I know that some of you have already seen this on the PSComm list, but for those who have not, it may be of some interest. Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 860 594 0220 hkramer@arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/> ________________________________ From: Ewald, Steve, WV1X [mailto:wv1x@arrl.org] Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 5:14 PM To: smlist Subject: [smlist:4248] Summary of August SM Teleconference Greetings, I have attached the Summary of Highlights from the August 2007 Teleconference with Section Managers. On Wednesday evening, August 22, Membership and Volunteer Programs hosted an ARRL telebridge teleconference with all the Section Managers of the Northwestern Division. We welcomed SMs David Stevens, KL7EB (Alaska); Mark Tharp, KB7HDX (Eastern Washington); Doug Rich, W7DVR (Idaho); Doug Dunn, KY7D (Montana); Bonnie Altus, AB7ZQ (Oregon); Ed Bruette, N7NVP (Western Washington); Dick Flanagan, K7VC (Nevada, of the Pacific Division); Northwestern Division Director Jim Fenstermaker, K9JF; Headquarters staff members Dennis Dura, K2DCD, and Steve Ewald, WV1X. Dennis Dura recently returned from the ARRL National Convention and the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference in Huntsville. He summarized and reviewed some of the main points of discussion at these meetings. In response to suggestions that ARRL's main date for the national Simulated Emergency Test be moved to Spring or to September (to coincide with National Preparedness Month), several comments were shared that validated reasons to make a change in the date. However, flexibility of scheduling a local or section-wide SET seemed valuable to others as well. Perhaps, in the future, the development of a series of region-wide SETs could help make the experience very effective for everyone involved. Could a "cost of living" increase for the ARRL Section budgets be considered? The high cost of gasoline these days has spotlighted this particular need because a much greater percentage of a section's budget is now often used to cover mileage-reimbursement expenses. The SMs who live in geographically large sections notice this even more so. The SMs plan their travels to club meeting visits, hamfests and other ARRL-related events around their sections carefully. In some cases, considering scheduling and all, it can take a Section Manager in a large section up to three years to complete a visiting circuit. ARRL membership recruitment ideas were exchanged. Also, there are potential incentives that could be considered and/or offered to ARRL members who manage to recruit new members, retain present members and gain former members' renewals. Further ideas and details will be shared with HQ staff. The volunteer examiner test session was noted as a good and natural venue for ARRL membership promotion. This teleconference - and the opportunity to discuss issues -- received a positive rating. Thank you to all for your participation and interest. 73, Steve Ewald, WV1X Supervisor, Field Organization Team ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 860-594-0265 sewald@arrl.org <mailto:sewald@arrl.org>