This memo presents a possible remedy to the present
significant inequity in ARRL division sizes. We have one
division with approximately five times the membership of the
smallest. This memo proposes a realignment of division
boundaries that if enacted, will result in balance, such
that division populations are all within approximately 10%
of the average.
Why?
1) It is simply unfair that the votes of one member are
worth 5 times the vote of another.
2) For a prospective director candidate in the smallest
division, a mail campaign might cost $2500. For the largest
division, this would run $12,500. This is simply not fair.
3) The 9 smallest divisions have a total population
smaller than the largest 6, but command 50% more voting
power. This is not equitable.
Overview
This presents a minimal redistricting. In most cases,
small changes produce the desired result. No section
boundaries are impacted, although it may make sense to
change some of them. All divisions are contiguous.
There may be a desire to change division names in some
cases.
Details
The attached spreadsheet, on page 1, shows the current
population breakdown. It is extracted from the latest ODV
membership page. The additional column shows the percentage
of average population in that division. The percentages
range from 32% of average in the Dakota Division to 153% in
the Southeastern Division.
There are 170,528 members of all kinds. 10,272 are
foreign, leaving 160,256 USA members. If these were split
evenly, there would be 10,664 in each division. This
analysis could have been done using only Full Members, but
the result would be essentially the same.
Division by Division Proposed Restructuring
Atlantic Division - move all W2 sections to the Hudson
Division. This involves SNJ, NNY, and WNY. Atlantic would go
from 131% to 91%.
Central Division - no changes. Remains at 106%.
Dakota Division - basically combined with Midwest
Division.
Delta Division - adds AL, OK, and MO. releases TN. Goes
from 72% to 108%.
Great Lakes Division - Sheds KY to Roanoke. Goes from
121% to 105%.
Hudson Division. adds WNY, NNY, and SNJ. Goes from 61% to
100%.
Midwest Division - Adds ND, SD, and MN from Dakota, Adds
CO from Rocky Mountain. Sheds MO to Delta. Goes from 68% to
106%.
New England Division - no changes. Remains at 89%.
Northwestern Division - Sheds MT and ID to Rocky
Mountain. Goes from 118% to 99%.
Pacific Division - Sheds PAC to Southwestern. Goes from
106% to 100%.
Rocky Mountain Division - Sheds CO to Midwest. Gains ID
and MT from Northwestern. Gains AZ from Southwestern. Goes
from 71% to 97%.
Southeastern Division - Sheds AL to Delta, and GA to a
new division. Goes from 153% to 94%.
Southwestern Division - Sheds AZ to Rocky Mountain. Adds
PAC from Pacific. Goes from 129% to 94%.
West Gulf - Sheds OK to Delta. Goes from 123% to 105%.
The biggest changes come in Roanoke and a new division,
which is called "Deep South" in the spreadsheet. Again,
better names can be devised.
Roanoke - sheds NC and SC to the new division. Adds KY
from Great Lakes and TN from Delta. Goes from 124% to 110%.
Deep South - new division which adds NC and SC from
Roanoke. Adds GA from Southeastern. Ends at 101%.
Event Coverage
I hope others are comfortable with having an event
covered by an adjacent director when it makes sense. For
example, the Yuma Hamfest and Quartzfest Convention are both
in the Colorado River portion of Arizona, and are frequented
by a considerable number of California hams. I would have no
problem covering these should the Rocky Mountain director
desire it.
Summary
The last change in ARRL USA division boundaries appears
to have taken place in the 1930's. The imbalance has reached
an unjustifiable state.
I receive no joy giving up the Arizona section, the
largest in the Southwestern Division, but certainly need to
set an example if others are to be convinced to accept this.
I request that you consider this proposal, and make your
views on it known to the rest of the board.
73,
Dick Norton, N6AA