E&E will discuss this and respond within the bounds of authority of the committee. I cannot find the verbiage in the qualification statement that is referenced in the by-laws or the Articles of Association. It would help if we knew the origin of this policy so that we can intimate the intent and authority of the stated restriction. Is it some past E&E? Is there advice from Counsel that initiated the statements? Does anyone know the source or context of the statements to which Mr.Minster is referring? Thanks for any background. -- Mickey Baker Director, Southeastern Division ARRL Phone (561) 320-2775 Email: n4mb@arrl.org From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> on behalf of Michael Ritz <w7vo@comcast.net> Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 5:36 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:32416] Re: Fwd: QSO Today Ham Expo - <# CFPSesTitle #> David; Now you know why I brought this up to ODV, and not just an e-mail to you with the complaint. I want to be clear on three issues I have here: 1. Does the ARRL CEO have the power and authority granted to him by the Board to unilaterally control the actions or even (in this case), potential actions of an ARRL Board member, especially related to an event where that Board member is not representing the ARRL in a Board capacity? 2. The key word in the E&E Documentation is "campaigning". I don't believe a reasonable person would think that a discussion about how to set an attenuator or filters on an HF rig to lower receive noise could possibly be construed as "campaigning", unless I could somehow slide in some subliminal campaign messaging into the program. I consider myself a pretty good public speaker, but I'm not that good. ;-) 3. If the "QSO Today Hamfest" was the "ARRL Hamfest", and run by the ARRL, I could see maybe using the "no QST publication during the election cycle" argument, as QST is owned 100% by the ARRL. The "QSO Today Hamfest" is not an ARRL owned event, and the organizer is not the ARRL. Yes, I have a possible election coming up, as do four other Directors, and five Vice Directors. In my Division I put out a monthly newsletter though the ARRL e-mail servers to all members in the Division, that my Vice Director also contributes to. Do we need to cease all communications with our membership that is run through the ARRL servers until the election is over? I'd like to get this to E&E for adjudication. Director Baker, what do I need to do? 73; Mike W7VO
On 05/26/2021 12:26 PM Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org> wrote:
I'm completely supportive of that!
So here's what is written, and is open to interpretation:
"In any contested election for Director, Vice Director, or Section Manager, during the campaign period no mass communication at League expense, in whole or in part, dealing with any candidate in any way or issued by a candidate, or any League official in the Division of the candidate, shall contain election campaign material."
"Campaign material is defined as any material that might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome of such election."
I have been told a list of practices that are not permitted. I'm not sure if this reflects what has been directed from the Board via a vote, or E&E action, or direction from EC, or just interpretations that have occurred over time, but if the Board believes that we need to clearly define disallowed election behavior of HQ to prevent demonstrating bias, this is a great time to bring it up.
Let me give an example: an incumbent Director, running for office, is NOT permitted to campaign out of the ARRL Booth at an event. I looked at the same pages you did. This isn't written anywhere, but seems to be acknowledged as unacceptable because broadly interpreted, the booth is a mass communications vehicle at league expense.
Another example: the pages specifically refer to QST magazine. So are On The Air, QEX, and NCJ fair game? Ditto for electronic newsletters and our YouTube / Learning Network videos. We would be very careful about candidate provided content because broadly interpreted, these are mass communications vehicles created at league expense.
Another example: an incumbent Director publishes a book, does live streaming Learning Network sessions during the fall with members, has it for sale in the ARRL store, and Marketing includes it in some direct mail emails with other new books in the store. Again, I don't see anything written that specifically prohibits any of that behavior. However, based on the above, it isn't a reach to believe these series of actions might affect the outcome of an election, so effective July 1st we would not do anything to promote the book until the election is over.
I'm glad the issue has arisen! I'm sorry Director Ritz feels like it was at his expense, but it is clear that the guidance on HQ behavior during elections needs to be reviewed and clearly defined. The way things are written, everything is reactive: create a potential problem and then let E&E sort it out.
David
-----Original Message----- From: rjairam@gmail.com <rjairam@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 1:37 PM To: Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org> Cc: Carl Luetzelschwab <carlluetzelschwab@gmail.com>; arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:32412] Re: Fwd: QSO Today Ham Expo - <# CFPSesTitle #>
Hi David
With due respect, I think a determination for this should come from E&E with the ability for Mike to appeal this to the full Board if necessary. They may or may not agree with you but it needs to come from them.
I don't really see anything in the rules that supports this. There is prohibition for mass communication at League expense and there is a prohibition specifically for QST. There is nothing for ARRL sanctioned events otherwise this would put the kibosh on pretty much any incumbents campaigning at hamfests or large ARRL sanctioned conventions. QSO today is paying for the convention, and not the ARRL, so this is not at League expense.
But it really needs to come from E&E and the Board.
73 Ria, N2RJ
On Wed, May 26, 2021 at 1:16 PM Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org> wrote:
I think the ‘issue’ is whether ARRL HQ looks to be ‘promoting’ the event/presentation or not.
This isn’t intended to shut those running for office down! Go crush it!!! Go online, go to in person events, wear your badge proudly, etc. etc.
It is ONLY about the perception that ARRL HQ (which is what I am responsible for) is in some way promoting a candidate or playing favorites, etc.
David
From: Carl Luetzelschwab <carlluetzelschwab@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 12:50 PM To: Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org> Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:32410] Re: Fwd: QSO Today Ham Expo - <# CFPSesTitle #>
Interesting thread.
I was just getting ready to submit my proposed presentation to QSO Today about doing HF mobile from a Cessna 170B. The Central Division has elections this year, so as it stands right now I guess I won't submit this.
I'm also scheduled to give many Zoom and in-person presentations after July 1 mostly about solar and propagation topics to clubs/conventions in the Central Division and elsewhere. Several of the big ones are W8DXCC in late August, W9DXCC in mid September and the Antenna Applications Symposium (Univ of Illinois/Penn State) in late September. What about these?
Carl K9LA
Vice Dir, Central Div
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