Jim, The letters are a great ice-breaker when going in to see a Representative or a staffer. In a number of cases, we were asked specifically for constituent input (as we personally were not District constituents). The letters provided that entre. In my case, I had also asked my Division to send emails through the Congressional websites. On many occasions I asked if they had also received emails, and they had. In my opinion the letters are most effective when hand-delivered. Insofar as District visits are concerned, it would be best if you bring a couple of members who are actual constituents to the meeting, especially if they suffer from CC&Rs. I caution you to choose wisely. If you run into a wall, you should call TKG for help in getting appointments. AND BRING ARRL BUSINESS CARDS. For some reason, they are part of the protocol. Feel free to call me if you have any questions. 73 de Mike N2YBB From: James F. Boehner, MD Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 2:44 PM To: 'Mike Lisenco N2YBB' ; arrl-odv@arrl.org Subject: HR 4969 letters vs visits Mike and all, Has there been an instance in which letter writing alone netted us a cosponsor, or has each cosponsor had a face to face meeting with us? Has the letter writing at least “opened the door” to us where the Representatives were ready to listen? I am trying to find a relevance to the letter writing, and how many resources to devote to that activity. Since the cost is negligible, there is no reason not to do this, but just wonder to what degree this is helping. Any additional tips in regards to visiting the candidates while at home in their districts would be helpful. I will be calling for an appointment as soon as Monday rolls around. ’73 de JIM N2ZZ From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Mike Lisenco N2YBB Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 9:49 AM To: arrl-odv@arrl.org Subject: [arrl-odv:23092] HR 4969 and a challenge Good Morning, As you can see from the list below, along with Mr. Kinzinger (R-IL), the sponsor of HR 4969, we now have a total of 18 names on the Bill. That’s nearly 2/3 of our original goal of 30. We accomplished this basically with only a few people and our D.C. consultants in a week and a day. Imagine what we can accomplish with 15 or more of us over the next 4 weeks. Frankly, there is no reason why we can’t obtain 50 or more names on the Bill. To do that requires the participation of every Division. And so to you, my colleagues on the Board, I issue this challenge; that each of us pick up 2 new co-sponsors this month. That would add 30 names to the Bill. It is doable with a moderate amount of effort on our part. Certainly all of us have enough support within our own Divisions to get help from key members whom you would trust to get the job done with you. This issue is arguably the most important issue Amateur Radio has faced in the past 30 years. At the current rate of growth, it is only a matter of a few short years before deed restricted communities cover over 1/2 of the entire U.S. population. No antennas will be the death of Amateur Radio as we know it. I don’t mean to sound preachy (or maybe I do), but I am sincere in my belief that we have the opportunity to get this done. Now. Today. And that opportunity will likely not be there come next Congress. It’s incumbent upon us to get it done now. Let this be our legacy to Amateur Radio and the ARRL. That we, as Directors, Vice-Directors, and Officers, accomplished the extension of PRB-1 rights to those living in developments hampered by HOAs and CC&Rs. I know, personally, that if I am a part of a successful effort, I will be satisfied with my term in office no matter what I do in the future. As we would say here in Brooklyn (actually, it would be more colorful), “let’s get off our collective asses and get this done!” With My Vy 73, Mike - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mike Lisenco, N2YBB Director, Hudson Division ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™ 917-865-3538 n2ybb@arrl.org Cosponsor Date Cosponsored Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]* 06/25/2014 Rep. Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY-11] 07/15/2014 Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] 07/15/2014 Rep. Gibson, Christopher P. [R-NY-19] 07/23/2014 Rep. McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7] 07/23/2014 Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-10] 07/29/2014 Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3] 07/29/2014 Rep. McCarthy, Carolyn [D-NY-4] 07/29/2014 Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] 07/31/2014 Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-1] 07/31/2014 Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2] 07/31/2014 Rep. Hanna, Richard L. [R-NY-22] 07/31/2014 Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9] 07/31/2014 Rep. Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7] 08/01/2014 Rep. Collins, Chris [R-NY-27] 08/01/2014 Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3] 08/01/2014 Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-23] 08/01/2014