The ARRL divides the United States and its territories into 71 administrative sections. Many sections are comprised of a single state, but a few of the larger states, such as Texas or California, are divided into two more sections.

The membership in each section elects a Section Manager (SM) (see list of SMs) once every two years. He or she is responsible for managing the Field Organization programs in their section. The SM is not involved in League policy-making, although he or she may have a strong voice in such matters.  League-policy making is a function reserved for the Division Director. The SM's main job is to recruit, through several subordinate program managers or coordinators, ARRL volunteers to staff eight crucial program areas: emergency communications, message traffic, volunteer monitoring, RFI problem-solving, support of affiliated clubs, government liaison, encouragement of technical activities, and dissemination of on-the-air bulletins. Nomination information and forms are available by e-mailing Leona Adams , W1LGA, or calling 860-594-0341.

Sign up for an official ARRL appointment! There's a place for everybody: New ham or veteran, young or old, Technician or Extra, athlete, couch potato, or technical enthusiast.  Click on the the appointments you're interested in, and then apply using the easy on-line application form. Your application will be forwarded to your Section Manager for consideration. When approved, you'll be eligible to order a call sign badge that tells everyone your official status as an ARRL appointment.

• Official Emergency Station
• Official Relay Station
• Technical Specialist
• Public Information Officer
• Local Government Liaison
• Official Observer
• Assistant Section Manager

Although the buck stops with the Section Manager, the station-level appointees and program functions listed above are normally managed by a "cabinet" appointee called a Section official, under delegated authority of the SM. For example, the Section Traffic Manager (STM) manages the National Traffic System activity in the section, and appoints Net Managers (NM) and Official Relay Stations. Similarly, the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) implements the section's ARES plan and appoints Assistant Section Emergency Coordinators (ASECs), Assistant District Emergency Coordinators (ADECs) District Emergency Coordinators (DECs), Emergency Coordinators (ECs) and Official Emergency Stations (OESs). There's also an Official Observer Coordinator (OOC), Technical Coordinator (TC), Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC), Public Information Coordinator (PIC) and State Government Liaison (SGL). After you've gained experience as a station-level appointee, perhaps you'll find yourself in one of these leadership roles.

Real ham radio happens "in the field," where amateurs practice their avocation. Organized field activities redouble the efforts of individual amateurs -- there's strength in numbers. ARRL directly supports the activities of its members in the field via:

• ARRL Affiliated Clubs -- Clubs are where the bulk of the work -- in public service, promoting Amateur Radio, peer support and just good fellowship -- occurs. 
• Public Service programs -- Public service communication has been a traditional responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service. 
• ARRL Sanctioned Hamfests and Conventions -- Sanctioning brings added benefits to a hamfest or convention -- and to the affiliated club that sponsors the event.