X-Message-Number: 521 Date: 03 Nov 91 00:44:46 EST From: "Russell E. Whitaker" <> Subject: CRYONICS Minutes: Alcor UK 6 October 91 Minutes of the Alcor UK meeting, 6 Oct 1991 Held at the home of Alan Sinclair "The Thatched Cottage" Jevington Road Wannock Nr. Polegate East Sussex BN26 5NX England Meeting began at 1105. Present were: Russell E. Whitaker Alan Sinclair Mike Price Garret Smyth Steve Whitrow Chris Benatar First order of business was a short discussion of agenda. 1.) Alan stated that he has an unsatisfactory picture of the number of UK inquiries to Alcor (Southern California) and subsequent signups. We need the figures from Alcor. We should arrange communication with Alcor SC so that we are notified when ASC sends info to a prospect in the UK. If a person has gone as far as to request a signup kit, we should know. 2.) Garret Smyth suggested that we should order some extra copies of the back issues of *Cryonics* magazine from Alcor; we would then have more material to send to membership prospects, i.e. anyone ASC is in contact with here. Sending one or two magazine samples would serve to reinforce the knowledge that the recipient is dealing with a local organization. Some suggestions were made with regard to cover letters and other material to be included. 3.) We should formalize our relationship with Alcor U.S. Doing so would be appropriately professional, and establish an explicit framework within which to approach mutual dealings with them. 4.) A questionnaire was suggested, to be included with a proposed "local introduction packet". 5.) The bulk of the time of the meeting was devoted to issues of pressing financial concern. The centerpiece of the discussion was the issue of financing for the Alcor UK facility in nearby Eastbourne. A small association of private investors is to buy out one-half interest in the facility, thus taking a considerable financial burden off Alan. A half-dozen parties to the agreement - several individuals, including some present at the meeting, and Alcor Southern California - have raised the necessary funds. The primary delay in executing the paperwork was the uncertain location of the originals to the agreement; the documents had, it appeared, been lost by Federal Express in transit to a signatory in Northern California. Tracing the documents was proving impossible. Several options for successfully and quickly sending a second set were discussed, with a decision pending further phone calls to ASC and the Northern California investor. 6.) Brief discussion of the terms of the agreement followed, for the benefit of those at the meeting who were new, and to inform a new arrival who had decided some weeks previously to participate in the investment partnership. Of particular note was the section of the agreement which limited initial ownership to Alcor Suspension Members, and Alcor Southern California. Another noteworthy section "locks in" partnership for a period of 5 years. These and other considerations are intended to insure that participants have a personal, relatively long-term interest in the success and upkeep of the facility. 7.) Some brief discussion of the need to upgrade and practice basic medical skills. Only one member present with medical training and experience, Russ Whitaker. Russ stated that he will train local members on emergency response skills. Alan Sinclair offered to reimburse all or some of the cost of sending a dedicated local member through the U.K. equivalent of American "emergency medical technician" training. Russ will check on course tuition for various levels of medical training at local schools and polytechnics (London area). Garret states an interest in taking such a course. 8.) Several people voice the opinion that a simple, regular, locally produced newsletter would raise our visibility with local members and prospects. Such an effort might help to draw together the local membership, as does *Cryonics* magazine for the global membership. A suggestion is made to initially restrict the newsletter to 1 (one) double sided A4 page (European standard). This would make it easier to actually publish the letter, and keep down postage costs. Offers are made by both Russ Whitaker and Chris Benatar to allow the use of their computer equipment and printers. Russ has a PC clone, 80386, and a Macintosh network, both running Aldus PageMaker; Chris has a PC network. Both have laser printers. Action on this item deferred until next meeting. Provisional first article in first issue to be a piece by Garret Smyth describing the quite favorable reception given him at a gathering of undertakers and embalmers; another to mention the recent interview of him by the BBC. 5.) Some discussion of pagers and a telephone tree. Proposed by Russ to establish the first rudiments of a systematic and quick response capability. Alan and Russ volunteer to buy their own pagers. 6.) Discussion of state of equipment in the facility, medical equipment suppliers, dry ice suppliers. A note is made that the only place locally at which re-usable medical instruments can be sterilized is Guy's Hospital on London's South Bank (Thames/Embankment area). 7.) Alan and Garret note that Mike Darwin of ASC should be asked to send a copy of recent updates to the transport protocols, such as administrative paperwork, checklists, changes to medications, etc. 8.) Skills practice session tentatively scheduled for next meeting, with emphasis on skills taught to U.K. members during the last training visit of Jerry Leaf and Mike Darwin. Russ to help out. 9.) Alan suggests finding out from Alcor how much they would charge to sell us a patient storage dewar. A suggestion is made by Russ that the interest be confined at present to one Bigfoot dewar; Alan, however, expresses interest in Dr. James Bedford's pre-transfer dewar. 10.) The UK facility needs a dry ice container. Some questions arise: e.g. how long can we keep dry ice stored, and by what method? Local members will seek the expert advice of Mike Darwin and Hugh Hixon. 11.) Alan passed around a fax sent from Dr. Ralph Merkle in Palo Alto, California, outlining a visit he will make to London, for a week in early December. Dr. Merkle mentions his availability during the visit for discussions on nanotechnology and cryonics; Garret and Russell will make arrangements for him to speak at various places. 12.) Some discussion about the upcoming BBC youth-oriented science series, "Short Circuit", which may air soon. One episode is believed to feature cryonics. 13.) *Cryonics* magazine and the new Alcor introductory booklet will be placed by some local members in various bookshops, and in a few key libraries. Possibilities for sales are in shops such as London's Forbidden Planet, which carry a variety of material, such as the magazine "Mondo 2000". Placing the material in a library, such as the British Museum Library, would create a card catalog entry for "cryonics", which might be at least a marginal help: many of Alcor's present members are people who followed quite tenous trails to find Alcor. 14.) Some discussion is made about UK and European requirements for shipping patients. Most notable is the necessity of securing "Freedom >From Infection" certificates for UK shipping. Such a consideration warranted Alan's decision to have our patient shipping container purpose-built to comply with these guidelines. The container itself was built to Alan's specifications by a subcontractor to British Oxygen. Discussion on the state of shipping from continental Europe was shelved until a subsequent meeting; agreement was had that our focus should rest solely on local capability, after which the continentals could be more carefully considered. An interesting point was made in passing, however, that Alan plans modification to the ambulance engine and fuel tanks to allow for a greatly extended range. Such a range would take advantage of the easier access to Europe made possible by the Channel Tunnel (or "Chunnel"), roughly a year from completion. Meeting ended at 1615, and all present went to the Eastbourne facility, to allow the new local member, a Yank - Russell Whitaker - to take a first look. Respectfully submitted, Russell Earl Whitaker Recording Secretary Distribution: 1.) Electronic mail (email) copy to Alcor, for printing and distribution at 3 November 91 ASC board meeting 2.) Fax copy to Alcor Southern California 3.) Post to Usenet "cryonet" forum 4.) Fax to Alan Sinclair 5.) Electronic (diskette) distribution at 3 November 91 AUK meeting Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=521