS was the group that provided the safety for the whole event. A long ride like that out in the middle of nowhere across multiple jurisdictions just cannot be done without your group. I wish I had more to give your group for all the help you gave me.
VP Report
● No updates with the repeater because Reed was not available
Treasurer
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$829.94
Committee Reports:
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Joint Exercise (Green Apple Bikes)
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Winter round up will be happening soon to seek and recover most bikes. They also may be looking into ramifications for destroyed bikes so volunteers do not lose focus fixing those bikes.
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If the next joint exercise was November 4th, we could support. Jon will talk with GAB and communicate plans through the email list.
Nominations:
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Officer Positions
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President, Jim (KS0VO), is willing to remain president
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Vice President, Dave (KD0AZG), declines
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Dave nominates George, KE0ALQ, for VP. George agrees.
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Treasurer, Patti (KE0BBJ), agrees to remain
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Secretary, Ashley (KE0IQV), agrees to remain
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Repeater Coordinator, Dave (KD0AZG), declines
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The coordinator keeps the repeater and k-link in operational use, assists in making the nets interesting to keep people using the repeater. The license for the repeater will be due next year around this time. Please contact Dave if interested in this position.
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Field Day Coordinator, Ryan (AD0TZ), nominates Jon (KE0LHK)
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Jon says it depends on his time availability. So Ryan offered to help with field day as well.
New Business:
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Ryan, AD0TZ, suggests creating two new committees.
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One to work on the trailer to get it up and going. Jon, KE0LHK, has offered to be lead of this committee. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact Jon.
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The other committee is an events committee. This would help coordinate events, outline expectations and develop an accountability document of who we are and what we do. Jim, KS0VO, has volunteered to be lead of this committee. Patti, George, Ryan and Ashley have also volunteered to be members.
Presentations:
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Bill, WS0I, is the Manager of the Manhattan Traffic Center and invited us to tour the facility. There is communication equipment, fiber optics, surveillance, weather stations with radar and lots of other interesting things at the facility. We could possibly tour in place of a weekly net. More information about this tour will be on the email list.
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Jon, KE0LHK, gave a presentation on ARES & Go Kits