November 2005 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:13314] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

In case anyone is unfamiliar with the workings of the bureau, members also pay the postage -- either with SASE or with postage credits. I imagine the bureaus will be clearing their files prior to the impending postage rate increase. 73, Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Mon 11/21/2005 4:56 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13312] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Dave, Tnx for your explanation. I definitely missed one of the points you made - i.e., nonmembers are required to pay postage to get the cards to their house. My main point is that I believe every "free" service to nonmembers should be up for critical review with changes being made when the results of the review warrant. Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 9:41 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13310] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Jim, staff doesn't spend much time on incoming cards. We encourage the overseas bureaus to send the cards directly to the volunteers at the call area bureaus, and most do. A few do not, but in that case all we do is to sort the cards down to the call area level. If we added a check of ARRL membership for cards at that stage it would add enormously to the cost of processing. I have had QSL bureau volunteers tell me that what they do is for the benefit of amateur radio, not specifically for the ARRL. I don't know how widespread that attitude is, but I can understand it to some extent. I can imagine volunteers rebelling at the idea of cards being destroyed or returned to the originating bureau (at greater cost than delivering them) because they were being sent to non-members. The IARU policy does not require forwarding of cards at no charge. The policy is that a member-society should provide a means for non-members to receive cards via the bureau as long as they pay the full cost of the service. If a member-society does not do so, the other member-societies are not obliged to send cards only to that bureau but may use alternate bureaus serving that country. In the case of DARC, originally the explanation given was that German postal law prevented DARC from delivering cards to non-members because that would amount to a private postal service, which was prohibited. I don't know if that is still the case. 73, Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Mon 11/21/2005 2:03 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13309] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Jim, Let me be the first to point out that IARU guidelines call for all member organizations to forward incoming QSLs at no charge. I wasn't the first to raise this issue and won't be the last. Irrespective of the guidelines, a few major IARU members (e.g., our Deutsch friends) do not forward cards for nonmembers. Although I'm sensitive that a decision by us to discontinue handling cards for non-ARRL members could prove somewhat embarrassing to Dave (because of his position with IARU), I think we are getting to the position at which we need to lay all possible changes in services -- especially to nonmembers -- on the table for critical review. Dave, has an estimate ever been made of the relative percent of staff time that is spent on managing nonmember incoming cards vs. managing member incoming cards? Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: jfenster(a)pacifier.com [mailto:jfenster@pacifier.com] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 8:47 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13308] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Another service is the incoming QSL bureau. When I get complaints (for any reason), usually half are from non-ARRL members. I know other societies (DARC) don't handle cards from non-members. K9JF > The principal ARRL service to which non-members have access is > information, mainly via the Web. It's helpful to staff to know the > expectations of the Board with regard to non-member access to information. > Responding to the strategic planning initiative of the time, about a > decade ago we set to be the principal source of news and information about > amateur radio, and we have achieved that in part by making news and > information freely available via the Web site. In general, it's good for > people to have access to "our side" of the story whether or not they are > members. However, that's tempered by two reasons for restricting access to > services only to members: (1) because there is an incremental cost > associated with providing the service, or (2) because the perceived value > of the service is sufficient to sway a non-member to join in order to gain > access, or to cause a member to attach greater value to membership. > > For example, if a non-member looks at the "QST" section of the Web site > they find a list available only to members: > > * Vote for best QST article > * Product Review Archive > * Product Review Equipment Auctions > * Contest Results > * Search the QST Index > * QST Annual Indexes > * The Doctor is On-Line > * Update your mailing address > * Subscribe to newsletters and bulletins > > We know the Product Review archive is both popular and highly valued, so > it is available only to members. Bulletins and electronic newsletters are > available online but are sent automatically only to members who request > them. Some contest results are available to non-members but the expanded > Web report and scores database are members-only. > If you want to see the Web site the way a non-member sees it, click > "Logout" in the "Members Only" box at the top -- but first make sure you > remember your password so you can get back in! > 73, > Dave K1ZZ > > > ________________________________ > > From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] > Sent: Sun 11/20/2005 11:22 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > > I'm fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; > however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a > change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to > demonstrate why we don't want people to leach off the members and what it > costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this > as a strong "why you should belong" pitch. Would this require new > thinking, or a new person in marketing? > > Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director > 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 > E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 > ARRL Great Lakes Division > ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! > Members, the Reason ARRL is! > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to > list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things > away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what > they do for their non-member friends. I'll try to think of some my self. > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. > > ________________________________ > > From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? > > For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource > and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and > non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should > expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles > at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership > organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has > undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future > needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now > targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a > membership manager. > > While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all > of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which > the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other > organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and > assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs > interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question > exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to > ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little > or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to > dealings with the League as "all take and no give." > > There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide > needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, > we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that > support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be > worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to > considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League > services freely available to "all take and no give" individuals and > organizations. > > 73, > > Jay, KØQB > >

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Re: off email contact 'till Wednesday AM
by Andy Oppel 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Returning home from the tropics brings a whole new meaning to the term "tropical depression". -- Andy Oppel, N6AJO At 02:05 PM 11/20/2005, you wrote: >I've been on a nice email connection here in the Pacific >SECTION. But all good things must come to an end and I'm headed >back home to the NW Division. Back in the Portland area on late >Tues evening. Until Wednesday AM I'll probably be out of email contact. > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui

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[arrl-odv:13312] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by Jim Weaver K8JE 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Dave, Tnx for your explanation. I definitely missed one of the points you made i.e., nonmembers are required to pay postage to get the cards to their house. My main point is that I believe every free service to nonmembers should be up for critical review with changes being made when the results of the review warrant. Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 9:41 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13310] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Jim, staff doesn't spend much time on incoming cards. We encourage the overseas bureaus to send the cards directly to the volunteers at the call area bureaus, and most do. A few do not, but in that case all we do is to sort the cards down to the call area level. If we added a check of ARRL membership for cards at that stage it would add enormously to the cost of processing. I have had QSL bureau volunteers tell me that what they do is for the benefit of amateur radio, not specifically for the ARRL. I don't know how widespread that attitude is, but I can understand it to some extent. I can imagine volunteers rebelling at the idea of cards being destroyed or returned to the originating bureau (at greater cost than delivering them) because they were being sent to non-members. The IARU policy does not require forwarding of cards at no charge. The policy is that a member-society should provide a means for non-members to receive cards via the bureau as long as they pay the full cost of the service. If a member-society does not do so, the other member-societies are not obliged to send cards only to that bureau but may use alternate bureaus serving that country. In the case of DARC, originally the explanation given was that German postal law prevented DARC from delivering cards to non-members because that would amount to a private postal service, which was prohibited. I don't know if that is still the case. 73, Dave K1ZZ _____ From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Mon 11/21/2005 2:03 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13309] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Jim, Let me be the first to point out that IARU guidelines call for all member organizations to forward incoming QSLs at no charge. I wasn't the first to raise this issue and won't be the last. Irrespective of the guidelines, a few major IARU members (e.g., our Deutsch friends) do not forward cards for nonmembers. Although I'm sensitive that a decision by us to discontinue handling cards for non-ARRL members could prove somewhat embarrassing to Dave (because of his position with IARU), I think we are getting to the position at which we need to lay all possible changes in services -- especially to nonmembers -- on the table for critical review. Dave, has an estimate ever been made of the relative percent of staff time that is spent on managing nonmember incoming cards vs. managing member incoming cards? Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: jfenster(a)pacifier.com [mailto:jfenster@pacifier.com] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 8:47 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13308] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Another service is the incoming QSL bureau. When I get complaints (for any reason), usually half are from non-ARRL members. I know other societies (DARC) don't handle cards from non-members. K9JF > The principal ARRL service to which non-members have access is > information, mainly via the Web. It's helpful to staff to know the > expectations of the Board with regard to non-member access to information. > Responding to the strategic planning initiative of the time, about a > decade ago we set to be the principal source of news and information about > amateur radio, and we have achieved that in part by making news and > information freely available via the Web site. In general, it's good for > people to have access to "our side" of the story whether or not they are > members. However, that's tempered by two reasons for restricting access to > services only to members: (1) because there is an incremental cost > associated with providing the service, or (2) because the perceived value > of the service is sufficient to sway a non-member to join in order to gain > access, or to cause a member to attach greater value to membership. > > For example, if a non-member looks at the "QST" section of the Web site > they find a list available only to members: > > * Vote for best QST article > * Product Review Archive > * Product Review Equipment Auctions > * Contest Results > * Search the QST Index > * QST Annual Indexes > * The Doctor is On-Line > * Update your mailing address > * Subscribe to newsletters and bulletins > > We know the Product Review archive is both popular and highly valued, so > it is available only to members. Bulletins and electronic newsletters are > available online but are sent automatically only to members who request > them. Some contest results are available to non-members but the expanded > Web report and scores database are members-only. > If you want to see the Web site the way a non-member sees it, click > "Logout" in the "Members Only" box at the top -- but first make sure you > remember your password so you can get back in! > 73, > Dave K1ZZ > > > ________________________________ > > From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] > Sent: Sun 11/20/2005 11:22 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > > I'm fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; > however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a > change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to > demonstrate why we don't want people to leach off the members and what it > costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this > as a strong "why you should belong" pitch. Would this require new > thinking, or a new person in marketing? > > Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director > 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 > E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 > ARRL Great Lakes Division > ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! > Members, the Reason ARRL is! > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to > list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things > away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what > they do for their non-member friends. I'll try to think of some my self. > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. > > ________________________________ > > From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? > > For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource > and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and > non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should > expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles > at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership > organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has > undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future > needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now > targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a > membership manager. > > While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all > of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which > the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other > organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and > assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs > interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question > exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to > ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little > or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to > dealings with the League as "all take and no give." > > There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide > needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, > we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that > support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be > worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to > considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League > services freely available to "all take and no give" individuals and > organizations. > > 73, > > Jay, KØQB > >

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[arrl-odv:13311] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by John Bellows 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Sorry if the message was too long. I thought some background for the suggestion was in order. The point wasn't to target specific services but to look at the policy as it currently exists. We keep saying our job is policy not managing. That was the basis for the suggestion. 73, Jay, KØQB -----Original Message----- From: Tom Frenaye [mailto:frenaye@pcnet.com] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 9:56 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13302] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? At 01:07 PM 11/17/2005, K0Question(B)authority wrote: >There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League services freely available to all take and no give individuals and organizations. Seemed like I had to battle through a lot of long winded stuff before I got the meat of Jay's message [does he get paid by the word?]. That last sentence suggests youo had some concrete examples? I don't think the Board meeting is the right place to start a discussion of where we draw the line between member benefits and those given away to anyone (licensed or not). I like the idea of a periodic review of where that line is - how about starting with someone summarizing just what we offer to members only? Have their been discussions within the Programs and Services Committee on this topic? Seems like a good place to start. Actually, in yesterday's A&F committee meeting we talked about a general plan for program evaluation - a topic the Board talked about without much action in the strategic planning sessions a few years ago. Part of that evaluation would certainly be whether it is or should be offered to just members or anyone. COO Kramer will be leading the effort and circulated a draft program evaluation process he plans to work from. The expectation is that the effort will take two years, maybe more. His initial plan is to start with the Field and Educational Services Department. Heck, we don't even have a good listing of current programs. I pointed Harold to the document created by the VRC several years ago as a starting point. I'm sure he'd welcome any input from Board members. -- Tom ===== e-mail: k1ki(a)arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

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[arrl-odv:13310] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Jim, staff doesn't spend much time on incoming cards. We encourage the overseas bureaus to send the cards directly to the volunteers at the call area bureaus, and most do. A few do not, but in that case all we do is to sort the cards down to the call area level. If we added a check of ARRL membership for cards at that stage it would add enormously to the cost of processing. I have had QSL bureau volunteers tell me that what they do is for the benefit of amateur radio, not specifically for the ARRL. I don't know how widespread that attitude is, but I can understand it to some extent. I can imagine volunteers rebelling at the idea of cards being destroyed or returned to the originating bureau (at greater cost than delivering them) because they were being sent to non-members. The IARU policy does not require forwarding of cards at no charge. The policy is that a member-society should provide a means for non-members to receive cards via the bureau as long as they pay the full cost of the service. If a member-society does not do so, the other member-societies are not obliged to send cards only to that bureau but may use alternate bureaus serving that country. In the case of DARC, originally the explanation given was that German postal law prevented DARC from delivering cards to non-members because that would amount to a private postal service, which was prohibited. I don't know if that is still the case. 73, Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Mon 11/21/2005 2:03 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13309] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Jim, Let me be the first to point out that IARU guidelines call for all member organizations to forward incoming QSLs at no charge. I wasn't the first to raise this issue and won't be the last. Irrespective of the guidelines, a few major IARU members (e.g., our Deutsch friends) do not forward cards for nonmembers. Although I'm sensitive that a decision by us to discontinue handling cards for non-ARRL members could prove somewhat embarrassing to Dave (because of his position with IARU), I think we are getting to the position at which we need to lay all possible changes in services -- especially to nonmembers -- on the table for critical review. Dave, has an estimate ever been made of the relative percent of staff time that is spent on managing nonmember incoming cards vs. managing member incoming cards? Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: jfenster(a)pacifier.com [mailto:jfenster@pacifier.com] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 8:47 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13308] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Another service is the incoming QSL bureau. When I get complaints (for any reason), usually half are from non-ARRL members. I know other societies (DARC) don't handle cards from non-members. K9JF > The principal ARRL service to which non-members have access is > information, mainly via the Web. It's helpful to staff to know the > expectations of the Board with regard to non-member access to information. > Responding to the strategic planning initiative of the time, about a > decade ago we set to be the principal source of news and information about > amateur radio, and we have achieved that in part by making news and > information freely available via the Web site. In general, it's good for > people to have access to "our side" of the story whether or not they are > members. However, that's tempered by two reasons for restricting access to > services only to members: (1) because there is an incremental cost > associated with providing the service, or (2) because the perceived value > of the service is sufficient to sway a non-member to join in order to gain > access, or to cause a member to attach greater value to membership. > > For example, if a non-member looks at the "QST" section of the Web site > they find a list available only to members: > > * Vote for best QST article > * Product Review Archive > * Product Review Equipment Auctions > * Contest Results > * Search the QST Index > * QST Annual Indexes > * The Doctor is On-Line > * Update your mailing address > * Subscribe to newsletters and bulletins > > We know the Product Review archive is both popular and highly valued, so > it is available only to members. Bulletins and electronic newsletters are > available online but are sent automatically only to members who request > them. Some contest results are available to non-members but the expanded > Web report and scores database are members-only. > If you want to see the Web site the way a non-member sees it, click > "Logout" in the "Members Only" box at the top -- but first make sure you > remember your password so you can get back in! > 73, > Dave K1ZZ > > > ________________________________ > > From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] > Sent: Sun 11/20/2005 11:22 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > > I'm fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; > however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a > change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to > demonstrate why we don't want people to leach off the members and what it > costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this > as a strong "why you should belong" pitch. Would this require new > thinking, or a new person in marketing? > > Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director > 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 > E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 > ARRL Great Lakes Division > ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! > Members, the Reason ARRL is! > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to > list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things > away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what > they do for their non-member friends. I'll try to think of some my self. > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. > > ________________________________ > > From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? > > For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource > and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and > non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should > expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles > at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership > organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has > undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future > needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now > targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a > membership manager. > > While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all > of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which > the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other > organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and > assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs > interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question > exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to > ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little > or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to > dealings with the League as "all take and no give." > > There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide > needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, > we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that > support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be > worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to > considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League > services freely available to "all take and no give" individuals and > organizations. > > 73, > > Jay, KØQB > >

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[arrl-odv:13309] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by Jim Weaver K8JE 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Jim, Let me be the first to point out that IARU guidelines call for all member organizations to forward incoming QSLs at no charge. I wasn't the first to raise this issue and won't be the last. Irrespective of the guidelines, a few major IARU members (e.g., our Deutsch friends) do not forward cards for nonmembers. Although I'm sensitive that a decision by us to discontinue handling cards for non-ARRL members could prove somewhat embarrassing to Dave (because of his position with IARU), I think we are getting to the position at which we need to lay all possible changes in services -- especially to nonmembers -- on the table for critical review. Dave, has an estimate ever been made of the relative percent of staff time that is spent on managing nonmember incoming cards vs. managing member incoming cards? Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: jfenster(a)pacifier.com [mailto:jfenster@pacifier.com] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 8:47 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13308] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? Another service is the incoming QSL bureau. When I get complaints (for any reason), usually half are from non-ARRL members. I know other societies (DARC) don't handle cards from non-members. K9JF > The principal ARRL service to which non-members have access is > information, mainly via the Web. It's helpful to staff to know the > expectations of the Board with regard to non-member access to information. > Responding to the strategic planning initiative of the time, about a > decade ago we set to be the principal source of news and information about > amateur radio, and we have achieved that in part by making news and > information freely available via the Web site. In general, it's good for > people to have access to "our side" of the story whether or not they are > members. However, that's tempered by two reasons for restricting access to > services only to members: (1) because there is an incremental cost > associated with providing the service, or (2) because the perceived value > of the service is sufficient to sway a non-member to join in order to gain > access, or to cause a member to attach greater value to membership. > > For example, if a non-member looks at the "QST" section of the Web site > they find a list available only to members: > > * Vote for best QST article > * Product Review Archive > * Product Review Equipment Auctions > * Contest Results > * Search the QST Index > * QST Annual Indexes > * The Doctor is On-Line > * Update your mailing address > * Subscribe to newsletters and bulletins > > We know the Product Review archive is both popular and highly valued, so > it is available only to members. Bulletins and electronic newsletters are > available online but are sent automatically only to members who request > them. Some contest results are available to non-members but the expanded > Web report and scores database are members-only. > If you want to see the Web site the way a non-member sees it, click > "Logout" in the "Members Only" box at the top -- but first make sure you > remember your password so you can get back in! > 73, > Dave K1ZZ > > > ________________________________ > > From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] > Sent: Sun 11/20/2005 11:22 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > > I'm fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; > however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a > change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to > demonstrate why we don't want people to leach off the members and what it > costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this > as a strong "why you should belong" pitch. Would this require new > thinking, or a new person in marketing? > > Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director > 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 > E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 > ARRL Great Lakes Division > ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! > Members, the Reason ARRL is! > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to > list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things > away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what > they do for their non-member friends. I'll try to think of some my self. > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. > > ________________________________ > > From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? > > For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource > and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and > non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should > expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles > at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership > organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has > undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future > needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now > targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a > membership manager. > > While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all > of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which > the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other > organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and > assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs > interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question > exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to > ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little > or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to > dealings with the League as "all take and no give." > > There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide > needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, > we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that > support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be > worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to > considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League > services freely available to "all take and no give" individuals and > organizations. > > 73, > > Jay, KØQB > >

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[arrl-odv:13308] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by jfenster＠pacifier.com 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Another service is the incoming QSL bureau. When I get complaints (for any reason), usually half are from non-ARRL members. I know other societies (DARC) don't handle cards from non-members. K9JF > The principal ARRL service to which non-members have access is > information, mainly via the Web. It's helpful to staff to know the > expectations of the Board with regard to non-member access to information. > Responding to the strategic planning initiative of the time, about a > decade ago we set to be the principal source of news and information about > amateur radio, and we have achieved that in part by making news and > information freely available via the Web site. In general, it's good for > people to have access to "our side" of the story whether or not they are > members. However, that's tempered by two reasons for restricting access to > services only to members: (1) because there is an incremental cost > associated with providing the service, or (2) because the perceived value > of the service is sufficient to sway a non-member to join in order to gain > access, or to cause a member to attach greater value to membership. > > For example, if a non-member looks at the "QST" section of the Web site > they find a list available only to members: > > * Vote for best QST article > * Product Review Archive > * Product Review Equipment Auctions > * Contest Results > * Search the QST Index > * QST Annual Indexes > * The Doctor is On-Line > * Update your mailing address > * Subscribe to newsletters and bulletins > > We know the Product Review archive is both popular and highly valued, so > it is available only to members. Bulletins and electronic newsletters are > available online but are sent automatically only to members who request > them. Some contest results are available to non-members but the expanded > Web report and scores database are members-only. > If you want to see the Web site the way a non-member sees it, click > "Logout" in the "Members Only" box at the top -- but first make sure you > remember your password so you can get back in! > 73, > Dave K1ZZ > > > ________________________________ > > From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] > Sent: Sun 11/20/2005 11:22 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > > I'm fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; > however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a > change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to > demonstrate why we don't want people to leach off the members and what it > costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this > as a strong "why you should belong" pitch. Would this require new > thinking, or a new person in marketing? > > Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director > 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 > E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 > ARRL Great Lakes Division > ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! > Members, the Reason ARRL is! > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford > It? > > I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to > list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things > away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what > they do for their non-member friends. I'll try to think of some my self. > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. > > ________________________________ > > From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? > > For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource > and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and > non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should > expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles > at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership > organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has > undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future > needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now > targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a > membership manager. > > While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all > of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which > the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other > organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and > assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs > interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question > exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to > ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little > or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to > dealings with the League as "all take and no give." > > There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide > needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, > we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that > support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be > worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to > considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League > services freely available to "all take and no give" individuals and > organizations. > > 73, > > Jay, KØQB > >

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Re: off email contact 'till Wednesday AM
by Bob Vallio 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

Aloha, Greg! 73, Bob On 11/20/05, Greg Milnes <w7oz(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > I've been on a nice email connection here in the Pacific SECTION. But all > good things must come to an end and I'm headed back home to the NW Division. > Back in the Portland area on late Tues evening. Until Wednesday AM I'll > probably be out of email contact. > > 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui >

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[arrl-odv:13306] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 21 Nov '05

21 Nov '05

The principal ARRL service to which non-members have access is information, mainly via the Web. It's helpful to staff to know the expectations of the Board with regard to non-member access to information. Responding to the strategic planning initiative of the time, about a decade ago we set to be the principal source of news and information about amateur radio, and we have achieved that in part by making news and information freely available via the Web site. In general, it's good for people to have access to "our side" of the story whether or not they are members. However, that's tempered by two reasons for restricting access to services only to members: (1) because there is an incremental cost associated with providing the service, or (2) because the perceived value of the service is sufficient to sway a non-member to join in order to gain access, or to cause a member to attach greater value to membership. For example, if a non-member looks at the "QST" section of the Web site they find a list available only to members: * Vote for best QST article * Product Review Archive * Product Review Equipment Auctions * Contest Results * Search the QST Index * QST Annual Indexes * The Doctor is On-Line * Update your mailing address * Subscribe to newsletters and bulletins We know the Product Review archive is both popular and highly valued, so it is available only to members. Bulletins and electronic newsletters are available online but are sent automatically only to members who request them. Some contest results are available to non-members but the expanded Web report and scores database are members-only. If you want to see the Web site the way a non-member sees it, click "Logout" in the "Members Only" box at the top -- but first make sure you remember your password so you can get back in! 73, Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Jim Weaver K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Sun 11/20/2005 11:22 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? I'm fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to demonstrate why we don't want people to leach off the members and what it costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this as a strong "why you should belong" pitch. Would this require new thinking, or a new person in marketing? Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what they do for their non-member friends. I'll try to think of some my self. 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. ________________________________ From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a membership manager. While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to dealings with the League as "all take and no give." There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League services freely available to "all take and no give" individuals and organizations. 73, Jay, KØQB

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[arrl-odv:13305] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It?
by Jim Weaver K8JE 20 Nov '05

20 Nov '05

Im fully supportive of reserving most of our services to members; however, before we make a big deal out of this (whether it represents a change in policy or not) I think we need to develop a good story to demonstrate why we dont want people to leach off the members and what it costs to provide the services. Basically, we ought to be able to use this as a strong why you should belong pitch. Would this require new thinking, or a new person in marketing? Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org; Tel: 513-459-0142 ARRL Great Lakes Division ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is! Members, the Reason ARRL is! -----Original Message----- From: Greg Milnes [mailto:w7oz@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 4:57 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13303] Re: Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? I support your ideas. It would be helpful for staff and Board family to list what is given to non-members. Other membership societies give things away to non-members I guess. It might also be of assistance to see what they do for their non-member friends. Ill try to think of some my self. 73/Greg W7OZ/ KH6 Maui. _____ From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:07 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13279] Tis Better to Give ---- Can We Still Afford It? For as long as I can remember ARRL has been the premier advocate, resource and promoter of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs, ARRL members and non-members alike. As the national association for Amateur Radio we should expect no less. We all know the task of continuing to perform those roles at a time when fewer and fewer people are inclined to join membership organizations, particularly service or hobby organizations. ARRL has undertaken a substantial effort to meet current challenges and future needs by establishing an effective Development Department and has now targeted the membership recruitment and retention issue by hiring a membership manager. While ARRL needs to maintain its role as an advocate and promoter for all of Amateur Radio, there is an ongoing question as to the extent to which the League ought to be an open resource to non-members and other organizations. We all agree the League ought to provide information and assistance to those interested in becoming Amateurs or current Amateurs interested in furthering the goals of ARRL. I think a more open question exists as to the extent to which the League ought to provide access to ARRL resources and other assistance to non-members have expressed little or no interest in joining the League and other organizations who look to dealings with the League as all take and no give. There is a limit to the ability of ARRL to stretch our dollars to provide needed services. Though ARRL is the national association of Amateur Radio, we owe a heightened duty to those individuals and organizations that support the League and its goals. It seems to me that it would be worthwhile to devote some portion of the January Board meeting to considering the extent to which we ought to continue to make League services freely available to all take and no give individuals and organizations. 73, Jay, KØQB

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