Opening words …
Hello OARC members and subscribers. Time is flying by and I want to update you about a number of things.
February Member’s Meeting
Small Group Discussions about OARC Activities
We are gearing up for our first in-person Member’s Meeting on February 12, 2025 back at Scout Headquarters, 1345 Baseline Road. Masks are, of course, welcome. For more information, and details on how to get a free ticket (so we’ll know you’re coming), go to https://oarc.net/2025-02-12-february-members-meeting/
This will be the first of several member-feedback meetings. There will be no presentation and no zoom. We will be exploring together five key OARC activities in a series of small group discussions and sharing back what we heard before you leave. As time permits, we will also establish a timeline for next steps.
There will be at least 5 topics to be discussed at our February meeting so please be there. I am counting on you. We will have fun, I promise, and there will be drinks and snacks too. Here’s an example of the things we might discuss in our small groups:
Kit Building
Some of you have told me how much you have enjoyed our (very rare) kit-building activities but others have no idea what it’s all about. Some questions to think about:
- Have you ever participated in kit building?
- If not, what could the club do to entice you?
- Do you have some new ideas for kits?
- What would you say is your skill level?
- Do you have your own tools?
- How much would you be willing to spend on a kit?
- Would you be interested in a soldering course?
Builders’ Group
One new idea we’ve already heard is that we could start a “builders’ group” that gets together on a semi-regular basis to build stuff (including kits), fix stuff, have a coffee, and learn from each other. A builders’ group could:
- Bring together more experienced builders with newcomers to help them develop their building skills, share tips and tricks, offer advice about how to choose the right tools, and show how to use them;
- Feed into Home Brew Night https://oarc.net/homebrew-night/, by generating many more, and more innovative, projects to show off;
- Propose specific kits that the club could buy in bulk and re-sell to members at cost – this would offer significant savings;
- Deliver a group project or major initiative like up-fitting an Auxiliary Communications Trailer for use at Club and Public Service events; and
- Offer a space to share something you are currently building or fixing as an excuse to show-and-tell over coffee and a donut.
March Members’ Meeting
Small Group Discussions about our work with Community Partners
Our March meeting will again use small group discussions to gather your feedback on the work with do with our community partners, when we support their events and activities. Details to follow.
April Member’s Meeting
Home Brew Night
Our April meeting will be Home Brew Night. That may seem a long way off but, if you start right now, you will be rewarded for all your hard work by your peers and the esteemed judges (who will remain anonymous to avoid the possibility of bribery). It’s not only about the fun and bragging rights…there will be prizes too!
Memberships
A big thanks to the many people who have already renewed their memberships with our new online payment system! If you have not already done so, please visit https://oarc.net/join-the-oarc/ to join or renew now. Everyone needs to do this now so we have everyone in one system.
Planning and Budgeting
Are you feeling energized about the future of the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club? The Board is too! It has been working hard on developing our new strategic plan. Once finalized, it will guide our plans and budgets for the next three years. Stay tuned.
Last Updated on 2025-02-02 by AdminOARC