ODV, In mid May as the Emergency Communications Advisory Committee was wrapping up work on its Major Disaster Emergency Coordinator task, the PSC assigned a new task to the ECAC: a year-long study of ARES and NTS from the ground up. (The exact tasking language is posted at the end of this message.) As this year's Board Liaison to the ECAC, I recently suggested to the ECAC Chair that he notify the general membership about this new task and I believe this notification will soon be forthcoming. However, I thought it appropriate that all of the Board family be aware of this tasking now in case you haven't already heard this news from your ECAC rep or elsewhere. It's my impression that many of the ECAC reps sought little or no input from their division constituents while working on the MDEC task; I believe it is vital that this mistake not be repeated. I have a very close relationship with my own ECAC rep and have encouraged him to maintain regular contact with our division emcomm leaders via monthly teleconferences and other means. Although emergency communications might not be as significant an issue in your division as it is in mine, I hope you will encourage your ECAC rep to establish and maintain regular contact with the emcomm leaders in your division. (Unfortunately, I'm afraid more than a few of the members on the CAC, DXAC, and VUAC have also been somewhat negligent in talking with their constituents.) Thanks very much. 73, Mickey K5MC Delta Division Director ECAC TASK - MAY 16, 2011 The Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the National Traffic System exist as the ARRL's implementation of the basic principle stated in 97.1(a), "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications." The Emergency Communications Advisory Committee is hereby tasked by the Programs and Services Committee to recommend improvements to ARES and NTS so that the amateur service can better serve the public in providing emergency communications.Specific topics should include, but not be limited to, the following: 1.ARES and NTS Objectives and Organizational Structures 2.Integration between ARES and NTS 3.Training, Certification, and Credentialing 4.Relationships with Served Agencies Progress reports should be submitted to the PSC every 90 days and the final report should be submitted by June 1, 2012.