Dave, I recall you having mentioned the Capwiz service previously. Given the emphasis we are now placing on promoting the ARRL legislative agenda, recalling it raises two questions to me. These are: - Wouldn't we use the service enough to warrant the expense? - Obviously, even $8k does not grow on trees. Are there one or more programs we provide that could be jettisoned without causing damage; thereby, freeing the money for use in our advocacy effort? Conversely, are their any projects that promise to save money that could be spurred on (e.g. QSL direct entry by field checkers into Logbook) to make the funds available? My own answer to the first question would be that it would be worth the expense if it simply helped get HR 2160 passed in this session. I don't pretend to speak for others. The $8k pales in comparison with the money spent to take the FCC to court. I think we all consider the cost of the court battle was a good use of funds. In today's USA, I suggest that CC&Rs fall only slightly behind potential QRM from Part 15 devices as menaces to Amateur Radio. I realize the second question is one no one relishes considering. It never is, regardless of the organization - non-profit or commercial. 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je@arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 3:03 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17782] Re:RE: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- The NCGA site http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/ uses the Capitol Advantage service, Capwiz. We looked into it a couple of years ago. It's a nice product. Cost ranges upward from $8,000/year with an initial setup charge, plus staff training on how to use it. Dave From: Bruce Frahm [mailto:brucefrahmk0bj@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 10:13 AM To: arrl-odv Cc: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17781] Re: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- The National Assn of Corn Growers recently had up a website for sending lobbying emails to Reps. re going to a 15% ethanol blend. The website gave you the header/address info to the Rep, your signature, and a blank screen in between. If you felt the urge or need, you could click one or more of many bullets into the text. It really was a neat way to encourage original writing. We're in the Rockies about to head thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park toward Brian and Dwayne's Div convention in Estes Park. If I can find the link for NCGA's project (the comment deadline has passed, i believe) this evening I'll forward it so you can see the structure. 73 Bruce K0BJ On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 7:50 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner@arrl.org> wrote: That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories.