At 10:16 AM 8/13/2009, John Bellows wrote:
I agree with Kay. As she notes though we are already involved in projects involving youth ( e.g. SAREX/ARISS, BSA, ETP, Teacher�s Institute, etc.) none of which has proven to be a one size fits all answer.
I consider most of those programs to be incidental creators of new hams. Over time they will create new hams. They are all worthy programs to expose youth and others to Amateur Radio, but none of them are designed to generate new hams - and if they are, we ought to be measuring their success at doing so.
Unless we want to find a new source of revenue or scale back other programs, ARRL isn�t in a position to shoulder the lead in a new major project, but investigating areas of common ground and companion strengths with N6RC doesn�t cost us anything and could lead to another beneficial relationship.
I agree that some contact with the Radio Arcala/Arkala folks is a good idea, and I'm glad Dave has already been involved. I don't think we have effectively committed to programs specifically generate new hams though. While we are tracking the numbers (29,000 new hams is the estimate for this year I think), and happy to see them slowly increasing, we have yet to commit our own resources to a significant effort beyond what we have been doing (and what I call "incidental creators" above). If you look at our instructor support, it still appears to be structured towards the traditional 8-10-12 week classes - instead of the reasonably successful weekend efforts (supplemented by some pre-study) that appeal a lot more to today's environment.
We appear to agree that we need to act soon (see comments bellows) and that a single ARRL reply is preferable and that should come from Joel or Dave. Normally I would suggest the reply should come fro the President but given Dave�s prior involvement with Radio Arcala as a Judge of its essay contest and on the Radio Arcala Facebook group I think the nod goes to him.
Agree -- Tom ===== e-mail: k1ki@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