Update to All ARRL Members from Interim CEO Barry J. Shelly, N1VXY re COVID-19

Update from Interim CEO Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY

To ARRL Members

This message is to let our members know that the ARRL remains operational to meet the needs of our members during this Coronavirus outbreak. At the same time, we are taking steps to help protect the health and safety of ARRL Headquarters employees in line with the recommendations being provided by U.S. and Connecticut state health officials and governmental leaders.

We have arranged for many of our staff, depending on their job responsibilities and requirements, to work remotely during this unprecedented time. This helps the organization reduce the number of people in the building and improve our “social distancing” capabilities.

At the present time, all departments at ARRL Headquarters are functioning and customer service representatives remain available to answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate department to assist you. During this period, though, we strongly encourage members to use email as the preferred method of communication with ARRL in order to get you the timeliest response possible.

In particular, the ARRL’s VEC Department has been dealing with a higher-than-normal volume of emails and phone calls, and the staff there asks for your patience while they attempt to answer everyone as quickly as possible. There has been some significant disruption to VE exam schedules, given the restrictions that have been placed on gatherings in many locales. As with our employees, the health and safety of our Volunteer Examiners is a top priority and we have informed our VEs that they need to follow their local community’s guidelines and then use their best judgement when deciding whether to conduct, postpone, or cancel an exam session.

As previously reported, we have suspended all visits and tours of ARRL Headquarters and W1AW, so we have asked all volunteers to stay home until further notice.

All of these actions will remain in place until further notice. We will continue to monitor conditions from this outbreak and follow any additional guidelines provided by federal and state health professionals and government officials. We thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.

73,
Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY
Interim Chief Executive Officer

ARRL Seeks a New Chief Executive Officer

From ARRL Web:

02/27/2020 – ARRL is seeking an experienced radio amateur to be Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at its headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. The CEO is the top compensated employee in ARRL’s management structure and oversees all operations in collaboration with the President and the Board of Directors, in accordance with ARRL’s Articles of AssociationBylaws, and Board policies. The successful candidate will ensure day-to-day management of ARRL, including fiscal operations and will oversee and make certain that its fund-raising, marketing, human resources, technology, advocacy, and governance strategies are effectively implemented.

Essential CEO functions include:

  • Leading the headquarters staff and field volunteers, in response to Board policy, in the development and implementation of effective programs for the promotion and growth of amateur radio and the provision of services to members.
  • Planning, developing, organizing, implementing, directing, and evaluating ARRL’s operational and fiscal performance.
  • Providing leadership, directing headquarters staff, and maintaining performance standards in headquarters operations.
  • Participating, in collaboration with officers, Directors, and staff, in developing ARRL’s plans and programs.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a record of significant amateur radio experience and a broad understanding of its operational, technical, regulatory, and social facets. The CEO will be responsible for effective financial and operational management and oversight.

CEO candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent (master’s degree preferred), be an active radio amateur who has initiated or led a significant amateur radio activity within the past 10 years, and have 10 years of management and supervisory experience. Candidates should be able to demonstrate ability in providing effective leadership and management of business operations.

The position is located at ARRL Headquarters, and the successful candidate will be required to establish a residence in the Hartford, Connecticut, area. 

The CEO Position Announcement includes details. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to ARRL Human Resources Assistant Monique Levesque. 

ARRL Website, Other Services to be Offline on February 28

ARRL logoFrom ARRL Web:

02/23/2020 – The ARRL website and other online services will be offline on Friday, February 28, for up to 8 hours in order to conduct necessary maintenance. The outage will begin at 0500 UTC and should end by 1300 UTC. Affected will be the main ARRL website, the ARRL Store, and the ARRL contesting-related pages, including the log submission page. Logbook of The World (LoTW), email, and all ARRL Headquarters systems will not be affected. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

ARRL Board of Directors Re-Elects President Rick Roderick, K5UR

ARRL logoFrom ARRL Web:

02/10/2020 – Meeting January 17 – 18 in Windsor, Connecticut, the ARRL Board of Directors re-elected ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, to a third 2-year term. Roderick outpolled the only other nominee, Pacific Division Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, 8 – 7. New England Division Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, was elected First Vice President, succeeding Greg Widin, K0GW, who did not seek another term. Raisbeck was the sole nominee. A successor will be appointed to fill the Vice Director seat that Raisbeck has vacated. Bob Vallio, W6RGG, was re-elected as Second Vice President as the only nominee.

On a 9 – 6 vote, the Board voted not to re-elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX, as Chief Executive Officer. Michel was in the post for 15 months. Former ARRL Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer Barry Shelley, N1VXY, has come out of retirement to serve as interim ARRL CEO. He also was elected as Secretary. Shelley was ARRL’s CFO for 28 years and served as CEO during 2018 before his retirement, following the departure of former CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF. The ARRL Board has appointed a committee to spearhead the search for a new CEO. That panel will screen suitable CEO candidates, presenting three to the Board for consideration.  [Full story]

Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, Elected to ARRL First Vice President

Mike Raisbeck, K1TWFThe ARRL Board of Directors has elected Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts as First Vice President during its recent meeting January 17-18, 2020 in Connecticut.

According to the League’s web site, “[Mike] was first licensed in 1961 as KN1TWF, becoming K1TWF in 1962, and has held that call ever since.  His home club is the Billerica Amateur Radio Club [sic], where he has held various posts.  On the air activities include DXing, contesting, and recently, caring for a DMR repeater in the attic. He is a Volunteer Examiner and a Volunteer Counsel.

“Of particular interest to Mike are the social and organizational aspects of the Amateur Radio.  For over 20 years he has been serving on the Board for the ARRL New England Division Convention, and he is currently president of that organization, which runs an annual convention and funds a number of scholarships to young hams every year. ”

Raisbeck’s election to his new post leaves the office of New England Vice Director–a position in which he previously served–vacant for the present.

You can read more about K1TWF on the League’s web page at:  http://www.arrl.org/first-vice-president.

Barry Shelley, N1VXY, to Become ARRL Interim CEO

ARRL flagFrom ARRL Web:
 
01/19/2020 – At its meeting this weekend, the ARRL Board of Directors did not elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX [of Dartmouth, Massachusetts], as the ARRL Chief Executive Officer. Beginning Monday, January 20, Barry Shelley, N1VXY, will become interim CEO. Mr. Shelley was ARRL’s Chief Financial Officer for 28 years and CEO during 2018 before his retirement. The board has created a search committee to select the next CEO. More details on this and other matters which took place at the board meeting will be released shortly.

 
 

December, 2019 Issue of Digital QST Now Available

From ARRLWeb:

The December issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. It is also available for reading on your Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire device.

● Build a Slot Cube antenna for 6 meters.

● See the excitement of Amateur Radio at the World Scout Jamboree.

● Browse the 2019 ARRL Field Day results.

● Take a look back at the October 1969 QST.

…and much more!

ARRL to Launch New On the Air Magazine in January

ARRL flagFrom ARRL Web:

ARRL is launching a new magazine, On the Air, in January 2020. To be published on a bimonthly basis, On the Air will offer new and beginner-to-intermediate-level radio amateurs a fresh approach to exploring radio communication. Each issue will include advice and insights on topics from the variety of Amateur Radio interests and activities: radio technology, operating, equipment, project building, and emergency communication. The goal of this new magazine is to be a vital resource in helping new and newer radio amateurs get active and involved in radio communications. [Full story]

Important Correction to Eastern MA September 2019 Section News

Bruce D. Budinger, AB3BB, of Groton MA was incorrectly listed as a silent key in this month’s EMA section news. Apology to Bruce and his family for the error.

I am very sad to report that it was Brian Budinger, his brother who passed away. 

I will shortly distribute a corrected version of the September news. Any club or individual who has posted or distributed the September section news is requested to please post or re-distribute the corrected version in its place. 

Thank-you.

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

ARRL Eastern MA Staff Meet at New England Sci-Tech in Natick, September 28, 2019

photo courtesy K5TEC

New England Sci-Tech (NEST) and the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) hosted the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts staff for a quarterly meeting at their facility in Natick on September 28, 2019.  At the conclusion of the meeting, their hosts treated the staff to a tour of the NEST’s maker space and ham facilities, followed by a pot-luck dinner. Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, expressed his appreciation for the chance to meet the group’s members, and for the hospitality afforded. 

 

ARRL Thanks Official Observers, as Volunteer Monitor Program is Set to Debut

From ARRL Web:

As the September 30 date for the closing of the Official Observer program nears, ARRL has expressed deep appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time as Official Observers (OOs) to help preserve the integrity of the Amateur Radio frequencies.

The Official Observer program has served the Amateur Radio community and assisted the FCC Enforcement Bureau for more than 85 years. The OO program is giving way to the new Volunteer Monitor (VM) program, established as part of a formal partnership between ARRL and the FCC. ARRL and the FCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this year that establishes the Volunteer Monitor program as a successor to the Official Observers. The first Volunteer Monitors should be in place and ready to begin their duties this fall. [Full story]

ARRL Seeking Emergency Management Director

From ARRL Web:

ARRL is seeking an emergency management director to oversee a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communication programs and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Traffic System (NTS), and to work with staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization. This is a full-time, exempt position at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.

This individual would serve as the official point of contact and liaison to key partners and other served agencies at the regional and national level. Duties would include representing ARRL at served agency and partner meetings, conventions, and exercises as well as organizing and providing presentations for various relevant audiences. [Full story]

Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources

The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communicationscourse — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.

[Full story]