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G3ZHI > ALL 10.06.09 12:43l 185 Lines 10739 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: rsgb draft board mins 9th may
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Draft Minutes of the Board Meeting of the Radio Society of Great
Britain held on Saturday 9th May 2009 at the Holiday Inn, Sandy
Bedford.
Present :
Directors
Colin Thomas G3PSM President, Spectrum and Regulatory
Robert Barden MD0CCE Technical (Environmental)
Phillip Brooks G4NZQ Regional Council delegate
Leslie Butterfields G0CIB Technical and Propagation Studies Committee
Don Field G3XTT Radio Sports, IOTA, QSL Bureau
Brian Reay G8OSN Amateur Radio Development
Jim Stevenson G0EJQ Regional Council delegate
Anthony Vinters G0WFG Education (co-opted).
Dave Wilson M0OBW ETCC and RSGB Convention
Ex-officio
Peter Kirby G0TWW General Manager
Rupert Thorogood G3KKT Company Secretary
Bob Dingle G0OCB Honorary Treasurer
The President opened the meeting at 0945 and welcomed the members to Sandy.
1. Apologies
1.1 There were no apologies.
2. Minutes of the previous meetings held on Friday 20th March and
Saturday 21st March 2009 at The Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, Cheshire
2.1 The Minutes were agreed with the following correction –
2.1.1 item 8.1 should read Phillip.
3. Matters Arising
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3.1 Alignment of the Radio Amateurs examination with Vocationally Related
Qualifications previous item 3.1 The Portfolio Holder reported that the practical
certification was still outstanding. Ongoing.
3.2 Amendment of bylaws for Electronic voting Previous item 3.3 These bylaws will
have to be agreed at the next AGM. The General Manager said that this is incorrect and
all that is required is a note in RadCom. closed.
3.3 New software for exam papers previous item 3.4 The Portfolio Holder said that a
specification for the software had been drawn up and a questionnaire had been prepared
for the suppliers. A visit will then be made to the potential suppliers. Ongoing.
3.4 Sports Radio Awards Manager previous item 3.6 This should read Trophies
Manager and an Awards Promotion Manager. The General Manager said that there have
been no applicants. Ongoing.
3.5 Chairman for the Technical Forum previous item 3.7 The General Manager said
that there have been no applications. Ongoing.
3.6 Terms of Reference for Honorary Company Secretary previous item 3.10
The General Manager to amend GI3/93. Ongoing.
Action : Company Secretary to complete the ToR by July meeting.
3.7 Beacon Position paper previous item 3.14 A paper had been tabled by the Technical
and Propagation Studies Portfolio Holder who said that there are three points - frequency
gaps, topographical gaps especially Scotland and Midlands and the next generation of
beacons (new modes, lower costs). The President said that this had originally risen on the
question of financing. The Portfolio Holder suggested that a coherent strategy of beacon
numbers and location is necessary and cost evaluation with particular reference to 6m,
4m, 2m and 70cms. This was agreed. Ongoing.
3.8 Guidelines on Planning problems previous item 3.15 The Technical
(Environmental) Portfolio Holder said that this should be available for the next meeting.
Ongoing.
3.9 Usage and coverage of Repeaters previous item 3.16 the ETCC and RSGB
Convention Portfolio Holder to make a survey of usage and coverage of repeaters.
Ongoing.
3.10 National Recognition of Raynet previous item 3.19 The General Manager had
written to the National Civil Defence College but no reply had been received. Ongoing.
3.11 IOTA Structure previous item 3.20 This is an agenda item.
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3.12 London Olympics 2012 previous item 3.22 Radio Sports Portfolio Holder said that
this appears in his portfolio report. Ongoing
3.13 RAYNET Issues previous item 3.23 Closed.
3.14 Decision on contest calls previous item 7.8.1 The President had presented the
proposal to Ofcom which had suggested minor amendments. The President will confirm
with Ofcom whether this can be closed. Ongoing.
3.15 Confidential Minute previous item 12.1. The Amateur Radio Development
Portfolio Holder said that the boating fraternity might be a suitable target for Amateur
Radio articles. The General Manager said that there are some monthly newsletters that
might be suitable. After some discussion it was decided that the Portfolio Holder should
continue the exercise. The other subject in the confidential minute was closed. Ongoing.
4. Chairman’s Report (Presidential activities since March 2009)
4.1 This had been previously circulated by the President and was noted by the Board.
5. Management Report
5.1 This has been previously circulated by the General Manager.
5.2 Administration Report.
5.2.1 He said that it had been a quiet period but that the AGM had been a success
especially the internet streaming.
5.2.2 There had been one staff resignation. There have been numerous applicants for the
post.
5.2.3 Project North – the MKARS station is ready for operation following work on the
mast. There had been a further meeting with the Bletchley Park Trust. There had been a
site meeting with Terrapin and the project was proceeding satisfactorily. The Technical
(Environmental) Portfolio Holder will assist further with the specifications. There have
been several limited press releases.
5.2.4 The GM said that he had been approached by Ofcom regarding the participation of
the Society with London 2012 preparations. No other details are known as this time.
5.2.5 A web based magazine is still being investigated.
5.2.6 The organiser of the Donnington Park Rally has stated that the event will go ahead
but checks have revealed there are no bookings and little commercial support. The
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Lincoln Short Wave Club is enthusiastic about promoting a rally and it is thought that the
Newark Showground would be a suitable venue.
5.3 Financial Report the Treasurer referred to the financial situation for March as
detailed in the financial controller's report.
5.3.1 The result for March was a surplus of £10.4k against a budgeted surplus of £3.3k.
This result includes a number of cheques to the value of £6,729.76 that have been
written-off in line with the auditor’s requests. These cheques go back several years from
about six months. If they are presented at a later date they will be honoured.
5.3.2 The variance in subscriptions is a result of a number of factors. The Treasurer
suggested that there appears to be a slight trend of reduction over the first three months of
the year.
5.3.3 The Board noted that the % contribution from books has increased. It was also
noted that both Foundation and Intermediate exam numbers are lower than budgeted.
5.3.4 The investment position up to March was noted as:-
- £ 71k on deposit @ 0.80%
- £500k Treasury deposit – (NatWest maturing at the end of August) - @ 2.25%
- £310k Co-Operative Bank @ 2.53% (maturing at the end of March)
5.3.5 The Treasurer reported that the MC had determined to invest the £310k which
matured at the end of March in an account that produced the highest return from all
banks. The best account that was found matured at the end of July and is held in the
NatWest at 1.40%.
5.3.6 The Board noted with concern that the MC had determined to ignore their previous
decision to diversify investments against the possibility of a single bank going down. It
was proposed by the Technical (Environmental) Portfolio Holder that the Board directs
the MC to diversify into at least two financial institutions at the earliest opportunity. This
was agreed.
5.3.7 The Regional Council delegate (Phillip Brooks G4NZQ) asked if the cheque writeoff
was typical. The Treasurer explained that this is in accordance with the Auditor’s
instructions and was in line with similar amounts written off previously.
5.4 Commercial Report.
5.4.1 The General Manager said that advertising was still a problem although there are
some promising indications. The membership has recently risen by over 200 persons.
5.4.2 The Board observed that there is a 6 week difference between the timing of the
financial report and the commercial report.
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6. Ofcom
6.1 Relations with Ofcom had been covered in the above reports.
7. IOTA Management
7.1 The Radio Sports, IOTA, QSL Bureau Portfolio Holder had previously tabled a
paper. He reiterated the events to date and the fact there had been no volunteers for the
post of IOTA Chairman. He asked the Board to support a project to develop a new
organisational structure. The board agreed to defer changes to the current IOTA
Committee until a new structure had been agreed.
8. Amateur Radio Examinations – The Future
8.1 A paper had previously been circulated by the Education Portfolio Holder
8.1.1 The Portfolio Holder reminded the Board that the RCF were seeking to become an
awarding body under Ofqual. He referred to the content and style of the syllabus and
asked if this was still relevant to 21st C amateur radio. He asked the Board for ideas.
8.1.2 The Regional Council delegate (Phillip Brooks) suggested an amendment to the
structure which indicated skills gained at previous levels. The General Manager said that
in the Royal Navy there had been a task book that was associated with an individual for
this purpose.
8.1.3 The Amateur Radio Development Portfolio Holder reminded the Board that the
requirements of the examinations were largely dictated by international requirements.
8.1.4 The Education Portfolio Holder said, for example, that there is currently no
requirement for the tutors to be trained and that is fundamental to the process but the
ARDC Portfolio Holder said that the trainer training process was well established.
8.1.5 The President suggested that this matter should be resolved outside the Board by a
meeting between the members of the ARDC and the RCF Examination Committee. The
outcome of this meeting should be available for the July Board meeting.
9. Project North
9.1 This was dealt with under the Management report.
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10. AGM Washup
10.1 This was dealt with under the Management report.
11. IARU – VOTE – Union des Radioamateurs du Congo
11.1 The General Manager said that a proposal No 245 had been received from the IARU
that the above mentioned should become a member of the IARU. This was agreed
unanimously.
12. Presidential Nomination
12.1 The General Manager had been notified of nominations for Dave Wilson M0OBW
and Don Field G3XTT, both of whom gave a short presentation. There was then a closed
vote in the Board and the results were in favour of Dave Wilson M0OBW the ETCC and
HFC Portfolio Holder.
12.2 This result will go to the National Council for approbation.
13. AOB
13.1 Confidential Minute
14. Confirmation of date and venue of next meeting.
The next meeting will be on the 11th July at The Holiday Inn Garden Court,
Sandy, Bedford.
There being no other business the President thanked the members for their work and
closed the meeting at 1230.
o-o-o-O-o-o-o
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