**Restricted** RSGB Board Minutes 15 January 2011

[Frank K]

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Approved Minutes of the Board Meeting of the Radio Society of Great
Britain held on Saturday 15 January 2011 at the Garden Court, Holiday
Inn, Sandy, Bedford.
Present :
Directors
Dave Wilson M0OBW President, International and Regulatory
Don Beattie G3BJ Technical and Environmental
Phillip Brooks G4NZQ Business co-opted (during the meeting)
Leslie Butterfields G0CIB Technical and Propagation Studies Committee
John Gould G3WKL Spectrum and Radio Sport
Charlie Morrison GI4FUE Public Service co-opted (during the meeting)
Iain Philips G0RDI ETCC
Brian Reay G8OSN Amateur Radio Development
Jimmy Sneddon MW0EQL Regional Council delegate
Jim Stevenson G0EJQ Regional Council delegate
Ex-officio
Peter Kirby G0TWW General Manager
Rupert Thorogood G3KKT Company Secretary
Robert Dingle G0OCB Treasurer
The President opened the meeting at 1000 and welcomed the members to
Sandy for the
first meeting of 2011 which should be an auspicious year with the
opening of the
National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park. He asked that the agenda be
amended to take
items 3 and 11 with 12 at the beginning of the meeting. This was agreed.
The items
remain in their original place for purposes of the minutes.
1. Apologies
1.1 There were no apologies.
2. Director’s declaration of interest.
2.1 Phillip Brooks G4NZQ declared an interest in a Company that had been
recommended for document scanning for the NRC. There were no other
declarations.
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3. Co options and Appointment and termination of Directors
3.1 The Board noted the following resignations –
3.1.1 Don Field G3XTT Radio Sports, IOTA, QSL Bureau Portfolio Holder
completed
his term of office and retired with effect 31 December 2010.
3.1.2 Phillip Brooks G4NZQ Regional Council delegate resigned as
Regional Manager
Region 12 and his appointment as a Director ceased on 31 December 2010.
3.1.3 Charlie Morrison GI4FUE Public Service Portfolio and a co-opted
Director whose
term lapsed with effect 31 December 2010.
3.2 The Board noted the following appointments –
3.2.1 Jim Stevenson G0EJQ Regional Council delegate whose term ended on
31
December 2010 has been re-appointed by the Regional Council and
therefore continues
as a Director.
3.2.3 Jimmy Sneddon MW0EQL who has been appointed as a Regional Council
Delegate
to serve a period of three years from 1 January 2011.
3.3 The President proposed the following resolution –
3.3.1 That Charlie Morrison GI4FUE is co-opted to the Board to serve
until the 2011
National Elections.
3.3.2 That Phillip Brooks G4NZQ is co-opted to the Board to serve until
the 2011
National Elections.
3.3.3 The Board approved the resolution for these appointments with
immediate effect
and Messrs Morrison and Brooks joined the meeting.
3.4. The Company Secretary was instructed to make the necessary
formalities.
Action: Company Secretary to notify Companies House of the resignations
and
appointments
4. Re-appointment of Hon Company Secretary and Hon Treasurer
4.1 The Board unanimously approved the re-appointment of Rupert
Thorogood G3KKT
as honorary Company Secretary and Dr Bob Dingle G0OCB as honorary
Treasurer.
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5. Minutes of the previous meetings held on Friday and Saturday 12th
and 13th November 2010 at The Garden Court, Holiday Inn, Sandy,
Bedford.
5.1 The Minutes V3.1 were accepted without amendment.
6. Matters Arising
6.1 Alignment of the Radio Amateurs examination with Vocationally
Related
Qualifications previous item 4.1 The Board had expressed reservations at
the timescales
involved and the un-quantified advantages of this work. The ARDC
portfolio Holder said
that in view of the government VRQ changes and the time taken with this
exercise he
suggested that the RCF be advised to close the matter. However the
General Manager
suggested that Anthony Vinters be asked to advise the Board at the March
meeting and
that a decision/recommendation will then be taken and advised to the RCF
Standards
Committee in time for their April meeting. This was agreed.
Action: ARDC portfolio holder to arrange for Anthony Vinters to address
the Friday evening meeting.
6.2 Memorandum and Articles of Association previous item 4.3. This will
depend on
the MC review paper. Ongoing.
6.3 Annual Report to Members previous item 4.6 This is being dealt with
by the
Management Committee. See 6.2 above. The general manager said that the
audit will
start on February 7th and before that date he will forward a draft
directors report for the
Boards input.
Action: General Manager to circulate the draft Directors report
6.4 Fit out of Bletchley Park previous item 4.5. This is an agenda item.
6.5 Honorary Life Vice President previous item 4.8. There have been no
nominations
and the matter was deferred until next Board/National Council meeting in
March.
Ongoing.
6.6 Minutes on web previous item 4.10 the General Manager to place on
the web site a
copy of the relevant bylaws concerning the appearance of Minutes. Done
and Closed.
6.7 Portfolio structure of the Society previous item 6.2a This is an
agenda item.
6.8 Succession Planning Group previous item 6.2c President to set up
informal group.
The Technical and Propagation Studies Committee Portfolio Holder to give
a
presentation under agenda item 10.
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6.9 Management Committee Chairman previous item 6.2f the President to
nominate
the Management Committee Chairman. This is an agenda item.
6.10 Management Committee ordinary members to be reduced from five to
four
previous item 6.2g. The General Manager suggested that Jim Norton become
a
corresponding member.
Action: MC Chairman to ask Jim Norton to become a corresponding member
of
MC.
6.11 Revision of bylaws to amend the requirement for publication of the
Board
Minutes previous item 6.2h. Action by Company Secretary and General
Manager. The
Board decided that this should be done in time for the March RadCom. The
reasons for
the change will be drafted jointly by the Technical and Environmental,
Spectrum and
ETCC Portfolio Holders and that the amendment to the bylaw should be
drafted by the
Company Secretary.
Action: the Technical and Environmental, Spectrum and ETCC Portfolio
Holders
to draft an information note for RadCom explaining the discontinuing of
the
publication of the full Board minutes on the website.
Action: The Company Secretary to draft the amendment to the bylaw
withdrawing the publication of the full Board minutes on the website and
substituting them with a digest.
6.11.1 The President suggested as a trial, not for publication, a draft
digest of the minutes
for this meeting be produced. This will be done by the Treasurer
Action: Treasurer to produce a draft digest, not for publication outside
the Board,
of these minutes to assess the impact for publication on the website
6.12 Amendment to Memorandum and Articles to be prepared for a
resolution at
the 2011 AGM previous item 6.2i. Company Secretary to action. This
principally
concerns the date of the term of president and a number of typos.
Action: Company Secretary to draft resolution for the 2011 AGM
6.13 Long term review of the Memorandum and Articles to be prepared for
a
resolution at the 2012 AGM previous item 6.2j. Management Committee to
set up a
sub group.
Action: MC Chair to set up a sub group for the M&A long term review.
6.14 Review the procedures for Major projects previous item 6.2k. Action
by
Spectrum Portfolio Holder and Jorgen Faxholm. This is in hand by Jorgen
Faxholm who
will be asked to produce a discussion document in time for the March
Board.
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Action: Spectrum Portfolio Holder to advise Jorgen Faxholm.
6.15 revision of GI199 previous item 6.3. Action by General Manager.
Closed.
6.16 Review process and timescales for the Board Accounts previous item
7.2 action
by the Treasurer. The Treasurer spoke to his paper which had been
previously circulated
and proposed three actions -
- summary sheet will now show month and YTD with a glossary/description
of
line content
- distribution of oncosts (a discussion took place about method
required)
- once oncosts understood then to make changes to the presentation of
the
accounts.
6.17 RSGB/RAEN Agreement previous item 8.4 Action by the Public Services
Portfolio Holder. The agreement was signed at the Spectrum Forum in
December.
Although there had been some adverse comment about the exercise the vast
majority was
positive. The Portfolio Holder said that he and the RAEN Chair were
planning a joint
road show to present the public face of this agreement. Closed.
7. Chairman’s Report
7.1 This had been previously circulated by the President and purposely
sent out late. The
attachment mentioned in the report wasn’t included and will be
circulated after the
meeting.
7.2 The Chairman drew attention to the items listed for the March
meeting which is a
combined Board National Council meeting.
7.2.1 Spectrum Director suggested a presentation at NC should be a
presentation of the
Interim finding from the Questionnaire.
7.2.2 He went on to advise that Approval of papers for the IARU Region 1
General
Conference Meeting should be at the March Board.
Action: IARU Committee to review papers and make recommendations to
the Board
7.2.3 The General Manager advised that a number of awards are available
for
presentation at the AGM eg Founders Trophy, Kenwood, Calcutta key.
Nominations
should be approved at the March Board.
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Action: General Manager to circulate a list of the awards including
criteria.
7.2.4 Spectrum Director commented that at the Spectrum Forum in November
it had been
stated that several VHF trophies had not been presented for several
years following the
demise of the VHF Committee. It was suggested at the Forum that these
could be
presented along with other trophies at the AGM. In addition the Board
agreed that some
VHF contest trophies, which in the past had been presented at the AGM,
should be
instead presented at the RSGB Convention.
Action: Spectrum Portfolio Holder to liaise with the VHF Manager in
respect of VHF trophies and with the contest committee in respect of the
VHF contest trophy presentations
7.2.5 Judging of the Club of the Year entries. Regional Director advised
that to date only
small number of entries has been received.
7.3 There were no other questions
8. Management Report
8.1 This has been previously circulated by the General Manager and was
noted.
8.2 The Board received the November results as previously circulated by
the Financial
Controller. They noted that the overall positive variance was due
largely to underspend
rather than increased income. It was also noted that the income from
books has been
lower than budget. The contribution from the Ebay sale of heritage items
was noted and
recognised as a one off source of income.
8.3 There were no specific questions concerning this report. The
Treasurer commented
that he was surprised that the Board had no queries, particularly since
they had been
critical of the Management Committee’s superficial approach to
monitoring of such
reports. It was pointed out that several members had significant
questions about the 2012
budget that needed consideration whilst this report was largely now
historical.
9. Budget 2011
9.1 A paper had been prepared by the Financial Controller and previously
circulated.
9.2 The Board considered this reworked budget and noted the revisions
detailed in the
paper since their consideration and acceptance of the previous version.
The Treasurer was
asked to comment on the Budget. He stated that the Board is at a very
significant point in
the Society's history with regards to the plans that informed this
budget. He asked the
Board to note that the capital investment in Bletchley Park will leave
little wriggle room
for future capital spend. The operational expenditure currently being
planned for the
NRC also extended the Society's finances. It represented a growth in
outgoings for the
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Society equivalent to 2 to 3 additional members of staff. At a time when
income from
sales has shown a decrease, funding this additional expenditure will be
challenging in the
medium term. He encouraged the Board to ensure that due consideration
had been given
to a suitable exit strategy in the event that the NRC becomes non-
viable. The contents of
the Lease are critical in that regard. The view was expressed by some
Board members
that the situation had become a crisis one. This was refuted by the GM
who stated again
that he was confident that the Lease issues will be solved. Some
discussion took place
around the fit out costs for NRC. Further discussion was deferred until
the NRC item
later in the agenda. A number of questions were raised regarding
headcount which the
General Manager answered.
9.3 The Board requested that the following be obtained from the
Financial controller:-
a. an outline 2012 budget
b. a projection of the full year costs for the NRC
c. a reworking of the five year outline budgets presented to the Board
at the last meeting
9.4 The Treasurer undertook to liaise with the Financial Controller on
Monday morning
to effect these.
10. Portfolio Reports
10.1 These had been previously circulated by the Portfolio Holders and
were noted.
10.1.1 The Regional Director advised the ARDC Portfolio Holder that the
Regional
Council had asked about reduced fees for re-sits. The ARDC Portfolio
holder described
that the costs of producing a re-sit paper were essentially the same as
for the initial paper.
Likewise the Board did not agree with this suggestion.
10.1.2 ETCC report. There were no questions.
10.1.3 Regional report – no questions. Although Phillip Brooks G4NZQ
raised a question
regarding telephone follow ups and as a Board we should be supporting
this initiative.
10.1.4 Spectrum Report. The Portfolio Holder added that he has
relinquished his role as
HF manager. He said that he had been working with Ofcom/MoD to improve
harmonisation with other countries on our 5 MHz experimental access;
feedback was
awaited. He reported that interference to the 2m satellite uplink band
was being caused
by the Italian administration authorising 2m repeaters in this part of
the band. It was
proposed that the RSGB should complain via the IARU Region 1 C5
Committee.
Action: The Spectrum Portfolio Holder to write to C5 Committee re
Italian 2m
Repeater allocations.
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10.1.5 Technical Propagation Committee and Technical Forum Report. The
Portfolio
Holder said he will be stepping down at the end of his term and wished
to inform the
board about the portfolio and the plan for succession. This he did with
a PowerPoint
presentation. The Board thanked the Portfolio Holder for his
presentation.
10.1.5.1 The President advised that other portfolio holders should
consider succession
planning and consider putting something similar together for their
portfolios.
10.1.6 The Public Services Portfolio Holder advised he hadn’t had access
to the Board
reflector. He confirmed the plan for a combined Road Show with the
Network, visiting
regions around the UK and joint training exercises, both items showing a
combined face,
11. Review of Portfolios
11.1 The President spoke to an uncirculated paper. He suggested that the
portfolio
structure be left until the Strategic review was completed mid 2011, in
time for the Board
elections. He suggested that Don Field's responsibilities be transferred
to John Gould
G3WKL but noted that Don Field will continue with the Olympics. The
Board agree with
this approach.
11.2 The President listed the portfolio allocations for 2011 as
follows:-
Business Phillip Brooks
Education and Training Brian Reay
ETCC Iain Philips
International & Regulatory Dave Wilson
Membership Services Jim Stevenson
Public Services Charlie Morrison
Regional Jimmy Sneddon
Spectrum, Radio Sport John Gould
Technical EMC/Planning Don Beattie
Technical propagation Leslie Butterfields
Post meeting note:-
It was agreed with the 2 portfolio holders that they swap their
allocations ie Membership
Services, Jim Sneddon and Regional, Jim Stevenson.
12. Appointment of Management Committee
12.1 The President spoke to an uncirculated paper. He said that as per
the MC reviews
recommendation the revised GI199 regarding membership is now available
and read out
the membership section of the GI.
12.2 He proposed that the Management Committee should comprise the
current
members:-
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Dave Wilson President
Bob Dingle honorary Treasurer
Peter Kirby General Manager
Jorgen Faxholm
Jim Norton
Olof Lundberg
Colin Thomas
Marilyn Slade Financial Controller
Mark Allgar Commercial Manager
and in addition, as per the GI, two board members and nominated Don
Beattie G3BJ and
Phillip Brooks G4NZQ. The Board agreed with one abstention that both
should be
appointed to the Management Committee.
12.3 He went on to briefly describe that both the Board members are
equally capable of
doing the job, we each have our own style as to how we operate which
suits some and not
others and the Board members are different characters. He went on to
describe that in his
opinion parachuting someone into a role is never a good option and
continuity is
important.
12.4 He proposed that Phillip Brooks G4NZQ be appointed to Chair the
Management
Committee. At this point the 2 Board members left the room while the
Board discussed
the proposal. After considerable discussion the Board agreed by 4 votes
to 2 with 1
abstention that Phillip Brooks, G4NZQ will chair the Committee but, in
line with the
revised GI199, the appointment will be reviewed at the end of the year.
12.5 See note 6.10 above regarding a corresponding member.
13. Re-Appointment of Honorary Officers and Committee Chairmen
13.1 A paper GI7/92 had been previously circulated by the General
Manager.
13.2 It was noted that Angus Annan had resigned as MC Chairman. Ed
Taylor had
changed address, the effectiveness of AROS was discussed, and John Gould
G3WKL had
resigned as HF Manager and the post has been advertised. Contest
Trophies Manager is
Simon Wilson, M0BOX, Trophies Manager position is still vacant.
13.3 The Technical and Environmental Portfolio Holder suggested that a
succession
review should be put in place to ensure we have succession options
identified for office
holders.
13.4 Other than the comments above all Honorary Officers and Committee
Chairmen
were approved for 2011.
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14. National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park - Update
14.1 A paper had been previously tabled by the General Manager and the
Technical and
Environmental Portfolio Holder. He said that there had been a meeting
with Umbrella
and the lease debate continues.
14.2 The General Manager said that Bletchley Park has encouraging plans
for future
development and that the NRC formed part their plans.
14.3 There was considerable discussion about the viability of the
project and whether it
should continue if the lease problem was not resolved. The Board decided
to withhold
authorisation for the rest of the fit-out until the lease position and
final fit-out costs were
known and the further budget information requested in item 9 were
available.
14.4 It was mentioned that searching for the NRC on the web led straight
to the Society
website with no further link.
Action: General Manager to instruct the web master.
15. Membership Survey update
15.1 The Spectrum Portfolio Holder tabled a paper at the meeting and
described the
initial results/weighting factors. Some discussion took place around
those weighting
factors and the analysis of the 1500 or so textual inputs.
15.2 He will provide an interim report for the March meeting.
Action: Spectrum Holder to produce interim report for March National
Council meeting
16. IARU Matters
16.1 The Chairman said there will be a meeting on 29th especially about
2025 initiative
and the RSGB membership in the IARU.
16.2 It will be necessary to review the papers for the IARU Region 1
conference.
Action: President to convene IARU committee meeting to review
Conference papers and make recommendation to the March Board
17. AOB
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17.1 The Spectrum Portfolio Holder mentioned the RSGB Convention and
that there
would be a conflict with a contest and suggested a contest station at
the event. The
Technical and Environmental Portfolio Holder expressed doubts as to
whether a
demonstration station at the Convention really was of interest to those
attending. He also
felt that a firm programme is needed by April/May.
17.2 The General Manager said the problem with Icom had been fully
resolved and that
they are fully supportive of the Convention and had other promotional
ideas.
17.3 Technical and Propagation Studies Committee Portfolio Holder asked
about Beacon
Funding.
Action: President to submit Funding application to MC
17.4 There being no other business the President thanked all those
attending and closed
the meeting at 1645.
18. Confirmation of date and venue of next meeting.
The next meeting will be on Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th March
2011 at the
Holiday Inn Sandy commencing at 2000 on Friday preceding the National
Council
Meeting which will commence at 1330 on Saturday.
o-o-o-O-o-o-o

[gareth]

"Frank K" <fk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9EEC5A1BE18A...@94.75.214.90...

> 6.11 Revision of bylaws to amend the requirement for publication of the
> Board
> Minutes previous item 6.2h. Action by Company Secretary and General
> Manager. The
> Board decided that this should be done in time for the March RadCom. The
> reasons for
> the change will be drafted jointly by the Technical and Environmental,
> Spectrum and
> ETCC Portfolio Holders and that the amendment to the bylaw should be
> drafted by the
> Company Secretary.
> Action: the Technical and Environmental, Spectrum and ETCC Portfolio
> Holders
> to draft an information note for RadCom explaining the discontinuing of
> the
> publication of the full Board minutes on the website.
> Action: The Company Secretary to draft the amendment to the bylaw
> withdrawing the publication of the full Board minutes on the website and
> substituting them with a digest.

The RSCB compares to the novel, "Animal Farm" with every succeeding minute
by amending the laws to suit the interests of those currently in power.

Animal Farm, or a totalitarian undemocratic approach?

[gareth]

"Frank K" <fk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9EEC5A1BE18A...@94.75.214.90...

> 14.3 There was considerable discussion about the viability of the
> project and whether it
> should continue

Well, there's a thing!

After all the discussion in this NG about the preposterous garden shed
that is the NRC, now the RSCB are seriously considering scrapping it.

Which director or directors will reach into their own pockets to
reimburse the membership when (not "if"!) it is scrapped?

[gareth]

"Frank K" <fk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9EEC5A1BE18A...@94.75.214.90...

> 10.1.1 The Regional Director advised the ARDC Portfolio Holder that the
> Regional
> Council had asked about reduced fees for re-sits. The ARDC Portfolio
> holder described
> that the costs of producing a re-sit paper were essentially the same as

> for the initial paper*****

Any pretence that the RCF is a charity independent of the RSCB is thereby
cast to the 4 winds.

***** Actually only 10p, the cost of photocopying, as the RSCB vaunt time
and again as to how all the real work is done by volunteers

[Len GM0ONX]

Available to ALL members so not that restricted. Poor troll!

http://www.rsgb.org/membersonly/information/minutes/index.php

[A. non Eyemouse]

In article <ir8a3v$5fp$2...@dont-email.me>, gm0...@gooooooglemail.com
says...

>
> Available to ALL members so not that restricted. Poor troll!
>

Probably the same poor troll responsible for these:

From: Fred <M...@yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: uk.radio.amateur
Subject: RSGB AGM will anyone be webcasting the meeting?

From: HRH <Jo...@btinternet.com>
Newsgroups: uk.radio.amateur
Subject: What does G8OSN bring to AROS

From: John <JMj...@easynet.com>
Newsgroups: uk.radio.amateur
Subject: £10,000 damages awarded for internet libel

From: David Hunt <dh...@yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: uk.radio.amateur
Subject: BBC TV 'See you in court' - a guide to suing

From: MJ <mj...@hotmail.co.uk>
Newsgroups: uk.radio.amateur
Subject: Walt G3NYY at the RSGB AGM but no report?

From: John <js...@yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: uk.radio.amateur
Subject: Why RSGB chose Bletchley Park

> http://www.rsgb.org/membersonly/information/minutes/index.php
Already seen it thanks Len. Also the June newsletter - some celebrities
in the pictures ;)

--
Mouse.
Where morse meets house.