FYI, as requested, here are the notes from Steve Ewald's latest teleconference. 73, Harold From: Ewald, Steve, WV1X Sent: Thu 2/28/2008 3:50 PM To: Patton, David NN1N; Kramer, Harold, WJ1B Subject: Summary of February SM Teleconference Hello, Dave and Harold. Here is summary of discussion topics at Tuesday evening's SM teleconference. I'll share this summary with the participants, Director Edgar and Vice Director Abernethy. Then, I'll also send it around on the SM Reflector. 73, Steve ====== Summary of Highlights from the February 2008 Teleconference with Section Managers On Tuesday evening, February 25, the Membership and Volunteer Programs Office hosted an ARRL telebridge teleconference with the Section Managers of the Atlantic Division. We welcomed Scott Bauer, W2LC (Western New York) and Frank Filipkowski, AD3M (Delaware) to the call. Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, and Steve Ewald, WV1X, from the HQ staff, also attended. Chuck reported that Official Observers and Official Observer Coordinators are trying to initiate their own unofficial e-mail list so that they may discuss general topics related to the Amateur Auxiliary program. This may include FCC rules, techniques, protocols and common problems. The guidelines clearly state that this forum will not discuss or disclose information or details of any monitoring cases. Such confidential communication will continue to be handled by private e-mail and or other types of private correspondence. Section Managers are invited to join the e-mail list. More information can be found at http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/oo_list Steve introduced the topic of mentoring new Amateur Radio operators by talking about the recent activities at Headquarters surrounding the newly-refurbished Headquarters operators' club station, W1HQ. Please check this article: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/02/27/100/?nc=1. Volunteer Examiner Test sessions continue to provide a prime opportunity to introduce new licensees to active radio clubs, individuals and groups in their area in both Delaware and New York. Radio clubs have offered to get new licensees on the air through club stations or individual stations with a several successes. Field Day is always one of the highlights of the year. As everyone prepares for Field Day 2008, consider incorporating mentoring activities. Teleconference participants agreed that the new Assistant DEC and Assistant SEC positions are worthwhile additions to the official list of Field Organization appointments. Steve mentioned that the on-line Public Service Communications Manual <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/> has added a new segment to Section II: National Traffic System (NTS), Chapter Three on NTS Policies. 3.16 -- Volume Routine Traffic <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec2-ch3.html#16> now enables "NTS Area Staff Chairs, in consultation with their respective staffs, to establish guidelines for volume traffic in order to maintain the over-all health of the system." 73, Steve Ewald, WV1X Supervisor, Field Organization Team ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 860-594-0265 sewald@arrl.org