Howard, will this go out as a general announcement to all members that are signed up to receive email? Or will it just hit the front ARRL news page? Thanks. Mark, KB7HDX VD NW Div. On Thu, Feb 14, 2019 at 6:07 AM Michel, Howard, WB2ITX (CEO) < wb2itx@arrl.org> wrote:
Dear Officers, Directors and Vice Directors,
The following story will appear in today's ARRL Letter.
73, Howard, WB2ITX
-- ARRL is getting underway with the development phase of the new Volunteer Monitors program and has contracted with former Atlantic Division Vice Director Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, to oversee the development and implementation of the program, which replaces the Official Observers program. Hollingsworth, a retired Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforcement official, has resigned his vice directorship in order to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
“I am grateful for the Atlantic Division ARRL members supporting me, but I think I can better serve the Atlantic Division, and all ARRL divisions, by working in the Volunteer Monitors program,” Hollingsworth said in his resignation letter.
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said that Hollingsworth is the ideal person to lead the ARRL’s efforts in the development and implementation of this joint program with the FCC. “I support Riley’s decision to concentrate his efforts on this very valuable project on behalf of the ARRL,” said Roderick. (Details on appointment of a new vice director for the Atlantic Division are still to be determined.)
The new Volunteer Monitors program, which was approved by the ARRL Board in July 2018, is a program of the ARRL in cooperation with the FCC in which volunteers trained and vetted by the ARRL will monitor the airwaves and collect evidence that can be used to correct misconduct or recognize exemplary on-air operation. Cases of flagrant violations or noncompliance will be directed to the FCC by the ARRL for action in accordance with guidelines establish by the FCC. The intent of this program is to re-energize enforcement efforts in the Amateur Radio bands. It was proposed by the FCC in the wake of several FCC regional office closures and a reduction in field staff.
Hollingsworth has identified three phases to the program – Development, Solicitation and Training, and Implementation. The Development phase will include drafting a mission statement, clearly defining the ARRL’s and FCC’s requirements and needs as part of the program, writing a job description for the volunteer manager position, and developing a training manual for volunteers.
The Solicitation and Training phase will involve identifying the geographic locations where volunteer monitors will be most needed, soliciting applications and screening applicants. Current Official Observers will be invited to apply for appointment as Volunteer Monitors (VMs). The ARRL Board continues to express its appreciation for the OOs and their dedicated volunteer service over the years.
The Implementation phase of the program will involve having the volunteers providing field reports and ARRL staff providing guidance to the volunteers to ensure that the information collected meets FCC requirements. In addition, there will be continuing education provided to the volunteers.
Hollingsworth has committed to FCC and ARRL officials to ensure the adequacy of training for the new positions, to review the quality and utility of Volunteer Monitor submissions to the FCC for enforcement actions, and to advocate for rapid disposition of cases appropriately submitted to the FCC.
ARRL officials estimate that it will take 9 to 12 months for the first Volunteer Monitors to begin filing their reports.
-- Howard E. Michel, WB2ITX Chief Executive Officer ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio® 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone: +1 860-594-0404 email: hmichel@arrl.org
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