A website was started in December 2017 by a small group of passionate,
long-time supporters of ARRL recognized a disturbing trend in recent
actions and proposals of the ARRL Board of Directors. This group banded
together as myARRLvoice to better understand the issues, to educate the
community and to advocate for positive change.
FWIW, Marty Woll, N6VI, past Vice Director for the SW Division, is one
of the people involved with this website.
At this website, you can find out much more about the upcoming (and
past) issues both approved by the ARRL board, and being proposed for the
next ARRL Board Meeting.
What are the issues myARRLvoice is focusing on today?
Matters of Governance
Director’s Code of Conduct
Eligibility of Candidates for Director Elections
Recall of Sitting Directors
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification for Board Members
Voting Rights for Officers
Censure of Directors
Expulsion of Members
Expulsion of Directors
Matters of Policy
HR555 Amateur Radio Parity Act
And perhaps more importantly, you can find how to take action on these
disturbing issues involving the direction being taken/proposed by the
ARRL Board.
The website is:
MyARRLVoice.org
You can read what others have been saying about the recent ARRL Board
actions by going to the website and searching around. The direct URL to
other voices on this issue is:
https://www.myarrlvoice.org/other-voices/
Time is of the essence since the next ARRL Board meeting is scheduled to
take place in a little over 10 days.
I would also urge the SBARC Board of Directors to get involved with
these issues
Thanks!
Marvin, KE6HTS
Undoubtedly many amateurs know about the predicted flash flood and wind watches Monday and Tuesday. With mudflows predicted in and around the Thomas Fire burn areas, amateur radio could prove, once again, to be a valuable resource for emergency communication and information.
See the message below from the SB County OEM and consider your preparations for the storm this week. Are your HT and cell phone batteries charged? Do you have a way to charge them if you lose power? Do you have a way to monitor local broadcast radio and NOAA Weather Radio in the event of a power outage? Do you have an escape plan should you need to leave your property because of flooding or debris flow?
All area radio amateurs should consider monitoring the K6TZ repeater 146.790- PL 131.8 during the storm. Live audio from the repeater also streams online at sbarc.org. You might also consider signing up for emergency text and email alerts from SB County Aware & Prepare: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736723794#/signup
LCM
Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM
Director at Large | Co-Chair, Telecommunications Services Committee
Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
www.levi.maaia.com
+1.805.604.5384
Sunday January 7, 2018, 1:01 PM
Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
Advisory: Message from the Office of Emergency Management:
Dear LCM,
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH & WIND WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING. AREAS IN AND BELOW RECENT BURN AREAS ARE MOST AT RISK.
The National Weather Service predicts heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flash flooding, mud and debris flows for parts of SB County from Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening, possibly longer.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH and a WIND WATCH have been issued for the SB County Mountains, the South Coast. There is a strong potential for flash flooding and mud and debris flows in and below the Thomas, Whittier, Alamo, Rey and Sherpa burn areas, and near creeks, streams, riverbeds, and low-lying areas.
Winds this strong may down trees and power lines, causing property damage or power outages. Cross winds can make driving difficult, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers. Highway 154 will likely be impacted by the strong winds. In addition, the strong winds could also cause considerable blowing ash across the recent burn areas in advance of the heavier rainfall.
*If you are not sure if you are in or below a recent burn area, an interactive Flood/Debris Flow Risk Area Map is available at: http://countyofsb.org/ . If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call 211 or (800) 400-1572 for more info.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Santa Barbara County residents, in or below the recently burned areas are urged to take the steps necessary to protect themselves and their property. Persons in the watch area should remain alert and follow directions of emergency preparedness officials.
A High Wind Watch means that conditions are favorable for potentially damaging winds of 58 mph or greater. Be prepared to secure all loose outdoor furniture in advance of the onset of strong winds. Monitor the latest forecasts on NOAA Weather Radio
or your favorite media source.
Be prepared, stay alert to changing conditions, and take steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property.
Residents can register to receive emergency notifications and alerts at www.AwareAndPrepare.org. Or, to receive limited alerts via text message, text your zip code to 888777.
Storm preparedness information and an interactive Flood/Debris Flow Risk Area Map are available at: http://countyofsb.org/ . If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call 211 or (800) 400-1572 for more info.
For full details, view this message on the web.
TEXT-A-TIP
Text TIP SBCOUNTYOEM followed by your message, to 888777 or Submit an anonymous web tip
For help, reply HELP to 888777. To cancel, reply STOP to 888777. No charge but Message & Data rates may apply. 2 messages. More info at nixle.com. AT&T, T-Mobile®, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and most other carriers are supported. Contact customer support at support(a)nixle.com.
On 12/22/17 10:03 PM, Walt Harasty wrote:
> Jay:
>
> As a former corporate attorney, and an Adjunct Professor of Corporation
> Law, who has formed over 30 non-profit corporations I have no clear
> understanding of this matter because of the lack of FACTS.
>
> I suggest a special meeting of SBARC be called ASAP where the FACTS
> should be presented, and based on such FACTS, a determination of what
> action, if any, SBARC should take.
The underlying problem is that ARRL is deliberately suppressing the
ability of ARRL members to know any facts and prohibiting their elected
representatives from discussing the facts with the membership.
FACT: At the January ARRL board meeting, the board adopted a "Code of
Conduct" for Directors and Vice-Directors. This code prohibits Directors
and Vice-Directors from disclosing how the Board members voted on an
issue, including their own vote. See 6c of linked document. Furthermore,
a board member is required to publicly support board decisions even if
that member or his constituents are opposed. See section 8 and 8b of
linked document. This means that Dick Norton is now required to publicly
support his own censure by the ARRL Board. It also prevents the
membership from making informed decisions regarding re-election of
sitting board members. We can't see how they voted on issues.
Because the no-public-criticism code is a Board action, it prevents
public criticism of the no-public-criticism code.
Link: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ODV/ARRL%20Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf
FACT: Dick Norton voted against adopting this code of conduct. See page
6 of link below.
Link:
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Board%20Meetings/2017/January20…
FACT: At the Visalia DX Conclave, Dick Norton spoke at the ARRL Forum.
He stated that he fully supported the Board's decision (as he is now
required to do) and mentioned (correctly) that the new code would impact
his interaction with the membership. Several members of the audience
expressed opposition to the new code.
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/hamsforabetterarrl/
FACT: On November 14, the ARRL board voted to censure Dick Norton for
violating the code of conduct, apparently because he mentioned the code
of conduct. Four ARRL members wrote to ARRL in support of Dick Norton.
The ARRL article does not mention that any ARRL members wrote in
opposition to Dick.
Link:
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-publicly-censures-southwes…
FACT: A well-respected SBARC member wrote to ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher for
an explanation of the Dick Norton situation. The request was at first
ignored and when repeated was met with a stonewall response and he was
essentially told to go away. (Private email correspondence with me,
details provided if permitted by author.)
FACT: Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco N2YBB has introduced a
motion to modify ARRL bylaws to dilute the elected representation of
ARRL members by adding the President and three Vice-Presidents who are
not elected by the membership as voting members.
Link: http://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/N2YBB_Motions_To_Change_ARRL_ByLaws.pdf
FACT: Sitting Director Doug Rehman K4AC was prevented from running for
re-election to ARRL Southeastern Director in 2016 after the ballots had
been mailed despite his being previously ruled eligible. K4AC has been a
supporter of more transparency in ARRL actions. His opponent was
declared elected without a vote.
Link: https://arrlse.org/
> I recommend that Dick Norton be present at that meeting.
If he were to attend, he's stuck in the catch-22. He is required to
publicly support all Board actions, including his own censure.
> If a meeting is called, I recommend that the Bylaws of ARRL and any
> proposed amendments be made available to the attendees.
Bylaws: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-by-laws
Proposed amendment:
http://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/N2YBB_Motions_To_Change_ARRL_ByLaws.pdf
--
Jay Hennigan - CCIE #7880 - Network Engineering - jay(a)impulse.net
Impulse Internet Service - http://www.impulse.net/
Your local telephone and internet company - 805 884-6323 - WB6RDV
This story about SBARC and Ventura radio amateurs’ response to the Thomas Fire was is linked to from the front page or arrl.org today.
http://www.arrl.org/news/thomas-fire-response-also-demonstrates-amateur-rad…
Thomas Fire Response Also Demonstrates Amateur Radio’s Social Media Value
01/05/2018
Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club (SBARC) members kept a close watch on the Thomas Fire after it broke out in early December. Using a variety of the club’s analog and digital Amateur Radio assets, radio operators were able to observe fire-fighting efforts first hand and pass along immediate information, often before it was reported by official sources or by local news media. SBARC operates five communication sites in Santa Barbara County, including sites on Diablo Peak on the mostly uninhabited Santa Cruz Island, and on Santa Ynez Peak. (read more …)
LCM
Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM
Director at Large | Co-Chair, Telecommunications Services Committee
Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
www.levi.maaia.com
+1.805.604.5384