Yellowknife Amateur Radio Society Minutes - Monthly Meeting 

1900 - 1943 MST 28 April 2022

Yellowknife, NT

Present:  VE8WD, VE8KC, VE8IR 

Regrets:  VE8RT, VE8BOB (he tried to login)

1.  VE8IR takes the minutes and chairs meeting.

2.  No quorum established.

3.  Agenda adopted.

4.  Financial Report by VE8IR

1. simple financial statement presented at last meeting which is also the financial statement for the past fiscal year ending 31 March 2022;
2. VE8WD reports on RAC affiliation - VE8IR to prepare letter with YARS cheque to send to RAC;
3. YARS in good standing with Societies Registry filings.  2 weeks after AGM we will need to have filed Notice of Directors and Financial Statements;
4. AGM planned fro 26 May 2022 1900 via Zoom - VE8IR to set up scheduling and notice;
5. E-transfers for membership payments operating well.  VE8WD and VE8IR have paid memberships.  VE8WD to send out reminder to membership.  VE8IR to look into getting notification of payment via e-mail;
6. Vice-President is vacant at moment.  VE8IR announces intention to run for Secretary-Treasurer again.  We need to have a President and Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer under the Societies Act;
7. Constitution - 

1. 1. VE8IR updates Strategic Plan with VE8KC.  This plan has not been reviewed outside of VE8WD, VE8IR and VE8KC.  
   2. Constitution has been drafted by VE8IR following template on Societies Registry website.  Plan is to change name and objects of Society and make its geographical scope territorial-wide rather than just in Yellowknife.  Regulations still have to be written and will contain details re: classes of membership etc.  This will be a major point of discussion at AGM.  Ties into plan to focus YARS activities on training and increasing the number of amateur radio operators in the Northwest Territories.  VE8WD to reach out to active amateurs in Inuvik and Hay River.  This is also intended to reinforce our abilities to carry out operations and exercises.  

5.  Technical Matters

1. VE8SKI - IGATE is off due to VE8RT vacation.  VE8WD looking into getting connection and hook-up restored so that VE8RT temporary location can be phased out;
2. Status of repeaters - VE8WD and VE8IR tested VE8RAE repeater and link to VE8YK repeater in Yellowknife.  Both repeaters are fine.  VE8IR thinks IRLP is still not functional.
3. ARRL Field Day is coming up on 25 June.  No location yet.  VE8IR would like to run a QRP station and do message handling for extra points.  Package is out on the ARRL website.
4. VE8PAT - VE8IR to look into contacting City to see if we can place a station at Field House - primary city reception centre in City emergency plan.

6.  Website continues to function under updated Joomla CMS.  If YARS changes name, we may need to change the URL.  

7.  Emergency preparedness - changes staffing at GNWT Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, including new Head of Emergency Management Organization.  VE8WD to send greetings to new Director and eventually to set up a meeting and possibly become more involved in joint exercises.  Also YARS considering seeking more involvement from MACA staff and pursuing the running of a Basic Qualification Course in order to their staff licensed as amateur radio operators.  Obvious benefits to emergency preparedness but also to YARS' future.  We have been promoting the RAC/Annapolis Valley qualification courses on the website but so far no indication of new local amateurs.  VE8WD to look into getting other local HAMS more involved with Society.  VE8IR does not restrict their access to website or e-mails.

8.  Possible social events?  Sunday breakfasts improving attendance.  Summer social - BBQ with Fox Hunt?

9.  Meeting adjourns at 1943 local time.