Agree. Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: <mailto:k8je@arrl.org> k8je@arrl.org; Tel.: 513-459-0142 -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 10:04 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:14778] Red Cross Background Checks The Red Cross matter has generated about as much, if not more, email that the Morse issue! I've received about 200 emails since our web story was released. In each response, I have copied the responsible Director so you will be aware of the comments from the members in your division. 95% of the emails have been supportive and complimentary of our advising our membership of exactly what the requirements are so they could make an informed decision about their future service to the Red Cross. 4% couldn't read, and thought I was telling people to not volunteer to the Red Cross. The other 1% just wanted to fight. Since the topic has arisen here in our discussion, I will tell you I have not intention of talking to the Red Cross about this matter right now. There is no need. We have brought their requirement to the attention of our members, we educated our members as to exactly what the Red Cross' requirements are, we have advised our members as to exactly what MBC is requiring of them, and we have followed up and posted a statement and clarification from the Red Cross. There is no need to do anything else right now. This is the Red Cross' requirement, not ours. Now, down the road there will be a time to renew our MOU (SOU) with Red Cross. Between now and then we can think about how we should address the impact of this requirement on our members who volunteer amateur radio communications services to the Red Cross, we will have time to hear and act on the report from the NERPC and gain any other helpful insight into how we should approach future MOU's with served agencies. 73 Joel W5ZN