FYI (this was sent to ECFSC but I am also sending to ODV) I had this sent out to the SMs this afternoon in case you hear about this note or the note that Mike Walters sent. Thanks David From: Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) Sent: Friday, March 11, 2022 2:47 PM Subject: SM message Happy Friday ARRL Section Managers! I wanted to write you a note about where we're at and where we're going with ARRL. After much of the hobby has been in hibernation due to COVID concerns and restrictions, in-person events are opening up and returning to the excitement and vibrancy we are used to. We saw a tremendous crowd at Orlando for our National Convention and HamCation with enthusiasm and passion on display everywhere. We are preparing now for Hamvention, SEA-PAC, and Friedrichshafen all coming up within the next 90 days or so. We're hearing from more clubs with their newsletters and activities. POTA activations are extremely popular, and with the improvement in weather and sunspots, we expect activity to skyrocket. And the granddaddy of the all, Field Day, is only 106 days away and counting! Here is your leadership moment, your moment to shine. If you have not been to hamfests or club meetings in your section it is time to get moving! And if you have? Share the learnings! What are you hearing from members? How can we improve or enhance their ARRL experience? What can you be doing in the section to improve your team, your activities, and your outreach? The intention of our monthly calls is to take the time to share these things so that everyone - especially HQ - can learn from you! We will be launching in the next 4 weeks an ARRL Foundation Club Grants program. We are finalizing the grant criteria now. What does this mean to YOU? Again, it is a leadership moment... with every club in your section. What do they need to become resilient? How can we help them grow? What programs do they need for members? How can we take the hobby out to the community to grow awareness and engagement? YOU need to be their mentor. YOU are the expert with the knowledge and awareness of the clubs and the members who can come together to pull this off successfully. YOU are the ones who are connected to ARRL Directors and Vice Directors, many of whom were SMs themselves, and get them involved in the process - they have created a new standing committee looking at Field Service and EmComm every 2 weeks now! We have $500,000 to use to get this done. EVERY section should be making an aggressive effort to put forward applications to get things moving in EVERY club! As I believe Mike Walters has told you, my concern is the low attendance at the monthly SM meetings. Our members deserve every single one of the section managers to be in attendance on those calls. If you cannot attend one, send your ASM or SEC. But do not leave your section unrepresented. Now, let's take a moment to point out the elephant in the room: we have had some sections where the SMs essentially went radio silent, to their members, to their Directors, and to HQ. This isn't fair to the people that elected their SM and expected them to do a good job. If you find that being an effective SM is a problem, PLEASE reach out to Mike Walters and have a discussion. We need you to be on top of your game... this year, and every year, but especially this year. It is a year of rejuvenation and expansion. It is a year of a return to normalcy. Things slowed down a bit, but did not stop. The world kept going. Innovations in ham radio kept going. The move into Cycle 25 kept moving. More than ever, we need you to be fully engaged with your SM responsibilities. Help us help you by reaching out to Mike. But going forward, there is an expectation that EVERY section will be properly represented on EVERY section managers monthly call. If you haven't seen it, the new ARRL frequency chart cards were a ridiculous success at Orlando. You NEED these for your ARRL table at events. We were cleaned out within 3 hours of the first day of HamCation. Again, Mike Walters can help you get a batch to take to upcoming hamfests or even Field Day sites! Drive up getting members radio active. Drive up the excitement. Thanks for your time and your volunteerism for ARRL and its members. Very 73. David, NA2AA