July 2023 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:35018] HQ Update
by Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) 24 Jul '23

24 Jul '23

Since we went live yesterday afternoon with the supporting information about the dues increase as well as Rick's letter to the membership, social media has blown up. The 3 percenters were out early and often with their sarcasm, including one section manager trying to add credibility to the complaints. Today, those forums found a more moderate tone with many supportive comments being made. My emails today have been few, related to the dues increase, and not nasty in tone by any means. I met with the member services reps this morning to prepare them for the day ahead. I heard a few minutes ago that their day was not unusual and there was very little angst about the dues. The one area that we need to accelerate information about is Life Membership. The existing Life Members have questions and concerns. We've been handling, but will be getting a full communications message to them this week via email and will also follow with a full mailing. We had budgeted a Diamond Club mailing to Life Members for this year so the mailing will be budget neutral. I am going to be crafting a message to affiliated clubs and will be raising their commission potential for new members. There will be a call to action to get clubs thinking about and working towards a Fall recruiting drive to get new club members starting in January 2024, along with messaging about how to recruit during VE sessions. Putting the spotlight on a positive narrative will engage many of these affiliated club leaders. We will be copying the SMs and asking them to support their affiliated clubs. Getting out ahead of this by beginning the dialog with members last year and using the member survey seems to have had a hugely positive effect. I would encourage you - every one of you - that when engaging with members, the tone needs to be positive and the narrative needs to be clear. If you want to touch base with Bob Inderbitzen, he can share with you the talking points that he's been using that have resonated well with members. Thanks David

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[arrl-odv:35017] FW: Member Challenge
by Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) 24 Jul '23

24 Jul '23

How Section Managers act as leaders: Here’s how an SM shows authentic leadership from Phil Duggan, the Maine SM. He’s an example the other 70 SMs could take inspiration from. David From: Mainely HamRadio <phil.n1ep(a)gmail.com<mailto:phil.n1ep@gmail.com>> Sent: Monday, July 24, 2023 4:55 PM To: news <news(a)arrl.org<mailto:news@arrl.org>> Subject: Member Challenge Membership Challenge Many of you have already heard of the ARRL board decision to increase membership dues and make changes in the way we receive magazines, such as QST. If not, I invite you to read ARRL President Rick Roderick’s (K5UR) letter dated July 23, 2023 in an ARRL bulletin. It is available on the ARRL web site. For the past year or so, our division directors and other League officials have been warning us about the serious financial situation that the ARRL has been in the past few years caused primarily from inflation, especially the rampart cost increases of print media such as QST. In May, members were asked to take the membership dues survey. About 20% of ARRL membership answered that call and the Board has taken the results of that survey and made the tough choices. Like many of you, I do not relish the idea of a dues increase, and I especially do not like that the print magazines will no longer be part of the membership benefits (you still get the digital versions of all the magazines free with membership). Now, to receive a printed QST, On The Air, NCJ, or QEX magazine, you will have to subscribe separately. I am one of those that still likes to hold onto a paper book or magazine. But then, I think how much the ARRL, ham radio clubs (most of them ARRL-affiliated) and my fellow amateur radio operators mean to me. It boils down to people, to friendship, and camaraderie. If not for the ARRL and for all of the clubs and ham radio events, I would miss out on the great friendships forged through the past 27 years. It is my relationship with the League, affiliated clubs and all the individuals I have met through them that has made such a positive impact on my life. I love the coffee meets, hamfest gatherings, convention get-togethers, club suppers, and all the ham radio nets where we get to chat, laugh, innovate, maybe even instigate, and otherwise socialize. There is no doubt in my mind that this amazing hobby and service would not exist as it is today without the ARRL. The League’s advocacy and lobbying is why we have so many amateur radio bands and modes. There are many commercial entities that want some of our spectrum. It is a constant battle that continues today. What chance would we have in keeping our frequency privileges without the ARRL’s effort? Very little in my opinion. The ARRL has not just been a magazine subscription. It is much more than that. For instance, New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, reminds us that the ARRL provides: • Spectrum Defense • Advocacy in local, national, and international regulation and policymaking • Support from restrictive antenna regulation & zoning • Volunteer Monitor Program • Promoting amateur radio to the public • ARRL Teacher’s Institute programs to promote STEM learning through amateur radio There are also dozens of services and programs available to members. ARRL VEC program, Logbook Of The World, ARRL Learning Center, Training, Webinars, National Traffic System, EmComm and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®), and ARRL lab and technical support/RFI. In January the Board passed a motion to create an ARRL Ham Bootcamp, and the League is also working to promote six and ten meter operation for Technician class amateurs. The list goes on! The last membership rate hike was in 2016, and before that, 2001. For our more senior members (age 70+) who might be stressed financially due to fixed incomes, the ARRL is planning a monthly payment option. Instead of seeing these dues increases and other changes at the ARRL as a negative, let’s instead support the League even further. Last year the ARRL lost about a million dollars. This year that figure is expected to more than double. Dues increases alone will not make up for all of that. If you can afford it, I challenge you to do one or more of the following: 1. Become Diamond Club member. The additional financial support will help close the gap and get the League into better financial health. 2. Donate to one of the ARRL funds, such as Spectrum Defense, Education & Technology, W1AW Endowment, or the General fund. https://home.arrl.org/action/Donate 3. If you are a Life Member, consider making a monthly or annual donation. Some may think the ARRL has not been a good steward of our membership money. While any business, including the League, can benefit from frequent analysis of expenditures and “tightening of the belt,” I do not believe the ARRL is wasting our money. As Maine section manager, I have met and continue to meet many League officials in person and on-line and they are doing their best in a difficult inflationary time. Today I made a donation to the ARRL general fund. When my membership expiration nears, I will renew AND join the Diamond Club. I will adapt and get used to reading QST on my iPad. I appreciate all that the League continues to do, and I am thankful for all of the friendships I have made because of the ARRL and affiliated clubs and nets. Please, if you can afford to do so, accept my challenge. Turn a negative into a positive! 73, Phil Duggan N1EP Maine ARRL Section Manager

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[arrl-odv:35016] Annual Report
by Middleton, Diane, W2DLM (CFO) 24 Jul '23

24 Jul '23

Dear ODV, As I mentioned in the board meeting, the annual report was due out any day. It has been posted to the website. It can be found at: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Annual%20Reports/2022%20Annual%… If you are interested in receiving a printed copy of the report, please let me know. We are waiting to get an idea of the number to print before placing the order. Thank you. Diane Middleton, W2DLM Chief Financial Officer ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio(r) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860)594-0225 [cid:image001.png@01D9BE4C.586B4FC0]

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[arrl-odv:35015] Communicating dues increase and related adjustments
by Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R 23 Jul '23

23 Jul '23

To: ARRL Officers, Directors, and Vice Directors, Good afternoon. Attached is a set of communications material for Board members and Officers to use when explaining the 2024 dues increase and related adjustments with members: * A Message from ARRL President Rick Roderick (Member Bulletin, July 23, 2023) * Dues and related adjustments * Additional Q&A for Board Member use as needed Many thanks to Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and the other members of the Revenue Subcommittee for their collaboration on this package. The message from President Rick Roderick, K5UR, will be distributed to members very shortly. The message directs members to http://arrl.org/2024-dues-rates for a complete summary of the 2024 dues rates and related fees. I do not receive messages from the ODV reflector, so please follow-up directly with me if you have any questions or if I can be of any other assistance. I hope those of you returning home have arrived safe and sound! Thank you for your work during the Second Meeting. 73 Bob NQ1R Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Director of Marketing and Innovation ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio(r) 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA Tel: (860) 594-0213 FAX: (860) 594-0303 rinderbitzen(a)arrl.org<mailto:rinderbitzen@arrl.org> www.arrl.org<http://www.arrl.org/>

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[arrl-odv:35014] Talking Points re Shortwave Modernization Coalition (SMC)
by david davidsiddall-law.com 22 Jul '23

22 Jul '23

NOT FOR ATTRIBUTION ODV, Late Thursday I met with Ed Hare W1RFI (ARRL volunteer consultant) and George Spatta W1GKS (ARRL Lab) to discuss the likelihood of harmful interference to Radio Amateur communications if the SMC proposal is adopted without modification. Their conclusion is that the changes to the FCC Part 90 technical rules, as proposed and if used at their maximum, most definitely have the potential to cause harmful interference in the Amateur bands between 2-25 MHz. Ed has drafted a technical analysis explaining the basis for the harmful interference conclusion. We intend for this analysis to be attached to and discussed in the body of ARRL’s comments. I also want to note that as of this morning, there already were more than 650 comments filed at the FCC addressing this petition, many by licensed amateurs that include their call sign on their filing. Knowing that you are receiving an increasing number in inquiries, and now that we know the facts that will inform ARRL’s comments, below are suggested responses to queries about ARRL’s views on the petition. The below points can be used by directors as you wish, but should be used without attribution to source (other than to you as a director) given that the ARRL has not yet filed written comments with the FCC. Please feel free to speak or email me if you have any questions. 1. Since May the ARRL lab has been reviewing the technical rules proposed in SMC’s petition from the stand point of potential interference to Amateur Radio communications. 1. A technical analysis has been prepared for submission to the FCC. 1. The ARRL analysis demonstrates that the rules as proposed in SMC’s petition, if adopted, would pose a clear potential for interference into the Amateur bands. 1. SMC proposes out-of-band emission limits for bands between 2 and 25 MHz that, coupled with other changes proposed by SMC (including 20,000 watts output power, 50 kHz signal bandwidth and data transmissions) would allow substantial power to be radiated into neighboring HF Amateur bands that would cause harmful interference to Amateur communications. 1. It may be possible for high-power HF transmissions to co-exist with Amateur communications, but not with the technical rules proposed by SMC. 73, Dave K3ZJ David R. Siddall Managing Partner DS Law, PLLC 1629 K St. NW, Ste 300 Washington, DC 20006 direct: +1 202 559 4690 Unauthorized Disclosure Prohibited. This e-mail is intended solely for the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, it is prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute, or use the contents of this email and its attachments. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all electronic and physical copies of the e-mail message and its attachments. Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of attorney-client or any other privilege. Thank you.

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[arrl-odv:35013] Norton Director's Motions - Please Process Them, Individually, to BoardEffect
by Richard Norton 21 Jul '23

21 Jul '23

Norton 1. Moved that staff be directed to contain the ARRL's relationship with the National Contest Journal to that of publisher and distributor, eschewing editorial control and selection of editor or columnists. Norton 2. Moved that staff be directed to promptly produce any information requested by Director Famiglio on matters relating to trademarks and intellectual property. Norton 3. Moved that staff be directed to assure that all members wishing to participate in ARRL-managed on-line discussion groups are able and encouraged to do so, and that no action is ever taken by staff in retaliation of suggestion of action or criticism. Institute a policy where no member of an ARRL-managed online group may be moderated, banned, or otherwise removed without their first being informed via that group that a cited post violates the group's printed rules. Norton 4. Moved that staff be directed to cease any efforts to stifle member suggestions or criticisms. Staff is directed to make no efforts to excise suggestions or criticisms made on both ARRL and non-ARRL forums. Norton 5. Moved that the Executive Committee review and approve all QST editorials before publication. Norton 6. Moved that the Executive Committee pre-approve any Executive Office or Human Relations legal expense estimated to be above $2,500. Cost of each motion - negligible if not zero

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[arrl-odv:35012] PSC July Report for the Board
by Michael Ritz 20 Jul '23

20 Jul '23

Attached for your supine reading enjoyment tonight is the engaging and always suspenseful PSC report to the ARRL Board. (Document 12 in the agenda). I will entertain any Director questions as part of the consent agenda. Thanks! 73; Mike W7VO

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[arrl-odv:35011] FW: Captrust
by Middleton, Diane, W2DLM (CFO) 20 Jul '23

20 Jul '23

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Sager, John, WJ7S (Treasurer)" <jsager(a)arrl.org> Date: 7/20/23 3:42 PM (GMT-05:00) To: "Middleton, Diane, W2DLM (CFO)" <dmiddleton(a)arrl.org> Subject: Captrust

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[arrl-odv:35010] Washington Counsels' Report
by david davidsiddall-law.com 20 Jul '23

20 Jul '23

Attached David R. Siddall Managing Partner DS Law, PLLC 1629 K St. NW, Ste 300 Washington, DC 20006 direct: +1 202 559 4690 Unauthorized Disclosure Prohibited. This e-mail is intended solely for the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, it is prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute, or use the contents of this email and its attachments. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all electronic and physical copies of the e-mail message and its attachments. Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of attorney-client or any other privilege. Thank you.

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[arrl-odv:35007] CEO Report
by Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) 19 Jul '23

19 Jul '23

Attached is the CEO report for A&F discussion tomorrow including strategy slides. This is the same report that will be in the board book. Thanks David

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