This morning, the ARRL published the minutes of the January 2019 ARRL Board meeting. I’ve highlighted a few items of interest:
- The ARRL Foundation awarded more than $132,000 in scholarships in 2018. You gotta like that.
- Chris Imlay has resigned as the ARRL General Counsel. This is consistent with CEO Michel’s desire to restructure the ARRL’s legal representation, which he mentioned in a recent talk at Ham Radio University. In other action, the board has set up a committee to discuss this.
- ARRL withdraws its petition for rulemaking that would add provisions of the Amateur Radio Parity Act, the act that would extend PRB-1 restrictions to homeowner’s associations. I think that this is a good move, since there seems to have been so much controversy about the ARRL’s actions on this over the past couple of years. It’s time to regroup and get some new eyes on this issue.
- The “Code of Conduct” is repealed. I think this is a good move as well. Time to regroup and rethink this policy.
- Item #22 reads, “Mr. Norris entertained questions on the report of the Ethics and Elections Committee. The scope of the Committee’s decisions and lack of specific guidelines for standards to be used in evaluating issues based on precedents was a major concern.” This is another good move. Seemingly arbitrary decisions by this committee have been a source of controversy for a while.
- Item #29: “Mr. Ryan moved, seconded by Mr. Widin, that: “The Funding for the Mintz & Hoke project is authorized in the amount of $485,000.” After discussion of the project, which is the development of life-long learning strategies and programs designed to attract and retain members, especially newly licensed Amateurs, the motion was adopted by voice vote.” Wow. This is a major expenditure. Time will tell if we get our money’s worth from this project.
- Item #38: “On behalf of the Public Relations committee, Mr. Morine brought to the Board’s attention the committee’s paper “Social Media Guide for ARRL Officials – January 2019” which was distributed to all present.” Good move. We now live in a social media world, and ARRL officials need some guidance on how to use it. Being a social media kind of guy, I’d love to see this document.
- Item #45: “Dr. Woolweaver requested a point of personal privilege and read a statement announcing his retirement as West Gulf Division Director effective immediately. Dr. Woolweaver’s statement was met with extended applause and standing ovation. The Secretary declared the West Gulf Division Director’s seat vacant and at 2:33 PM West Gulf Vice-Director Stratton assumed the position as new West Gulf Division Director.” I can’t shake the feeling that this is a questionable move.
That’s all I got. Let me know what you think below.
Chris KE2A says
I found this one interesting too:
Item #44: “The restrictions and agreement imposed on Director Hippisley by E&E’s
letter of August 17, 2018, and Director Hippisley’s required response of August 22, 2018, are expunged.”
Dave New, N8SBE says
“Social Media Guides” are usually aimed at muzzling officers, in an attempt to keep them from embarrassing the entity they represent. It hasn’t worked for Elon Musk, nor Donald Trump.
When you work for a company of any size, for instance, it is made abundantly clear that you steer clear of most social media, and leave all that to the official PR function.
In most corporate circles, the peons (non-officers) can usually hang out on social media as long as they represent only themselves. As you start to move up the corporate ladder, though, at some point, you can’t say anything without the press and other folks jumping on you, figuring you are a mouthpiece for the company, whether you meant to be or not.
Just look at the head of Starbucks, declaring for the presidency. That’s a hot rail that no one in Starbucks wants to touch. They’ve tried to stay politically neutral and un-involved, lest they tee off some faction of their customers.