<<022013.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 36, No. 8 February 21, 2013 -- Covers the period February 10-16. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee: March 9 @ 8:30am - Irving, TX Administration & Finance Committee April 13 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT CEO Office Reported by Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ COO Harold Kramer, WJ1B, was awarded the 2012 Bringing it Home Award on behalf of the ARRL. This Award is given to Connecticut residents by the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau. It is awarded to those individuals who help book conventions and meetings in Connecticut venues and hotels. We were given the Award for booking the 2014 Centennial Convention at The Hartford Convention Center. Members of the Centennial Convention Planning Committee attending the ceremony on February 21st included NE Division Director Tom Frenaye, Bob Inderbitzen and Lisa Kustosik. <<Acrobat Document>> Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Allen continues to come in 2 mornings a week and cover email from home while also scripting the Centennial video. Notable recent PR events include the unexpected use of ham radio in a Velveeta cheese commercial currently airing on TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTeAtPFEuyc and Dr. Kimberly Elmore, N5OP from Norman, Oklahoma on NPR's All Things Considered. Still coming (March?) is the use of ham radio in a Last Man Standing show. We're also working with Ed Perry of WATD FM. Allen met him at the RTDNA conference last fall. Ed is producing a series about Amateur Radio for broadcast talk radio stations. The Public Relations Committee has invited the Centennial Committee to meet together using GoToMeeting on February 27 at 8:00pm. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R We are beginning to plan ARRL's large exhibit area, ARRL EXPO, for this year's Dayton Hamvention. This event makes the most of many staff and ARRL Field Organization volunteers to be successful. An online registration form has been circulated to staff participating as part of this year's ARRL Dayton Team. The same registration information has also been shared with Officers, Directors, Vice Directors, and Section Managers. Questions should be directed to Bob Inderbitzen. The final tallies have been reported for our recent membership exhibits at conventions in Puerto Rico (January) and Orlando (February). In Puerto Rico, we returned with membership applications totaling 95 years; revenues of ~ $3,920. 64% of the applications were from new or previous members. In Orlando, we returned with membership applications totaling 498 membership years, plus 1 new Life Membership application; revenues of ~ $19,668. 18% of the applications were from new or previous members. April QST will feature a variety of new books and supply items, including Ham Radio for Arduino and PICAXE, Radio Science for the Radio Amateur, The ARRL Repeater Directory(r) (pocket and desktop editions), TravelPlus for Repeaters CD-ROM(tm) and 2013 ARRL Field Day gear (pins, t-shirts, hats, etc.). Now Shipping: W1AW 75th Anniversary Challenge Coin. Membership emailings with a Valentine's Day theme returned nearly 100 membership applications. Diane Petrilli participated in conference call with members of PSC subcommittee. A handful of membership promotions have been updated for the following items: ARRL General Class License Manual, Instructor's Manual, and exam session handouts. A new version of the membership renewal notice is being tested. Messaging on the ARRL membership card mailing has been updated to encourage members to become involved: sign up for e-newsletters, find a local club, and to "keep learning" by checking out ARRL's continuing education programs and publications. The mailing also highlights the digital QST benefit and QST app. Summary of Sales and Marketing Department telephone group (reported by Amy Hurtado): Week of Phone calls Per hour Average wait Complete without transfer 2/4/2013 897 21 39 seconds 76% 2/11/2013 1,091 24 40 seconds 85% Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity (reported by Steve Capodicasa): Week of Packages fulfilled Member Premiums 2/11/2013 869 738 Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time 6 Weeks Field Organization/Public Service Team Laura Smith from the FCC gave a nice report about Official Observers and the importance they play in assisting the FCC at the Orlando Convention. She stressed her support to any Official Observer who received harsh comments due to an advisory sent in trying to alert an amateur of possible problems. One radio amateur from Eastern Washington completed requirements to become an Official Observer this past week. Chuck Skolaut compiled and sent the monthly Official Observer summary to all OOs, OOCs, and Section Managers. A South Texas Official Observer forwarded a nice report back regarding an advisory he had sent. Information about a case that involves a CB operator who allegedly is using high power and causing interference to 10 meter Amateur Radio operation in Missouri was received at HQ and forwarded to the FCC. The FCC is following up. Questions this week involved recording amateur transmissions, operating overseas, and complaints about operations on 3840 kHz and 14313 kHz. Peter Stohrer, K1PJS, of Concord, New Hampshire, has been nominated to run for New Hampshire Section Manager. Nominations for this election cycle are due at ARRL Headquarters by March 8, and the new term of office begins July 1. Leona Adams also received and processed a number of Field Organization appointments and updates from Section Managers. Field Organization Reports representing January activity from around the country were received by at HQ and these reports were compiled for the column in April QST. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All staff 3/29 Holiday Steve Ford 3/4 PTO Bob Inderbitzen 3/20-3/21 MAKE Media, Sebastopol, CA `` 3/22-3/24 RadioFest, Monterey, CA `` 3/25-3/26 PTO `` 4/4-4/6 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI Zack Lau 3/7-3/12 PTO Diane Petrilli 3/9-3/13 ASAE Conference, Colorado Springs, CO Barry Shelley 2/20-2/22 PTO