IN-Newsletter

Vol. 41, No. 31

September 7, 2016 — Covers the period August 28-September 3.

Upcoming In-Person Meetings and Events

United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI)

October 3-7 – ARRL HQ

Section Managers’ Workshop

October 7-9 – ARRL HQ

Executive Committee

October 22 @ 8:30am in Chicago, IL

Administration & Finance Committee

November 12 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT

CEO Office

Reported by Tom Gallagher, NY2RF

ARRL’s Introduction to Basic Electronic (TI) curriculum was completed on time and delivered on 8/30/16.

Sales and Marketing

Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R

Diane Petrilli reports that August ended with 165,639 members, 202 members ahead of the year-to-date goal.  This represents a loss from July of 528 members; a loss of 537 was forecast.  The on-time renewal rate for August (August expirees who renewed by end of August) is 70.43% vs. 71.77% last August.  Targeted emails, mailings to new hams, and the ARRL website contributed the largest share of new member acquisition this month.  We resume more direct mail in September, which typically contributes to higher acquisition during the last portion of the year.

Jackie Ferreira reports that August publication and product sales were $206,156, exceeding the sales forecast of $196,423.  Direct sales were $111,360; dealer sales were $94,796.  Year to date sales are $2,070,964, $58,680 ahead of forecast.  Royalties earned on sales of our Kindle e-books was $6,756 ($61,684 year to date, and ahead of forecast).

A test mailing conducted in late July, mailed to a unique selection of previous customers, contributed $13,877 in sales; nearly $18K overall, with a contribution margin of $10K.

A Labor Day sales promotion was redeemed 160 times online over the holiday weekend.  A total of 359 orders were received during this timeframe.

Yvette Vinci reports that on Friday, August 19, a reminder emailing was sent to members with a summary of “What’s trending” in September QST — taking advantage of some early analytics that she had researched.  The notification was sent to 121,238 members.

Bob Inderbitzen and Diane Petrilli devised an ARRL Student Membership Application featuring the existing “youth” and “family” membership rates.  The application was designed by Diane Szlachetka.  Some field-based testing of the new application is underway.

Bob prepared materials to support ARRL’s exhibit at the upcoming New England Division Convention.

Summary of Sales and Marketing Department telephone group, reported by Yvette Vinci:

Week Ending	Calls Answered	Calls Per Hour	Total Talking Duration	Average Speed of Answer
9/2/2016	866	19.2	30:39:10	10 seconds
8/26/2016	754	16.7	27:24:33	8 seconds
8/19/2016	755	16.7	27:14:30	8 seconds
8/12/2016	706	15.6	24:25:45	10 seconds

Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity, reported by Steve Capodicasa:

Week Ending	Packages fulfilled	Member Premiums
9/2/2016	1,068	426
8/26/2016	826	196
8/19/2016	754	446
8/12/2016	789	360

Field Services & Radiosport

Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N

DXCC

Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time	2 Weeks
Logbook Processing Time	1-2 Days

W1AW

Scott Gee worked on fast and slow code practice texts for the upcoming week.  He also processed VUCC certificates and endorsements.

Joe Carcia continues work on a Raspberry Pi WSPR project.  He managed to assemble two functional units.  He updated the CW code practice QST web source page, and web code practice files and their archives.  Joe also processed one Qualifying Run certificate and one endorsement.  He also processed regular QSL card request.

Field Organization/Public Service Team

Chuck Skolaut compiled and forwarded the monthly ARRL Monitoring System/Intruder Watch to the IARU Region 2 Monitoring Coordinator.  Radio amateurs from Indiana and North Texas successfully completed requirements to become Official Observers this past week.  A report of unlicensed use of 2 meters in Oklahoma was referred to the Section Manager and Official Observer Coordinator.  Questions fielded this past week regarded foreign language being used in QSOs, frequencies on 60 meters, and cross-link repeaters.  Chuck operated one morning code practice session from W1AW.

Leona Adams reports that Nebraska Section Manager Matt Anderson, KAØBOJ, has been nominated to run for another term of office.  Nominating petitions for this particular Section Manager election cycle are due by Friday, September 9, and the two-year terms of office begin January 1, 2017.

Sincerely Compiled by,

Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ

Education Services Administrator

Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations

Leona Adams               9/23                              PTO

Steve Capodicasa          9/19-9/23                      PTO

Mike Gruber                 9/26-9/30                      PTO

Tom Gallagher              9/9pm-9/11                   New England Division Convention, Boxboro, MA

Ed Hare                        8/31-9/9                        PTO

      ``                            10/14                            PTO

Dan Henderson             9/22-9/25                      W4DXCC Convention, Pigeon Forge, TN/SEDCO/PTO

       ``                           11/10-11/13                  Indiana Section Convention / Ft Wayne IN

Bob Inderbitzen            9/9-9/11                        New England Division Convention, Boxboro, MA

       ``                           9/28-10/6                      UK National Hamfest, Newark, England/PTO

       ``                           10/7-10/10                    RSGB Convention, Milton Keynes, England

       ``                           10/13-10/18                  Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, CA/PTO

Debra Johnson              10/14-10/22                  PTO

Lisa Kustosik                9/12                              PTO