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 Previous: N9GL's RF Safety Column: Do We Need to Protect Children from RF? |  Next: Youth@HamRadio.Fun: Tools for Youth Promotion |
 The "back of the box" at the July 2002 ARRL Board of Directors meeting. Seated at the directors' table (L-R) are directors Fallon, Walstrom, Frenaye, Milnes, Maxwell, Bodson and Stinson (back to camera). Looking on are members of the ARRL Headquarters staff. |
NEWINGTON, CT, Jul 22, 2002--Starting next January, "Section News" and contest line score results will appear on the ARRL Web site rather than in QST. Meeting July 19-20 in Windsor, Connecticut, the ARRL Board of Directors voted 9-6 to approve a resolution formally relocating "Section News" to the ARRL Web site. "Section News" has appeared in the League's official journal at least since 1919. The "Section News" Web sites--already in place--will provide the officials of each ARRL section "the capability of an up-to-date information resource that can be tailored to the needs of their section," the resolution said.
"The ARRL owes a lot to its traditions, and we should not lightly give up what's served us well in the past," ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, commented after the meeting. "But at the end of the day we must look to the future."
The space freed up by relocating "Section News" will allow more in-depth coverage of general news, public service activities and "how-to" articles aimed at bringing more amateurs into the emergency preparedness fold. Those members who are unable to use the Internet to view their section's reports can request them in a hard-copy format.
ARRL management and the ARRL Administration and Finance Committee had proposed the QST changes last winter. The Board postponed a decision at its January meeting, however, saying it wanted members to first be "aware of the reasons for the proposed relocation and the enhanced capabilities available on the Web site." The Board also said it wanted to evaluate "variations and alternatives" to the proposals.
 The three ARRL vice presidents share a laugh: (L-R) Vice presidents Fried Heyn, WA6WZO; Kay Craigie, WT3P, and Joel Harrison, W5ZN. |
"Over the past six months, members have had ample opportunity to understand the reasons for relocating 'Section News,' to discuss alternatives and to better understand and see the advantages of the expanded content available on the Web site," the Board noted in its July resolution. Approval followed failed efforts by those opposed to the change to further postpone action on the issue.
Voting for the change were Directors Dick Isely, W9GIG (Central); Jay Bellows, K0QB (Dakota); Frank Fallon, N2FF (Hudson); Wade Walstrom, W0EJ (Midwest); Tom Frenaye, K1KI (New England); Dennis Bodson, W4PWF (Roanoke); Walt Stinson, W0CP (Rocky Mountain), Art Goddard, W6XD (Southwestern); and Coy Day, N5OK (West Gulf).
Directors Bernie Fuller, N3EFN (Atlantic); Rick Roderick, K5UR (Delta); George Race, WB8BGY (Great Lakes); Greg Milnes, W7OZ (Northwestern); Jim Maxwell, W6CF (Pacific); and Frank Butler, W4RH (Southeastern), voted against the change.
In a separate resolution approved by voice vote, the Board agreed that the ARRL Web site now provides a better medium to report the results of ARRL-sponsored contests, and line scores no longer will appear in QST. The change does not affect ARRL Field Day results, which will continue to be published in the magazine.
A Web site established earlier this year now includes, among other features, a searchable database of contest line scores for members and the ability to easily analyze individual and club scores. There's also an on-line Soapbox to post comments and photos immediately after a contest, as well as an expanded narrative for each event. In addition, the resolution pointed out, the ARRL now offers members the free Contest Rate Sheet newsletter, which focuses specifically on contesting.
 Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, makes a point (literally) at the ARRL Board of Directors meeting. |
In a related move, the Board also made the ARRL Web site official. The Board modified the ARRL By-Laws to require maintenance of a Web site by the League, with its policy to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Great Lakes Division Leadership Changes
In an unexpected move halfway through the Board meeting, George Race, WB8BGY, of Albion, Michigan, stepped down as Great Lakes Director. Race, 66, had served on the Board for 12 years. Prior to that, he'd held numerous other field organization positions over the years, including several terms as Michigan Section Manager.
Race said that while the vote to shift "Section News" to the Web did play a small part in his decision to resign, it was not the primary factor and he harbors "no bad feelings" that the vote went the other way. "My wife Barb and I just decided we needed some time for ourselves," said Race, who resigned in a letter to Sumner, the Secretary to the Board. "There's life beyond the League."
Legendary within the ARRL field organization for his travels around the Great Lakes Division, Race said he's spent some 45,000 to 50,000 miles a year on the road on the League's behalf and "wore out three cars."
"I've enjoyed so much working with the membership and with the Board," said Race, who is the technical services supervisor at Albion College, where he's worked for nearly 35 years.
 New Great Lakes Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA. |
Great Lakes Vice Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA, of Edgewood, Kentucky, was declared the new director. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has appointed Michigan Section Manager Dick Mondro, W8FQT, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, to be the new Great Lakes Vice Director. The Great Lakes Director's and Vice Director's positions are up for re-election in the fall.
A successor is expected to be named soon to pick up the reins as Michigan Section Manager.
Other Board Actions
In other actions over the weekend, the ARRL Board of Directors:
approved the ARRL Endowment program, a planned giving program, and a premium membership program. Details will be fleshed out and announced later.
asked ARRL staff to study ARRL spectrum policy for amateur bands between 902 MHz and 24 GHz.
asked the Volunteer Resources Committee to study the possibility of establishing an operating activity to demonstrate to local government officials the ability of Amateur Radio to communicate locally, across state lines and nationally.
directed the Executive Committee to study the structure and function of the ARRL Board's standing committees as well as of the Executive Committee itself.
directed President Haynie to appoint members to an ad hoc committee for short and long-term planning for the organization.
directed the appointment of an ad hoc working group to study the introduction of voice-bandwidth data modes in the amateur HF bands.
The minutes of the July 19-20 ARRL Board of Directors meeting are posted on the ARRL Web site.
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