Here is a summary of Tuesday night's SM Conference call: These are organized and moderated by Steve Ewald Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 860 594 0220 hkramer@arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/> ________________________________ From: Ewald, Steve, WV1X Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:46 PM To: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B; Patton, David NN1N Subject: SM Teleconference Highlights Harold and Dave, Here is a summary of last evening's Section Manager teleconference. As usual, I'll share it with all the SMs via their reflector. Thanks, Harold, for participating in the call. -- Steve Summary and Highlights of the June 24, 2008, Teleconference with Section Managers On Tuesday evening, June 24, the Membership and Volunteer Programs office hosted an ARRL telebridge teleconference with the Section Managers of the Great Lakes Division and the New England Division. Section Managers that were able to join the call included Dale Williams, WA8EFK (Michigan); Jim Brooks, KY4Z (Kentucky); Betsey Doane, K1EIC (Connecticut); Bob Beaudet, W1YRC (Rhode Island); and Ed Emco, W1KT (Western Massachusetts). New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, and Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, were also on the teleconference along with Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, and Steve Ewald, WV1X. With the 2008 Field Day coming up soon on June 28 -29, Section Managers discussed their plans. Some are going to visit several or as many Field Day camps in person as they can, and others are going to join their home clubs, too, for operating. There are many traditions surrounding Field Day, and welcoming newcomers to Amateur Radio and helping newly licensed radio amateurs learn more are certainly part of the tradition. The Field Day Station Locator on the ARRL Web page (http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php) has been very popular, and about 1,400 station locations have been posted. Even though the Morse code is no longer required to earn any class of Amateur Radio license, a new interest in learning the Morse code seems to be emerging. Helping and mentoring new Amateur Radio operators and other operators who are wishing to learn a new aspect of Amateur Radio continues to be challenge. Achieving a license is one thing, but keeping that licensee interested and involved also takes some effort. Amateur Radio clubs and interested individuals are among those that often take a key role in the mentoring process. Using the features of ARRL membership and related resources are helpful in meeting this challenge. The content of QST tries to maintain a balance to appeal to new comers into Amateur Radio as well as the experienced radio amateur and longtime member. Thanks to all who are promoting membership (retaining present members and finding new members, too). We discussed that it is necessary and also very desirable for Section Managers to kept in the loop on communications and news between ARRL members in their respective sections, ARRL Headquarters, Section Staff, and clubs. 73, Steve Ewald, WV1X Supervisor, Field Organization Team ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 860-594-0265 sewald@arrl.org <mailto:sewald@arrl.org>