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SRQ Board Meeting
March 8, 2010
Members Present: Phil Bender, Paul Jantzen, Neil Hanson, David Speed, Al Jensen, Charlie Allen and Vince Veltri.
Members Absent: None
Guests: Dick Bobb, Ken Scott and Jim Holloman
The meeting was called to order by President Bender @ 7:02 P.M.
President’s report: President Bender has had conversations with the County. The County is having washout issues with the road that goes South to a park parking lot. Their solution is to pave the road. When that road is paved, they would like to pave the road up to our site as well. Timing will be based on funds availability.
Cigarette butts are still a problem. There are only a few members that continue to violate the rules by smoking at the field. It is a County ordinance that prohibits smoking and continued violation could jeopardize our relationship with the County. Plenty of signs are posted. All Board members should continue efforts to get the members to follow the ordinance.
A swam of bees came to the site Saturday evening. A large hive of bees was wrapped around the beams of the shelter with the soda machine. Three beekeepers were called in an attempt to save the bees. Only one responded (it was a weekend) and the bees could not be saved. The cost to remove the bees was $360.00.
Secretary’s report: The 2010 AMA Club Charter applications have been completed and received by the AMA. The new Certificates of Insurance have been received by SRQ and will be hand delivered to the County on the 13th of April.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Hanson reviewed the March financial report with the board. The report was accepted into the records as presented.
Old Business: A letter requesting a lease extension for 5 years has been drafted and read to the Board members. A second letter requesting previously submitted changes to the lease be included in the extension will be drafted and attached to the extension request and sent by certified mail by President Bender.
The status of the gate will remain an open item until members of the Board meet with the County to receive their input.
President Bender had two name tags made at his personal expense to present to the Board. The Board was favorably impressed with the tags and a design was selected. This badge does not replace the membership badge. It is simply to promote pride in membership of our club, identify us as being from Sarasota, FL and another way to remember everyone’s name. A motion was made to bring before the membership approval for purchasing a name tag for every member and all future members. The motion passed.
New Business: The Annual Award Picnic will be held October 9th, 2010. President Bender will handle the event with the exception of organizing the flying for the day. That individual(s) has yet to be selected. The name for this year’s event will be changed to “Annual Family and Awards Picnic”. The idea is to promote the idea that wives and children are invited and welcome. The Board would like to see more family involvement, particularly on special days. Dick Bobb will work on nominations for member of the year.
A discussion was had on helicopter/glider flying zones. The discussion was specific as to how to mix all types of aircraft safely at our field. It was decided that Jim Holloman would discuss with the members at the next membership meeting how to accomplish this without having to pass new rules.
The County has found that some of our chairs have been taken from our property and left over the berm. It appears that outsiders are using our furniture to have a “party” in the park away from our leased area. Please keep an eye for outsiders during off hours.
A concern about the size of the area that we maintain with our mowers was too large and unnecessary. Excess fuel usage, increased equipment wear and the additional time required were reasons for the concern. After discussion, it was decided to keep the area we maintain the same.
Safety Report: Some members have been testing/running engines at start up stations. The ONLY area for this operation is the break in stand at the far East end of the field. Jim will remind the members at the next meeting.
A question of whether one could take up a non-AMA member for a trial flight was asked. An AMA official told a Board member that there was no coverage if that was done and AMA had no program to allow a “try before you buy” type of flight. (Secretary’s note: That information turned out to be incorrect, but the AMA policy is not cut and dry. No SRQ policy will be made until discussed at the next Board meeting.)
Ken Scott talked about how new members will be assigned instructors. All new members will be given Ken’s name and number and instructed to call him if they require training. In addition, all prospective new members will be advised if there are not sufficient instructors available to train them. It is unfair to take their money and then not provided them with the ability to fly. Ken is currently looking for an instructor for a new member that is available only on weekends.
One member has indicated that he would train students for a fee. The board is concerned that there may not be insurance coverage if a fee is charged. The AMA will be contacted for a ruling before the Board discusses this possibility.
The meeting was adjourned @ 9:15 P.M.
David M. Speed
SRQ Secretary
Membership Meeting March 24, 2010
Twin Lakes Park, Sarasota, FL
Meeting was called to order @ 7:02 PM by President Bender. He led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were 36 members present.
New members or guests: None
Announcements:
President Bender announced that Ken Scott is our new Training Coordinator. We are lucky to have him. If you are interested in becoming an instructor or, if you are new and require instruction, please call Ken.
Ron Nash was recognized for the excellent Newsletter he has been producing. If you can make a contribution to the Newsletter, please contact Ron.
Ascension Lutheran School will be out at the field at 10:00 A.M. for a field trip. The children will be given the basics of what makes an airplane fly. They will then be given demonstration flights of helicopters, turbines, electrics, and other aircraft.
Mike Winter talked about the Air Fair 2010 that is being held at our field on 4/24 and 4/25. See the website for more information. Concessions will be available at the field and a portion of the profits will go to the club, so eat up!
The SRQ Annual Awards Picnic is postponed until this fall when many of our members return from the North.
May 20, 2000 is the 10th anniversary of SRQ’s location at the current field.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the February minutes as published. The motion passed.
Treasurer Neil Hansen presented the February financial report. A motion was made and seconded to accept the report as presented. The motion passed.
Old business:
The county has indicated that it intends to pave the road leading up to our field. The issue is finding the money for the project in this current economy.
New business:
A technical change in the by-laws was proposed because a SRQ member could have a club membership without having AMA membership due to the availability of a 90-day AMA membership program. This by-law change would correct that possibility by requiring a full year membership in the AMA. The proposed by-law change was as follows:
ARTICLE V – Membership
B
1. For members with flying privileges, be a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). Members over 19 as of July 1 shall maintain a full year OPEN membership. Members under 19 as of July 1 shall maintain a YOUTH membership. A PARK PILOT PROGRAM membership is not sufficient to join SRQ.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the proposed by-law change. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Barry Wright from the Sarasota Silent Fliers showed his illuminated plane. It had red led lights on the top left side and green led lights on the top right side with white led lights on the bottom. SRQ members are invited to see them at their field off of RT. 64.
Break
It was announced that our membership is up to 284 members.
Paul Jantzen introduced Jim Martin who announced a swap meet by the Golden Eagles Squadron on Saturday 5/22 at the Farm Bureau Building located 7289 Palmer Boulevard.
The doors open at 8:00 AM until ?? Free entrance, $15 per table.
George Jenkins announced there will be a swap meet at the Port Charlotte hobby shop this Saturday 3/27 in their parking lot.
Chuck Duke was the guest speaker this month. As the owner of Classic Creations in Venice, Chuck gets the opportunity to buy estates that sometimes contain model airplane stuff. He gets old engines that are seized up tight. He demonstrated on just such an engine and how to free it. He uses a product called Hoppes #9 Nitro Solvent. It is available at most gun shops. A little poured in the glow plug hole and down the carburetor had the engine freed up in less than a minute. Chuck also showed us a product to help eliminate the problems using gasoline with Ethanol in our engines. It is sold in the marine stores. One such product is Sta-bil Ethanol Treatment. You can buy Ethanol free gasoline on the South side of Clark Road where it turns into Stickney Point Road.
Next month’s program is on helicopters. Our expert will be Scott Quick. If you have seen him fly, you know he is an expert!
Bill Kimbrell conducted the raffle. Barry Wright drew the winning ticket. Phil Bender (our President) won the raffle. Phil denies that the fix was in. A T-shirt was also raffled off along with a hat. Jerry Clayton and Dick Bobb won these prizes.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 P.M.
David Speed
SRQ Secretary
Barry Wright from the Sarasota Silent Fliers showed his illuminated plane.
Chuck Duke was the guest speaker this month.
President Bender wears the cowl of the Typhoon he won in the raffle.
Roger Niolet (l) presents Jerry Clayton with his T-shirt and Dick Bobb poses with his.