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. 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.
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.
73,
Jay, KØQB.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kay Craigie
[mailto:n3kn@verizon.net]
Sent:
To: arrl-odv
Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18014] Re:
interesting mail
Outcomes of projects like
Radio Arcala are hard to quantify. For example, there are no data showing how
many children go on to become Amateurs because of the SAREX/ARISS program, so
we can't prove it is successful in that regard, but we continue to support
it. I'm not impressed by the prediction of "hordes" of youth
stampeding into ham radio as a result of this or any other project. I stopped
believing in magic wands some time ago. I do think that social networking is a
really good opportunity for outreach.
Radio Arcala is one of
several organizations with which the League might be able develop a cooperative
relationship because their goals match some of our goals. However,
"cooperative relationship" and "give you a pile of our
money" are not synonyms. (N6RC does mention fund-raising towards the end
of his letter.) The nature of the cooperation would have to be worked out
carefully and objectively. I doubt we're in a position to provide an
ongoing stream of major money to an independent organization, no matter
how worthy their aims. Talk, however, is cheap, and so some talk with N6RC
might lead to something good for ham radio.
73 - Kay N3KN
Prior Comments – Some but not all
* I'm thinking they are really
trying to figure out the same thing we are - how are we going to engage the
next generation and interest them in what we enjoy so much.
At the end Mr. Crouch asks for
help….and…..asks me for "a vision of the future for amateur
radio". Maybe he's lookingfor the ARRL strategic
plan? I think the response
should come from Dave, or Joel (or
Other
thoughts?
* I also think it appropriate
for Joel to respond
*In my opinion, if we don't lead
the charge, others will and we become seem as the old guys without a clue while
others displace us (the ARRL).
Its time to get moving!!!!!!!
* think they are indeed worthy of our possible assistance and any
promotion we can give them. They
are well worth a look.
* Amen …..Its time to get
moving!!!!!!!
* (W)we
talked about Radio Arcala in our breakout group. The
suggested strategy ….. was to enhance the ARRL's existing presence on the various general-interest
social networking sites (such as Facebook) to grab
the interest of people who don't know about ham radio already. Step Two would
be to steer them towards sites such as Radio Arcala.
It could be a really nice synergy.
* (T)here is a Radio Arcala group on Facebook called "Arcala Xtremes" with 258 members. I’m (i.e. K1ZZ)
one of the 258.