[Ncdxf-bod-sub] TX3X Chesterfield Island 2015 grant request

[Kip Edwards]

	Great job, Ned.  This one is easy:  W6SZN votes "Yes."

	73 Kip

-----Original Message-----
From: Ncdxf-bod-sub [mailto:ncdxf-bod-sub-bounces at kkn.net] On Behalf Of Ned Stearns
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2015 8:00 AM
To: ncdxf-bod-sub at kkn.net
Subject: [Ncdxf-bod-sub] TX3X Chesterfield Island 2015 grant request

Fellows,

I have received sufficient information for this group to evaluate the grant request from the TX3T Chesterfield Island DXpedition 2015. 
Attached are the Grant Application and the Budget Worksheet.

The DXpedition is scheduled to start on 2 October and run through 12 October. This is a seasoned team, with experienced leadership provided by Pista, HA5AO, and Les, W2LK. Finances for this project are managed by Gene, K5GS, with whom I have had the pleasure of working with on their VK9MT project last year. In addition to these fellow, the team currently consists of the following ops:

K6GFJ
W1SRD
WA6O
K6TD
ND2T
AA4NN
K6MM

All operators are contributors to NCDXF and even some are tireless servants of the Foundation.

The DXpedition web site can be found here:

http://chesterfield2015.pdxg.net/

Chesterfield Island joined the ranks as a DXCC entity in March 2000. It was activated in March 2000 by an international team using the call TX0DX. The island was activated again in 2004 with the NCDXF-funded team TX9. And the last operation from the island was by the two-man super team (AA7JV and HA7RY) signing TX3A in 2009. Chesterfield Islands are ranked #24 on the Clublog "Global" Most Wanted List. The island is listed as #26 in the DX Magazine's 2014 Most Wanted Survey with none of those above it on the list having been significantly visited by a DXpedition up to this time.

I have spoken with Gene about the details of trip and I have some additional information to consider.

The team will, once again, use the Evohe for transportation ( http://evohe.com/ ) captained by Steve Kafka. The Captain and crew managed a safe adventure to Mellish Reef in 2014 dodging some weather that developed during their stay. The Captain has stated that their scheduled trip will be complete several weeks before the start of Typhoon season.

Below is a letter sent to NCDXF explaining their budget and deficit management process:

"To NCDXF Board of Directors,

As we work through the planning and budgeting processes for TX3X I’d like to present this side letter as a further explanation and rationale for this budget and our deficit management.

We developed a fully integrated cloud based Log Search / OQRS / QSL-LoTW management application. Working with Tim M0URX we will share with him the confirmation process responsibilities and take advantage of Tim’s Royal Mail bulk mail postage discounts.

Tim agreed that all OQRS PayPal revenue will flow to our (TX3T) PayPal account. Furthermore, he agreed to use any money received with “Direct Mailed QSL” requests to pay for QSL printing, labels, envelopes and toner. Any shortfall will be paid by me from the budget. In other words, any net profit from QSLing goes to TX3X. Since this is a new process for Tim he requested that he not be listed as the QSL manager so TX3X Direct cards are not commingled with his other projects.

My current budget shows a shortfall of about $25,000(USD). I think we can close that shortfall by aggressively soliciting contributions and through our yet to used OQRS system / processes. The team has been advised about the possibility of a shortfall, and an increased operator fee, up to $9,000.

I’ve done several business cases around various OQRS – LoTW models and am confident we can yield the required additional revenue by doing our own cards and using the net income to offset the deficit. If there’s a windfall that exceeds the deficit we will return money to the major foundation donors using the following process:
-	Windfall profit amount above deficit divided by 2

-	50%  goes back to the team
-	50% apportioned to donors of $3,000 or more
         o	Apportionment based on their percentage of the total $3,000+ 
donation pool

   Please contact me if there are any questions or concerns.
	
								Sincerely,
								Original signed by Gene Spinelli"

AA7A recommendation:
This is a worthy project that is addressing one of the more needed DXCC. 
This is the right team with a solid plan. I can poke no holes in the budget and feel confident in suggesting that we grant $10K to the TX3X Chesterfield Island 2015 DXpedition.

Respectfully submitted,

Ned
AA7A
NCDXF Director


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