[Ares-races] (no subject)

[kd5czm1 at iwon.com]

A hallmark of the Amateur Radio Service is that we provide comms at no cost to served agencies and non-profit organizations.  That's the law.

I have seen on at least 3 occasions where deployed ARES operators were given T-shirts by the event coordinators (bike-a-thon, marathon, parade). To the best of my knowledge, these shirts were freely given, not solicited("Wa'al, it'll cost ya' one of those fancy tee-shirts for me to play radio here."--HI).

While set up at the first aid tent, the helpful marathon nurses always come up to me with a slice of pizza or some Gatorade.
They're just being appreciative if not outright flirtatious.

I don't want to be rude and refuse--that's puts a bad image of us as cold-shouldered drones. On the other hand, an agency head looking on and considering ARES for his/her needs, may get the impression of us operators as freeloaders. 

Is a slice of pizza compensation under the law or incidental to the ARES operation?  I am of the opinion that if we say upfront what it will cost to operate, we're asking for compensation. If it so happens that we are the happenstance recipients of leftover tees or someone else's kindness then the compensation issue has not been broached.

What say you?


Joe Guerra KD5CZM ARES EC Kleberg County TX


Joe Guerra KD5CZM ARES EC Kleberg County TX

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