[MCARC] January 2018 ARRL Board meeting

[Nate Bargmann]

Hi, Rod.

As I'm sure you are well aware, much information has been circulating
online about what are thought to be proposed changes to the ARRL
Articles of Association and its bylaws.  To be honest, while I have
given them a cursory look, I am unsure of which of the proposed changes
will strengthen the League or result in less transparency to League
members and the amateur radio community at large.

I am concerned that one of the proposed changes that may be presented is
to give the president and the vice-presidents voting power at Board
meetings.  I do not think this change would be wise.  As I see it, the
president should only be able to cast a vote to break a tie since only
Board members are elected by the membership.

I realize time is quite short before the January meeting and that this
message may come at a time when you are traveling.  The reason I have
waited is that I have been trying to sort out the signal from the noise
for the past couple of weeks.

Next month I will celebrate 35 years as a continuous member of ARRL.  In
my opinion, the ARRL will do well to be more transparent in its
operations, decision making process that affects League members and
non-members alike, and the process by which the leadership considers and
submits proposed rules changes to the FCC.  Over those 35 years I do not
recall one time ever receiving some sort of questionnaire about
important issues/proposals.  I have contacted various directors
unsolicited over the years, as I am doing today, to express my thoughts
on various matters.

Also, I was quite disappointed by the recent letter posted by ARRL
president Rick, K5UR.  I thought that much more could have been said,
instead it came off to me as complaining that bad people were saying bad
things about ARRL and that we should just put blind faith in ARRL
leadership.  I hope that I am just getting cynical in my old age and
completely misinterpreted Rick's letter.

Thanks for reading, Rod.

73, Nate, N0NB

-- 

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us