[TNham] Unusual questions on recent ARRL survey

[Greg Williams]

I don't know if anyone else received a survey from Henry Legette (Delta Division director) but he sent this out to members and a couple of questions in the survey drew my attention, particularly #10:


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Some of the Agencies we have current agreements with may begin
requiring background checks on any Amateur Radio operator who provide
emergency communications for them, and the League is now developing a
position on these background checks.  The next two questions pertain to
that issue:

  9. If the consent form limited any background checks to a criminal
check only, would you give your consent and allow a background check?  


  10. If the consent form authorized the agency to perform "mode of
living" checks, which could include such items as a credit check, would
you give consent and allow a background check?

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Now, I'm trying to figure out exactly WHAT "AGENCY" is going to require a CREDIT CHECK in order to VOLUNTEER for service?  What purpose would it serve?

Of course, this is probably a big bunch of nothing, but it does make one wonder why this kind of question is being asked, and what exactly is being discussed behind closed doors.

Criminal background check I have no problem with and can understand where it might be a concern.  But I can't fathom to think of a situation where public service is going to be denied because you owe Visa $1000 in outstanding funds.  Is this Homeland Security run amok?

-- 

Gregory S. Williams
gregwilliams(at)knology.net
k4hsm(at)knology.net

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