President Mickelson called the meeting to order at `12:00 noon at our regular meeting place.

Members present were: W5UHQ, KD8SCL,NL7CF, W8ATA, KD8DZ, WD8BBE, W8TNI, W8NM,AC8GI,K8MTR,KD8TIZ, K8EM,WD8JOP,KD8TNR, W3HKK, KD8TNS, K8NQ, AND N8DFQ.

The treasurer reported that we have $650.34 on hand with net obligations of $30.00 for exam rebates. The amount shown on the Februrary was incorrect and has been updated to be consistent with the latest figures.

Bob W3HKK gave a synopsis of Cooken contesting achievements in the past couple of months.  That info is available elsewhere on the cooken website.

Kudos to all the hard line contesters that have brought Cooken up to world class competion levels.  Despite that fact, COOKEN seeks to have fun at all it's events and does not get too serious and scare away the newbies. All members and guests are always welcome at our special events and contest entries.

K8NQ gave an overview of upcoming ARES events.

March 16 is the Ohio ARES leadership conference at the Ohio EOC.

March 22 is a severeweather seminar at OSU. http://www.geography.osu.edu/metclub/symposiuminformation.htm

March 23 is an advanced spotters training session at the Bethesda Med Center in Cinci.  See Bob KD8DIZ for carpooling.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/advanced.php

March 27 in SKYWARN basic training in Licking County at 1800 County Admin Building. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/training.php

April 12 need 4-5 volunteers for a Medical Disaster Training Drill.

June 8  Tour de cure.  Always need volunteers.

June 22-23  is ARRL Field Day.

K8EM and KD8DZ briefed on the upcoming Arbor Day at Dawes Aboreturm.  It was moved and adopted that COOKEN participate again this year.  It will be on Saturday April 27th this year. We will likely partner with Third Sun Solar in demonstrating how ham radios can be powered in an emergency.

There was again some discussion on a general upgrade.  Since there were no firm takers, we will likely wait until our once a year free exam at the beginnning of our fiscal year in July after all the upcoming activities in April , May, and June which are always busy club months.

Mike KD8DZ, Weldon K8NQ, and Russ W8ATA,  gave an excellent presentation on what tools, literature,  and equipment should be in every new hams shack.

The meeting broke up at 1400.