It's official! At the EGM on 18 January 2005 it was unanimously agreed that the proposed merger of WyrePak and Kidderminster Repeater Group should go ahead. A full report follows.
Present: Paula G8PZT, Richard G0EWH, Ellis G7JWL, John G8UAE, Phil G4SPZ (in the Chair)
Apologies: Geoff G0HHH, Brian G0MBG, Nigel G4YUD
The motion before the meeting was: 'It is proposed that WyrePak (the Wyre Forest Packet Radio Support Group) will merge with the Kidderminster Repeater Group to form a single organisation, to be known initially as the "Kidderminster Repeater Group (incorporating WyrePak)". The aims of the new organisation will be to support, practically and financially, the amateur radio, computer and communications activities undertaken as part of, but not limited to, the ownership, operation and development of the following systems:
KIDDER Packet node and IP Router
GB7PZT Packet BBS
GB3KD Repeater
G8PZT Simplex Gateways
A revised Constitution will be drawn up in order to meet the above aims.'
Discussion took place during which it was noted that messages of support for the motion had been received from G4YUD, G0HHH and G0MBG prior to the meeting. In accordance with the Constitution, a vote was taken by show of hands, and the motion was carried unanimously.
It was agreed that all current members of WyrePak would automatically become members of Kidderminster Repeater Group (incorporating WyrePak) and the existing Committee members were willing to continue to serve until the next AGM in September 2005. The Committee members are Phil Harris G4SPZ (Chairman and acting Secretary), Brian Drew G0MBG (vice-Chairman) and Richard Newton G0EWH (Treasurer). John G8UAE was willing to continue as Auditor. The following actions were also discussed and agreed:
Phil G4SPZ thanked the members for attending and the EGM closed at 9.00pm.
The new constitution is based on the existing WyrePak constitution, and now reads as follows:
The group shall be known as the Kidderminster Repeater Group (incorporating WyrePAK)
The aims of the group are as follows:
a) To help plan, fund and execute the maintenance and improvement of the local Packet Radio Bulletin Board System (BBS), Packet Radio Network Access Point (node), Internet-linked Repeater(s) and Simplex Gateway(s)
b) To allow interested members to participate in and financially support the running of the above systems
c) To promote the use of Packet Radio and Amateur Radio in the Wyre Forest district
d) To facilitate dialogue between the users of the above systems, and between the members and the system operator, repeater keeper and NoV holder, by holding regular meetings
e) To pool knowledge and expertise in the field of Packet Radio, Repeaters and Internet Linking for the benefit of members and amateur radio users
f) To represent members' interests at regional or national Packet Radio, Repeater and Internet Linking forums and meetings
Membership shall be open, subject to the discretion of the Committee, to all persons interested in the aims of the group
All members shall abide by the Constitution of the group. The Committee shall have the power to expel any member whose conduct, in the opinion of at least three-quarters of the full Committee, renders that person unfit to be a member of the group. No member shall be expelled without first having been given the opportunity to appear before the Committee
The NoV holder shall maintain an up-to-date list of those members ("the close-down list") who shall have agreed to make themselves available to close down the Repeater or other licenced systems in accordance with the licence requirements, and provide training to those members as necessary
a. The annual subscription shall be decided by the Committee and announced at the AGM.
b. All subscriptions shall be due and payable on the anniversary of the individual members' joining date. Members in arrears shall have no voting rights.
c. The financial year shall run from 1st September to 31st August.
All money received by the group shall be promptly deposited in the group's bank account. The Treasurer shall in addition be authorised to maintain a small running balance in petty cash, and auditable records shall be maintained. Withdrawals require the signature of a minimum of two nominated officers, one of which shall be the Treasurer, as authorised by the Bank mandate.
The group's affairs shall be administered by a Committee elected at the AGM. The Committee, in whom the group's property shall be vested, shall consist of:
a. A chairman, who will preside at all the meetings at which he is present
b. A secretary, who will be responsible for:
ii. Ensuring that all correspondence is correctly handled
iii. Preparing and distributing a regular newsletter
c. A treasurer, who will be responsible for:
i. Keeping the group's accounts
ii. Advising the committee on all financial matters
iii. Preparing the accounts for audit, and presenting them at the AGM
iv. Maintaining a database of members' details
d. A minimum of one, and a maximum of four ordinary members
e. Not more than two co-opted members, who shall have full voting powers
a. The quorum for the committee shall be three. In the absence of a quorum, business may be dealt with, but any decisions taken become valid only after ratification at the next meeting at which a quorum exists
b. Committee meetings may be called by the chairman, the secretary, or any three full members of the committee. The committee shall meet at least every four months
c. All officers of the committee, including the chairman, may vote. In the event of a tie, the chairman has a second casting vote
d. In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman or treasurer shall act as chairman
e. The minutes of all formal meetings shall be made available for inspection by full members. The state of the group's finances shall be made available to full members if requested. The minutes and finances may only be disclosed to non-members at the discretion of the committee
f. The committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members
a. The AGM shall be held in September of each year. 28 days notice of the date of the meeting shall be given
b. The quorum for the meeting shall be ten per cent of the membership, subject to a minimum of four members
c. The agenda for the meeting shall be:
i. Apologies for absence.
ii. Minutes of the previous meeting.
iii. Chairman's report.
iv. Secretary's report.
v. Treasurer's report.
vi. Election of officers and committee.
vii. Election of auditor.
viii. Other business.
d. Items i. to v. shall be chaired by the outgoing chairman, item vi. by an acting chairman, and the remaining business by the newly-elected chairman
e. Nominations of committee members shall only be valid if confirmed by the nominee at the meeting, or previously in writing
f. Items to be raised by members under "Other Business", must be notified to the secretary not less than fourteen days before the AGM
g. Voting shall be by show of hands
a. Extraordinary general meetings may be called by the committee, or not less than ten members of the group
Notification of the meeting shall be given to the secretary, and shall include details of the motion to be discussed. The date of the meeting shall be the earliest convenient date as decided by the committee, but shall be not more than twenty-eight days from the date on which the meeting was called. Fourteen days' notice of the date of the meeting must be given
b. The quorum and voting method for the EGM shall be the same as for the AGM
The Group shall not own any physical assets
The constitution may only be amended at the AGM, or at an EGM called for that purpose
a. The decision to wind up the group may be taken only at an EGM
b. The funds of the group shall, after the payment of all outstanding debts, be disposed of as directed by members at the final EGM
This Constitution was agreed at the WyrePAK EGM held on 18 January 2005
Some damage was caused to the GB3KD repeater antenna system by a particularly fierce gust of wind during the night of 7/8th January 2005, causing the aluminium mast to bend at 45 degrees, at a point just above the guy wires. The repeater is currently operating on a temporary antenna. An improved mast is being sought and it is hoped that a permanent replacement mast extending to over 40 feet AGL will be installed. This will hold the 2 metre repeater main antenna and also a 70cms antenna for the Packet system. Fortunately none of the Packet system antennas suffered any damage.
Tuesday 15 March 2005 at 8.00pm at the Chain Wire Club
Phil G4SPZ
WyrePak Chairman and Secretary
WyrePak Newsletter is compiled, edited and published by Phil Harris CEng MIEE G4SPZ. This issue (c) March 2005