In the absence of some compelling argument against it, I agree that it is absolutely time to do this. I believe that it doesn't strengthen us, but rather, it weakens us to abstain from participation in this committee. My opinion is based on a "common sense" analysis of the situation rather than any inside knowledge of how the NCVEC operates or what the reasoning was for not participating in the first place. If there are good principled reasons for not participating in this group, I'd like to hear them. 73, Walt W0CP ________________________________ I've stopped 35,726 spam messages. You can too! Get protection at http://www.w0cp.com/mailwasher.htm -----Original Message----- From: Wilson, Mark K1RO [mailto:k1ro@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 2:06 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10799] VEC meeting Jim Haynie asked me to send this to the reflector. -- Mark K1RO _______ I want to "float" (8 inches of rain here in 3 days) something by you that I think needs attention. Ever since the VE program was developed, we have taken the position that Bart Jahnke was to abstain from any votes during their meetings. I think all of us will agree, he IS Mr. VEC and few, if any of us knows as much about the system. This July the VEC meeting will among other things start working on a question pool for the "entry class" of license. Yes, it looks as if they agree with us on the need. I think that we should un-tie Bart's hands and let him fully participate in their deliberations. His having to constantly abstain on all the votes makes us look foolish at best. The VEC group has asked for our help and I think we should also extend an "olive branch" as well. What are your thoughts? Jim Haynie