Organization

ARRL Headquarters Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Connecticut Firefighter, KB1YYG/SK

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ARRL logoARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, writes on August 12, 2021:

It is tough when we lose young hams.  

An historic building in nearby New Hartford went to a 3-alarm fire on Tuesday morning.

As a result of risking his life to fight the fire, 26-year-old Burlington firefighter, Colin J. Mcfadden, KB1YYG, from Bristol, Connecticut has died from an injury he sustained.

Colin was an ARRL member.

We are flying the ARRL HQ flags at half-staff in acknowledgement and appreciation of his bravery and membership.

David Minster, NA2AA, CEO

ARRL Board of Directors Creates Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee

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From the ARES Letter:

At its just-concluded July 2021 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors approved By-Law changes creating a third Standing Committee that joins the existing Administration and Finance Committee and Programs and Services Committee.

The charter of the new Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (EC-FSC) is to develop and recommend new or modified Board policy and programs for emergency communications through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) and National Traffic System™ (NTS™) entities.

The committee also will offer enhanced support for its Field Organization leadership volunteers, including Section Managers, and an increased focus on ARRL-Affiliated Clubs.

The EC-FSC will further provide guidance to the CEO in translating Board policy into prioritized tasking, funding, and staffing of programs, services, and training in support of amateur radio emergency communications, field organization volunteers, and recruitment and retention of new and existing members through assistance to Affiliated and Special Service Clubs.

The EC-FSC will have additional responsibility for monitoring and assessing trends in emergency communications technology and participant skills worldwide, and for identifying “best practices” for voluntary emergency communications provided by ARES and NTS, coordinating and cooperating with other amateur radio national societies as appropriate. — Thanks to The ARES Letter

ARRL 2020 Annual Report Now Available to Download

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ARRL logoFrom ARRL News:

The ARRL 2020 Annual Report has been posted and is available to download. The report summarizes ARRL program and fiscal activity for the year.

In his introductory remarks, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said that 2020 was a difficult and challenging year for ARRL. “The coronavirus pandemic changed everything, from the way we socialized, to the way we worked, to the way students learned,” Roderick wrote. “Events we look forward to every year were canceled and the future seemed uncertain. Hamfests, club meetings, and other gatherings looked different, as videoconferencing became the new way to conduct business and get together.” [Full story]

 

ARRL Re-Opening Ceremony Featured Dignitaries, Full Board and Newington Staff, July 15, 2021

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Members of the ARRL Board of Directors, staff, and politicians were in attendance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut on July 15, 2021.  The re-opening coincided with the bi-annual Board of Directors meeting in Windsor, Connecticut. 

Attendees included:  U.S. Representative John B. Larson of Connecticut’s 1st congressional district; State Sen. Matt Lesser; State Rep. Gary Turco; Beth DelBuono, Mayor of Newington; and Town managers; Glenn Field, KB1GHX, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NOAA / National Weather Service in Taunton, Massachusetts; a local American Red Cross representative.  New England Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, were among the attending board members.

Photo: Rep. John Larson awarding ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, with a commemorative plaque.
U.S. Rep. John Larson awarding ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, with a commemorative plaque during the ribbon-cutting. -K9HI photo