On 8 Dec 2003 at 19:38, Scott Straw wrote:
> It is my recollection, and I'll admit that it is a bit fuzzy, the e-mails
> from that era long having been returned to that great SMTP Valhalla from
> whence they came, that the founding fathers of this SECC formed it on the
> premise that it would be an "un-club."
Scott, you sir, are 100% correct in your recollection!
The founding fathers wished for, and achieved, a "club" of
the most informal type. As close to a "paper club" as
possible - just organized enough to qualify to submit
scores in the club competitions.
> - There were to be no meetings, except the absolute minimum required to
> maintain good standing with the Contest Rules of the various organizational
> sponsors. Social events were to be encouraged, but not for the purpose of
> conducting business.
Yup, and the origin of the 2 meetings in one concept was to
reduce the number of meetings even further.
For those who don't recall this, we would convene a
meeting, and after a short period of time, that meeting
would adjourn, and a new meeting would immediately
commence. This was done so that only one physical
appearance was required to statisfy the 2-meeting-per-year
requirement of the ARRL for submission of scores by an
affiliated club.
Even further, any two members could call a meeting at any
time...specifically for maintaining meeting requirements.
We actually tried to figure out a way to have NO physical
meetings at all...this reflector was to be a constant
virtual meeting. We compromised with the 2 in 1 meetings.
The club had to adopt bylaws for acceptance by the ARRL as
an affiliated club. If there had been no requirement to
submit bylaws to the ARRL, we would never have had any.
They were never intended to be strictly adhered to IMO. I
think we just used some generic bylaws someone had, and
actually "loosened" 'em up a bit.
I remember W4WA, W4AN and myself discussing this before the
club was formed, and we all agreed that we didn't want to
have anything to do with any of the typical club political
bullshit.
> - Where allowable, all members were encouraged to pool their scores from
> the various events so as to create a team score that could be bring
> recognition, if not the envy of other clubs, to the membership.
THAT was the sole purpose of the SECC originally. Nothing
more, nothing less.
> I realize that we are now MUCH larger that we were in 1998, or 1999, or
> whenever it was that the club was formed, so maybe it is time we paid a
> visit to the old and dusty vaults where the original premises on which the
> club was founded are stored and ask ourselves, "where are we now, and is it
> where we want to be?"
Along the way, we've sponsored some plaques - pretty much
paid for by solicitations of the members after the club
itself had been solicited by contest sponsors. We've also
revived the GA QSO party. And I think there may be a club
callsign. Maybe some more formal activities that I'm
forgetting.
All of which may be fine, honorable, activities, but all of
which are counter to the original purpose of the club.
As far as my interests in the SECC, all I want is a place
to report my scores (whenever I do actually operate), as
the club was initially intended.
So, where does that leave all the other stuff:
Club meetings: I'm against 'em
Field Day: Sure, if someone wants to put it together
GA QSO Party: Ditto
Club Logo/QSL: Ditto
Club Call: I don't see the point.
New Membership activities: Absolutely, if someone wants to
volunteer
We *do* have a continuous virtual meeting in this reflector
and largely succeed in the original intent of the SECC,
with a bit of added "noise". Most of it I ignore, as do
some of the other original members...but if it grows too
loud, I'll totally drop out. That's not a threat - I mean,
I'm relatively inactive the past few years - just an
explanation of why some of the club OTs may disappear
(those that haven't already).
Thanks to Scott for bringing up the historical perspective!
73 de Lee
--
Lee Hiers, AA4GA
Cornelia, Georgia
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