[MIham] From: Sandy Mondro

[FSK]

Dear Newsletter Editor,

Please publish the following information in your club's newsletter.  It has
been sent in two formats.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  This information is being
sent to all clubs in the Great Lakes Division.

Sandy Mondro, KG8HM
Affiliated Clubs Coordinator
ARRL, Michigan Section


WHY SUPPORT ARRL?
Imagine if ARRL could double in size in a few short years! Imagine the great
projects that we could take on! It is possible, and it's all up to those of
us that believe in Our League, the Affiliated Clubs and the membership that
is the heart and pulse of our clubs and ARRL.
Make no mistake about it, when we speak of ARRL or The League, we are
talking about a national membership association specifically for amateur
radio operators, for all of us. We are the ARRL and our support makes it
what it is.
Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim, today ARRL is the largest organization
of radio amateurs in the United States. ARRL is a "not for profit"
organization that promotes interest in amateur radio operation and
experimentation, but also represents radio amateurs in legislative matters
affecting our very existence.
ARRL Headquarters employs a staff of 120 people to provide us with needed
services. I have been a member for over forty years and I had no idea of the
professionalism and dedication that exists in the headquarters complex. I
was amazed when I was able to see, with my own eyes, the work being done for
all of us within those walls. It is truly awe inspiring and you must really
see it to understand the passion with which these men and women put forth
for our benefit.
Many of our clubs and other membership organizations have been losing
members recently. We are dis-associating ourselves with others. More and
more, as a society and as individuals, we are missing out on the camaraderie
and a sense of pride in belonging to an organization that is unique to us as
individuals and based on our skills and interests.
How can we correct that? We can start with the first step, getting involved
in service to the public. It takes more than simply joining to make us a
part of Amateur Radio's public service team. Belonging requires action such
as commitment and training.
Let's take a look at the Basis and Purpose of Part 97, that regulates the
amateur radio service. The very first item states, "Recognition and
enhancement of the values of the amateur radio service to the public as a
voluntary noncommercial communications service, particularly with respect to
providing emergency communications."
These words tell me that, as a condition of my license, I am responsible to
the public, the citizens of my community, state and nation, to provide my
voluntary services by providing communications when needed. Most of us are
blessed to have a very unique talent in our ability to provide
communications. We can best do that by volunteering our skills to the
amateur radio emergency service. To provide this service, we must first have
a basic understanding of what is expected of us and how to effectively
provide a much needed service. To gain this understanding we must first be
trained in the types of services and procedures to be used as well as
understanding the organization itself.
If you act soon the second step, training, won't cost you anything but your
time thanks to the grant to the ARRL from the Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS). This federal grant to enhance homeland security
already has funded the training and certification of hundreds of amateurs
through the ARRL's  Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course. As a
result, the Amateur Radio community is better prepared than ever to heed the
call whenever and wherever a natural disaster or other catastrophe may
strike. This grant is tangible evidence that the federal government sees us
as partners in the effort to ensure the security of our nation and its
citizens.
There is another step that you can use to explain to others why you are
volunteering your time to public service. It is a short, six minute video
entitled "Amateur Radio Today", produced by ARRL. This should be used in
promoting Amateur Radio to non-amateur audiences throughout the country.
Take the time to watch it. (Check the ARRL Web site for availability.) You
will swell with pride as you watch and hear one of the most respected and
recognized Americans of all time extol the virtues of Amateur Radio, which
means so much to all of us.
But don't stop there. In the words of Dave Sumner K1ZZ, ARRL Executive Vice
President, "As you watch the sailboat in the closing scene, imagine that it
represents Amateur Radio and think about where you are on the screen. Are
you helping trim the sails? Are you helping maintain a steady hand on the
tiller? Or are you out of sight beneath the surface, perhaps a barnacle, not
impeding progress very much but just along for the ride while others do the
work?"
We have been blessed with many talents and skills and now is the time to use
them in the service to our communities. Let's not just go along for the
ride, but instead provide direction and purpose to our served agencies
through ARES. Keep your local radio clubs strong by providing support and
participation.
While we are at it, with all the pride in being involved in the only
failsafe communication service in the world, let us all look to a friend or
colleague and convince them that League membership is important to keep the
wheels in motion and to keep amateur radio safe for our posterity. We cannot
afford any more cuts in services provided to us due to lack of funding. It
is up to us to provide for amateur radio, so that it's future is insured in
the years to come.
Promoting ARRL and amateur radio is not the sole responsibility of the
Headquarters Staff. They do a fine job from all aspects but that is not
enough. We must all accept responsibility to sell ARRL Membership and
promote all the good that we have all derived from ARRL, The National
Organization for Amateur Radio. Please join me in getting the message out.
73, Dick Mondro W8FQT
Vice Director, ARRL Great Lakes Division.





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