Paul,

It looks good!

73,
Pat AD5BR

This is the direction that future disaster operations will be moving. Mandatory background checks before you are allowed to volunteer in a Red Cross Shelter, and eventually in order to get the official photo ID for disaster operations in this county. Read the following and consider strongly accepting their offer to have this done free as a Red Cross volunteer. There is no obligation to you, nor any cost to you, but it opens the door for your ability to volunteer your radio services in the future.

Lee N5NTG

Subject: Information From Karen Smithhart, Director of Office of Volunteer for the Chapter
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:39:55 -0500
From: "Todd, Jim" <ToddJ@saredcross.org>

From The Office of Volunteers and Karen Smithhart:

I'd like to share with you, our currently active and new volunteer candidates, the following message from Jack McGuire, Interim President and CEO, and Kate Forbes, National Chair of Volunteers:
"With the 2006 hurricane season upon us, we believe that in order to maintain the trust of the American people and provide them with the best quality service, all Red Cross employees and volunteers must be background-checked according to standards being implemented across the entire organization."
To ensure proper stewardship of donated funds, and the safety and security of our volunteers as well as those we serve, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your dedicated service and for understanding the need to initiate this background-check process.

Beginning in July 2006, all Red Cross employees and volunteers must undergo background checks through a single mandatory vendor. If you are a candidate to volunteer or are a Red Cross volunteer who has never received a Red Cross background check, you must do so before October 31, 2006. Failure to do so will result in your being removed from our active volunteer files. If you are a disaster volunteer who underwent the DSHR background check between November 2005 and July 2006, you do not need to undergo the process again. By receipt of this notice, you are directed to a website to initiate the background check. The vendor will then conduct a background check and send the results to you and our unit. We request that you initiate this process as soon as possible. There is no charge to you.

No Credit check!! Although the standard consent form on the vendor's website mentions credit checks, the Red Cross mandatory minimum background check includes only a social security number verification and a search of the National Criminal File for the past seven years (from the date of disposition, release from prison, or release from probation or parole, whichever occurs last). Please be assured that a credit check is not part of the minimum standard background check for the Red Cross.

In order to initiate your background check, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the vendor's website at www.mybackgroundcheck.com/arcvts
2. Click on lower right box stating American Red Cross "click here".
3. Click on black "Request a background check" box.
4. Click on the picture of the state of Texas.
5. Scroll to San Antonio Area Chapter and click.
6. Read with care your rights and provide your consent to the background check.
7. Enter personal information as requested, which includes your name, date of birth, social security number, and driver's license number (if you have one). Your part of this process is now complete.
8. Wait to hear about the results from your unit administrator and/or the vendor.
9. If you dispute the results of the background check for any reason, follow the instructions provided by the vendor.

If you would like more information about this initiative, please visit the CrossNet site devoted to this topic, which provides comprehensive information about the background check process, including answers to many Frequently Asked Questions. In addition, a new National Background Check Office is staffed with professionals who can address your questions (800-507-3960, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 pm ET). If you have any technical questions about the website, please contact the vendor at 1(800) 503-2364 ext 406.


NOTE: If you do not have access to a computer, you may use a friend's, local public library or you can set-up an appointment here at headquarters using one of our computers. Please call and leave a message at 582-1925 stating you wish to set up your appointment.

Karen Smithhart
Director of Volunteers, Youth and Branch Services
American Red Cross, San Antonio Area Chapter
3642 E. Houston St. 78219
210-582-1926
smithhartk@saredcross.org
Please note new email address




Jim Todd
Associate Director Disaster Services
The American Red Cross, San Antonio Area Chapter
3642 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78219
210-582-1918
210-224-5151 x240
210-582-1969 FAX
toddj@saredcross.org
http://www.saredcross.org
This is a New Email Address

_________________________________________
73 de N5NTG Lee W. Besing San Antonio, Texas
(210)771-7075 mobile
Running EchoLink as Node #77005
Running APRS as N5NTG-9, track me on the Internet
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5NTG-9
_________________________________________

By the way, this offer was only made to ham radio operators who plan on participating via ARES, etc. during future disaster operations, and the offer expires in October (due to the contract with vendor).

At 09:58 AM 8/17/2006, you wrote:

This is the direction that future disaster operations will be
moving. Mandatory background checks before you are allowed to volunteer
in a Red Cross Shelter, and eventually in order to get the official photo
ID for disaster operations in this county. Read the following and consider
strongly accepting their offer to have this done free as a Red Cross
volunteer. There is no obligation to you, nor any cost to you, but it
opens the door for your ability to volunteer your radio services in the future.

Lee N5NTG

Subject: Information From Karen Smithhart, Director of Office of Volunteer
for the Chapter
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:39:55 -0500
From: "Todd, Jim" <<mailto:ToddJ%40saredcross.org>ToddJ@saredcross.org>

From The Office of Volunteers and Karen Smithhart:

I'd like to share with you, our currently active and new volunteer
candidates, the following message from Jack McGuire, Interim President and
CEO, and Kate Forbes, National Chair of Volunteers:
"With the 2006 hurricane season upon us, we believe that in order to
maintain the trust of the American people and provide them with the best
quality service, all Red Cross employees and volunteers must be
background-checked according to standards being implemented across the
entire organization."
To ensure proper stewardship of donated funds, and the safety and security
of our volunteers as well as those we serve, we would like to take this
opportunity to thank you all for your dedicated service and for
understanding the need to initiate this background-check process.

Beginning in July 2006, all Red Cross employees and volunteers must
undergo background checks through a single mandatory vendor. If you are a
candidate to volunteer or are a Red Cross volunteer who has never received
a Red Cross background check, you must do so before October 31, 2006.
Failure to do so will result in your being removed from our active
volunteer files. If you are a disaster volunteer who underwent the DSHR
background check between November 2005 and July 2006, you do not need to
undergo the process again. By receipt of this notice, you are directed
to a website to initiate the background check. The vendor will then
conduct a background check and send the results to you and our unit. We
request that you initiate this process as soon as possible. There is no
charge to you.

No Credit check!! Although the standard consent form on the vendor's
website mentions credit checks, the Red Cross mandatory minimum background
check includes only a social security number verification and a search of
the National Criminal File for the past seven years (from the date of
disposition, release from prison, or release from probation or parole,
whichever occurs last). Please be assured that a credit check is not part
of the minimum standard background check for the Red Cross.

In order to initiate your background check, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the vendor's website at www.mybackgroundcheck.com/arcvts
2. Click on lower right box stating American Red Cross "click here".
3. Click on black "Request a background check" box.
4. Click on the picture of the state of Texas.
5. Scroll to San Antonio Area Chapter and click.
6. Read with care your rights and provide your consent to the
background check.
7. Enter personal information as requested, which includes your name,
date of birth, social security number, and driver's license number (if you
have one). Your part of this process is now complete.
8. Wait to hear about the results from your unit administrator and/or
the vendor.
9. If you dispute the results of the background check for any reason,
follow the instructions provided by the vendor.

If you would like more information about this initiative, please visit the
CrossNet site devoted to this topic, which provides comprehensive
information about the background check process, including answers to many
Frequently Asked Questions. In addition, a new National Background Check
Office is staffed with professionals who can address your questions
(800-507-3960, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 pm ET). If you have any
technical questions about the website, please contact the vendor at 1(800)
503-2364 ext 406.


NOTE: If you do not have access to a computer, you may use a friend's,
local public library or you can set-up an appointment here at headquarters
using one of our computers. Please call and leave a message at 582-1925
stating you wish to set up your appointment.

Karen Smithhart
Director of Volunteers, Youth and Branch Services
American Red Cross, San Antonio Area Chapter
3642 E. Houston St. 78219
210-582-1926
<mailto:smithhartk%40saredcross.org>smithhartk@saredcross.org
Please note new email address




Jim Todd
Associate Director Disaster Services
The American Red Cross, San Antonio Area Chapter
3642 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78219
210-582-1918
210-224-5151 x240
210-582-1969 FAX
<mailto:toddj%40saredcross.org>toddj@saredcross.org
http://www.saredcross.org
This is a New Email Address

_________________________________________
73 de N5NTG Lee W. Besing San Antonio, Texas
(210)771-7075 mobile
Running EchoLink as Node #77005
Running APRS as N5NTG-9, track me on the Internet
<http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5NTG-9>http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5NTG-9
_________________________________________

_________________________________________
73 de N5NTG Lee W. Besing San Antonio, Texas
(210)771-7075 mobile
Running EchoLink as Node #77005
Running APRS as N5NTG-9, track me on the Internet
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5NTG-9
_________________________________________

The Technicians Self Study Guide 2.0 is finished and ready to download.

Go to http://radioteacher.googlepages.com and click the link on the
home page to receive the file.

The PDF was created with Adobe Acrobat 7.0. The .pdf file is smaller
and picked up some of the features from the original word file. The
Bookmarks in the PDF line up with the table of contents, thumbnails of
the pages can be used to navigate the file, the page numbers line up
with the document and the hyperlinks work as expected.

It should have all of the corrections to date.

The AM and FM Videos have been viewed over 100 times in the past week.
They are a start at this point.

The next two projects are an Instructors Guide to be used for teaching
with the Study Guide and an Equations listing.

Thanks for sending me pictures, suggestions, edits and encouragement.

If you find any more issues with the current "Radio Teacher Project"
Study Guide please let me know.

73

REACT International has decided to endorse Paul's efforts below, and to
encourage their REACT Teams around the USA to use this study guide if they
are not already licensed amateurs.

Just thought I'd share that tidbit with the group. I just returned from
the summer RI Board Meeting held this past weekend up in St. Louis. I'm
the secretary for the RI Board, and have been on the RI Board since elected
in 1997.


At 05:24 PM 8/21/2006, you wrote:

The Technicians Self Study Guide 2.0 is finished and ready to download.

Go to
<http://radioteacher.googlepages.com>http://radioteacher.googlepages.com
and click the link on the
home page to receive the file.

The PDF was created with Adobe Acrobat 7.0. The .pdf file is smaller
and picked up some of the features from the original word file. The
Bookmarks in the PDF line up with the table of contents, thumbnails of
the pages can be used to navigate the file, the page numbers line up
with the document and the hyperlinks work as expected.

It should have all of the corrections to date.

The AM and FM Videos have been viewed over 100 times in the past week.
They are a start at this point.

The next two projects are an Instructors Guide to be used for teaching
with the Study Guide and an Equations listing.

Thanks for sending me pictures, suggestions, edits and encouragement.

If you find any more issues with the current "Radio Teacher Project"
Study Guide please let me know.

73

_________________________________________
73 de N5NTG Lee W. Besing San Antonio, Texas
(210)771-7075 mobile
Running EchoLink as Node #77005
Running APRS as N5NTG-9, track me on the Internet
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5NTG-9
_________________________________________

Erik, W5ETS, has sent word that he is no longer in a position to
continue with the w5sc.org web mainanence nor the SwapFest
committee. I want to thank Erik for his fine service on both jobs.

Effective immediately, the following appointments are made:

Swapfest Committee

J.C. Smith, N5RXS, is already a member of the SwapFest Committee and
has agreed to serve the rest of the year as it's Chairman.

Paul Guido, N5IUT, has agreed to serve as a member of the SwapFest
Committee.


w5sc.org Webmaster

Paul Guido, N5IUT, has agreed to assume the temporary role as
webmaster for the San Antonio Radio Club's website.


I want to thank J.C. and Paul for stepping up when the club needed
their service. The two of them, along with Charlie Land, Mike
Check, and Richard Elder, have volunteered to fill different
positions when a need suddenly arose. Thanks to all of you.

K5OLE

Many, Many, thanks to everyone of you!

Don, N5WSW
A Student of Life!

--- K5OLE <davidftx@swbell.net> wrote:

Erik, W5ETS, has sent word that he is no longer in a
position to
continue with the w5sc.org web mainanence nor the
SwapFest
committee. I want to thank Erik for his fine
service on both jobs.

Effective immediately, the following appointments
are made:

Swapfest Committee

J.C. Smith, N5RXS, is already a member of the
SwapFest Committee and
has agreed to serve the rest of the year as it's
Chairman.

Paul Guido, N5IUT, has agreed to serve as a member
of the SwapFest
Committee.


w5sc.org Webmaster

Paul Guido, N5IUT, has agreed to assume the
temporary role as
webmaster for the San Antonio Radio Club's website.



I want to thank J.C. and Paul for stepping up when
the club needed
their service. The two of them, along with Charlie
Land, Mike
Check, and Richard Elder, have volunteered to fill
different
positions when a need suddenly arose. Thanks to all
of you.

K5OLE

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

All,

I have an article on eHam about the guide I edited. Check it out if
you have time.

http://www.eham.net/articles/14642

73

Paul Guido, N5IUT

At the September 14th regular SARC meeting the Emergency Communications
Committee (Charlie Land and J.C. Smith) announced a partial
reimbursement program for SARC members completing any one of the three
ARRL AREC courses. These courses may be found here:
http://www.arrl.org/cce/ <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> . Up to 10 SARC
members will be reimbursed $20.00 if they meet the following:

* Enroll in any ARRL AREC course after September 14, 2006
* Pay the entire enrollment fee to the ARRL
* Sucessfully complete that ARRL AREC course by December 31, 2006
* Are a current SARC member as of the date of enrollment
* Submit their course certificate to either J.C. Smith or Charlie
Land for validation
* Submit their claim within 30 days of completion, only one claim per
member under this program

ARRL AREC courses cost $45 dollars for any ARRL member, after
reimbursement the net cost to the member is $25. Contact Charlie or
J.C. for more information.

All SARC members are encouraged to join the Bexar County ARES
organization. To do so you must join the ARES Yahoo Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bexarcountyares/
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bexarcountyares/> . Then go to the
"Database" listed on the left and select the "Contact List" database.
Click on "Add Record" to enter you basic contact information. You only
need to be a licensed radio amateur to join. By joining, you are
becoming part of the local amateur radio reponse team to numerous served
agencies. This is the database that ARES uses to call for volunteers and
there is no other list.

As a follow up to the information regarding the SARC reimbursement
program, let share with those interested what I just found out.

I just enrolled in the Level 1 course at about 9:00PM on Sept 15th.
The course is open, but doesn not start until October 6th and
concludes December 1st. So NOW is the time to enroll if you want to
take advantage of the $20 reimbursement which ends December 31st.

As you go through the registration process it wants you take a little
pre course to see what the course is like. This doesn't work. J.C.
called the ARRL and they told him they don't use it any longer. Just
click the "I took the precourse" button and go on with registration.

I've been exposed to the manual for the course and those who have
taken it report that it is worthwhile.

Email J.C. or myself if you have any problems enrolling.

K5OLE

Registered for course tonight. Will keep you informed. 73, Joe, w4cth

That's great Joe. I believe that the manual they talk about is available online. I'll try to find it and let everyone know how to download it rather than buying it, for those who prefer.

David F.

David,

That would be great. Maybe we could use the links section of the group to
point to the books.

Paul Guido, N5IUT

I referred to the ARRL Public Service Communications Maunal in an
earlier post. It is located online here:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/index.html
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/index.html> .

The SARC 145.39 Repeater is still down; apparently the finals are gone.
KCOMM is looking at it and will give us an estimate. The First Thursday
Net scheduled for tonight is cancelled. We will advise as soon as the
the Repeater is back up.

The AACOG/NMDS exercise is next Tuesday and Wednesday, October 10th and
11th. Volunteers ARES operators are still needed for either day. To
become an ARES member you only need a Technician license and an interest
in emergency communications. If you are already an ARES member, contact
Teri Thomas to volunteer. If you want to be an ARES member, contact me
and I'll get you signed up. See my post from yesterday for additional
details.

The Boy Scout Jamboree On the Air (JOTA) is Saturday, October 21st. We
will need operators. Please email me if you are available for all day
or 1/2 day.

David Freiberger

K5OLE k5ole@arrl.net <mailto:k5ole@arrl.net>

W5SC.org has a new look!

The site has been rebuilt using Dreamweaver 8 and Cascading Style
Sheets. It has been designed for Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher
and Firefox 1.0.5 and higher with a resolution of 1024 x 768 or
better.

A resolution of 800 x 600 will work fine on all pages except the
About SARC page. The menus run into the content because of the
pictures in Internet Explorer….but Firefox works fine on that page at
800 x 600. I could fix it by reducing the picture width but I would
rather have the larger pictures.

The SARC Application to join the club is now a PDF file.

The process to create the web site has just begun and it is a work in
progress.

I would like to thank Eric Smith, W5ETS, as the previous webmaster, I
used much of his content to create the new site and Lee Besing, N5NTG
for helping me gain access to the site.

73

Paul Guido, N5IUT

QST,

All of the pages of the W5SC.org web site now connect to a single
Cascading Style Sheet and a single Template. The only exception is
the Links page which has no attached Template.

The background color is now set to a version of tan.

The minimum resolution is now set for systems that use 800 x 600 or
higher for any browser. The pictures are now smaller on the About
SARC page. If you wish, you can click on the two pictures at the
bottom of the page to look at the full size pictures but beware they
are over 2 MB each.

The structure of the links page has not been incorporated into the
Template at this time.

Using the Template, the swapfest.htm page was created today in about
1 minute. The Template was used to create a new page, the data was
copied from the old swapfest page to the new one and the file was
saved. This automatically updated all of the links to page.

So if you have anything that you would like posted or changed on the
web site just ask and it will get done.

This is your web site. I would be happy to make any changes you
request.

73

Paul Guido, N5IUT

To All SARC Members:

On September 26, 2006 I appointed the following members as the
Nominating Committee for the 2007 election. The Bylaws require that
I do so prior to October 1st.

KC5NKK Charlie Land
K5UCQ Mike Check
N5RXS J.C. Smith

This committee is required to report back to me by October 25, 2006,
per the Bylaws.

The election then will be held at the November regular meeting, as
specified. Nominations from the floor may be made at this time, in
addition to the Committee's slate.

Discussion at tonight's meeting included comments asserting that the
Nominating Committee's report should have been made at tonight's
meeting and that there was a 30 day "Notification" provision.
Neither issue is valid and neither is part of the Club's
Constitution nor Bylaws. In fact, a provision requiring the
Nominating Committee to report at the October regular meeting would
run contradictory to the provisions giving the committee until
October 25th to do their work.

All of that being clarified, please consider whom among our members
in good standing would and could serve the Club in a leadership
position. Forward any member for consideration to one of three
Committee members. If you would like to serve in a leadership role,
submit your own name to the committee. We need directors as well as
officers to manage the Club's affairs.

Email me if you have questions.

David Freiberger
K5OLE
davidfx@swbell.net

''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio Report and Order

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB019
ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio Report
and Order
ZCZC AG19
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 19 ARLB019
>From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT October 12, 2006
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB019
ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio Report and Order
Ending a protracted waiting period, the FCC's Report and Order in
the so-called ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio proceeding, WT Docket 04-140,
was adopted October 4 and released October 10, 2006. In it, the FCC
adopted nearly all of the proposed changes in the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking released back in 2004. The FCC has:
+ expanded the phone subbands in the 75 and 40 meter bands;
+ permitted auxiliary stations to transmit on portions of the 2
meter band;
+ permitted the use of spread spectrum on 222-225 MHz;
+ permitted amateurs to retransmit communications from the
International Space Station;
+ permitted amateur licensees to designate a specific Amateur Radio
club to receive their call sign in memoriam;
+ prohibited an applicant from filing more than one application for
a specific vanity call sign;
+ eliminated certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers;
+ permitted Amateur Radio stations in Alaska and surrounding waters
more flexibility in providing emergency communications;
+ clarified that ''amateur stations may, at all times and on all
frequencies authorized to the control operator, make transmissions
necessary to meet essential communication needs and to facilitate
relief actions'';
+ deleted the frequency bands and segments specified for RACES
stations;
and
+ deleted the requirement for public announcement of test locations
and times.
In addition, the FCC took several other miscellaneous actions.
In ''refarming'' the frequencies currently authorized to Novice and
Technician Plus licensees, the Commission increased the voice
segments for General, Advanced and Amateur Extra licensees.
On 75 meters, Generals will be able to use voice from 3800-4000 kHz,
an increase of 50 kHz. Advanced class licensees will be able to use
voice from 3700-4000, an increase of 75 kHz, and Amateur Extras will
be able to use voice from 3600 to 4000 kHz, a generous increase of
150 kHz.
On 40 meters, Advanced and Extra Class licensees will be able to use
voice from 7125-7300 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz. General class
licensees will be able to use voice on 7175-7300 kHz, an increase of
50 kHz.
On 15 meters, General class operators will have phone privileges on
21275-21450 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz.
ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, expressed the ARRL's gratitude
to the FCC Commissioners in a letter dated October 11: ''On behalf of
the ARRL and the Commission's licensees in the Amateur Radio Service
I want to express appreciation for your release yesterday of the
Report and Order in WT Docket 04-140 (FCC 06-149) amending Part 97
of the Commission's Rules. The Commission's action in clearing this
pending proceeding will assist the Amateur Radio Service in meeting
its objectives, particularly with regard to providing emergency and
public service communications.''

The changes will go into effect 30 days after the R&O is published
in the Federal Register.





_________________________________________
73 de N5NTG Lee W. Besing San Antonio, Texas
(210)771-7075 mobile
Running EchoLink as Node #77005
Running APRS as N5NTG-9, track me on the Internet
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5NTG-9
_________________________________________

Good Day to all!

I'm glad to see someone finally, following the
by-laws, if we use our by-laws and procedure's this
will ensure forward progress of the club, and it will
always prosper.

Mike Check, knows this to well, and one would be wise
to listen to him and others that have been there and
already obtained the T-Shirt.

I've contemplated coming back, and if we are gong to
use the procedure's that our founding fathers of the
Radio Club used than I will reconsider at a greater
degree, as long as the club is willing to become
concrete about its procedures'.

The talent has always been there and their are great
person(s) within the club, but a team concept needs to
be adapted.

No-one body of person(s) should shoulder all the
weight.

Don Jones, N5WSW ACC. ASM. STX.
EX. President of SARC & Director

PS. Hello Steve, and to all, I miss the mutual
interaction and fellowship, and "NO" I don't want any
position. :-) KEEP-UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

--- K5OLE <davidftx@swbell.net> wrote:

To All SARC Members:

On September 26, 2006 I appointed the following
members as the
Nominating Committee for the 2007 election. The
Bylaws require that
I do so prior to October 1st.

KC5NKK Charlie Land
K5UCQ Mike Check
N5RXS J.C. Smith

This committee is required to report back to me by
October 25, 2006,
per the Bylaws.

The election then will be held at the November
regular meeting, as
specified. Nominations from the floor may be made
at this time, in
addition to the Committee's slate.

Discussion at tonight's meeting included comments
asserting that the
Nominating Committee's report should have been made
at tonight's
meeting and that there was a 30 day "Notification"
provision.
Neither issue is valid and neither is part of the
Club's
Constitution nor Bylaws. In fact, a provision
requiring the
Nominating Committee to report at the October
regular meeting would
run contradictory to the provisions giving the
committee until
October 25th to do their work.

All of that being clarified, please consider whom
among our members
in good standing would and could serve the Club in a
leadership
position. Forward any member for consideration to
one of three
Committee members. If you would like to serve in a
leadership role,
submit your own name to the committee. We need
directors as well as
officers to manage the Club's affairs.

Email me if you have questions.

David Freiberger
K5OLE
davidfx@swbell.net

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Thanks Don, I know you have been following what we do.

There was a concerted effort by Steve, WA5FRF, which has continued since his presidency, to move the operations of the Club back within the guidelines of the Constitution and the Bylaws. Managing the Club has been cumbersome, at times, because what those articles require and what some people want were not always in agreement. We lost an Officer, a Director, as well as several key appointed positions during this leadership cycle. Other Directors have not been active due to health reasons. This makes it hard to keep things going.

But a few special amateur radio operators, both old salts and new to the Club, stepped up and helped keep things going. What success we have had this year is because these fine hams stepped in when there was a need. Most of them will continue in the broad based leadership that now exists in SARC.

And we have had success this year.
We've partnered with a new, energized, ARES organization and stressed Emergency Communications after our Katrina/Rita experiences.
We've helped a number of new hams get on the air.
The SARC Field Day tradition has been maintained.
The Swapfest continues to be a successful regional event.
SARC remains the sponsor of the most successful JOTA event in the area.
And we have streamlined the regular meetings so that we spend our time talking about radio rather than the minutia of decision making or lack of decision making.
And as you note, we have moved toward handling SARC business the way the governing documents say we should, not the way any particular individual(s) want it to be run.
So please join us on November 9th when the club will vote for the new Officers for 2007.

David
K5OLE