[QCWA] Election

[Richard Mondro]

Jim,

You bring up a point that is very close to me, membership in our
organization and polls. After serving almost four years as a vice director
of ARRL, I must disagree with some of your conclusions.

In my division the director did poll the members often using his division
newsletter and his decisions were based on member input. I know this does
not occur in each of the fifteen divisions, but members in any organizations
have a strong voice if they elect to use it. If a director is unresponsive,
you have a choice to make during the next election cycle.

I don't buy the excuse that people will not join an organization for this
reason. I stood at ARRL Booths at swaps and conventions and the biggest
reason I heard for not joining or renewing was, "I am on a fixed income and
can't afford it". This being said as they walk away with bags and boxes of
goodies they just purchased.

If you give them a reason to support the organization, they will. 

Secondly, the ARRL does poll its QST Readers from time to time using a
readers survey, an independent organization that does magazine surveys
called Readex. The results are available to the Board to help in making
decisions and the results are very detailed and beneficial, but only if they
decide to use the information.

The subject of initiatives and filings by ARRL on legal issues is also
misdirected. Unless you spend some time on the board, you have no idea of
the time and effort spent on these issues in committee meetings and board
meetings before they are acted upon. I have seen items such as
band-planning, as an example, discussed in committee for years. You simply
cannot please everyone and no matter what direction a board takes, someone
is going to be unhappy.

I agree that everything the League does is not done properly, such as it's
recently misdirected field organization, but in the long run, they do a
commendable job trying to protect our spectrum and in the regulatory area.
Instead of pointing fingers, perhaps we should approach other organizations
with positive input and attempt to work together for the common cause.

I ask you to keep this one thought in mind, the future of our service is in
jeopardy if we, as members, do not support the very organizations that have
the power to play the role of advocate. Power comes from membership strength
and monetary support. If you care about the future of our service, you must
care enough to support these organizations, be it ARRL, QCWA or whomever.

Instead of complaining about the problem, let's try to be part of the
solution.

73, Dick Mondro, K4FQT
Secretary, The Villages Chapter 217, Florida



-----Original Message-----
From: qcwa-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:qcwa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Jim Wilhite
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 11:37 AM
To: QCWA List
Subject: [QCWA] Election

I would like to thank all the candidates who answered my questions.  All 
answers were well though and expressed.

One issue that I would like to raise is recruitment of new members.  It is 
an something that requires attention, for if we do not have the new members,

the organization will fail.  I would not like to see that happen.  It is 
incumbent on us all to recruit for the organization and if it is necessary, 
change some things to accomplish it.  I joined because I viewed QCWA as a 
premier organization that celebrated a milestone, of which, I was proud. 
Also the organization was active in events surrounding Amateur Radio.

Currently the ARRL is doing all it can to protect our privileges.  Some of 
its initiatives, I feel, are misdirected which leads many people to avoid 
joining the ARRL.  If QCWA can avoid the mistakes ARRL has made, it can grow

into an expanded role.  The biggest complaint I hear of the ARRL is that the

directors do not poll members for their input into legal issues.  I don't 
have a clear answer for the dilemma, but urge those of you who achieve the 
post of director to make the effort and you had suggestions about how to do 
just that.  I do urge all directors to include the QCWA reflector when 
polling, for here you find vocal and thoughtful members.  By doing what is 
necessary to communicate and poll members QCWA will grow.

I would also suggest you to form a committee whose purpose would be to 
research filings with appropriate oversight agencies and file comments when 
necessary concerning proposals about Amateur Radio.  This in my estimation 
would gain attention of potential members.  By soliciting input and filing 
documents, QCWA will gain the national attention to maintain the 
organization's leadership role.   Of course, another thing that was 
addressed is keeping our expenses in check and finding effective ways to 
communicate with our members.  In your role, urge all members to utilize the

reflector.  Its existence and use would be a good article to include in the 
Quarterly Bulletin.  I am not advocating an active role in all matters, but 
when appropriate for the organization, these actions, I believe, would 
benefit QCWA.

I am proud to be a member of the organization and none of what I have 
written is meant to be critical of past or present directors.  These are 
just musings of someone who cares for the organization and wishes it to 
continue its fine work.  I feel we are going to have to take some risks for 
the rewards that will follow.  Good luck to all who serve in this vital 
position and thank you for your service.

73  Jim
W5JO



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