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Campaign Information

Elect Tom Schaefer NY4I as ARRL Southeastern Division Director

I am running for the position of ARRL Southeastern Division Director. Full ARRL members in the Southeastern Division (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) are eligible to vote in the election for the ARRL Southeastern Division Director.

This page serves as a place for me to explain why I am running, offer a few of my views on the ARRL and what it can do for you.

Why I am running for Southeastern Division Director?

Put simply, I want to give back. My interest in ham radio as a teenager led directly to a successful software development career. This is a concrete example of how ham radio–when introduced early–influences lives for the better. Amateur radio has given me so much that I’m glad to dedicate my time and money to supporting it. For the ARRL, that means supporting the Diamond Club, Technology and Education Fund, Teachers Institute as well as being a Life Member. Outside the ARRL, that means being a life member of AMSAT, QRZ, supporting DX causes such as DXpeditions via the NCDXF, WRTC, the Worldwide Operators Fund and many others.

I feel strongly that the ARRL is the best voice we have to represent amateur radio. While members may disagree with decisions the ARRL makes, the activities of the ARRL are worthy of our support. While not a complete list, the activities that are especially important to me include:

  • Protecting our spectrum
  • Developing new hams (both young and old) via the Teachers Institute
  • Support of on-air activities like Field Day, contests and Logbook of the World
  • Advocacy for hams in less than ideal operating situations such as HOAs
  • Awards programs including the new 10 Band DXCC and Trident award
  • Supporting affiliated-clubs and hamfests.

Regaining Lost Members

Hams will make a statement such as “I’ve decided to take a break from the ARRL” or “I’m not renewing my membership this year”. The reasons for this vary. Perhaps they did not like the way the ransomware attack was handled or some other decision the ARRL made. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I believe if you do not like something about an organization, the best way to change it is from within. If a current or former member feels strongly that the ARRL did something so wrong that they cannot see past it–despite all the good that the ARRL does–then we have to address that issue. Otherwise, we will have lost that member forever.

So how would I get those lost members back? As I have spoken to members about this campaign, some themes that continually come up are transparency and communication. While there have been great strides in making the ARRL more transparent, in my conversations with members, they are still looking for more.

  • More visibility into finances
  • More communication on popular programs such as LOTW
  • More understanding into how the board and leadership works

Using finances as an example, one could simply refer a member with concerns about how the ARRL spends money to the annual financial report. But my approach is more consultative in that I want to listen to the member and as best I can, address that member’s concern. Sometimes that means explaining the decisions the ARRL makes. Other times, it involves simply listening to a member and together; crafting a path forward. While no one board member can do everything, I want to be your representative for the Southeastern Division. Together, I am sure we can find a way forward.

Addressing your Concerns

I genuinely want to know what the concerns are for every member in our division. If you attend hamfests, club meetings, etc., in the next couple of months, you are going to get to see a lot of me. I would enjoy talking to each of you individually about your concerns and what the ARRL does for you that really works well.

I would encourage everyone that has decided to take a break from ARRL membership to reconsider that choice and join me to help move the organization more in the direction you want it to go. Come along with me to support the great things the ARRL does such as the Teachers Institute, Spectrum Protection and on-the-air activities like Field Day while we continue the push to improve the ARRL in the places we find it needs improvement. I recall it being said that a true friend is not afraid to tell you what you need to hear and will call out areas that need to be improved. Let’s all be a true friend to the ARRL.

Come Along with Me on this Journey

So do you want to help out on this journey? We can make the ARRL an even better organization with a combination of member involvement, thorough and conscientious leadership and a focus on common goals. My focus as your Southeastern Division Director will be membership, local clubs, communication, education and support. Please look for your ballot (by email or postal mail) and be sure to vote. I hope you choose to come along with me.

Vote for Tom Schaefer NY4I for the ARRL Southeastern Division Director.