Invitation to Join Volusia County ARES:

To: All Volusia County Florida Amateur Radio Operators
From: Joe Daley,N2GBT VARES Emergency Coordinator
Re: Open invitation to join VARES( Volusia Amateur Radio Emergency Services)

Greetings fellow amateur radio operators.

My name is Joe Daley,N2GBT and I am the new Emergency Coordinator for Volusia County.

I want to take a moment of your time to consider the following:

- Joining a prestigious group of hams who are willing to provide emergency communications to the residents of Volusia County.

I would LOVE to tell you how wonderful this position is- but to be perfectly honest….

This is a thankless job- it requires us to be available to leave our families for a duration of time in the event of a disaster. It requires us to do some formal training by taking NIMS courses in order to be badged by the County as acceptable individuals to man shelters or wherever the County may need us.

It requires a backround check to make sure we are deemed suitable to deploy to a given location.

It requires you to attend some monthly meetings and to learn how to function as an effective communicator for those in need.

It requires you to give up something precious to many- and not precious to most--- time.

There is no free coffee- and there are no doughnuts. There are no board meetings, no club meetings and no Roberts Rule to follow. There are no dues. We are not a social club. No raffle tickets to buy. No prizes. No banquet dinner. You will get a badge- a badge not worn by many- but to many a badge of honor.

Honestly- most sensible people have better things to do with their time.

The easy thing for you to do is read this invitation, throw it out and go on with your life.

The hard thing for you to do is become part of a select group of dedicated Hams who understand that sometimes in life, we must give back something in order to sleep well at night. The hard thing is to give up an hour or two a month in order to better ourselves- and our neighbors- in the event we are needed. The hard thing to do is to fill out an ARES application, become a member- and HOPE you are never needed- but to realize that IF that day ever comes- you’ve realized that others less fortunate may need your services and you are there. You are trained. You are amongst a unique group of fellow members.

We need your help.

Joe Daley,N2GBT
Volusia County ARES EC

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