[NevadaARES] Re: [NNARS] The End of an Era

[Gary Altig]

DE N7UVL,

Let me start with an overview of some previous discussions:
-RAMS and SNARS want to make the Reno Hamfest bigger/better and have =
discussed establishing
an overall committee to oversee this project.
-Discussions to include outlying areas on the committee to plan the =
regional EMCOMM.
-Discussions as to how Washoe County ARES and other ARES groups can =
raise funds for equipment.
-Discussions on several Clubs and Organizations duplicating efforts.
-Discussions on coordinating Emergency Communications efforts.
-Discussions on lack of representation to Northern Nevada VOAD  by =
outlying service organizations.

My opinion:
I don't think each of these aspects require separate committees as many =
times we would see some of=20
the same people on each of these committees, further stretching =
individuals time attending these
various meetings.=20

Item 1:
-I feel a Combined Council made up of a single liaison/representative =
from each
Club, Service Organization, or Emergency Service could provide the =
necessary coordination,
resource access, and a means to apply for fund raising and grants.
-This Council would only coordinate efforts for combined events and =
would not have a say in
any individual organizations efforts or plans. however, individual =
organizations could place a
wish list with the Council for donations, grants, and fund raising.
-The Council would be a 501C-3 organization that would provide a method =
of tax free fundraising
that would subsequently pass funds or donations to its member =
organizations regardless of that
organizations 501C-3 status. This would include the various ARES =
organizations and some Clubs.
-As not all aspects of the Council will be of interest to all of the =
Council members, this is where
sub-committees would be formed to report to the Council. If there is =
only 1 Council member on
the sub-committee, then it is obvious it was not an item for this =
Council as the Council's premise
is to coordinate more than one organizations efforts. Additional =
individual organizations members
could be on the sub-committees, however, the final coordination would be =
accomplished through
that organizations Council liaison/representative.
-If a Club or Organization wants to do something with another Club or =
Organization, they would
have their Council member take it to the Council for presentation.
-The Council would provide a member to attend Northern Nevada VOAD =
meetings and report back
to the Council and its member organizations. This does not preclude =
individual organizations from
sending their own liaison to NNVOAD meetings. But should allow a wider =
exposure to NNVOAD
organizations as to the Amateur Radio resources available in areas other =
than just Washoe County.
And it would also expose many of the Amateur Radio organizations of the =
functions of the "Northern
Nevada Volunteer Organizations active in Disasters" which is a National =
organization of which both
REACT international and ARRL are members.

-Note: Many 501C-3 organizations have Councils they are members of. =
Domestic Violence, Abused
Women, Community Services, Etc. A Council for coordinating Amateur Radio =
efforts would not
be new, just new for our area in this aspect.

Item 2:
-Each Club/Organization would provide their own method of selecting =
their liaison/representative.
-Those members attending the Council meeting would vote on their =
Chairperson. The Chairperson
would make the necessary assignments such as Secretary, Treasurer (which =
may be the same person),
Public Relations, etc. Each person serving on the Council must be =
willing to take an assignment,
otherwise they do not belong on the Council.

Item 3:
-Although input should be welcomed, final decision concerning financial =
resources would be the
decision of the Council.

Item 4:
-Is part of item 1. But the constitution should not limit future goals.
-I see a future goal of the Council supporting member organizations =
either directly or
indirectly with insurance coverage. Indirectly via MOU's with served =
agencies. This way,
in a major disaster, an individual as a member of one of the clubs but =
not a member of
ARES or a served agency could be covered under an MOU between the =
Council and the
served agency.=20

Item 5:
-My discussion in item 1 shows that Clubs must be included. A couple of =
Clubs have
accomplished the efforts to become a Special Service Club, which should =
make their
efforts valuable to the Council. Many clubs have resources that they =
make available
to ARES.

Finally, I think we should get this Council started and working on the =
2004 Reno Hamfest
and the 2004 Region EMCOMM as priority projects. Washoe County ARES is =
in need of
some funds to complete the COMM enclosure and I am sure there are other =
groups with
items to add to the wish list. Any one that is a grant writer or knows =
one would probably
be welcomed at a Council meeting. Input from a grant writer as to the =
nature of
this proposed Council and its potential affect on acquiring grants would =
be helpful.

  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Paul Cavnar=20
  To: NNARS=20
  Cc: NevadaARES=20
  Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 9:01 PM
  Subject: [NNARS] The End of an Era


  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.=20

  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

  _______________________________________________
  NNARS mailing list
  NNARS@mailman.qth.net
  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/nnars


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