[Park] Message from Volunteer Resources Committee

[Douglas Foote]

Forwarded to me by Asher Resh, N3EFW, Monroe County RACES Radio Officer

----- Original Message -----
From: Ewald, Steve, WV1X
To: Griffin, Robert (SM, Santa Barbara) ; kw1u@arrl.net ; kb5w@arrl.net
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 5:24 PM
Subject: Message from Volunteer Resources Committee

(This message is also being sent out via the ARRL Section Managers'
Reflector)

To: ARRL Section Managers and NTS Chairs
From: The Volunteer Resources Committee (VRC)

Minute 35 of the 2002 annual ARRL Board Meeting assigned to the VRC the
studying of the League's programs related to emergency
communications and non-emergency public service communications, and to
report recommendations for modernizing, streamlining, and
increasing their effectiveness.  The wording of the Minute is at the
bottom of this e-mail.

Committee�s work this year has, to a large degree, been driven by this
one study.  In addition to extensive discussions of the issues,
primarily
during teleconferences, a survey of SM was carried out.  Only 21 of the
71 SMs responded to the survey, but those responses received were very
useful.  In addition, the Chairs of the three NTS Areas also provided
useful comments.

Conclusions: several inter-related themes have emerged as a result of
the study.

5.3.1.  Amateur Radio must earn and maintain increased credibility with
served agencies, both nationally and at the local level.  The existing
ARRL
certification programs can help in this regard.  Additionally, excellent
training is available through FEMA, the Red Cross, and other served
agencies.  Such courses aren�t designed for exclusive Amateur Radio
audiences, but present an opportunity for ARES/NTS volunteers to expand
their emergency preparedness horizons.

5.3.2   Amateur Radio emergency communications volunteers must be more
actively involved in a variety of training experiences throughout the
year.

5.3.3.  Although ARES and NTS are structurally separate in Section field
organizations, these two volunteer programs must work more
cooperatively, functioning as part of one coherent emergency
communications program at the Section level.

5.3.4  The Committee notes persistent requests for creating new
leadership positions.  The post of Assistant District Emergency
Coordinator
(ADEC) is the one most often suggested.  In addition, suggestions are
received from time to time to give Assistant Emergency Coordinator
(AEC),  appointment more stature.  It is presently a local appointment,
not part of the formal field organization structure.  The VRC, however,
is
not convinced that the solution of organizational problems require new
leadership positions.  Many SMs have solved their local organizational
problems by more creative use of the existing appointee structure.

5.4  Recommendations.  In support of the above conclusions, the VRC
recommends the following actions.

5.4.1  Amateur Radio should exhibit a higher level of readiness than is
presently the case.  This may be accomplished, at least in part, by
encouraging SMs, in collaboration with their SECs and STMs, to study, on
a continuing basis, the training needs of their Sections and the
effectiveness of training programs in place.

5.4.2  Amateur Radio should exhibit a higher level of professionalism
than is presently the case.  This may be satisfied, at least in part, by

adhering to the following program.  Please note that these are not
requirements, but recommendations.

*  SECs and STMs, earn Level 1, 2, and 3 certification as soon as
possible
*  DECs and NMs earn at least Level 1 and 2 certification as soon as
possible

*  ECs and OES appointees earn at least Level l certification as soon as
possible

*  SECs, and STMs strongly encourage all ARES and NTS members to earn
Level l certification in order to prepare them for possible future
disasters and in order to prepare them to become future leadership
officials.

*  Finally, the training provided by FEMA, the Red Cross, and other
served agencies should be considered for inclusion in ARES/NTS training
programs.  These courses aren�t designed for exclusive Amateur Radio
audiences, but present an opportunity for ARES/NTS volunteers to
expand their emergency preparedness horizons.

5.4.3  SECs should make more effective effective use of OES appointees
-- the guideline document for this Field appointment is deliberately
broad,
so as to give SECs flexibility required to solve a variety of Section
organizational problems.

5.4.4  SMs, SECs, and STMs should work cooperatively to develop workable
plans for joint drills and training.


Thank you for your participation in this study.  This topic will
continue to be an important part of the VRC�s activity in the future.
We look
forward ongoing discussions with you about this and related subjects.


_________________________
Minute 35 of the 2002 Annual Meeting

35. On motion of Mrs. Craigie, seconded by Mr. Walstrom, it was
unanimously VOTED that the following resolution is adopted.

WHEREAS, Amateur Radio's emergency communications capability ranks first
among the bases and purposes of the service set forth in the
FCC's Rules; and

WHEREAS, non-emergency public service communications events are training
experiences which prepare Amateurs for service in both natural
and man-made disasters; and

WHEREAS, since the founding of our League, the ARRL has sponsored
programs which train, organize, and enable Amateur Radio volunteers to
provide emergency communications support to charitable agencies and
government authorities; and

WHEREAS, in these challenging times not only for our country but also
for the entire civilized world, it is essential for Amateur Radio to
offer the
most efficient and effective emergency communications systems, including
support for Homeland Security;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ARRL's Volunteer Resources
Committee is directed to perform an in-depth study of the League's
programs related to emergency communications and non-emergency public
service communications, and to report recommendations for
modernizing, streamlining, and increasing the effectiveness of these
programs to the Board at the Annual Meeting in January, 2003.