The January Board of Directors meeting minutes have been published. I
think its important to bring you up to date on some important matters.
Let’s start with some good news…
Our former Dakota Division Directors and Vice Directors retired at the
end of the January board meeting from their First Vice President
positions. Both were elected Honorary Vice Presidents. Both have
ongoing active roles in amateur radio near and far.
Jay Bellows, KØQB, served 22 years on the board and continues to serve
as International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 (The Americas)
Treasurer.
Greg Widin, KØGW, served 12 years on the board and continues to serve
as Chairman of the Logbook Of The World Committee (LOTW).
I’m very fortunate to have two (and for a while three) mentors, sitting
in the board room me, for the past four years. Jay and Greg, along with
former Director Kent Olson, KAØLDG, introduced me to my fellow
directors and the staff at ARRL HQ. They also brought me up to speed on
prior board actions and provided historical context regarding issues
being discussed by either the ARRL or IARU. Having four leaders from
the Dakota Division, in the board room, at the same time, has been an
experience I’ll never forget. Thanks gents and thank you Vice Director
Lynn Nelson for continuing to serve the Dakota Division with me.
The Board of Directors held officer elections at the January board
meeting. I think its important the members know the results of these
elections which are conducted by secret ballot. Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Howard Michel was not re-elected. 6 directors voted “yes” and 9
directors voted “no” to re-elect CEO Michel.
I voted to retain Dr. Michel because I thought he was making
improvements in day-to-day operations of our non-profit organization
that has about 80 employees and about a 15 million dollar annual
operating budget. I judge the CEO on their merits of running a
non-profit organization not their CW sending speed, number of DXCC
entities verified or their contest scores.
My fellow board members have a considerable challenge to find our 3rd
CEO in as many years. A search committee has been formed to hire a new
CEO with experience running a non-profit organization, managing a large
staff, enthusiasm for amateur radio, doesn’t mind New England weather
and possibly paying higher state income taxes than they have experienced
in their home state.
Two other officer elections had two candidates each:
Incumbent President Rick Roderick, K5UR, received 8 votes. Challenger,
Pacific Division Director, Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, received 7 votes.
New International Affairs Vice President Rod Stafford, W6ROD, received
13 votes to challenger Bruce Frahm, K0BJ, 2 votes.
Elected Without Contest:
First Vice President Michael Raisbeck, K1TWF
Second Vice President Bob Vallio, W6RGG
Interim CEO and Secretary Barry Shelley, N1VXY
Treasurer Rick Niswander, K7GM
Chief Financial Officer Diane Middleton, W2DLM
The link to the full meeting minutes are posted at
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-re-elects-president-rick-roderick-k5ur
Committee reports are posted at http://www.arrl.org/committee-reports
I’ll serve as the Program and Services Committee Chair in 2020.
Work on Capitol Hill continues. The legislative advocacy committee is
working with elected leaders, and their office staff, to create new
legislation to provide reasonable accommodation of Amateur Radio
antennas. With the impeachment proceedings behind us, I think
Washington D.C.’s focus will turn to November elections. This means the
process of crafting a bill, finding a sponsor and cosponsors and getting
a House committee to review the bill will likely take all year and drift
in 2021.
I ask each member to review the proposed HF band plan that I mentioned
in my last bulletin to members. Digital mode operation has become very
popular and many days digital contacts make up the majority of QSOs
uploaded to Logbook Of The World (LOTW). A committee was formed to
consider the needs and wants of CW, digital and phone operators when
drawing up this plan. Also considered in the process were IARU regional
band plans. Please file your comments, online, at
http://www.arrl.org/bandplan by February 19th.
Have you checked out the new ARRL magazine? “On The Air,” will be
published every other month and available to all members online. If
you’re new to amateur radio or don’t feel QST has articles that most
interest you, please give “On The Air” a read. When you renew your
membership you can elect to receive QST or “On The Air” by mail.
Remember both magazines are available to members, online, as a member
benefit.
The 2020 hamfest season is upon us. Check out the Division calendar at
https://www.arrldakota.org/calendar.html for an event near you.
ARRL Dakota Division
Director: Matt Holden, K0BBC
k0bbc@arrl.org