[NevadaARES] The End of an Era

[Paul Cavnar]

Good Evening to All -

Over the last five plus years, the Northern Nevada Amateur Radio
Service or, NNARS, has accomplished it's primary objective of
revitalizing and reestablishing the ARES and RACES programs
in Washoe County.  A longer term goal was to assist neighboring
counties in doing the same which has been accomplished in
Lyon and Churchill counties, both with new, growing groups of
amateur radio volunteers.

When NNARS was conceived, it's intent was to function as a
common point between the counties and their volunteer groups.
Over time, this concept became more sharply focused and was
concentrated on the local, Washoe County, Reno and Sparks
areas.  Learning from the efforts of other successful areas of the
country, NNARS became an operation 'model' for ARES units
working to accomplish the same things.  Training, organization,
exercises and leadership brought together a group of volunteers
who are well prepared to provide communications whenever and
wherever needed when disaster strikes.

Some of the material used in the Level-I and II ARECC EmComm
courses came from experiences gained while serving with NNARS
and I was privileged to have been part of the creation of those
very valuable courses.  We made the news a few times and were
featured in the ARRL letter several times as well as the ARRL web
news page with photos or our work during fires in previous years.

With the ARES and RACES organizations well established, it is
time that the NNARS organization dissolve it's corporation and go
into the history books.  Having been 'in business' over five years,
the need to become a 501(c)3 recognized organization is made
very difficult by changes in the IRS requirements.  It is very easy
to accomplish that task in the first year of existence once you are
incorporated.  The changes that would be needed to the consti-
tution would require several amendments that would be costly and
time consuming.  So, we are now headed on the path of simply
going out of business.

All is not lost and going away just yet.  At our second quarter
meeting today, there was much discussion concerning the value
of an organization such as NNARS to the amateur community
and there was a general consensus that everyone could benefit
from a new 'council' style organization that would include members
from all the surrounding ARES and RACES organizations as well
as the amateur radio clubs interested in supporting emergency
communications.  There is much to be discussed and worked on
if this is to become a reality.  With the formation of such a new
organization, there are basic items that need to be discussed and
decided on initially some of which are:

    1.    A well defined purpose for the organization.
    2.    Leadership structure and methods of succession.
    3.    Resources for financial support.
    4.    What is to be accomplished, goals.
    5.    Should 'clubs' be included in the organization leadership
           or, should it be limited to the volunteer members.

These five items will undoubtedly require a lot of discussion among
those interested in this become a reality.  It will require a lot of time
initially and it will require financial backing to pay for incorporation
filing, IRS 501(c)3 application and establishing other basic needs
for such an organization.

The NNARS and Nevada ARES e-mail reflectors provide very good
venues for discussions and getting input from everyone.  With our
ideas shared in a public forum, we can better understand what we
as a group feel is needed.  There may be those who do not feel
that we need another 'NNARS' style organization or a council of
member groups at all.  Those ideas need to heard also. Personally,
I have some ideas that I would like to have considered and will be
happy to join in any discussion along this line as a participant only
and not as someone in 'authority' making decisions.

So, having put this information into this public venue for your interest
and response, I would like to have input from those who are feel this
is a worthwhile undertaking as well as those that feel the existing
organizations are capable of function on their own.  Reading the five
points of primary need above, your comments are appreciated.

Please reply to the list so your message is shared by clicking on
the "Reply All" button.  If your comments are directed to someone
personally and are not intended to be shared with the group, be
sure that you change the "To:" line in your message before it is
sent. 

Thanks ahead of time for your participation.  I look forward to your
comments and discussion.

73, Paul Cavnar - NN7B
NNARS Chairman
NNV DEC/OES
Washoe Co. RACES Officer