Public Service Role, Leadership Cited

DAYTON 2000: PUBLIC SERVICE ROLE, LEADERSHIP CITED

ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, makes a point during the ARRL "Public Service Wants You!" forum at Dayton Hamvention. [Rick Lindquist, N1RL]

Speaking at the ARRL "Public Service Wants You!" forum at Dayton Hamvention, ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, challenged Amateur Radio's public service leaders to "be the kind of leaders whom we would want to follow." Craigie also told those attending the that amateurs who participate in public service are "helping to earn the frequencies we have the privilege of using."

Craigie said that while hams have a responsibility under Part 97 to get involved in public service, personal time often is in short supply these days. "Often both parents in a family are working very long hours," she said. "That impacts how much time you have to do anything outside of work including Amateur Radio." Because of this, she said, public service leaders need to rethink their recruiting methods.

Fellowship is "a powerful motivation" to get involved in public service, Craigie said. Beyond that, she said, public service can be interesting, exciting, and challenging. "It's a challenge and a feeling of satisfaction, and you know that something you've done made a difference in the survival of your community," she said. "It feels good to help other people." And, she pointed out, it's good public relations for Amateur Radio.

Craigie advised a positive attitude and recommended patience with beginners who volunteer. "We weren't born knowing all this stuff," she said. "Somebody had to teach us. We had to be willing to learn." Among other things, she said, public service leaders have to spell out duties and their expectations.

Rosalie White, K1STO, holds up an example of a quick reference guide for public service volunteers to use.

ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, cited the potential for involving younger amateurs in public service activity. One suggestion she offered was to get youth organizations--such as Scout groups and their leaders--involved.

White shared the observations of Kansas Section Manager Orlan Cook, W0OYH, who noted that restructuring has generated a bonanza of new HF operators. "With restructuring, we have many, many new HF operators, and we need to welcome them into our nets and into our ARES groups," Cook said in remarks read at the forum by White. "Go after the new HFers, become their Elmers, and make them more skilled communicators--share your vision."

Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG, agreed. "Get the new hams that are coming out of the chute prepared for public service," he said. Michalski cited SKYWARN as a worthy public service activity that has mutual benefits. SKYWARN offers "a reason to have to use the radio--besides having a good time," he said. "They're actually providing a service."

All agreed that recognition in terms of certificates or even such things as coffee mugs and T-shirts were motivators to participate. Michalski said hams need to know they are "needed, wanted, and appreciated" for taking part in public service.

Former Western New York Section Manager and National Traffic System veteran Bill Thompson, W2MTA, told the forum that the NTS is "a great place for training for message-handling activities."

There are no comments on this article: Post One