[KL7AA] Outreach

[Brandon Clark]

Hello group,

First off, I hope everyone is doing well out there. It sounds like the 
damage was less than expected, although still quite serious. Let's keep 
hoping for a speedy return to normalcy.

As the cleanup continues we need to start thinking about building up our 
ARES capabilities. I'm in agreement with what Kent said in his blog 
post, that we have a "dire need" for more operators. I think we have 
probably shaken out all of the able bodies we are going to get from the 
licensed community, so now it's time to start outreach to the non-ham 
community. If we want to stay relevant then we simply have to get the 
word out and bring more people in.

One good effect of this earthquake (if there can be such a thing) is 
that it makes arguing for amateur radio very easy. We don't need to wait 
for an organized outreach campaign; instead I'm suggesting that everyone 
simply be a "conspicuous good example" in their community through the 
next few weeks of recovery.

A few examples:

  * If you're in the office, have an Ht on your desk as a conversation
    piece. If someone asks about it, give them a SHORT demonstration at
    lunch.
  * If you're around other people in a parking lot, turn up the volume
    on your mobile briefly. Transmit a request for a signal check, and
    let the non-hams ask you what's up.

Most especially, be sure to have an "elevator pitch" ready. Give people 
a positive, encouraging example they can understand. It could be, "I 
didn't try to travel the Glen because I heard over the radio that it was 
stopped up," or, "I was able to contact my spouse even though the power 
went out at the house."

If we want to remain a relevant organization here then we need to start 
thinking outside the already-licensed community. And no one else is 
going to do it except us, so let's get going and be good examples. Get 
those conversations going.

73,

Brandon