As I was pondering about what to write about today, the ARRL provided all the blog fodder I needed. It was announced today that Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, is resigning as CEO of the ARRL.
At first, I was very surprised at this announcement. Gallagher didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would just up and quit. Thinking about it, though, it makes a lot of sense.
Gallagher is 69 years old, and coming from a financial services background, is presumably well off. He doesn’t need the job, especially with all the criticism that has come his way over the recent governance brouhaha. Frankly, if I were in his shoes, I’d probably quit, too.
On the myARRLvoice Facebook page, the response to the announcement was swift, and in some cases, even giddy. I think that myARRLvoice.org played a big part in Gallagher’s resignation, but just as important, were all of the other voices that were lifted to protest the direction the ARRL board was taking.
The criticisms weren’t even aimed at Gallagher, per se. ARRL policy decisions are the board’s responsibilities, not the CEO’s, and while Gallagher probably played some part in getting the board to enact measures like the “Code of Conduct,” it was the board that ultimately decided to do so.
Overall, I thought Gallagher was a good manager, but not a leader. Some of his editorials in QST, notably the July 2017 editorial, “Mythbusting: ARRL Not ‘A Big Radio Club,’” set a very combative tone. Instead of addressing concerns, he’s just arguing. And, apparently, many ARRL members didn’t find the arguments convincing.
I really hope that the board sees what’s going on here and takes steps to rectify the situation. To paraphrase President Roderick, K5UR, ARRL member are smart, dedicated radio amateurs who devote thousands of hours per year of their own time working to promote amateur radio and to make amateur radio more fun for all. If the ARRL is to continue to succeed, the board is going to have to abandon some of its draconian practices and honestly listen to and involve the members.
I would even go so far to suggest that the board enlist the aid of some of us members in the search for the new CEO. A view from outside the boardroom certainly couldn’t hurt.
Elwood Downey says
I had no quarrel with Gallagher but I don’t like Roderick at all. You hardly ever from him unless he’s preaching. Compare to all the great PR and positive presence Craigie had, she was visible all over the place. Sounds more like Gallagher has been made the fall guy.
Dan KB6NU says
Yes, Kay Craigie, N3KN, was a good president. The guy I really liked was Jim Haynie, W5JBP. He served three terms 2000 – 2006.
Milton says
Hello, you should discuss again and give the opportunity to the people involved and CEO to make very careful observations so as not to affect or honor the colleagues.
HC4Z
Milton
Dave New, N8SBE says
Finally, the ARRL announced the code of conduct actions at the recent board meeting:
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-board-of-directors-agrees-to-review-of-conduct-code-for-directors
It’s pretty much what had been reported previously. Also, mentioned is that they are authorized to hire outside help in their CEO search.
I didn’t see a link to the minutes. There is a note that they’ve decided not to publish minutes until formally adopted by the board, but I figure if they’ve written an article about the board meeting, it must be based on the published minutes. Why not post a link to those minutes in the article?
David Newkirk says
Making sure the Minutes are exactly right is a full-on proofreading-and-publishing exercise for the ARRL Secretary and supporting staff, as the Minutes for a given meeting constitutes a document of legal record for the organization. (And then in similarly short order there’s a _QST_ article to put together about the meeting.) So we always see “the Board acted to ___” summaries well ahead of publication of the Minutes _detailing_ the same actions.
Were HQ to delay publication of even ARRL-Letter-class news-brief glosses of Board actions until every i was dotted and every t was crossed in the Minutes, you’d think something was up. It’s just the difference between “executive summary” and “full report.”
Best regards,
Dave
amateur radio W9BRD
ARRL HQ 1974-1977 and 1985-1996
ARRL LM since 1976
Dan KB6NU says
I’m not complaining about this. All I’m saying is that when the official minutes do come out, someone should make sure they agree with the news stories. And, if there’s a big discrepancy, post an update to the news stories. Often, the way the minutes are written, they contain less detail than a news story might.
K3TX says
I met Gallagher at a meeting in EPA October 17, not impressed. I’ve seen several letters to well respected members which were far out of line. ‘He left the impression he was the boss and the hell with the paying members.