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1. The purpose of this document is to state the terms of a mutual agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) between ARRL, the National Association For Amateur Radio, (ARRL) and the Society of Broadcast Engineers, Inc. (SBE) that will serve as a framework within which both organizations may, where mutually beneficial, cooperate in, support or cosponsor programs or events intended to foster and promote technical awareness, education, and achievement in amateur and commercial communications, and to cooperate where mutually beneficial in other joint efforts and undertakings. Each organization comprises volunteers and professional staff in support of their respective educational and technical recognition programs and efforts. It is intended that this agreement will promote joint coordination and exercise of the resources of both ARRL and SBE to recognize the potential and capability of individual members of both organizations in the furtherance of their technical understanding and achievement in radio and other telecommunications techniques, and the provision of credentials as recognition of and reward for such achievement.
2. ARRL recognizes SBE as a non-profit organization of technical professionals in the broadcasting and related industries, which serves the interests of broadcast engineers and is devoted to the advancement of all levels and types of broadcast engineering. SBE represents the interests of broadcast engineers with federal agencies, legislatures and other industry organizations. SBE offers an accredited certification program to qualified engineers and technicians in telecommunications, which provides standards of professional competence in broadcast engineering. SBE's other activities include informational services, educational opportunities for professional advancement, continuing education, and volunteer frequency coordination for broadcast auxiliary spectrum. SBE publishes certain educational materials for broadcast engineers, and serves as a fraternal organization for technical broadcast professionals. SBE was formed in 1963, and its certification program is an industry standard, which filled a void created when the Federal Communications Commission ceased licensing and technical accreditation of telecommunications personnel. SBE's primary mission is to promote excellence in Broadcast Engineering and related areas through education, professional standards, certification, and information exchange, and to foster a high standard of ethics in personal conduct and work performance. SBE's members include studio and transmitter operators and technicians, supervisors, announcer-technicians, chief engineers of commercial and educational stations, engineering vice presidents, consultants, field and sales engineers, broadcast engineers from recording studios, schools, CCTV and CATV, production houses, corporate audio-visual departments and other facilities.
3. SBE recognizes ARRL as a non-commercial membership association of radio amateurs, organized for the promotion of interest in amateur radio communication and experimentation. ARRL is the principal representative of the Amateur Service and Amateur Satellite Services in the United States, and is the Secretariat for the International Amateur Radio Union, the worldwide association of national amateur radio societies. ARRL was organized for the establishment of networks to provide communications in the event of disasters or other emergencies, for the advancement of the radio art and of the public welfare, the fostering of education in the field of electronic communication; the promotion and conduct of research and development to further the development of electronic communication; the dissemination of technical, educational and scientific information relating to electronic communication; the printing and publishing of documents, books, electronic media, and publications necessary or incidental to any of the above purposes; for the representation of the radio amateur in regulatory matters; and to promote fraternalism and high standards of conduct among radio amateurs. It serves its members by protecting and enhancing spectrum access and providing a national resource to the public.
4. In order that the parties may cooperate and utilize their resources from time to time to optimum mutual benefit to both parties, the following principles and methods are agreed upon:
4.1. Both SBE and ARRL maintain networks of examination sites and volunteer examiners. The parties will exchange lists of sites and examiners, in order to determine geographic areas served by neither organization. The parties will cooperate in exploring and, if possible, developing means for reciprocal examination opportunities in unserved or underserved areas. It is understood that amateur radio examinations are subject to detailed FCC regulations, which is not the case with respect to SBE certification examinations, which may limit cooperative opportunities in this respect.
4.2. The parties will correspond with each other concerning membership growth of both organizations, and exchange certain technical articles, demonstrations and similar materials and activities in order to encourage and broaden interest, understanding and appreciation of telecommunications technology. The parties will use best efforts to provide booth space one to the other at conventions, symposia and workshops, in order to provide a forum to each party to present a broad range of technical expertise on telecommunications topics for the respective benefit of the audiences of both parties.
4.3. The parties will exchange regulatory and legislative agendas and, to the extent that there is an identity of interest on an issue, they will cooperate in the advocacy of issues of mutual interest before the FCC and other agencies, and in Congress to the extent that such cooperation may further their shared regulatory goal.
4.4. The parties each wish to encourage technical investigation and advancement of knowledge in modern telecommunications. The parties will cooperate in the development of curricula for certifying technical personnel and practitioners on a vocational and avocational basis and in the introduction of concepts and practices in Amateur Radio to those persons and to the general public.
4.5. The parties will generally encourage ongoing liaison with each other and urge members of both organizations to develop increasingly effective communications and cooperation.
5. This memorandum shall take effect upon its signing by authorized representatives of each organization. It may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties and will remain in effect until terminated by either party, upon ninety (90) days' advance written notice to the other. SBE and ARRL will periodically review this agreement and coordinate such additions and revisions as may be necessary or desirable. Nothing herein will create any joint venture, partnership or other business association, nor shall either party enter into any obligation or commitment on behalf of the other.
