For the record, there were no policy discussions between Steve and I. I have known him since we worked together on the ARESCOMM committee. The statement at the meeting that hundreds of PMBOs had been shut down nationwide for fear of enforcement action from the FCC got around to him (not from me, mind you) and he called to ask me what was actually said. I told him that some misinformation had been given out and that we received an e-mail shortly after that clarified that it was only the Winlink Development Team who had shutdown the PMBOs. That is when he told me what the source of that mis-impression probably was (i.e. the Winlink web site not showing the PMBOs that had been switched over to the new technology). Personally, I don't see what the issue is of him asking about facts (or statements assumed to be facts) that were presented to the board and which were not at all of a confidential nature, and then asking me to get the correct facts to the board. There was absolutely no discussion of any of our current policies or any attempt by Steve to influence them (he knows I don't have a vote at the meetings). HOWEVER, if we're going to go through this every time someone has a conversation with someone outside their division, I'll politely tell the caller that I can't discuss league matters with them, refer them to their own director, and hastily hang up. If that's what you want, that is exactly what you will get. Personally, I think that approach is a member relations disaster, but as I said, whatever you want. -- Andy, N6AJO At 04:39 AM 1/28/2008, Joel Harrison wrote:
Recently a number of you have mentioned talking to Steve Waterman.
Steve, of course, is a national figure and gets around a lot and it is good that he, as a member, has access to many of you. I want to caution you, though, about having any in-depth discussions regarding ARRL policy with Steve, or any member from outside your division without FIRST discussing it with the appropriate Director and making sure the Director is in the loop, and also it is your responsibility to ensure the member you are talking to understands he/she should be discussing the issue with their elected director.
The reason is very simple. You are elected to represent a geographical constituency and if the elected representative from a division is approached by a member in their division regarding a policy issue and isn't convinced it has merit, there should not be an end-run arrangement to cut the respective director out of the loop. There is historical precedence here as well. We had an issue several years ago with one director who felt it was his "duty" to respond and discuss policy matters with any member from anywhere, and a couple of members who could not convince their duly elected representative of the merits of an issue simply cut their director out of the loop and went to the director outside their division, and this director felt it was his obligation to bring the issues to the board. It is NOT and this practice is simply out of line and does nothing but agitate, aggravate and destroy the democratic process by which our Articles of Association and By-Laws are founded. This director was informally admonished by the board and finally got the message.
So, just remember, if you are called on the phone or discuss a matter with a member from outside your division it is REQUIRED that, if policy questions arise, you advise the person he must speak with his director and that you must bring the respective director in the loop BEFORE you have any discussion with the member from outside your division. If the respective director does not want you discussing policy matters with the member, then it is imperative that you honor that request. It doesn't matter who called who or how the contact was initiated.
This is a very simple rule that I believe everyone understands, but is worth repeating given some of the comments I've heard recently concerning this issue. Just remember, again, bring the respective director in the loop BEFORE and honor any request that your appropriate colleague may have.
73 Joel W5ZN
Andy Oppel andy@andyoppel.com andy_oppel@alamedanet.net