Friday evening saw the 56th Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society AGM take place and there was a fair turnout, although as ever, more would have been appreciated. You can't really have much of a say in how the Society is run if you don't turn up for the AGM, but I was pleased to see most everybody that plays an active role in Society business either in the room or on Zoom. There were a couple of members who were duly excused due to being on holiday.
Overall, it was an uncontentious and generally successful evening. The only fights that broke out were over the chocolate digestives.
Before I go on, I would like to thank Alan G8YKV and Stella M6ZRJ for holding court on the top table. Both did a good job of getting business completed. Chris M7VJE succeeded in wrestling the projector into submission (I think it's time that thing went in the bin), and although he was probably a bit frustrated that the hardware didn't play ball, the Zoom attendees both got to participate, which was the main point. Well done for persevering.
It was great to see Ken and Russell amongst others at the hall, as well as having our RSGB Region 10 Rep. in attendance, one Keith Bird G4JED. Nice to meet Keith, and thank you for your kind remarks regarding the website.
A functional committee was elected, albeit with three vacancies, the most notable of which was the position of Hon. Programme Secretary.
Personally, I don't think it's fair for one person to be lumbered with organising everything everywhere all at once (see what I did there?!) so a plea to all members - pull your finger out, and see if you can't individually find a speaker to give an interesting talk one evening. We only really need 4 or 6 decent talks a year, so come on. You can surely manage that between you!
The other big news regarding the committee is that we have a new chairman! Fantastic news, and I'm really pleased that Chris M7VJE has taken on the role. I for one will be very happy to give him my support going forward.
Following on from that, we should thank Sue G6YPY for doing her bit as Programme Secretary last year, to Peter G4AKG of course as our outgoing Chairman (always a pleasure dealing with Peter) and also to Mike G8KMP who stood down from his committee position as Membership Secretary after countless years of service to the society. A very tasteful engraved goblet was presented to Mike with the Society's thanks.
A couple of other reprobates were jointly awarded the much coveted G5RV trophy, so well done to Phil G4UDU for his sizeable contribution in the last 12 months. You can prize it out of my grip in six months time.
One final thanks to everyone else who served on the committee last year, as well as all those who regularly join our radio nets, contribute content for the website, those who generously donated to the hardware fund this year and everyone else that continues to support the future of the Society by signing up as members each year. Without you, we're just talking to ourselves.
I'll post a proper committee update on the website once they officially take office on 1st April.
Regards,
Berni M0XYF
