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 Previous: Conference Provides BPL Industry's Perspective |  Next: ARRL COO Mark Wilson, K1RO, Departs; Search Continues for Replacement |
By Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM
Contributing Editor
September 30, 2004
ARRL Assistant Section Managers for Youth, youth forums and JOTA!
Youthful Assistant Section Managers
At least two ARRL Sections, Alabama and Georgia, currently have an Assistant Section Manager who specializes in youth activities. Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, says other Section Managers are looking into appointing ASMs for youth or have expressed interest in the concept.
The responsibilities of the Assistant Section Manager/Youth are to promote Amateur Radio to young people and to be visible within the Amateur Radio community. Of course, the ability to also work with adults is critical.
Some activites that an Assistant Section Manager/Youth might organize include youth classes, Kid's Day, kids' nets, hamfest youth forums, and Boy Scout or Girl Scout merit badge days. Additionaly, an ASM for Youth may give presentations at Amateur Radio club meetings.
"Youth is one important area in Amateur Radio today, and I think that Amateur Radio needs a better bridge to the youth sector," said Sarratt, who appears to have been the first SM to appoint an ASM/Youth. He believes that having a youthful Assistant Section Manager on his section leadership team will "build that bridge" connecting younger radio amateurs with older hams.
 Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y (left), and your editor, Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, at the Huntsville Hamfest Youth Forum. [KF4PWI Photo] |
Sarratt has appointed Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y, to the Assistant SM/Youth position. "I was impressed that at a young age Rebekah has a desire to give back to Amateur Radio," he said. Although he said he considered three candidates for the position, Dorff stood out, partly because--at the age of nine--she was Alabama's youngest Amateur Extra licensee.
"Youth in Amateur Radio will help to bring more people together, add to the amateur population and increase the vast diversity in the Amateur Radio community," Sarratt believes. He also notes that young people need mentoring, if they are to become tomorrow's leaders in Amateur Radio, the community and technology.
To other SMs thinking about naming an Assistant Section Manager/Youth, Sarratt's advice is simply, "Do it!" Young people, he says, "should be one of our main areas to highlight in Amateur Radio."
Georgia Section Manager Susan Swiderski, AF4FO, heard about Alabama's success and decided to create the same position in her section, naming your editor to the post.
"Just saying that young people matter is one thing," she says. "Having a young person in a position of leadership says it much more convincingly." She says an Assistant SM/Youth enjoys a higher profile at hamfests and club meetings. "This, in turn, allows that young ham to demonstrate to other young people that they truly are welcomed and important in this hobby," said Swiderski.
Swiderski also believes that youngsters have a lot to offer to Amateur Radio. "Young people, besides lowering that average age level and upping the number in our ranks, revitalize the hobby with their fresh perspective and natural enthusiasm and are vital for the overall longevity of our hobby," she said. Since youth also gain skills from experiences related to Amateur Radio, "they're good for the hobby, and the hobby's good for them."
To Section Managers considering adding this position to their list, Swiderski offers these words of wisdom: "We have a lot of terrific young hams here in Georgia, and my bet is that they're out there in all of the other sections, as well. Just look around, and you'll easily find one to fill this role."
A common misconception is that young people today are not interested in Amateur Radio and have no room for it in their busy lives. But, as Swiderski points out, the only way to get them interested is to let them know about it. "And who better to reach our youth than a youth?"
So, there you have it. Sarratt and Swiderski have laid down the gauntlet, setting an example for all other SMs to follow. Why not follow their excellent example by appointing a young ham as Assistant Section Manager/Youth in your section?
Let me know what else your section is doing for youth. There may be other ASMs/Youth I'm not aware of, so if you're one, please get in touch.
Featured Young Hams
Several young hams have been featured elsewhere on the ARRL Web site. Thanks to ARRL Affiliated Club/Mentor Program Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, for pointing out the following stories:
 Huntsville Hamfest Youth Forum attendees. (L-R) Back row: Amy Lantz, KI4GJP; Michael Lantz, KI4GJQ; Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y; Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM. Front row: Adam Dumbacher; Laura Hartlage; Emily Bishop, KI4CHK; Dawn Reynolds, and Brigit Reynolds. [KF4PWI Photo] |
 (L-R) Your editor, Yaesu's Chip Margelli, K7JA, and CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, at the Huntsville Hamfest. [KE4IKF Photo] |
 Your editor receives the Young Ham of the Year Award from Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. [KE4IKF Photo] |
Huntsville Hamfest: Youth Activities
For me, one of the many highlights of the Huntsville Hamfest was attending and speaking at the Youth Forum, hosted by Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y, Alabama Assistant Section Manager of Youth Activities. Upon arriving, each participant received a "goody bag" of youth-related Amateur Radio reading material.
There were numerous door prizes, including several signed copies of Amateur Radio books for kids, a Yaesu 2-meter handheld transceiver, a portable AM/FM radio for hams-to-be, a mini logbook, several coffee mugs and other assorted items--in all, quite an impressive assortment.
This excellent forum didn't happen by itself. Dorff put a great deal of effort into it. Her first step was to contact the hamfest chairman to arrange a forum room. Next, she made a list of companies who might be willing to donate prizes.
"I researched each company online and found e-mail and mailing addresses for most," recalls Dorff. She then contacted each company via both mail and e-mail. If the company agreed to make a donation, she immediately sent a thank-you letter. She also bought several youth-related Amateur Radio books and had the authors autograph them.
"I promoted the youth forums by announcing them on the local nets and talking about them on the local repeater," said Dorff. As for speakers, she looked for active young hams, whom she'd met through Amateur Radio.
"I have had two forums so far and have tried different things to hold the audience's attention." At one forum, she used colorful visuals and allowed everyone to send their name or call sign in Morse code. At another, she delivered a PowerPoint presentation and was sure to have enough door prizes for everyone.
For me personally, a highlight of the hamfest was receiving the Young Ham of the Year Award from Amateur Radio Newsline, CQ magazine, and Vertex Standard (Yaesu). I was greatly honored to receive the award, and I would like to thank everyone who supported me along the way, including all those who turned out in Huntsville. Without the help and encouragement of my "Amateur Radio family," I would not be where I am today.
Stone Mountain Hamfest and Computer Expo: Youth Activities Galore
Another youth forum is coming up November 6 at the Stone Mountain Hamfest and Computer Expo and Georgia State Convention in Lawrenceville. This year's hamfest will have both a youth forum and a youth lounge.
I am coordinating the forum, and plans are currently being made to have a young ham as a guest speaker. Plus, we'll give away several really cool door prizes to a few lucky young attendees. Anyone who wants to know what's going on in the youth world of Amateur Radio is invited to attend the youth forum--whether you're really young in age or just young at heart.
Since there often isn't enough time to really get to know one another during the forum, the youth lounge serves as a gathering place for younger attendees and will be open throughout the hamfest. Everyone seemed to enjoy it last year, and the plan is to make this year's youth lounge even better.
There will be many fun things to do--board games, snacks, foxhunts, Amateur Radio scavenger hunts, and geocaching, to name a few. If you can't find any other young hams, try calling them on this hamfest's youth calling frequencies: FRS Channel 1 for those who aren't yet licensed yet, or 147.555 MHz FM simplex for licensees.
Don't forget to let me know about any youth activities that are taking place at your local hamfest.
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)
Especially if you're a scout (boy or girl), don't miss the 47th Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), which takes place October 16-17. JOTA is an opportunity for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to talk with one another via Amateur Radio.
Even if you're not a Scout, you're still encouraged to participate by calling "CQ JOTA" or "CQ Jamboree."
Fall Reading:
Remember to...
New to Amateur (Ham) Radio?
But most of all, get involved. No excuses!
And That's a Wrap!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this column. Please continue to let me know about any youth-related Amateur Radio activities in your area. In particular, I am looking for younger amateurs to tell me about their Elmers (mentors) and what qualities make a good Elmer.
Editor's Note: Fifteen-year-old
Amateur Extra class operator and ARES member Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, resides in
Grayson, Georgia. Her Amateur Radio activities include public service, kit building,
hamfesting, and operating SSB, CW and digital modes. Amateurs with youth-related
news and photos are invited to contact Andrea via e-mail with the
subject line "Youth Column."
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