[RVRC] A memo to RVRC members

[Marvin Bronstein]

RVRC members,
Please understand that this ''discussion'' is not meant to be a personal attack upon any RVRC members.
 
I am a RVRC chartering member! We re-established the Raritan Valley Radio Club (originally formed in 1927) back around 1973. That makes me a member of over 40 years!
In that span of time I also served as club President for some period of that time. In the re-chartering of RVRC, the purpose of the club was to have fun with a very exciting hobby, Ham Radio!
 
To that end we fostered many activities such as HF contesting, field day, picnics, field trips of interest (visits to meaningful places like ARRL Hqs. and Salem Nuclear generating facility as it was being constructed). We had invited accomplished hams visit and deliver technical presentations and had our own technical ''sessions'' to spread knowledge among our members. It was camaraderie, fellowship, learning, common interest activities because we included all members in the discussions and plans. 
There was and still remains only a minimum requirement to attend meetings because not everyone can attend every mid-week/night meetings that start late (to allow members travelling in from afar) and ended late.
But we always included all active members in the discussions and planning of activities.

This medium, the internet, gives RVRC members the opportunity to ''weigh-in'' on club matters and activities and we always should include the comments and wishes of members even for those when it is not possible for them to attend a regular monthly meeting due to personal obligations.
 
We are a club, the purpose for which is inclusive not exclusive. The mere fact that those who can not be present at a monthly business meeting  aren't given the means nor are given the opportunity to 'weigh-in' with their opinions; this presents a sense of exclusion. Decisions are made, then, at sparsely attended meetings by only a small portion of the membership exclusive of the opinions and suggestions of the majority.

If the majority of members voice their opinion that they do not want this or that, why then push the matter against those wishes? Why allow a simple quorum at a business meeting not hear the wishes of a majority? However, we can only discern what those wishes really are unless we've given all the members in good standing an opportunity to be included into that discussion. This can not be accomplished if discussion is limited to the one meeting each month unless, before commencing on any bold project, we discuss it first and this internet forum is a great way to do this.

Once again, my thrust on this subject is inclusion by addressing all members. Does it slow down the process? YES it does but that is part and parcel to what a democratic organization and ham radio is all about; we are not some business/corporation or utility with deadlines..........we formed a club for mutual enjoyment of a hobby and it should never become an over-bearing obligation!
 
Once again, we all have jobs, family and important obligations outside of this activity which should never, ever be impaired by club activities.
I have been part of many projects and activities involving RVRC over my 40+ year involvement but I have never witnessed such a lack-luster period.
 
We really need to involve all our members and return to that spark of interest in ham radio activities. There's a great deal to ''discuss'' on that issue as well but it can not be limited to the one meeting each month until the majority has 'chimed-in'; discuss it via this medium, discuss it on the repeater then discuss it at a meeting which will give every member their opportunity. Inform the members of any impending important 'action' to be taken at an upcoming meeting and ask for input. Make each member feel that they are part of 'the whole'!  Disinterest has caused the failure of many ham radio clubs.

What ever has transpired to this point is done and finished but it is imperative that going forward includes every member's opportunity to weigh-in on how the club should go forward. After all, the ''club'' is it's membership, the club is not an entity in and of itself!

Marvin, K2VHW