January 2018 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:26911] FW: ARES Group ID Registration and ARES Connect
by Tom Frenaye 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

Here is some more information on implementing the new ARES program. (see message from WV1X to Section Managers below) At the cabinet meeting Mike/K1TWF and I held yesterday there were 40 people present. It was pretty embarrassing to have to stand in front of Section Managers, Field Organization members and club presidents and have to say I really don't know anything more about what we're planning except for a national database for ARES. I'm looking forward to some real information in the next two weeks and those in the field are really quite anxious to hear (and provide feedback) on whatever we seem to be moving ahead with. They had quite a few questions we couldn't answer. One SEC who was present had apparently been talking to Mike Corey about what is going on and gave us a little information, -- Tom > >---------- >From: Ewald, Steve, WV1X [mailto:wv1x@arrl.org] >Sent: Friday, January 05, 2018 4:14 PM >To: SMs and SECs >Subject: ARES Group ID Registration and ARES Connect > >Hello, Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators. > >Below is an important announcement about ARES Group Identification Registration and the new ARES Connect management/reporting system. It is being sent only to you, as a Section Manager or as a Section Emergency Coordinator. > >Please forward the following announcement to your ARRL Emergency Coordinators (ECs) or District Emergency Coordinators (DECs) since it invites them to apply for an ARES group identification number that will be used for the ARES Connect system. > >Once you have sent this information to your sections ECs and DECs, please let me know via e-mail (<mailto:sewald@arrl.org>sewald(a)arrl.org or <mailto:wv1x@arrl.org>wv1x(a)arrl.org) > >If you need assistance in forwarding this announcement to your sections ECs and DECs, please let me know. I would be then be able to send the message directly to your ECs and DECs within your section. > >Please try to send this message to your ECs and DECs by January 15th. After that date, if I have not heard from you whether or not you have sent the message to them I will proceed to send the announcement directly to your ECs and DECs. > >This announcement is especially pertinent to Emergency Coordinators and District Emergency Coordinators. The ID application form should not be used by any other person or persons other than these specific Field Organization appointees. Therefore, please do not forward this particular announcement to the general ARRL membership in your section. > >Thank you very much. > >73, > >Steve Ewald, WV1X >Supervisor, Field Organization Team > > > >ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio® >860-594-0265 ><mailto:sewald@arrl.org>sewald(a)arrl.org > >===================================================== > >The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) has been the public service communication program of the ARRL since 1935. Over many years and following many natural disasters, volunteers in our field organizations have provided us with a lot of valuable feedback about the ways we could improve and modernize (including adapting to new communication modes) to make this organization work more efficiently and effectively. > >The ARRL Board of Directors created a working group to look at the input from volunteers in the field organization, as well as incorporating the work of previous committees studying improvements to ARRL public service programs, to develop strategies to enhance the professionalism and consistency of the ARES program and those who are part of it > >The working group recognized that there is a strong need for a robust volunteer management system to connect field organizations to training, resources, and information from ARRL. Other improvements that will be rolled out in the months ahead include establishment of national training requirements and improved local training resources, updated ARES operating guidelines, and updated field organization job descriptions. > >A few weeks ago, an announcement went out outlining the changes coming to the ARES program. The first of these changes, establishing ARES Group IDs, is now ready. Before we get into the instructions on how to register your ARES group, we first want to cover some basic questions on how the ID relates to this new volunteer management system ARES Connect. > >What is ARES Connect? > >ARES Connect is a volunteer management system that will allow each ARES group to manage their roster, create and staff events, and track nets and training. Each ARES group and ARRL Section will have a unique page on the platform with appropriate admin control given to the ARES Emergency Coordinator. > >ARES members will be able to create a user profile that connects them to their local ARES group. Through their profile they can register for ARES (pending EC approval), sign up for events, log volunteer hours, and log training. > >Reporting will be different through ARES Connect. As users log activity, data is created that allows ECs, DECs and SECs to run custom reports. The current ARES report forms will continue to be used through 2018 as the system is being built, but our current plan is to shift all reporting over to ARES Connect in January 2019. > >Beta testing of the platform will begin in early 2018. Look for more information to be released about ARES Connect around midyear, once testing and initial build is complete. > >Who applies for the ARES Group ID Number? > >Most ARES groups are responsible for a local coverage area and are coordinated by an Emergency Coordinator. For this reason, the Emergency Coordinator will need to apply for the ID number. If your ARES group is operational at a district level the DEC may need to apply. All ARRL Sections will be provided a unique page on ARES Connect identified by their section abbreviation, so SECs will not need to apply for an ID. > >How long will it take to get my groups ID? > >We anticipate a high volume of requests initially, so there may be initial delays. Once demand levels off we expect a turnaround time of 7 business days. > >Why does my group need the ID? > >ARES groups now lack a unique identifier, like a call sign, and the similarity of names within a region or even across the country can cause confusion. For example, does the designated name Montgomery County ARES refer to Texas, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. All three states have a Montgomery County ARES group? A unique identifier will resolve this ambiguity. > >The ID will be used for the ARES Connect system. Your group will not be able to participate without it; which will impact your ability to report and receive ARES group benefits. > >Do not use this ID for your ARES members. When we open ARES Connect for users to create their profiles, they will use their call sign as their user ID. > >How long do I have to apply for the ID? > >The application process opened on January 2, 2018 and will remain open. You will need to have your ID to start your groups ARES Connect page. This will begin in mid-2018. By January 2, 2019 you will need to be signed in to ARES Connect to do all reporting. > >How do I apply? > >To register your ARES group, use the online form found at: > ><http://www.arrl.org/ares-group-id-request-form>http://www.arrl.org/ares-group-id-request-form. > >Instructions on how to complete this form can be found at: > ><http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/ARES/Form_ARES_006_instruct…>http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/ARES/Form_ARES_006_instruct…. > >Registration must be completed by the Emergency Coordinator, District Emergency Coordinator or their designee. > >What next? > >Additional information on changes to the ARES program will be emailed to SMs and SECs soon. Beta testing of ARES Connect will begin shortly and once completed additional information will be sent out. > >ARRL Public Service Enhancement Working Group >Dale Williams, WA8EFK >Chairman > >To unsubscribe from messages, go to: ><http://p1k.arrl.org/oo/54cb21904df178df981d8f46a0f5b4ae>http://p1k.arrl.org/oo/54cb21904df178df981d8f46a0f5b4ae ===== 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

2 1

[arrl-odv:26910] Central Division Report
by Kermit Carlson 07 Jan '18

07 Jan '18

Hello All, Please find attached the report from the Central Division. 73, Kermit W9XA

1 0

[arrl-odv:26909] Great Lakes Division Annual Report
by Dale Williams 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Greetings everyone. Attached is the Annual Report to the Board from the Great Lakes Division. 73 Dale Williams WA8EFK

1 0

[arrl-odv:26908] IN-Newsletter January 1 2018
by Pereira, Carla, KC1HSX 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Attached is the latest edition of the In Newsletter. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

1 0

[arrl-odv:26907] Contest Advisory Committee Report - Document #22
by Rod Blocksome 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

All, Please find attached the Contest Advisory Committee Report - document #22 73's, Rod, K0DAS CAC Liaison

1 0

[arrl-odv:26906] ARRL Historical Committee Report
by Rod Blocksome 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Attached is the Report of the Historical Committee - Document #18 73's, Rod, K0DAS

1 0

[arrl-odv:26905] 2018 Hudson Division Report to the Board
by Mike Lisenco N2YBB 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Ladies and Gentlemen- For your reading pleasure, the 2018 Hudson Division Report to the Board. Enjoy. 73, Mike - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mike Lisenco, N2YBB Director, Hudson Division Chairman, ad hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™ 917-865-3538 n2ybb(a)arrl.org

1 0

[arrl-odv:26904] Midwest Division Annual Report
by Rod Blocksome 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Attached is the Annual Report for the Midwest Division. 73's, Rod, K0DAS

1 0

[arrl-odv:26903] Early Closing
by Shelley, Barry, N1VXY 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Good afternoon from snowy Connecticut! Due to the continuing snow storm likely to drop up to 12" of snow in our area before it's over and wanting the staff who showed up today to get home safely before darkness sets in, ARRL HQ will be closing at 2 pm EST (1900 UTC). We plan to be open at the normal time tomorrow. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc. The national association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0212 www.arrl.org

1 0

[arrl-odv:26902] Several Things
by k5ur＠aol.com 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Hi all: I hope everyonehad a wonderful holiday season. Several weeksago, I asked Tom Frenaye to update the membership charts he'd sent earlier inthe year which showed some really good data overall and also by each Division.See ODV:26808, November 9, 2017. I've attached it again here. (Thanks, Tom.) Aftertalking with Tom Gallagher, Carla is going to start sending similar charts outon a quarterly basis going forward. By the way, as a reminder, requests ofstaff need to go through Tom. Of note is thefirst chart which shows the trend line going back to the dues increase 15 or soyears ago. Interestingly, the trend from the recent dues increase is trackingalmost identical as the one years ago. Unfortunately, however, if the trend continues,it means we still have some downturn yet to go. That’s something to keep inmind as we work on recruitment and retention. Speaking of recruitment,I've mentioned in the past that Maker Faires seem to be a wonderful place tointroduce Amateur Radio to the young people that attend them. If you have notbeen to a Maker Faire, please try to attend one in your area. What those youngpeople are doing with their science projects is awesome. When I was atPacificon this year, I stopped by a Maker Faire in Oakland on my way to the airport. There weretwo radio clubs set up with exhibits. One was WW6OR, the Oakland RadioCommunication Association (ORCA), and the other was W6CUS, the East Bay AmateurRadio Club (EBARC). I stopped by both clubs, which were set up in differentareas, and thanked them for taking the time to set up. Both reported goodinterest by the young people stopping by. Please keep this in mind if you havea Maker Faire in your area. They are growing across the U.S. We will bediscussing the Entry Level License project at the Board meeting. I'm excitedabout this effort and believe the enhancements will be a good thing for AmateurRadio. As I've made presentations this year and talked about this project, I'vementioned it as a positive thing for recruiting into the Amateur ranks, but Ihad a Technician licensee, that was a relatively new ham, come up to me after oneof my presentations and said it will also be a huge positive for retention. Hewas using himself as an example. He liked what he'd heard. Of course, you willrecall Mr. Gallagher's comments about the problem we have with retention inthose ranks before. I thought that was an interesting observation worth notingfor this project. Keep an open mind as we discuss what to do next at the Boardmeeting. I'm lookingforward to this Board meeting so we can address the issues that we arereceiving so much negative press about. I am hopeful we can resolve a lot ofthe issues and move forward positively. To help with the proposal on the Articlesof Association and the Bylaws, Greg Widin has volunteered to assist David andDale, who are going to make the motion, in breaking out the recommended changesinto separate motions instead of one motion with all of the changes. This willhelp facilitate going through them. After the Board meeting, I've asked TomGallagher to prepare an aggressive communications effort to explain the changesto our members, which we need to do a better job of, especially on policyissues, and to also use this opportunity to address the history of the actionswe've taken on the AA/BL and the Code so our members will better understand. Looking forwardto seeing everyone soon. 73 Rick - K5UR ...

1 0