President’s Report:

 Secretary: Ned, KD8FCB, reports we have issued 1,771 M-numbers. Current paid membership is 160, of whom we have only 84 e-mail addresses. It is very important to provide your email address for club use so we can contact you regarding membership.  Please let us know of error, change of address and/or T5W mailing problems.

 Treasurer: Stan, AC8W, reported $3724.97 in savings and in checking. The latest  Treasurer’s report will be published in the Summer T5W  $500 was spent for new club patches and $205 for Forever stamps.  We will purchase another batch of Forever stamps due to the upcoming postage increase.  He urged everyone to encourage others to join or renew.

 Weekly Net:  K8NWD says the weekly M-QRP net meets Tuesday evenings EDST at 9 p.m.  Check-ins vary, but with the recent change to Daylight Savings time conditions should be improving as far as check-ins from most of MI. It was suggested that the check-ins for the last several weeks be shown on the website – the last eight weeks should suffice.

 Contests/Awards: Hank, N8XX, reports there has not been a lot of M-QRP member activity in our sponsored contests.  Please make an effort to get on the air.  The next club contest is the Memorial Day Sprint.  If participation continues to be poor from club members we may consider dropping sponsorship. The four events we sponsor are the January Sprint, Memorial Day Sprint, 4^th of July Sprint and Labor Day Sprint.  This years January event conflicted with the NAQP on Saturday, so we will change to a Sunday only 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST time period.  See you on the bands.

 Webmaster: Scotty, KB8APS, reports The web site has been updated and reflects current change of address for club correspondence.  Please send articles and pictures so the site can be updated.  If you have any questions contact the webmaster Scotty at kb8aps@arrl.net

Monthly Breakfast Meeting The First Saturday Breakfast is now meeting at Walli’s on Center Road just south of I-69 in Flint.  Folks gather around 9 to 9:30 a.m.  Attendance has been averaging 10 to 15 and many show-and-tell projects have been seen.  The wives have been enjoying chatting and discussing crafts, etc. 

 FDIM:  M-QRP will be represented at the Dayton Hamvention and FDIM and will have some table space between QRP-ARCI and the G-QRP Club.

Old Business:

 Speaking of T5W, there have been many problems with damaged or destroyed copies and we are trying to address this issue with the Post Office.  K8NWD has changed the orientation of the mailing address page will seems to have helped. 

 Hank, K8DD, asked about a donation to QTH.com, our host for the web page.  AC8W says we sent a $60 donation last year.  Motion by K8DD to send another donation this year, second by NG8E, motion carried unanimously.

 Stan, AC8W, says we sold the last of the blue mugs this morning and wonders if we want to order more? 

Discussion.

Motion by W8XW, second by N8XX to purchase 144 new mugs in a different color. Motion carried.

New Business:

 A general discussion of minimalist items to sell for the club lead to a suggestion by Pete, WK8S, that we investigate a digital field strength meter kit.  A club in England did this project and have given artwork and permission to use to Pete.  WK8S, WB8ICN and KD8FCB will explore the cost of parts, circuit boards and packaging for a hundred kits.

 Along the same vein, Mike, WB8ICN, wondered if there is interest in a club “buildathon” using a small transceiver projects.  K8NWD thought is a good idea if someone wishes to spearhead the event.

 The question of using Paypal for club business was brought up.  K8DD has had good experiences with Paypal and QRP ARCI. 

Discussion. 

AC8W and K8DD will explore this as an option for membership and sales.

 President Tim told us that the State of Michigan requires three Directors.  We currently have one, Jerry, K8JRO. 

Discussion. 

Adding two more will require changing the By-laws.  W8XW read the portion of the By-laws which states that they can be amended as needed by the Board at any regular scheduled meeting.  President Tim called the Board to order and they voted unanimously to amend the By-laws to read three (3) directors.  Motion by K8DD, second by WB6NST to appoint Pete, WK8S and Ernie, W8XW, to be Directors in addition to Jerry, K8JRO.  Motion carried unanimously, congratulations!. 

 Scotty, KB8APS asked about ARRL Club affiliation.  K8NWD and KD8FCB take care of the annual report.

 Discussion

Make T5W available electronically.  WB8ICN has electronic versions and will send them to KB8APS for inclusion on the web site which will have the past two years issues posted after one year has past.

Announcements:

 Ron, N8KBG, tells us that Oleg, RV3GM, who will be speaking at FDIM, will be visiting the Blossomland ARA on Thursday, May 21 after Dayton Hamvention.  WB8ICN says an announcement will be in the Spring T5W.

 Stan, AC8W, thanked N8KBG for donating a CW Keyer and a digital frequency counter to the club.  Any proceeds will go to MI-QRP

 Ernie, W8XW, volunteered to create a Yahoo group that would be open only to paid members and have the current and past issues of T5W. KD8CB will supply current membership lists to Ernie on a quarterly basis.

 Discussion. 

Motion by W8XW second by K8DD, motion carried unanimously.

 Jerry, K8JRO tells us that Josephine (Jo) Caverly, wife of Denny from Dentronics passed away on Friday the 13^th.  Our condolences.

 Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.