The email below is being sent to the current OOs thanking them for their efforts and announcing the start-up of the new VM program on October 1. A web story will be posted early next week. As part of Riley's roll-out there will be a webinar on Monday evening September 23 / repeated on Tuesday September 24th. If you are interested in participating, drop me an email and I will send you the registration link, Thanks and 73 Dan Henderson, N1ND Assistant Secretary - American Radio Relay League, Inc. Regulatory Information Manager ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio (r) 860-594-0236 dhenderson@arrl.org<mailto:dhenderson@arrl.org> Dear ARRL Official Observers, OO Coordinators and Section Managers: As you are aware, the ARRL has spent more than two years working with the FCC developing an enhanced program to support the FCC Enforcement staff with monitoring and reporting alleged problems arising on the Amateur Radio bands. The time has come to transition from the former Official Observer (OO) program to the new Volunteer Monitor (VM) program. The OO program will officially sunset on Monday September 30, 2019. The new Volunteer Monitor program will become effective on Tuesday October 1, 2019. At its July 2018 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors authorized the implementation of the new Volunteer Monitor Program and the retirement of the existing OO program at the appropriate time. The new MOU with the FCC establishing the VM program was signed in the spring. On May 14, 2019, a solicitation was made for applications to join the new VM program. Many of you existing OOs applied for the new program after receiving a reminder notice in early July 2019. When the July 15, 2019 application deadline had passed, VM Program Administrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, interviewed nearly 200 hundred applicants and began the selection process for the new program. Finally, the new program is ready to start. The ARRL offers its deepest appreciation and gratitude for the dedicated work by the hundreds of OOs over the years. The cornerstone value of the OO program has always been a dedication to integrity. The good work of the Official Observers over the years was a key element in the corporative alliance between the FCC and the ARRL and led to the resolution of countless on-the-air problems. Whether sending compliance notices or "good operator" cards, you, the Official Observer, worked for the betterment of our hobby. For those of you that have offered your services in the new VM program, your continued commitment is appreciated and valued. To those who decided not to apply for the new program, it is our sincere hope that you will enjoy exploring new challenges in this wonderful hobby of Amateur Radio. To the various Section Managers - we appreciate the efforts and energy you committed to growing and supporting the OOs and OO Coordinators in your section. Your part in the maintenance of the OO program helped to guarantee its success. While the new Volunteer Monitor program will be developed and maintained at the ARRL Headquarters level, please offer support and suggestions to the VM Program Coordinator as the program develops. If you served as a section OO Coordinator, the value of your work to the program may have unnoticed by some. However, I can assure you that it was seen and appreciated by the ARRL HQ staff as they managed the program's work. On a personal note, as the Regulatory Information Manager at ARRL, I have worked with many of you involved with the OO program over the years. While reviewing potential cases to be sent to the FCC for consideration, I never had reason to doubt the integrity or veracity of any of the data received from the hardworking OOs. Please accept my personal thanks for your dedication and commitment over the years. Good luck and see you on the air! 73 Dan Henderson, N1ND Assistant Secretary - American Radio Relay League, Inc. Regulatory Information Manager ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio (r) 860-594-0236 dhenderson@arrl.org<mailto:dhenderson@arrl.org>