[FLARES] Local ARES groups formal structure issues

[Keith Kotch]

Dave, et.al.,

The issue hasn't been/isn't whether to allow or accept a member actually
living in another county it's the fact that there are a few members
very, very active with us that actually live just across the river in
South Volusia County.  They have helped Volusia ARES with drills and
helped them with some antenna projects but they are most active with us.
The potential problem occurs when both Seminole and Volusia ARES are
activated at the same time.  

I just purchased and read a booklet by Jerry Boyd, KW7J, "Management of
the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Function".  One of the areas
he addressed was a dual-registration area mainly as it pertained to
areas where mutual aid scenarios were common and how it helped to
facilitate ID and insurance issues.

My DEC doesn't have a problem with "out of county" membership as ARES
group boundaries are really arbitrary anyway.  That part's not been a
problem over here.

As to the "loyalty" to one group....well, your comments do put things in
perspective.  Not all of the members in my own county would/could
respond.  It's just that the members in question regarding this are so
very active with us that we've always been able to count on them to
respond, but that's been in situations where we've been active and their
home county has not.

I'll double check with my DEC to see if there are any restrictions in
place from a District or Section perspective regarding "dual
membership".

Keith, KF4BXT






-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Armbrust [mailto:ae4mr@arrl.org] 
 
Keith,

The policy in the West Central Florida Section is that out of county
membership is allowed as long as all parties agree.  If the EC of the
ham's
home county objects then the out of county ARES membership is not
allowed.
I am not sure what the policy is in North Florida but your Section
Manager,
Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP (wa4pup@arrl.org) can advise you.

I would not worry too much about the loyalty or availability issue.
Since
we all deal with volunteers we can never be 100% sure any particular
member
will show up if called.  If a disaster strikes in your own back yard
even
local members may decide to stay home to take care of family, friends or
property.  It is the out of county hams that may be able to provide the
most
ARES support.