[CW] ARRL MUST GET BETTER

[Steve-W0OOW]

While minutes may be on the ARRL web site, not all items of concern are.
For example, during that licensing restructuring debate, the minutes only
listed the overall vote.  They did not list who voted which way. Under
Robert's Rules of Order, any of the division directors may ask for a roll
call vote.  If none  ask, no roll call vote is taken and therefore no
results are in the minutes.  Also, the voting (who voted which way) on
whether or not a roll call vote should be taken in the first place is also
not recorded in the minutes.

Robert's Rules of Order are meant to bring order to an organization and not
to hide behind.  I most certainly would like to see the ARRL be more open in
their voting for ALL divisions. I mean that even if my director voted a
given way and says so, I'd like to know and see what how other divisions
stood as well. If you are an ARRL member, you should have the right to know
how your wishes are represented overall.

One way the ARRL could this would be to report fully on important issues
such as licensing restructuring, regulation by bandwidth, power levels, etc.
They have not done this.  Sad as it is, the League does not "openly" record
happenings in detail.  Those type of results are available to only a few.
What is on the web site, is the watered down version of what actually was
said and done.

I want more details.  I would like to see "how" I am being represented
"overall".  Not just within my division, but within the entire ARRL.  This
is supposed to be "our" ARRL.  It is compromised of individual members.
"While not all agree, all count!"  What can be so hard if an organization is
honest about giving the facts openly?

What direction is the ARRL taking in our name?  Why not say?  Regarding the
column in QST entitled "It Seems To Us", who is "us"?  How can there be an
"us" if "us" aren't informed in advance?

There are even proponents that don't feel that the average ham is capable of
making an informed decision.  Well, if that is true educate them!  I would
not expect 100% caring of members, but IF a person wants to know what is
going on, why not tell them?  NO MORE SECRETS ARRL - BE OPEN!

73,
Steve W0OOW
CW - It's still magic !
"Of, By, and For The Radio Amateur"


> ARRL BoD minutes are available at the ARRL Web site. I found them here,
>
> http://www.arrl.org/announce/board.html
>