[CALV-AUXCOMM] AUXCOMM Meeting (8/21) and Homework

[Shawn Donley]

All,


Our monthly AUXCOMM meeting will be on Tuesday, August 21st, 7:30 pm at the Calvert County Services Building in Prince Frederick.


The main topic for the meeting is preparations for the hurricane season. 


But there's another subject that I would like you review BEFORE the meeting so we can discuss and formulate feedback.  The ARRL has just released a draft of the new ARES Strategic Plan.   As your EC, I have an opportunity to provide feedback up the chain.  The new Strategic Plan can be downloaded at the bottom of the page at:


http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-committee-seeks-input-for-proposed-ares-strategic-plan


After reading the plan, I think you will find the main impact to be a formalization of training requirements to participate in ARES at one of three Levels of responsibility, and a coordinated database for ARES membership tracking.  Your EC (me) is even currently shy of meeting the requirements for my Level.


I'd like your written input on the plan at, or preferably before, the meeting.  It will be my responsibility to take these inputs and filter/condense them for submission up the chain.


Please follow the guidelines below in formulating any response, particularly items #1 & #2.


1. Please be concise and to-the-point in your responses.
2. Bear in mind that each member of the working group has been sincere and dedicated to the redesign of ARES, so please be respectful in your responses.
3. The framework of ARES must remain as close to universal as possible, even with the recognition that some geographical areas may require certain specific training that others do not need. 
4. The understanding that specific agency agreements and needs must be honored. 
5. Mutual aid pacts may require training specific to adjacent jurisdictions.
6. If you have a concern about a new policy, be prepared to offer an alternate.
7. Please note the last sentence on page 6 offers each SM an alternate for any ARES participant who has limited or no access to courses ICS 300 and 400.

Thanks
N3AE
Calvert EC