[HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view

[w1rm at comcast.net]

I missed the presentation at the convention, so I was grateful to have the chance to watch it on YouTube.

I think all three candidates made good points and arguments as to why they were the best candidate.

Many of you don't know me as I am a new member of the club.  I did make it to FD but given the long distance, I attend meetings via zoom.  I've been a ham since 1956, making me an Old Timer.  I'm 10 years away from hitting 75 years in ham radio.  So, I've been there, seen that, done that (well not all of it, but a lot).  My focus started with traffic handling as K2UTV.  I moved to Connecticut from NY in 1964 to work at ARRL Hq for W1NJM and became W1BGD.  I expanded my traffic handling into contesting and DXing.  I'll not brag about my accomplishments here only that I have plenty.

I find all three candidates with compelling points as to why they are the best.  But I also find the AB1OC seems to be Johnny One Note with his emphasis on school kids.  While I don't have any kids, my wife runs a cat shelter, and she has plenty of high school volunteers.  You can't believe the stress these youngsters are under to achieve, be it school, outside activities, etc.  And then there's college prep.  As they grow, they change, loose interest in some things, acquire interest in others.  I think the focus for attracting new and returning hams needs to be much broader.

K1KI is a seasoned veteran of the board.  He knows the players; he's been on practically every committee and held all positions save President.  Tom doesn't just know how to get things done in this environment; he HAS gotten things done.  

If we elect a new person to the board, they come in at the bottom of the totem pole.  Except Tom who, in spite of being newly elected, has strong relationships with the current directors and would be in a good position to make things happen.

For personal reasons, I have not commented on K1VR.  I've known Fred for 50 years and while he has done some good things for ham radio, I don't feel that he is the best candidate to be our director.

I'm supporting Tom.  I signed his petition and will vote for him.

Pete Chamalian, W1RM
W1rm at comcast.net

-----Original Message-----
From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net <hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of John Ewell
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2021 1:15 PM
To: HCRA at mailman.qth.net
Cc: AB1OC Fred Kemmerer <ab1oc at ab1oc.org>
Subject: [HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view

______________________________________________
-------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list (reflector)------------- ______________________________________________

To my fellow HCRA members regarding the upcoming ARRLDirector election

Beginning in October, ARRL members will have the opportunityand responsibility to elect a new Director from the New England Region. Ourregion has 3 candidates for the Director position. All of them are very smart,very accomplished and active hams. We are very fortunate to have an actualchoice in candidates for our region. 

2 of the candidates have held the Director position (FredHopengarten, K1VR is current, Tom Frenaye, K1KI is previous). Fred Kemmerer,AB1OC is the President of the Nashua Area Radio Society. 

I met Fred Kemmerer AB1OC, as I took a 3-day Ham crashcourse to get my Extra license a couple of years ago. He held the class at hishouse, and provided multiple examples of equipment and its use from his hamshack. We went through test equipment, various types of antennas, satellite communications,all in a hands-on fashion. His team of instructors was able to explainelectronic to this poor steam and water based mind (my background is in powergeneration, not electronics). 

We also had demonstrations of some of the projects andsuccesses that he has had with NARS, such as ham boot camp, ISS – school contacts,and high altitude balloon tracking. 

Fred has a background in corporate management at the toplevels in the electronics industry. He has plenty of experience building a teamto accomplish a goal. He has turned NARS into a fantastic resource for hamradio, which is freely shared online. He knows the value of radio clubs inmaintaining activity, education, public interaction and involvement, andgrowing radio. He has used social media to share and grow his club, and others.He has reached out to other clubs and hams to share their talents and ideas. 

Fred has recognized that in order to grow, we have to lookbeyond the traditional ham – beyond older middle class white men, and startlooking at the overall population and try to mirror that. His success withyoung and school age entry into radio speaks well for him and us. 

I feel strongly that Fred Kemmerer is the strongestcandidate in the field. He knows how to build a team, how to motivate people,how to inspire that wonder that started many of us in radio. He is also one ofthe best speakers I have seen in radio. He has a plan, he has set goals forhimself, and has a history of succeeding at what he puts his mind to. 

I wanted to wait until just before the voting start to sendthis out. I didn’t want it to come out too early and be forgotten. So,beginning October 1, until November 19, we have an opportunity and an obligationto choose where our organization goes. Continue the status quo, or move to anactive and diverse future. 

If you are an ARRL member, please treat this election seriously.

Sincerely,

John Ewell N1JIE

n1jie at arrl.net

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