Accomplishments During Our First Term
I have worked hard to make a difference for Clubs, Membership, New Hams, and more. The following are some of our accomplishments during the last 2 1/2 years as ARRL New England Division Director. My work has included –
- Leading the review committee that designed the Club Grant Program (available funds totaling $1M)
- Creating effective communications via Town Hall Meetings, Club Meetings, and Hamfests and taking action to address members’ concerns.
- Authoring and building consensus for the passage of numerous Board Motions focused on new Ham Development and Youth Outreach.
- Leading the Strategy Working Group, which created an expanded strategy for the ARRL, adding new advocacy that is focused on developing the next generation of radio amateurs
- Revitalizing the National Traffic System through the NTS 2.0 Program
- Working to create the New England RFI Assistance Program.
- Promoting the use and protection of our bands by encouraging technical innovation via the deployment of Amateur Radio Emergency Data Networks (AREDN)
- Raising public awareness and support for Amateur Radio via a Big-E Astronaut Contact
- Leading the creation of a new Working Group chartered to assist Hams in restricted operating situations.
Moving the Board and the ARRL Forward
The following are some board-related and leadership roles I have taken on during the last 2 1/2 years as New England Division Director.
- Member of the Administration and Finance Committee (3 Years) – which works closely with HQ on budget and operations issues
- Twice elected to the Board Executive Committee – a Director group entrusted to act on behalf of the Board.
- Appointed as sole Director board representative on the Investment Management Committee – overseeing the ARRL’s investments
- Led the review committee that designed the Club Grant Program (available funds for clubs totaling $1M)
- Leader of the NTS 2.0 initiative as part of the Emergency Communications and Field Service Committee – this initiative is working to revitalize and expand the ARRL’s support for the National Traffic System.
- Led the Strategy Working Group, which created an updated ARRL strategy that the Board approved unanimously.
- Continuing to lead the working group chartered to assist Hams in restricted Operating Situations.
Priorities for Our Next Three Years
Continuing Our Work
We have much to do to complete the work we have begun and continue supporting these important initiatives. It is essential not only to make sound policy within the ARRL Board but also to be an active, positive contributor to the initiatives are being brought forward.
Leading by example, or, as some say, “Walking the Talk,” is important not only to gain a clear understanding of what is needed to make good policy but also to inspire ARRL members to contribute positively to these initiatives.
Going forward as your Director, I pledge to –
- Continue working within the ARRL to implement the Ham Development initiatives that we’ve led the creation of and passage by the Board –
- Expanded the ARRL Licensing and Training programs for New Hams, involving clubs in the process
- Publications and articles targeted at helping New Hams to become active
- Lowering barriers and providing incentives for New Hams to become ARRL members
- Continue to support Clubs in creating the future of Amateur Radio including
- Providing Club grant program support, promotion, and expansion
- Acting as a Strong Advocate for Clubs within the ARRL; regular attendance at club meetings across NE
- Keep the focus on protecting our spectrum and helping Hams in restricted situations. My plans include
- Working to expand the RFI Initiative beyond New England
- Protecting our UHF and higher bands by promoting their use via AREDN
- Continuing to mobilize our members and the ARRL to proactively defend against legislative and regulatory attacks at the National and State levels (SMC Initiative, 5G Bills, 900 MHz, and other band attacks, …)
- Continue working to improve open, honest communications with our members through Town Halls, Expanded Cabinet Meetings, and regular participation in Hamfests and Club Meetings. I will continue to listen to members’ concerns and, most importantly, take positive action to address members’ concerns and ideas.
- Continue expanding the ARRL’s Public Service and EmComm focus through the NTS 2.0 and other programs. I will also continue working to create additional opportunities to involve member volunteers in improving ARRL programs.
- Continue to Walk our Talk and lead by example, including
- Providing ongoing support for the ARISS program as a mentor and station host for school contacts
- Continuing licensing and mentoring work. To date, I have served as an instructor as part of a team that has taught six or more license classes each year, resulting in over 450 Hams Licensed or Upgraded and over 1,000 Hams served via Bootcamps
Additional Initiatives
We cannot and will not stand still. The following are some additions to the ARRL’s initiatives that I plan to focus on as part of a second term as Director –
- Developing the next generation of Amateur Radio Leaders
- Through advocacy with Clubs and other Groups
- Within the ARRL Leadership Structure
- Starting at Home in New England and within our team
- Working with HQ and the Board to successfully implement the ARRL’s updated Strategy, which includes
- Inspiring and Educating Youth – “A new advocacy is being created, committing the ARRL to develop the next generation of radio amateurs through the expansion of existing programs and the creation of curriculum-based initiatives targeted at middle and high school STEM education programs.”
- Expanding my Advocacy for improved, straightforward, and frequent communications with ARRL members.
- I’ve helped initiate the immediate ARRL Member Bulletins, which are now published right after board meetings. I’ve also advocated for the motion requiring Board Roll-Call votes. We need to do more to foster confidence and trust in the ARRL through continuous, effective, and straightforward communications with members.
- The ARRL needs to engage our members to better help with legislative and regulatory defense.
- I will continue to lead the way by using modern online communications that can be leveraged across the ARRL member base.
- We need to more fully engage member volunteers to help us develop new and updated programs and services.