X-Message-Number: 532 Date: 08 Nov 91 02:05:19 EST From: "Russell E. Whitaker" <> Subject: CRYONICS: Alcor UK minutes: November Minutes of the Alcor UK meeting, 3 November 1991 Abbreviation key: ASC = Alcor Southern California (not name as incorporated) AUK = Alcor United Kingdom (not name as incorporated) Meeting held at the home of Alan Sinclair "The Thatched Cottage" Jevington Road Wannock Nr. Polegate East Sussex BN26 5NX England Members in attendance: Russell E. Whitaker Garret Smyth Mike Price Alan Sinclair Steve Whitrow Andrew Clifford Patricia Clifford Guests: Sue Williams Leslie Bell Meeting commenced late morning. 1.) Meeting began with a discussion of errata in or omissions from the minutes of October's meeting, after a brief perusal of those minutes by those present. The only change suggested was that some of ASC's surplus copies of *Cryonics* be sent to Mike Price, and not Alan Sinclair. Mike would then oversee the distribution of those back issues to those persons locally who have made enquiries about Alcor. 2.) The two guests were welcomed by members present. Mr. Williams and Ms. Bell consented to public mention of their visit to the meeting. Both are studying in a regional training program for funeral directors, and had been assigned a research project prior to completion of their studies. They had chosen cryonics as subject matter, on the advice of a senior person in their department, someone with whom some of those others present had interacted with in the past. The guests expressed great interest in the discussion. Although it was emphasized by Alcor members present that none of us consider our efforts to be funerary practice, a couple did speculate that cryonics might be offered by funeral directors in the near future as an alternative to conventional interment and cremation. The guests were quite interested in our medical orientation towards our practices. Mr. Williams and Ms. Bell were given a tour of the facility by Alan's business partner, while the meeting continued in their absence. 3.) The first part of the meeting was centered around the signing and witnessing of the paperwork binding new partners in the ownership trust of Alcor U.K.'s facilities in Eastbourne. Signing and witnessing were completed in that session. It was noted that all necessary funds were already collected in the clients' account of the solicitors handling the paperwork. 4.) Questions were raised as to the status of money claimed owed by Alcor Southern California to Alcor U.K. This money in question was the 75% of U.K. members' dues send to ASC, with a prior arrangement to send that amount back to the U.K. group toward AUK's operating fund. Further discussion tabled until next month, pending action by Alan and Mike in the interim. It was suggested that ASC send us an itemized list of money owed by AUK, to facilitate the settling of accounts between the two organizations. R. Whitaker stated that he would contact ASC on this matter. 5.) Some discussion of Alcor U.K.'s organizational structure followed. When queried about the nature of Alcor's business structure, Alan elaborated that, due to the nature of charitable organizations vis-a-vis British law, it was necessary to charter the "Human Organ Preservation Research Trust" to comply with the regulation stating that all such organizations, to be officially recognized, must have a name which denotes the nature of the activities pursued by its members. Alcor U.K. is itself registered as a "limited company", denoted by the suffix "Ltd." Activities of the organization are funded by the Trust. At the suggestion of R. Whitaker, those members present acted to formalize the structure of the British organization, along lines very similar to that of Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Riverside, California. It was noted that 5 of those present were present at last month's meeting, which hosted 6 members. It was agreed without dissent that those most active should take positions of responsibility, with explicit duties. After some nomination and acceptance, the following board was appointed: Officer board members/directors: Alan Sinclair - President Garret Smyth - Vice President Mike Price - Secretary/Treasurer Russell E. Whitaker - Director of Research and Training Non-officer board members: Patricia Clifford Andrew Clifford Steve Whitrow It was noted that both Cliffords were "in-process", that is, close to but not finished with membership sign-up. However, given their involvement, they were believed more attractive prospects due to their more active involvement. It was agreed among members present that such be valued more for board purposes than the non-involvement of inactive and silent fully-signed members. Agreement was reached that full involvement by the Cliffords be contingent upon expeditious completion of membership paperwork. It was noted that the board as composed only had 7 members. It was generally agreed that it would remain such until another local member becomes actively involved in AUK, and is accepted by all appointed board members. Such an addition would complete a board of 8 members, making the organization very similar to that of ASC. Replacement of board members will in future be by the appointment of other board members, subject to unanimity. Very brief discussion was had re: the suitability of a group of members appointing themselves directors. The matter was settled by fiat: Alan owns AUK's charter as proprietor of record; he agreed to the new organization, and noted that he would register a change of composition. 6.) The first order of business after re-structuring was the assignment of tangible duties, some of which are due completed by the next meeting, on 8 December 1991. Mike Price, as Treasurer, agreed to have ready a statement of finances, to be presented at the next meeting. He was also placed in charge of the asset register. Garret Smyth presented 2 articles intended for placement in the first edition of the local newsletter. Paper printout and electronic files were transferred to Russell Whitaker, who assumed responsibility for layout and publication of the first issue, as per specifications agreed to 3 October 91. Member Chris Benatar, present at last month's meeting, will be contacted by Russell Whitaker to compare the new with the previously existing newsletter template. Russell Whitaker volunteered to teach a class at the facility, on the day of the next meeting, 8 December 91. The subject matter will consist of familiarization with all the items of the Transport Kit, the surgery, the perfusion apparatus, and other items related to transport, stabilization, and suspension operative procedures, in addition to clinical laboratory diagnostic equipment. Due to time constraints, no attempt will be made to teach the actual use of such items. The equipment rundown will be conducted in concert with a methodical inventory of all objects in the facility. It was noted that most members present had varying degrees of Alcor technical training, and that one member present had vocational medical experience and training. Additional training will occur at and between subsequent meetings. A general cleanup and inventory will occur on both days of the weekend of the next meeting, with those present bunking in the crew room of the facility. A top priority will be insuring readiness of the ambulance. 7.) Of special note about the upcoming December meeting will be the presence of a BBC film crew, at 1000 on 8 December. The crew have requested that Alcor members present "be doing something". It was decided that the "action" would consist of a portion of the lab familiarization class. 8.) Some progress was noted with regard to last month's discussion of Ralph Merkle's impending visit. Garret Smyth had found someone interested in sponsoring a talk by Dr. Merkle: the head of the computer science department at Polytechnic of North London. He gave the electronic mail address of that person to Whitaker, who forwarded it to Dr. Merkle. Russell Whitaker reported the possibility of booking an engagement for Dr. Merkle in a speaking room at the Science Museum in London's Kensington district. 9.) Mike Price and Garret Smyth asked Russell Whitaker to contact ASC's president, Carlos Mondragon, and inquire about the possibility of publishing the number of U.K. "in-process" sign-ups in the monthly ASC magazine, *Cryonics*. It was noted that no one in the local organization had an accurate tally of such numbers. Also noted was that AUK meeting announcements were not being placed in the magazine. Russell Whitaker volunteered to provide that information to ASC. Alan added that any such announcement must be amended to include a note to call Alan first before attempting to visit a meeting, giving that times and locations may change. 10.) Alan Sinclair and R. Whitaker agreed to take on a major longterm project: the construction of a MALSS (Mobile Advanced Life Support System) cart. The MALSS cart will be constructed with the same functionality as ASC's, with only minor modifications for local electrical standards and such. R. Whitaker will bring back a parts list and schematics from his upcoming January trip to ASC. 11.) It was noted that the water pump for the PIB (portable ice bath) needed a "squid" head. The squid is a terminal end of the water bath apparatus; others noted that such a piece could easily be bought at a plumbing supply house. 12.) It was agreed that R. Whitaker would buy/rent 2 pagers within the next month: one for himself and one for A. Sinclair. A. Sinclair will reimburse him the cost of his (Sinclair's) pager. The pagers will allow Sinclair and Whitaker to be on call, 24 hours/day. Smyth agreed to be available 24 hours, when feasible, but noted that it would be a longer period before he picked up a pager, most likely at the end of 8 months, when he graduates from college. A Transport Team was formed, consisting of "24-hour on-call" members: Russell E. Whitaker Alan Sinclair Garret Smyth Reserve/backup members are as follows: Andrew Clifford Steve Whitrow It was noted that only one member, R. Whitaker, was certified by ASC as an official "Transport Technician"; however, several others present had been trained last year in similar skills during a visit by Mike Darwin and Jerry Leaf. 13.) A. Sinclair noted that he had been billed solicitor's fees for the handling of funds involved in purchasing shares in the property trust. All those present involved examined the bill and paid their shares of the apportioned fees. 14.) M. Price agreed to send 10 or more copies of last month's minutes to members who were not present at the meeting. R. Whitaker gave him an MS-DOS diskette with an ASCII file of the minutes. 15.) M. Price noted that 20 pounds were left in the Mizar account, and R. Whitaker proposed that Mizar be merged with AUK. M. Price mentioned that having another corporation could be useful in the future, and that it should be kept in reserve. Two "E" cylinders of oxygen at the facility are billed by British Oxygen monthly on Mizar's account, and paid to date. M. Price will have B.O. transfer billing to Alcor U.K. Ltd. 16.) M. Price and G. Smyth suggested speaking with ASC about the feasibility of ASC remote standby in the U.K. for members who are pre-paid in their suspension arrangements. Discussion tabled pending further contact with Carlos Mondragon. Meeting ended late afternoon. Respectfully submitted, Russell Earl Whitaker Recording Secretary Distribution: FAX: Alan Sinclair Alcor Life Extension Foundation (Riverside, California) EMAIL: Alcor Life Extension Foundation (Riverside, California) cryonet Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=532