Website / Secretary Report (Stephen Adams)
- Club website (and two other sites under the same hosting account) was infected with malware as part of a large global WordPress attack affecting thousands of sites. Not a targeted hack.
- Host cleaned it enough to restore service temporarily, but residual issues caused resource over-use and account suspension of all three sites. Stephen continues to remediate the matter.
- Steve added a paid malware-protection / active-response subscription service. Provider is installing the protective software and will complete cleanup.
- Minutes from the prior meeting were never posted (site issues).
- Online voting of the dues increase was interrupted by the outage.
Membership Report (Greg Tesson)
- Prior year-end membership: 115. Current membership significantly higher (references to ~132 and ongoing growth; last 20–25 members are almost all new member and new flyers rather than renewals). +17 over this time last year.
- Strong praise for Greg’s outreach and welcoming style; he has personally contacted many prospects and is effective at converting them.
- Desire for better data on how new members find the club (trainer experiences, word-of-mouth, etc.). Plan: once website is restored, create a short survey / auto-email for new members. Greg can supply emails for follow-up.
- Interest in attracting younger members (example: a 10-year-old girl mentioned).
- Dual / family membership categories previously discussed and largely eliminated (youth already free or low-cost). Board had reviewed; membership vote still required on structural changes .
- First-time member, or those lapsed 5+ years can join with a one-year special rate discussed ($175 referenced in context of the dues package). Will be included in the final vote on structural changes
Dues Vote & Application Updates
- Online vote (cut short by website outage): 44 votes cast out of ~132 members; 35 in favor of the dues increase, 9 opposed.
- Standard annual membership moving to $250 (approved by the vote received).
- Youth / non-flying rates and first-time specials as above. Family membership effectively eliminated (no dollar amount previously attached). Life-member category retained with an asterisk / special handling; not fully resolved by board yet and will come off the standard application form.
- No renewals or new sign-ups possible while site is down.
- Paper applications still available; some members place them with recycled Model Aviation magazines.
- Clarification: new rates cannot be charged until formally approved; the $250 increase is considered approved based on the votes received. Other structural changes (family, life, etc.) still need clean membership ratification.
- Application form to be updated. Website to be updated. Pro-rated rates for late joiners to be finalized by BoD and put for vote at October meeting..
Treasurer’s Report (Wayne)
- Mowing: 21 mowings counted from October (prior fiscal year start) through August of current year—unusually heavy season. Cost remains $225 per mow. Fiscal year runs October–September. First mow of the current season ~30April; heavy rain/heat forced more frequent (sometimes weekly) mowing.
- Investment: $15,000 placed in a diversified portfolio. Finance Committee (six members), chaired by Ralph G, selected the pre-set portfolio. Monthly valuation updates to continue.
- Audit / compliance: Books are electronic and available for any member review. Club is 501(c)(3). Missouri nonprofit registration completed (2-year). Form 990 (postcard version) filed in October; income is well under the $50k threshold that would require a full Form 990 return. Constitution covers audit expectations. Any member may inspect records.
- No major objections to the report.
Field Committee / Maintenance (Terry)
- Field looks excellent (“like a park”).
- Donation of four embroidered star/flag items accepted with thanks (Ralph).
- Request for a Home Depot-style bucket lid for the sand bucket.
- Tree care / trimming needed before winter.
- Volunteer-mower stipend previously discussed (and minuted earlier): when multiple helpers appear, payment structure exists (e.g., references to $50 shares).
Officer Nominations (for October election)
- Positions open / under discussion: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer.
- Stephen Adams indicated interest in a different Officer role.
- Bart Asher interested in Officer role
- Secretary role needs a volunteer (duties simplified by phone recording + AI transcription; plus annual online filing of AMA documents, biennial state filing handed off to Treasurer).
- Treasurer: Wayne willing to continue if desired; open to competition.
- President: current incumbent open to re-nomination; additional nominations solicited.
- Process: Nominations close 03October. Online voting opens on 04October until midnight the night before the October meeting. Final voting collected from in-person members at the meeting. Results announced and new officers installed at the October meeting (they assume duties at the end of the meeting).
Upcoming Events / New Business
- Fun-Fly / Saturday event (largest annual event): Needs volunteers for concessions/food, parking (QR-code payment option discussed; , setup, and kid-activity tables. Judge John returning with new timer/clicker; Bob assisting with food tracking. Pilot meeting 8:30 a.m.; flying starts 9:00 a.m. CD/announcer will push pace. Flyer distribution requested (one per member at local spots—VFWs, hobby shops, etc.). Event already listed prominently on “What’s Happening in St. Charles.” Prizes and sponsor support strong (Mark Twain / Schaeffers gift cards, hats, toys for kids who color sheets, FRSky radio raffle, etc.).
- FRSky 14RS (24-channel dual-protocol 2.4 GHz / 900 MHz) radio raffle item: arrived, updated to latest OS + Lua scripts by Stephen; club contributed $150 toward a ~$330 street-value radio. Tickets expected $5–$10. Several club members already fly FRSky.
- Kid toy giveaway from Mark Twain / Schaeffers requires helpers.
- Pylon Racing: 19September (CD Stephen Adams); 17October final round (CD Steve Cross). (August heat-cancelled race noted.)
- Annual Bonfire & Night Fly at Gizzey Field: 10October—just show up and fly
- Fall Fly-In / Chili Cook-Out / Canned-Food Drive: 07November, 9:00 a.m. Need a volunteer to transport donations to the food pantry (decide at October meeting).
- Adjournment
- Meeting continued with informal discussion and wrap-up of remaining items. No formal motion to adjourn captured in the provided transcript excerpt.
Action Items
- Stephen: Complete website cleanup + malware subscription; setup online voting; update membership form; post prior minutes; prepare nomination ballot.
- Greg: Continue membership outreach; supply new-member contact list / help design survey.
- Wayne: Continue monthly investment updates; maintain electronic records.
- Field volunteers: Tree trimming; acquire new bucket; confirm mower-stipend documentation.
- All: Place fun-fly flyers; volunteer for Saturday event (food, parking, kid table); consider officer nominations / secretary role; decide food-pantry runner at October meeting.
- Event CDs: Finalize pilot briefings and logistics.
Minutes prepared from the supplied audio transcript. Some sections were conversational and overlapping; numbers and names reflect the clearest statements in the recording.
