Meeting Minutes
Torch Club of the Fox Valley
12 November 2020
Virtual
Notes taken by: Mary Flanagan
Attendees: Sue Bennett, Nancy Bodway, Brian Bushaw, Terri Daugherty, Mary Flanagan, Paul Freiberg, Walt Hedges, Barbara Kelly, Bill Kelly, Mary Poulson, Richard Schoenbohm, Kris Stahl, Robert Swain, Peter Thiel, Scott Valitchka
BUSINESS MEETING
Paul called the meeting to order at 6:16 PM.
October's minutes were approved by consensus.
Treasurer's report from Barb:
Beginning balance in account: $2,853.07
Dues paid: +150.00
Current balance: $3,003.07
A $20 over payment of dues will be refunded to Scott and Jan.
The treasurer's report was accepted by consensus.
Barb gave an update on Peter that she received from his daughter, Lisa Campbell. Peter was being treated for edema in his legs when an infection was discovered. He has been in ThedaCare Hospital in Neenah on an IV antibiotic treatment which will need to continue for five to six weeks. They are currently looking for a temporary place to move him since Touchmark cannot handle the IV antibiotic treatment. Peter would appreciate being able to look at an orchid during his treatment. Barb has not yet found anyone that can deliver an orchid to the hospital. Nancy talks to him daily and can provide future updates.
Paul noted that our officer terms will expire in April 2021. A nominating committee will be formed next year to select new officers.
At the national level all members received competing emails from IATC president, Dorthy Driskell and IATC board member, Walter van Eck concerning allegations of conduct. Paul contacted IATC and said the issue involves van Eck claiming that the process for editing a Torch magazine article was not followed. Driskoll and the Torch magazine editor say it was followed correctly.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Paul announced that the Toastmaster International Speech Contest will be held virtually this year making it more accessible for everyone.
The business meeting adjourned at 6:31.
Walt presented “Radar. How Would We Ever Live Without It?”
Without the development of radar, we would probably be speaking German as a second language and have a much more fascist government than we do today. Radar spawned the greatest and most enduring espionage cooperation in history and is largely responsible for our life style today.
No technology happens before its time, but when it does come to its fruition, dedication and necessity dictate the spread of its development into a mature technology.
Even though the Atomic Bomb has had more flash and press coverage, radar can arguably be considered the most important technological discovery to come out of WWII. If the spinoffs alone are considered, radar is at the heart of many of our technical advances since the War, and to a large part is responsible for our daily life styles. Transistors, microwave ovens, cell phones, travel, space exploration, and health procedures and testing to name just a few.
Contrary to what popular media and movies would have you believe, there is no set date of the discovery of radar. Many people across many countries noticed radio reflections and their uses, but they never developed the technology. The technology was developed in WWII’s Wizard War principally by the US, England, and Germany.The necessity was to save Britain from the Fascist takeover of Europe. That endeavor, fortunately, was started by Lady Astor and her well known social events. The cooperation of Britain and the US, which started during WWII, has grown and matured through the “Cold War” to the present.
The story of radar was largely very technical and complex both during and after WWII. There are some amazing stories of deeds and discovery. The exploits of these highly intelligent and dedicated people postwar are truly notable.
Our current lifestyle is owed to these few people. As Churchill stated, “So much is owed by so many to so few.”
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.