[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: A note from your ARRL Vice Director - and a request!

[Ian]

Just in case you're not an ARRL member.

 

 

 

Subject: A note from your ARRL Vice Director - and a request!

 

This has been a great year for me as your new ARRL Vice-Director of the
Roanoke Division! I have attended both ARRL board meetings in Windsor, CT
with our Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF. I have had the opportunity to travel
as your ARRL representative throughout my home state of South Carolina, and
extended my travels throughout North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia. I
have had the pleasure of meeting and working with all four ARRL Section
Managers of our Division. I am pleased to note that each of your Section
Managers is exceptional in their forward vision, teamwork skills and
involvement within their respective sections. I am very proud to serve along
with Director Bodson as your representative to the ARRL Board of Directors!

There is so much to say and so much to report, but I would like to focus on
one topic in this note. This request is not financial, just for a few
minutes of your time to assist the ARRL and Amateur Radio in general when
called upon. I will keep it brief, but please take time to read this e-mail
to the end!

When legislative action is needed on behalf of amateur radio, it is one
thing for the ARRL to contact a congressman on behalf of its members in
their congressional district. It is FAR better for individual members within
a congressional district to contact their congressman with a note that
includes their address and Zip Code, identifying them as voting
constituents! To this end, the ARRL has developed a Grassroots program to
accomplish this goal. This is detailed on the ARRL Website:
http://www.arrl.org/grassroots 

I have written very few letters to congressional representatives in the
past. I was concerned about the format, getting the bill number right,
finding out the appropriate official who should receive the letter, getting
my point across, and knowing timelines. There are a few Divisions within the
ARRL that are very strong in the Grassroots movement. My goal is to make it
easy for any Roanoke Division member to spend a maximum of 10 minutes,
compose a succinct and to-the-point letter, and truly make a difference in
the legislative activities in our country! There are approximately 11,500
ARRL members in the Roanoke division, enough to make a HUGE difference! I
have always been a fan of "carpet bombing", that is, to get information out
to EVERYONE who can lend a hand. I realize that not everyone will wish to
help out. I will endeavor to add "legislative request" to the subject line
of the e-mail requesting assistance. If you do not wish to participate,
please delete the e-mail. If you do, please take 10 minutes and assist us in
promoting the ARRL's grassroots efforts! 

When the ARRL activates the grassroots movement, it notifies me of the
congressional districts involved. More often than not, a sample letter is
generated by the ARRL which can easily be personalized by a member, and sent
to their congressional representative. I will forward the sample letter and
all necessary information to those ARRL members within the congressional
district involved.

Here is some homework to do: First, Find out your Zip+4 by going to
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp . Be sure to write your Zip+4 on all
correspondence. Next, find out your elected representatives by going to
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ . Save the contact information, but
unless you plan to have a face to face meeting, you will probably not need
it (information below)! Finally, check out tips on interaction with
congressional representatives by going to http://www.arrl.org/interacting .

I did not realize this prior to becoming a Vice Director, but the ARRL has a
Washington representative on retainer that personally hand-delivers letters
to congressional offices. This ensures that your letter will reach your
congressman, or at least their aides. The ARRL recommends sending your
signed letter either by Mail, a Fax or as an attachment to an e-mail to:

John Chwat
Chwat & Company
625 Slaters Lane
Suite 103
Alexandria, VA 22314

FAX: (703) 684-7594
arrl at chwatco.com 

That's all there is to it! I feel VERY strongly that with our numbers, we
can DEFINITELY make a difference in Washington. Whether the legislation will
affect antenna zoning, BPL, spectrum defense or other issues, it is
ESSENTIAL that we get the facts about Amateur Radio to our elected
representatives! 

It is my personal request to all that the Roanoke Division become a clear
leader in the ARRL Grassroots movement!

Please save this e-mail, and I will be in touch when your assistance is
needed!

 

'73 de Jim N2ZZ
ARRL Vice Director
Roanoke Division
ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT
www.arrl-roanoke.org <http://www.arrl-roanoke.org/>  
n2zz at arrl.org.