FYI, at the direction of the Ethics & Elections Committee, the following message has been sent to the SM reflector. This is not in response to any specific issue, but rather a general information communication. 73 Joel W5ZN To All ARRL Section Managers Toward the end of September, ARRL Headquarters will be mailing ballots to Full members in five Divisions: Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southeastern, Southwestern, and West Gulf. There are nine (out of a possible ten) contested positions, with 22 candidates in all; only one incumbent has been re-elected without balloting. This level of participation and interest in the governance of the ARRL is a very healthy sign. Not only is ARRL membership growing, our members are increasingly engaged in the issues facing the organization. You are all a part of that success, and I thank you for it. As a former Section Manager myself, I know how devoted you must be to Amateur Radio and the ARRL to perform the often thankless job of SM. It is only natural that each of us, as active and committed volunteers, will have strong opinions about the direction our organization should take and the leaders who should take us there. While some SMs choose to remain strictly neutral in Director and Vice Director elections, you are not obligated to do so. You have every right to express your opinions -- as long as you make it clear that they are your personal opinions and do not reflect the official views of any part of the ARRL. You may campaign for a candidate, or for yourself if you are a candidate, as long as it is clear to members that official ARRL communications channels have been not used and it is not done at ARRL expense. Thanks again for all you do for Amateur Radio and the ARRL. Sincere 73, Joel Harrison, W5ZN President, ARRL