[W2CRA] Love it or Leave it!

[Michael Varas]

A Club's prestige is based on it's accomplishments and it's people!

That being said, what do you think our peers in the Ham Community think 
about us?
Do they see articles about us in the newspapers or QST or CQ, not many, 
if any!
It's not because we've supported clubs at Raritan Valley Community 
College, Rutgers University or Hunterdon High Schools!
They really only see us at the Hamfest and they don't meet us, as much 
as see how we've handle the event.

So what's left?

Our Club Transmitter (147.375) that's what!

Try to remember, it's a BIG system, it can be heard from New York City 
to Philadelphia, from Mount Pocono to Cherry Hill and beyond!

They get to hear us complain; "the audio sucks" it's too low, "I used to 
be able to use it from my home", "it's to noisy". We have been kicking 
ourselves in the asses for years now. I've never heard anyone brag about 
how much participation we had at an event.  How good it felt to reach 
out to young people with our scholarship and attracted new, younger 
members to our ranks. What new features we've incorporated into our 
system. Have any of you ever wondered why more people don't join us in 
pleasant conversation?

If we can't find anything good about ourselves or our club, Who Can?

So many people complained about setting up the Field Day Site so the 
"Big Guns" could compete, some of whom weren't even members and yet no 
one wanted to step up, it was left to Jay and a few others who felt that 
if they didn't do anything there wouldn't be a Field Day at all for the 
Cherryville Club.

We have Part Time Members who say NO to any upgrades to our system, NO 
to any expansion in club equipment (the mobile antenna  tower most 
recently) No to any expenditures at all!

Do you think this is possible;  If enough people quit and don't pay 
their dues the club will need to close down and the treasury split 
between the few remaining paid members?  Are we going to reward the 
complainers, the nay sayers, with a financial reward for finally making 
the club so miserable no wants to be a member?

There is so much talent among you all, do we need a program coordinator 
to bring in outside people to entertain us? OR can we help each other to 
be more experienced Hams?

Here's something to think about; How about you, Gary N2AUO, run a class 
on PSK31 and possibly a small follow up class at your home for the few 
people who want to start their PSK stations now, what about you being 
the Go To guy for the club members on PSK31, How about you, Nick N2NV, 
what about you doing the same thing with satellite work, and you, Barry, 
can you do the same with Mobile APRS, and you Pete K2YSY , how about you 
running a class on VHF/UHF Contesting.  There's probably a whole lot of 
you who can enrich other people's Ham Radio Experiences.

We even have silent keys on our roster while we've forgotten the 
founders of this club, and has anyone attempted to document the club's 
history!

I Challenge all of you, It's your club, LOVE IT or GET THE HELL OUT! let 
the people who are left make it fun again!

If I've offended some of you, tuff!  If you think I'm all that wrong, 
vote me out of the club! and I acknowledge that I among the offenders.

Stop Bitching and do something!
Michael Varas, KC2CMC