Minutes of MARCO's Annual Meeting, March 20, 2015

MARCO Annual Membership Meeting

March 20, 2015

The annual Membership Meeting of the Medical Amateur Radio Council was held on March 20, 2015 at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, California.

Present were Malin Dollinger (KO6MD), Arthur Kahn (W6NJY), Jay Garlitz (AA4FL), Bernard Krasowski (KD5QHV), Linda Krasowski (KE5BQK), T. "Chip" Keister (N5RTF), Bruce Small (KM2L), Joe Breault (WB2MXJ), Paul Lukas (N6DMV), President Jeffrey Wolf (K6JW), Newsletter Editor Warren Brown (KD4GUA), and MediShare Director Arnold Kalan (WB6OJB).

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM, PDT.

Those in attendance introduced themselves.

In the absence of the Secretary, the minutes of the last meeting were read by N5RTF and approved.

The Secretary's report was presented by Jeff due to the absence of Secretary Marcia Lochner. The report included three donations to MediShare. There are 221 members of MARCO, including 20 with complementary membership. We have 124 paid up members. The President does not have the names of those who are in arrears. The Secretary has reserved a block of rooms for MARCO during Hamvention at the Clarion in Dayton.

The Treasurer's report was presented by Jeff due to the absence of Treasurer Mary Favaro (AE4BX). Due to Mary's efforts, MARCO's funds were transferred from the account formerly managed by the late WA1HGE to a Wells Fargo Bank near Mary's home. MARCO's principal officers are all now signatories. MARCO's General Fund balance as of March 6, 2015 was $11,600.73. The Medishare account balance as of March 6, 2015 was $6074.18. AA4FL clarified that the disbursement to him listed as “expedition” was, in fact, reimbursement of the fees for hosting our web domains. WB6OJB indicated that his figure ($775: see below)) for member contributions did not agree with the amount reported. It was not clear what fiscal year was used in the Treasurer's calculation.

The status of the Secretary was discussed. Our by-laws specify that officers must be regular members of MARCO. Marcia, the current Acting Secretary, is not a licensed amateur radio operator, and thus is not eligible. She was informally appointed Assistant Secretary last year and has filled the role since the resignation of W4DAN from the Secretary's position. A motion to formally appoint Marcia Lochner as Assistant Secretary was made, seconded, and carried. At the MARCO Membership in 2016, it will be necessary to elect a Secretary who is a regular (i.e., licensed) member.

N5RTF moved that we appoint N7NLN as Director for the 7^th call area. This motion passed. K6JW indicated that he would contact him to be certain that he would accept the position.

MediShare report: WB6OJB reported that since the last meeting, donations to MediShare totaled $775.

Aether and Grand Rounds Report: KD4GUA would like more radio-oriented submissions to the newsletter. He will recognize those donating $100 or more to MediShare in the Newsletter, although will not list the specific amounts donated. Those receiving the .pdf copy of the Aether gave it a positive review, and he will continue to mail it via our email list. KE5BQK suggested that one issue per year contain an envelope for members to use to donate to MediShare. KD4GUA was concerned that this would increase our postal cost. The issue was deferred and left unresolved. K6JW recognized Warren for his reliable, high-quality work in producing both the Newsletter and Grand Rounds.

Web Committee: The MARCO Website is edited and managed by Dave NT8E, and KM2L should not be listed as “Webmaster” in MARCO's publications. Discussion ensued over the listing of a Webmaster as opposed to the Web Committee. The issue was not actually resolved, and it appears that KM2L will be listed as Webmaster until resolution can be obtained. The Web Committee has, over the years, received misdirected email intended for Medi-Share, a health insurance company. AA4FL set up an auto-forwarding response, so that these communications go to the proper recipient without our intervention. The software also sends notification of the forwarding to the original sender. So far, this has worked well. KM2L continues to maintain MARCO's blog.

Radio-Internet Coordinator report: N5RTF provides streaming audio of Grand Rounds when he can hear net control. Bobbie W1BEW acts as an alternate receiving site. KM2L also hosts a Skype conference call and patches in the audio of the lecture as heard at his station. N5RTF also acts as net control for the CW net that precedes Grand Rounds. He states that there are usually about four check-ins.

Old Business: None.

New Business:

WB6OJB relayed a request for support by MediShare from “Shoulder-to-Shoulder.” This organization runs a dental clinic in an underserved area of Honduras. MARCO Director Roger W8CRK will be volunteering there later this year, and initiated the request for support. It was moved by AA4FL and seconded by KE5BQK that we donate $250 to support W8CRK's effort, with a request that he provide feedback after his return. The motion was carried.

AA4FL shared a number of his thoughts about the organization's future. He stated that it is important to attract younger membership, and that our weekly on-air lecture series may not be appealing to this group. Medical/Dental DXpeditions may be a way to introduce younger practitioners to ham radio. Jay may be involved in a 2016 expedition to Kiritimati along with a Brazilian group and Pacific Medical Aid.

Another thought is to involve MARCO, perhaps through ARRL, with academically-affiliated hospitals to assist in developing emergency communications capability.

AA4FL also recommended that MARCO become involved in social media. He moved that we establish a Facebook group, to be maintained by the Web Committee.. This motion was passed.

N5RTF moved that MARCO establish a $500 scholarship for licensed ham operators who are applying for graduate-level training in the medical arts. This would be run through the ARRL. This motion was passed. AA4FL will contact ARRL on this matter.

N5RTF suggested that we set up a Paypal button on our web pages for MediShare donations. The details will be worked out by the Web Committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 PDT on KD5QHV's motion.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 29, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

Back from La La Land....THIS SUNDAY WE RESUME "GRAND ROUNDS" WITH A TALK ON "HYPO-THYROIDISM."    With 60% of Americans walking around overweight we wonder just how many are  hypothyroid?

We will also attempt to give you some information on what went on at the Annual meeting in L.A.   Tune in should be fun time.  

NO MARCO Grand Rounds on March 22!

THERE WILL BE NO FORMAL NET THIS SUNDAY, JUST  A RAG-CHEW, VOX POX--AS WE WILL BE THROWING THINGS AROUND IN L.A.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 15, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL DISCUSS, BY DEMAND, "MELATONIN."

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 8, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "Should doctors screen for Testosterone deficiency in Men?"  For details see American Family Physician, Feb. 15th 2015 a controversy that demands attention in today's world....tune in for a roller-coaster ride.....

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 8, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday, we will discuss “Crohn’s Disease” and “Ulcerative Colitis” by request.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 1, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will finish the discussion on “PTSD” (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 25, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY, BY REQUEST, WE WILL TACKLE A TOUGH SUBJECT, “POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME.” ALIAS “SHELLSHOCK,” “BATTLE FATIGUE.”  

7% OF CIVILIAN MALES AND 9.7%OF CIVILIAN FEMALES SUFFER FROM THIS  CONDITION—THIS RISES TO 10% OF MILITARY IN WW II AND 830,000 IN VIETNAM CONFLICT—ABOUT 1 IN 7.  WHAT’S GOING ON?  HOW CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE FROM THOSE ACTUALLY SUFFERING AND THOSE LOOKING FOR GAIN?  IS THERE A TREATMENT THAT WORKS OR ARE WE CHASING RAINBOWS?  TUNE IN AND ADD YOUR KNOWLEDGE

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 18, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL DISCUSS: “HOW TO PROJECT INTELLIGENCE” or “how to get the most attention when you teach and not make a fool of yourself (hint: wear glasses)…Should you put your hands in your pockets or wave them around like a flag? 

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 11, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL HAVE A TREAT….IN 1994, DR. BOB CURRIER, PROF. OF NEUROLOGY AT THE UNIV. OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL SCHOOL WROTE A PAPER, “A Two-and-a-Half Color Rainbow,” which was printed in the “Archives of Neurology, Nov. 1994, Vol. 51.”   He autographed it with the inscription, “To Warren Brown with thanks & best wishes, Bob Currier.”  

Bob left us about 13 years ago but he left a most favorable remembrance.  (In fact, it was he who lassoed me into siding with him giving the every-other week talks on Grand Rounds, “Warren, you have an ideal location on the West Coast of Florida, you simply head your antenna NW and you  cover the entire country whereas they have a heck of a time hearing me in Mississippi and in Michigan.”   It was all true and you have been stuck with me ever since.  

Well, anyway, the talk will be on “Red-Green Deficiency” of which Bob was one of the 8% of Caucasian males who suffered from it.  In fact, his radio history relates back to this defect, eliminating him from flight training in WW II to radioman and gunner on a B-17 in Italy.  If everyone behaves, I will attempt to find Bob’s talk on Grand Rounds which was taped about 1998 and play it, if you wish, this Sunday.  

Bob was Marco’s “Walter Cronkite.”  Sunday will be his remembrance day.

Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 19 to 21.

From MARCO President Jeff Wolf K6JW:

    We're into the new year and it's time to make your reservations for 
the MARCO Annual Meeting in Los Angeles in March. Full information about 
the meeting is available at http://www.spacebraid.com/MARCO.html or on 
the MARCO website. The hotel may be called directly at 310-318-8888 or 
800-368-976. When you call, be sure to let them know that you're with 
MARCO to get the group rate.As of this date, several rooms are still 
available.
    Finally, if you have not let me know that you're planning to attend, 
please do so as soon as possible. This will help me as I arrange for 
catering of our meeting and banquet, and for attendance at the Saturday 
field trip to the Nethercutt Museum and Collection.
    Happy new year to all!

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 4, 2015

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion on “chronobiology.”  Recently we have found the body has not one Circadian  clock but many—are we regressing into Chinese Yin and Yang?  Did the Chinese in 500 BC discover what we have discovered now in the 21st Century?  For dessert we will throw in “Jet Lag,” is it more prone flying to Europe or in returning and what effect has the jet stream on the jet set.

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 28, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS AN INTERESTING SUBJECT, NO, NOT THE BODY CLOCK BUT THE BODY CLOCKS. We have found that the liver has a body clock, the heart has a body clock, the gut has a body clock etc.  For example:  You can’t have oxidative and reductive reactions occurring in the same place and time.  If we have time we can discuss how these affect the absorption of drugs and at what time taken do we get the best drug results—I think I have stirred your dandruff—tune in for a “flake out."

Annual Meeting Update

From Jeff K6JW:

This is an update on room availability at the Crowne Plaza for the March 2015 MARCO annual meeting. Of the 10 room block, five have now been reserved reserved by members planning to attend. This leaves five guaranteed rooms in the block. The hotel will make additional rooms available to us if we need more than 10, as long as they have the rooms available to do so. In consideration of this, if you're planning to attend and want a guaranteed room, it would be a good idea to reserve now. For meeting and reservation information, check the meeting web page at http://www.spacebraid.com/MARCO.html or the MARCO website.

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 14, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL DISCUSS “SCHIZOPHRENIA.”  (Bring your better half.)  Did you realize that  traveling by steamboat was considered the height of comfort.  Passenger cabins were not numbered.  Instead they were named after states.  To this day cabins on ships are called “staterooms.”

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 8, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

TO THOSE WHO ARE GETTING OLDER—good news—we will discuss “Why Everything You Know About Aging is Probably Wrong.”  Many difficulties younger adults expect to face in later life are not  affecting the vast majority of older Americans.  In other words, today is really the youngest day of the rest of your life.  The information is taken from a summation of recent meta-analysis which was taken from Anne Tergesen’s article that appeared in the Dec. 1st edition of the WSJ  AND, by the way.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 30, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL DISCUSS THE LATEST CONTROVERSY “Is the epidemic of obesity due to the low fat high carbohydrate diet?”  If we have time, we will throw in “Man vs. Robot” who wins?  And remember:  “Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.”  The Newsletter went in the mail today so if you didn’t get the on-line copy, you will soon get the hard copy.

Tune in and help us break the attendance record of 51 stations.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 23, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss “In the gut: The mix of Bacteria can affect your weight.”  We have all heard about fecal transplants healing C-Dif in resistant cases, now a new phase of medicine is appearing—tune in should be fun….and remember LIFE is sexually transmitted.  

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 9 and 16, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

NEXT SUNDAY, NOV.th I will be in Washington D.C. but will return the following week at which time the topic will be ACOUSTIC NEUROMA.  Therefore, it will be VOX POX  Voice of the People Week, tune in try and behave….some one keep tabs on check ins so we can award proper CME awards come January.

Thanks to Bruce and the rest of the group we had an interesting discussion on “Ebola” today.  If you missed it, try http/www.reliastream.com/cast/start/keister

….Chip, N5RTF, taped it.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 26, 2014

From Warren KD4GUA:

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL DISCUSS “MYASTHENIA GRAVIS,” “NO DOCTOR THAT LADY IS NOT WINKING AT YOU!”