The ARRL Volunteer Counsel Program
The Volunteer Counsel Program has several goals. It was developed to provide a better means of tracking and, when necessary, opposing local ordinances and statutes that might have a detrimental effect on the Amateur Radio Service and League members.
The second goal is to compile and maintain an up-to-date list of attorneys capable of representing amateurs involved in antenna or RFI disputes. Amateurs who need the services of an attorney in their area to deal with local opposition to their radio activities frequently call Headquarters. Because attorneys must be admitted to the state bar in order to practice law in a given state, we need Volunteer Counsels in each state. Unfortunately, the following states and territories are not currently represented in the VC program: Delaware, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont. Amateurs who are attorneys in these states are especially needed.
The League does not expect a Volunteer Counsel to represent an amateur free of charge. When HQ makes referrals, the point is made that VCs make their living practicing law and amateurs should not expect free or reduced cost legal representation unless it is at the discretion of the VC. Volunteer Counsels are asked, however, to provide an initial consultation gratis so that the amateur may knowledgeably decide what further steps to take.
VCs shall keep their ARRL Division Director apprised of any legal matter the VC is working on if it was a result of a referral through the VC Program.
The Volunteer Consulting Engineer Program
The Volunteer Consulting Engineer Program provides assistance to amateurs who may need to meet structural requirements set forth by local zoning authorities. Such engineering requirements are often necessary to obtain a permit to erect an antenna support structure. Hams often need an "expert witness" to certify that the tower in question meets or will meet the engineering requirements of local ordinances. Amateurs who need assistance are referred to Volunteer Consulting Engineers in their area.
As with Volunteer Counsels, VCEs are not expected to provide their services for free, but are asked to provide an initial consultation gratis and to consider giving discounted rates to amateurs where possible to meet a common goal for the good of Amateur Radio in the community. Unfortunately, there are no VCEs in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Vermont, the Virgin Islands, West Virginia, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
VCEs shall keep their Division Director apprised of engineering work that they are doing if it was a result of a referral through the VCE Program.
VCs and VCEs must be full ARRL members, and licensed amateurs. VCs must be admitted to the bar in the state for which they are listed, and VCEs must be Registered Professional (structural, civil or mechanical) Engineers. If you are interested in becoming involved in either program, please complete the appropriate application (Volunteer Consulting Engineer and Volunteer Counsel) and mail it to the Regulatory Information Branch at ARRL Headquarters. Lists of the existing Volunteer Counsels and Volunteer Consulting Engineers are available.
Page last modified: 10:47 AM, 19 Mar 2000 ET
Page author: reginfo@arrl.org
Copyright © 2000, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
