January 2006 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:13517] Re: payment for services
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 13 Jan '06

13 Jan '06

The FCC Rule Book, 13th edition, pages 2-24 and 2-25 covers compensation (for example, that it's OK to accept a T-shirt, cap, or other incidental identifying item for being part of a public service activity) but doesn't get into the question of reimbursement. I'd say that's because reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses is a non-issue. You all receive reimbursement (or are all eligible for reimbursement) of your out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the course of your service as an ARRL volunteer, but you do not receive material compensation from the ARRL. It's pretty much the same for communications volunteers. Looking at what's prohibited in 97.113(a)(2) and (3), it is "communications for hire or for material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised, except as otherwise provided in these rules;" and "communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer." Accepting gas money or other reimbursement of expenses ACTUALLY INCURRED does not cause any communications provided to the reimbursing entity to be "for hire or for material compensation." On the other hand, someone who did not incur $25 in out-of-pocket expenses should not accept $25. Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Tom Frenaye [mailto:frenaye@pcnet.com] Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:18 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13512] payment for services One of the issues that I've heard about our HamAid program centers on the payment for services. Some hams (and some ARES volunteers) believe any reimbursement is not permitted. In thinking about it I can't put my finger on anything we have that gives volunteers guidance in this area. I looked through the Public Service Communications Manual and didn't find anything. I looked at the FCC rules and found rules permitting VEs/VECs to be reimbursed. I didn't spend a whole lot of time looking so I could have missed some key documents. I think we did the right thing with HamAid, and don't have a problem with the reimbursement program. What I do think is that we should probably have some clear information in our publications and web site helping volunteers understand where the line is between being reimbursed $25 for a days worth of volunteer operating, and a days pay for someone who works for a first responder or other non-profit and thinks ham radio can be used to help them do their job. Or have I missed something along the way? I got the sense (I was away and out of touch during the key 10-day period after Katrinia hit) that the HamAid program was necessarily implemented quickly and some key decisions made without a much policy input from the Board. Understandable under the circumstances, but I think it'd be useful to all come to some agreement on what guidance we want to give volunteers in the future. -- 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

1 0

[arrl-odv:13514] Large File Photo
by Rod Stafford W6ROD 13 Jan '06

13 Jan '06

Sorry about the rather large file for the photo I just sent. I hadn't realized it was the hi-res version until after I hit send. mea culpa 73, Rod

1 0

[arrl-odv:13515] Telecom Pix
by Rod Stafford W6ROD 13 Jan '06

13 Jan '06

Bruce Frahm mentioned that I forgot to include the Telecom of the Americas photo along with my report. Here it is. From left to right: 1.Tim Ellam VE6SH, IARU VP 2.Roberto Blois, Deputy Secretary General ITU. His home country is Brazil. 3.What's his name that works in the Telecom office for ITU. I have his card but his name escapes me at the moment. 4.Gustavo da Faria Franco PT2ADM, Region 2 Area Director 5.W6ROD 73, Rod

1 0

[arrl-odv:13513] Re: payment for services
by Jim Weaver, K8JE 13 Jan '06

13 Jan '06

The question you address is ages old. For example, my employer had a policy that we employees could not accept gifts of any significance from supplier to the Company. The question this raised is the definition of significance. Throughout our European company, this meant accepting absolutely nothing (e.g., not even a simple wall calendar). In the US, this meant nothing that exceeded $ 25 in value. In Asia, this meant following the typical good business standards of the country. I agree it would be appropriate and helpful guidance as to what "reimbursement" can be accepted (e.g. payment of expenses, a hot dog, a rig to replace one that was devoured during the activity, a contribution to the club's emergency comm. Station, an event T-shirt, other). I would not suggest becoming overly definitive, though. 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: Tom Frenaye [mailto:frenaye@pcnet.com] Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:18 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13512] payment for services One of the issues that I've heard about our HamAid program centers on the payment for services. Some hams (and some ARES volunteers) believe any reimbursement is not permitted. In thinking about it I can't put my finger on anything we have that gives volunteers guidance in this area. I looked through the Public Service Communications Manual and didn't find anything. I looked at the FCC rules and found rules permitting VEs/VECs to be reimbursed. I didn't spend a whole lot of time looking so I could have missed some key documents. I think we did the right thing with HamAid, and don't have a problem with the reimbursement program. What I do think is that we should probably have some clear information in our publications and web site helping volunteers understand where the line is between being reimbursed $25 for a days worth of volunteer operating, and a days pay for someone who works for a first responder or other non-profit and thinks ham radio can be used to help them do their job. Or have I missed something along the way? I got the sense (I was away and out of touch during the key 10-day period after Katrinia hit) that the HamAid program was necessarily implemented quickly and some key decisions made without a much policy input from the Board. Understandable under the circumstances, but I think it'd be useful to all come to some agreement on what guidance we want to give volunteers in the future. -- 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

1 0

[arrl-odv:13512] payment for services
by Tom Frenaye 13 Jan '06

13 Jan '06

One of the issues that I've heard about our HamAid program centers on the payment for services. Some hams (and some ARES volunteers) believe any reimbursement is not permitted. In thinking about it I can't put my finger on anything we have that gives volunteers guidance in this area. I looked through the Public Service Communications Manual and didn't find anything. I looked at the FCC rules and found rules permitting VEs/VECs to be reimbursed. I didn't spend a whole lot of time looking so I could have missed some key documents. I think we did the right thing with HamAid, and don't have a problem with the reimbursement program. What I do think is that we should probably have some clear information in our publications and web site helping volunteers understand where the line is between being reimbursed $25 for a days worth of volunteer operating, and a days pay for someone who works for a first responder or other non-profit and thinks ham radio can be used to help them do their job. Or have I missed something along the way? I got the sense (I was away and out of touch during the key 10-day period after Katrinia hit) that the HamAid program was necessarily implemented quickly and some key decisions made without a much policy input from the Board. Understandable under the circumstances, but I think it'd be useful to all come to some agreement on what guidance we want to give volunteers in the future. -- 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

1 0

[arrl-odv:13511] Contest Advisory Committee semiannual report
by Ned Stearns 12 Jan '06

12 Jan '06

Attached is the Contest Adivsory Committee semiannual report. Regards, Ned Stearns AA7A Southwestern Division Vice Director

1 0

[arrl-odv:13510] Scout Committee Report Document 28
by Bill Edgar 12 Jan '06

12 Jan '06

Attached is the Ad Hoc Scout Committee Report - Bill N3LLR

1 0

[arrl-odv:13509] Report of the General Counsel to the Board of Directors
by W3KD＠aol.com 12 Jan '06

12 Jan '06

Gentlefolk: Attached is the report of the General Counsel to the Board of Directors. This report, as you will note when you read it, contains some unusually sensitive information. Please keep its contents strictly confidential. Thanks. 73, Chris W3KD

1 0

[arrl-odv:13508] Ham Aid grants
by Hobart, Mary K1MMH 12 Jan '06

12 Jan '06

Good morning, With assistance of W3KD I have prepared Letters of Acceptance for 11 organizations that applied for fund from the CNCS Ham Aid Grant. Only one application has been denied, based on information from the area SEC and from the club itself.All of these applications have been reviewed by Messrs. Patton, Kramer and myself, along with SMs and SECs in the appropriate areas: W5WA/Jackson MS Repeater Palm Beach County Repeater MS Repeater Coalition Hattiesburg (MS) ARC SW Florida ARA West Palm Beach AREC (FL) Boca Raton ARA (FL) Jefferson Parish ARA (LA) Harrison County EOC (MS) Glades County (FL) St. Lucie (FL) Repeater Assn The total expenditure for these grants is $29,437 -- $20,000 of this amount will come from CNCS funds, and the balance from individual contributions. Once the signed letters of acceptance are returned, checks will be cut. Further, I will work with staff to prepare a story on this effort for distribution through appropriate ARRL outlets. 73, Mary K1MMH

1 0

[arrl-odv:13507] Re: Slow Acknowledgments
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 12 Jan '06

12 Jan '06

Frank, there were a couple of issues related to this application -- we'll advise you off-line. Dave -----Original Message----- From: frank butler [mailto:fbutler@bsc.net] Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:01 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13506] Slow Acknowledgments I hear this complaint often from new members, at hamfests and elsewhere. I should note that this member HAS been getting QST. Is there a better procedure for acknowledging new membership applications? 73, Frank, W4RH ******************************************************************* Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 12:30:21 -0600 From: Brutus temple <ki4kfw(a)cox.net> Hello Frank: This is Bruce ki4kfw. I am sending you this noteso you will have written verification of what I told you last Thursday. I joined the ARRL on November the 15 and still have not recieved a card verification or any form of written documentation. This coming 15th will be 3 months without notice. Thanks for your assistance in this matter Frank. 73's and have a safe trip: Bruce KI4KFW

1 0