Dick: This is on the A&F agenda: Old Business, Item 'C'. Jeff ________________________________ From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> on behalf of Richard Norton via arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2023, 10:33 PM To: arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:34502] ARRL Financial Aid to Division-level Conventions At the fall A&F Committee meeting, I suggested adding an item to the 2023 ARRL Budget for the League to financially support Division-level conventions in some way. A committee was formed to come up with suggestions for consideration at the January meeting. I'm not sure what happened to the committee, but here is a proposed funding idea for consideration. Background Increased venue costs have caused the demise of, or are causing consternation about the viability of, a number of Division-level conventions. For example, high Marriott Hotel costs have stopped potential convention sponsors in Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Anaheim from organizing events in nearly the last ten or more years. The Southwestern Division Convention has been hosted in Yuma for a number of years, but now even that is history. Similar situations exist in other Divisions. For years New York City and Chicago hosted conventions, but have not for years. Conventions add to Amateur Radio. Technical sessions educate hams about technical aspects of the avocation. In certain areas, some events essentially providing this function have been named things like Ham University or Bootcamp. Conventions can provide an introduction to public service events and opportunities. Conventions have been places where Amateur Radio leaders from nearby areas meet and get to know each other. In the Southwestern Division, most all ARRL leadership people meet with, get to know each other, and possibly attract others to get involved with the League. Conventions are places where individual attendee hams get to meet and socialize with their on-the-air friends. Basic Objective The objective of this program would be to have some conventions actually take place, where without League support, they would not exist. The measure of success would be that the event took place, had reasonable attendance, and delivered suitable programs and interplay among attendees. Proposed Budget It is proposed that a fund of $1 per Division member be allocated to the program. This would amount to a possible line item in the budget of approximately $151,000 Proposed Details It is expected that the money should be used to fund some definite expenses, such as venue space costs, or even expense shortfall after an event has taken place. It is not expected that all Divisions will need or use League financial aid. For example, Dayton may not need help. It is expected that if a convention receives financial aid, none of it will go to covering costs of raffles, or losses from such activities. The convention funding, or some part of it , might come from one of the League's restricted endowment funds. Proposed Application Potential convention-sponsoring organizations should fill out some sort of application form. The form might be submitted in advance of the event, or even after the event has occurred if it lost money. The funding should be approved by the relevant Division Director, or Directors if the event services more than one Division. As a start, it is proposed that the Director, with concurrence of the President, can approve amounts up to half the Division's allowance. For greater amounts, approval by the A&F Committee would be needed. Staff participation organization would be left to upper management. Concluding Thoughts It would seem unlikely that the entire $151K would actually be spent, as organizing groups of volunteers would still need to be found and activated. This is not proposed as some sort of one-time correction, that after some sort of proper education, currently unsuccessful convention operators will be able to carry on in future years without financial aid. The venue rental and required operating expenses are too high for the Amateur community, and the situation is not likely to improve. 73, Dick Norton, N6AA