Joel, Excellent letter. I would like to restate one suggestion for any new SOU. This is that it should contain a statement that RC encourages the pubic information people involved in disaster/emergency operations to acknowledge the assistance of Amateur Radio operators/clubs in news releases and statements. This suggestion has nothing to do with an ego trip. Instead, it stems from the belief that in addition to good PR's positive effect on our image, recognition given by RC (or any served agency will stimulate interest in the service (and bring new members). As you commented concerning the mutual benefit of the ARRL-RC association, RC publicity of our assistance to them would be mutually beneficial. More new hams = new folks in the pool of potential operators to help the RC. Taken to the extreme, no new hams = no help. Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: <mailto:k8je@arrl.org> k8je@arrl.org; Tel.: 513-459-0142 ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is! Members - The Reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:28 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: Letter to Red Cross Greetings, In accordance with the instruction of the Executive Committee as recommended by the Ad-hoc Background Investigation Committee, the attached letter has been sent to the American Red Cross concerning our now expired SOU. 73 Joel W5ZN