This memo presents a possible remedy to the present
significant inequity in ARRL division sizes. We have one
division with approximately five times the membership of the
smallest. This memo proposes a realignment of division
boundaries that if enacted, will result in balance, such that
division populations are all within approximately 10% of the
average.
Why?
1) It is simply unfair that the votes of one member are
worth 5 times the vote of another.
2) For a prospective director candidate in the smallest
division, a mail campaign might cost $2500. For the largest
division, this would run $12,500. This is simply not fair.
3) The 9 smallest divisions have a total population smaller
than the largest 6, but command 50% more voting power. This is
not equitable.
Overview
This presents a minimal redistricting. In most cases, small
changes produce the desired result. No section boundaries are
impacted, although it may make sense to change some of them.
All divisions are contiguous.
There may be a desire to change division names in some
cases.
Details
The attached spreadsheet, on page 1, shows the current
population breakdown. It is extracted from the latest ODV
membership page. The additional column shows the percentage of
average population in that division. The percentages range
from 32% of average in the Dakota Division to 153% in the
Southeastern Division.
There are 170,528 members of all kinds. 10,272 are foreign,
leaving 160,256 USA members. If these were split evenly, there
would be 10,664 in each division. This analysis could have
been done using only Full Members, but the result would be
essentially the same.
Division by Division Proposed Restructuring
Atlantic Division - move all W2 sections to the Hudson
Division. This involves SNJ, NNY, and WNY. Atlantic would go
from 131% to 91%.
Central Division - no changes. Remains at 106%.
Dakota Division - basically combined with Midwest Division.
Delta Division - adds AL, OK, and MO. releases TN. Goes
from 72% to 108%.
Great Lakes Division - Sheds KY to Roanoke. Goes from 121%
to 105%.
Hudson Division. adds WNY, NNY, and SNJ. Goes from 61% to
100%.
Midwest Division - Adds ND, SD, and MN from Dakota, Adds CO
from Rocky Mountain. Sheds MO to Delta. Goes from 68% to 106%.
New England Division - no changes. Remains at 89%.
Northwestern Division - Sheds MT and ID to Rocky Mountain.
Goes from 118% to 99%.
Pacific Division - Sheds PAC to Southwestern. Goes from
106% to 100%.
Rocky Mountain Division - Sheds CO to Midwest. Gains ID and
MT from Northwestern. Gains AZ from Southwestern. Goes from
71% to 97%.
Southeastern Division - Sheds AL to Delta, and GA to a new
division. Goes from 153% to 94%.
Southwestern Division - Sheds AZ to Rocky Mountain. Adds
PAC from Pacific. Goes from 129% to 94%.
West Gulf - Sheds OK to Delta. Goes from 123% to 105%.
The biggest changes come in Roanoke and a new division,
which is called "Deep South" in the spreadsheet. Again, better
names can be devised.
Roanoke - sheds NC and SC to the new division. Adds KY from
Great Lakes and TN from Delta. Goes from 124% to 110%.
Deep South - new division which adds NC and SC from
Roanoke. Adds GA from Southeastern. Ends at 101%.
Event Coverage
I hope others are comfortable with having an event covered
by an adjacent director when it makes sense. For example, the
Yuma Hamfest and Quartzfest Convention are both in the
Colorado River portion of Arizona, and are frequented by a
considerable number of California hams. I would have no
problem covering these should the Rocky Mountain director
desire it.
Summary
The last change in ARRL USA division boundaries appears to
have taken place in the 1930's. The imbalance has reached an
unjustifiable state.
I receive no joy giving up the Arizona section, the largest
in the Southwestern Division, but certainly need to set an
example if others are to be convinced to accept this.
I request that you consider this proposal, and make your
views on it known to the rest of the board.
73,
Dick Norton, N6AA