[ARRL-OK] ARES-OK Happy New Year

[Mark Conklin]

Happy New Year,


2011 was a challenging year and the new year is here.  Looking forward to 2012 I have a question for each of you. 
 
What is the number one task that must be the focus of every ARES-OK leader (EC, DEC, or ZEC) in Oklahoma ?   (And you are not a leader... think of how you can help your areas ARES-OK leaders.)
 
Knowing who your served agencies are?   Good to know and very important to know, but that’s not it.

Knowing how much wire it takes to make a NVIS type antenna?  Always great to have technical knowledge, but it’s not the most important duty of an ARES-OK leader.

Here’s a hint – it’s listed as the #1 item on the list of responsibilities of the ARES Emergency Coordinator by the ARRL – and reads as follows:
1. Promote and enhance the activities of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) for the benefit of the public as a voluntary, non-commercial communications service.    
 
This is listed as #1 by no mistake - it’s your biggest duty.  Promote, enhance/grow/build, then recruit and recruit, then recruit some more. Never miss an opportunity to meet, greet and recruit volunteers and leaders to your local ARES-OK team. 

Other than your monthly EC reports (which are due every month on the first, and are filed on www.ARESOK.org), every other duty and responsibility can pretty much be delegated to another assistant leader or trusted volunteer.  Leading and building the team is what you do. As an ARES-OK leader you are the team’s coach, quarterback and cheerleader all in one.

Go to your local club(s) meeting(s), shake hands, ask folks if they are registered on www.ARESOK.org, and on the ARES-Oklahoma Yahoo Group e-mail list.  If there are no local club meetings, invite area HAMs to your favorite coffee shop to talk about ARES-OK. Put an add in the local paper (many of the small town/county papers will do this for free) or hang a flyer on the bulletin board at the local meeting hall or the town feed store. Recruiting requires reaching out to the Amateur Radio operators in your area.

No licensed Amateurs in your county? Have you checked the FCC database or QRZ.com – you will be surprised. The database lists names and address. Send them a post card or grab a phone book and call them up. Invite the HAMs out to coffee for a conversation about joining the team.

Still no Amateur Radio folks  in your county? Looks like it’s time to hold a class.  You could can start with a HAM-CRAM or you can go for the full Technician course. You might have to home-grow the team in your area. It can be done… and it all starts with number one. 

Most seeds will not grow without good soil, water and nutrients. It is your mission as an ARES-OK leader to help your team grow. Plant the seed – “The Invite”, water it – “Training”, and watch it grow – “A working, Ready to Respond ARES-OK team”.

Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done in 2011 and I’m looking forward great things in the future.  Best wishes, much joy and success in 2012. 

73,

Mark Conklin, N7XYO
Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
918.232.8346
n7xyo at arrl.net
Follow me on Twitter @N7XYO

www.ARESOK.org