[QCWA] 2010 Membership

[Bob Roske]

Hi Everybody,

This topic has slowed to a crawl and I think everyone that wants to, has responded.

My thoughts in no particular order.  If I disagree with something you said, good for you!
If we all agree, it would be a dull and boring world.

For those that don't realize it, the members already have the power.  It was member power
that insured my election in 2008, it will be member power that saves this organization.
The Board Members can (and do) sponsor dozens of members a year.  During his 4 years as
President, John, W3BE sponsored 78 members.  I guess leading by example doesn't work.
I've sponsored as many as 5 during a year, not counting Dayton.  It takes time, and
effort, and money.  Every member needs to sponsor someone.  Val, W5PUT suggests by
the end of the year.   I suggest an easier approach, sponsor one new member every 5 years.
Yes, 1 every 5 years.  That would be 3 or 4 times the current annual number of new 
members.
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The A Word - Associate Members:
QCWA GUEST POLICY REVISITED
W3BE, President, QCWA - October 22, 2004

The matter of non-QCWA member participation, as an associate, in QCWA activities was
discussed at the 2001 Meeting of your Board of Directors. Your Board has expended
considerable effort toward resolving this persistent matter through letters, e-mail and
personal contacts at Chapter meetings, conventions and hamfests. The majority consensus
was that an associate category is not desired by QCWA membership.

For various reasons, however, your Chapter may want to allow guests of its members to
participate in its activities. To provide guidance to those Chapters that do so, your
Board developed the following statement of policy on non-member participation in Chapter
activities. This policy was reaffirmed today at the 2004 Meeting of your Board of
Directors.

One difficulty to resolving this long-standing matter may arise from the use of the
unofficial term "associate." Although this A-word can be used as a noun, there is a
tendency to use it more as an adjective modifying the word "member." That appears to make
it a hot-button issue to those members who oppose any attempt to compromise the very
purpose of the QCWA. For this reason, your Board recommends that all references to the
A-word be avoided.

This about covers it!
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>We've had cruises every other year
2001, 2005 and 2009 hardly fits the description of every other year.  Once again, the
local members/chapters have the power.  The only reason a cruise was ever suggested in the
first place is because a local chapter didn't step forward to sponsor a land based
convention.  If proposals for land based conventions are submitted in a timely fashion 
QCWA
will probably never see another cruise.
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Some of our Directors have contacted chapter secretaries to find out what works and what
doesn't at the local level.  What was found is that chapters that have programs, special
projects and tables at local hamfests appear to be doing ok, the rest are shrinking or
have already disappeared.  Again,  It takes time and effort and money.
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Sad to say, but it's true, some of our members disparage Hams that don't hold an Extra 
Class license or achieved it after 20 wpm CW was no longer a requirement.   I've heard 
members talk about the dumming down of the VE question pool.  The interesting thing is one 
of them is a VEC. One of our chapters holds their net on an extra class frequency.  When a 
member asked about it they were told to upgrade!

If you feel that way about the younger, newer Hams, that's your business.  However, please 
refrain from vocalizing thinking like this when QCWA is in the mix, several members that 
have cancelled their membership because the 'older members' don't like the 'younger 
members'.  I know this is true because I've talked to some those members that pulled the 
plug.
For QCWA to grow, ALL qualified Hams must feel welcome!
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>There are a lot of us in the 45-60 year old bracket that are not very welcome in the
>inner circles of the QCWA.
Oh really!  The current President, Vice President, Treasure and fully half of the
directors are under 65.  Which inner circle are you referring to?
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>Sectional approach as does the ARRL
The number of directors was increased from 5 to 10 in an attempt to get a director from
every call area.  We all know how well that worked.  Also, we are not the ARRL.
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DX, fox hunting, APRS and all the other things that make Ham radio so much fun and so
unique MUST be addressed at the local level.  I can't tell you how to operate or what
programs to have at your local chapter.
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We have 330 signed up on the reflector, not all of them are members.  There have been at
least 2 articles in the Journal encouraging members to sign up on the reflector in the
past five years.   Maybe we should change our thinking to email list or group list.
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Again, the members have the power and they need to continue to use it.

73,
Bob Roske, N0UF
President, QCWA
1Ø-1Ø # 63893
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