Jay,
Excellent considerations. Why have
a National Convention? Its purpose?
In my opinion, a National
Convention out to showcase the whats, whys and hows of ARRL in its quest to
support Amateur Radio. Provided we do this adequately, the
Convention, in turn, ought to bring us more members as well as more dedicated
members.
I also think that if we go into a National
with the idea merely of hanging our name onto something already there, it is a
waste of time. This is the reason we’ve
included words including:
“ACTION: Upon adoption of this motion, CEO Sumner is
instructed to take actions as are appropriate through Staff to implement the
Convention and President Haynie is instructed to designate such persons as may
be appropriate to work with the Hamvention Committee to coordinate developing
the program and other ARRL aspects of the combined event. Staff is especially instructed to explore and
develop means to leverage the Hamvention-Convention to take advantage of an
expected heightened presence of ARRL to enhance sales of membership and
publications.”
as
part of the motion and its directives.
I am fully confident that we have good and
dedicated folks at HQ who can and will form an ARRL “skunk works”
that will come up with unique and aggressive ideas for promoting the League. I also think that members of the Board Family
can join with Staff to facilitate and enhance their work.
This, then, is the principal “why”
a National Convention in my opinion.
There may be additional benefits, but these are relatively minor, I
think. I agree that a bit of discussion
on this topic should be worthwhile. If nothing else, we may find ways to stretch our
efforts in R&R still further.
73,
Jim W.
Jim Weaver, K8JE
Director,
Tel.: 513-459-0142;
E-mail: k8je@arrl.org
ARRL:
The reason Amateur Radio Is!
AMATEUR
RADIO: The only fail-safe communication system in the world.
-----Original Message-----
From: JBellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com]
Sent:
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10789] Re:
PLANNED MOTION CONCERNING A 2005 ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION
There doesn’t seem to be much guidance in the
Rules and Regulations regarding the when where or why ARRL has a national
convention. The Rules attached to the Bylaws simply state:
“5. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions,
the Board of Directors may authorize or direct upon such terms as it may
prescribe, the holding, as a National Convention, of a meeting of persons
interested in Amateur Radio from throughout the operating territory of the
League. The President will assign a member of the Board to work with the staff
to evaluate National Convention applications and negotiate ARRL participation.
The management, program and financial plans of every such convention shall be subject
to the approval of the Executive Committee. “
I understand why the folks at the Hamvention would
like us to designate the 2005 Hamvention an ARRL National Convention. Before
voting on this I would like to know if there really is some substance and purpose
to a national convention. I’m not necessarily opposed to the idea but if
the purpose is simply to give the Hamvention (or any other event) a little
“window dressing” it concerns me that we may appear to be
“renting out “ the name of the League.
If the term ARRL National Convention is to have any
meaning we need to identify some substantial and distinguishing features or
aspects of the event peculiarly identified with ARRL and of particular benefit
to ARRL and its members. That may be challenging, particularly in the context
of an event as large and multifaceted as the Hamvention but we ought to try.
Perhaps this is fodder for Thursday evening pre-meeting discussion.
Jay, KØQB
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim K8JE
[mailto:K8JE@arrl.org]
Sent:
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10759] Re:
PLANNED MOTION CONCERNING A 2005 ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION
Kay,
I’ve
inserted my comments into your note. You
raise valid and interesting points. I
think I can answer most of them. Let me
know if you have further questions, please.
73,
Jim W.
Jim Weaver, K8JE
Director,
Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je@arrl.org
ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is!
AMATEUR RADIO: The only fail-safe communication system in the
world.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kay Craigie
[mailto:wt3p@comcast.net]
Sent:
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10755] Re:
PLANNED MOTION CONCERNING A 2005 ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION
Joel has expressed many of my
concerns very well.
We must be very specific and very
realistic about what is in it for the ARRL to have a National Convention ... at
WITH THE
COOPERATION
It's true that travel expenses for
Directors and Officers come from their existing budgets. However, if you spend
Division budget money going to a National, that's money you don't have
available to spend on membership contact within your Division. This presents a
choice to Directors: go to a National where you may not be interacting with
many of your members, or skip the National and do your customary in-Division
travel, or do it all and over-spend your budget. Any of these choices has
down-sides for the organization. If we have so much money allocated to
Governance that Divisions can absorb a Director's trip to a National without
cutting back on other activity that year, then that raises interesting
questions, doesn't it?
YOU BET
IT RAISES INTERESTING ISSUES. PLEASE
NOTICE THAT EVEN AFTER WE CUT DIVISION BUDGETS IN JANUARY, MOST DIVISIONS STILL
DO NOT COME CLOSE TO SPENDING THEIR BUDGET ALLOCATIONS EACH YEAR. I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN I GOT THE FIGURES
FROM COY WHO IN TURN GOT THEM FROM BARRY.
I’M ALSO SURPRISED THAT WE ALLOW PEOPLE SO MUCH FISCAL FREEDOM
THAT THEY WILLY NILLY OVERSPEND BUDGETS.
I INADVERTENTLY OVERSPENT MINE BY A COUPLE OR THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS LAST
YEAR AND FELL OFF MY CHAIR WHEN I WAS NOT CHASTISED FOR THIS. I HAD EXPECTED THAT IF I OVERSPENT, THE
OVERAGE WOULD BE DENIED. WHY
WASN’T IT?
There's something else I want to
bring into the discussion of Nationals:
I believe the Board needs to develop
guidelines for the Director's Workbook suggesting what Directors and Officers
should do at Nationals that we attend. Otherwise, it seems to me like we are
getting to go to
I WILL
SUPPORT SUCH A MOTION. IN FACT, IF YOU
WANT ME TO WORK WITH YOU, I’LL BE HAPPY TO PRESENT JUST SUCH A MOTION.
73 - Kay N3KN