 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
This page is designed to assist clubs in their efforts for recruitment, organization, membership participation, and activities.
Ham-Com: Experimenting with Change
Ham-Com, the "Biggest Hamfest in Texas" traces its roots back to the 1960s. In 1978, a small group of hams in Dallas decided to invest their own money to build a "ham radio convention." In 2003, Ham-Com celebrated its 25th anniversary. The event has fulfilled the original goal of the founders, gained national recognition and hosted the ARRL national convention on three occasions. [Full Story]
Tips and Tonics for Healthier Radio Clubs
Successful radio clubs are a joy to experience. Easy to spot, they are usually populated by enthusiastic, gung-ho members who are involved with a full agenda of interesting things. They are generally at the center of most Amateur Radio activities in town. [Full Story]
Amateur Radio & Sports? You Bet!
If you never thought about Amateur Radio and sports being used together, then think again. There are many ways you can incorporate ham activities with your other favorite pastimes. All it takes is a little imagination, a few friends, a ball or two and a radio! [Full Story]
Leadership For the Amateur Radio Club
Congratulations. You have just been appointed to a leadership position of your Amateur Radio club. You may be on the board of directors or an officer of the club or you may be chairperson of an event like a hamfest or Field Day. Other positions of leadership may include heading up a team of Volunteer Examiners or organizing a new licensing class. Whatever the responsibility, the fact remains that the members of your organization are now looking to YOU to lead them to accomplish a set of goals. [Full Story]
Growth Of Amateur Radio Reflects Growth In The Community
February 9, 2005 -- South Florida Section Manager, Sherri Brower, W4STB presented a brand new ARRL Charter of Affiliation certificate to the Palms West ARC of Loxahatchee, Florida. The presentation was made during the SFL Section Forum at the Miami Hamboree, February 5, 2005. [Full Story]
Veteran's Day Special Event
November 16, 2004 -- The USS Salem Radio Club of was on the air during Veteran's Day. The heavy cruiser, originally commissioned in 1949, is now docked at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts as a museum ship and is open to the public. [Full Story]
Club Commissions for Renewals are Back!
November 9, 2004 -- We may not be able to stretch our dollar as far as it used to go, but ARRL has found a way for you to add MORE dollars to your club treasury. How? ARRL is simply going to turn back time. [Full Story]
Clubs Find Synergy in Combined Field Day Efforts
August 12, 2004 -- For the past several years The Western Illinois ARC and Hannibal ARC have combined efforts for ARRL Field Day and other special event operations. [Full Story]
Encouraged By Dad, This Dynamic Teen YL Now Inspires Other Young People in Ham Radio
August 5, 2004 -- When Rick Saeger had some ham radio guest from Japan stay at his home, little did he know the profound effect that it would have on his five year old daughter. [Full Story]
Youth and Community Are The Focus for Mt. Baker ARC
August 2, 2004 -- When you think of young people and Amateur Radio you have to look no further than Mt. Baker Amateur Radio Club. Located in Western Washington State, Mt. Baker ARC is a club that is very proactive when it comes to youth and Amateur Radio. From sponsoring youth fairs and ham radio classes to their well-organized mentor program, the folks at MBARC are focused on the future by introducing ham radio to kids. [Full Story]
"Big
Project" Results In Some First Class Operators
July 15, 2004 -- Field Day 2004 in Kalamazoo, Michigan had some young operators working
the HF airwaves that were part of a partnership between the Kalamazoo Amateur
Radio Club and the local elementary school. [Full Story]
To get a new club started, several things are needed: people, interest, meeting place/date/time. [Full Story]
For school clubs: Forming A School Radio Club - Check-Off Sheet
 |
While ARRL supports Amateur Radio at the national level, the bulk of the work -- in public service, promoting Amateur Radio, peer support and just good fellowship -- occurs in the more than 2000 radio clubs around the country.
For some 70 years now, the ARRL has sought to affiliate with itself worthy and well qualified, organized, noncommercial Amateur Radio groups or societies of kindred aims and purposes. Doing so allows these clubs to draw on ARRL's resources and allows ARRL to stay aware of activities at the local level, information we can use when defending Amateur Radio's interests. The result is stronger clubs, a stronger ARRL and a stronger Amateur Radio.
If you're looking for an ARRL affiliated club near you, use our ARRL club search page.
Four types of clubs can affiliate with the ARRL: 1) local Amateur Radio clubs, 2) regionally or nationally organized Amateur Radio groups, 3) local school or youth groups, or Amateur Radio clubs in homes for the elderly or disabled, and 4) club councils (clubs of clubs).
To become an affiliated club, your group must meet a few requirements:
If your group would be a category three (school or youth group) club, only one member has to be an ARRL member -- either the president, faculty advisor or similar person. In addition, the club name has to indicate that the group is youth or school oriented.
If you are applying for Category Four status, 51% of the clubs in your council must be actively affiliated clubs.
In your quest for affiliation, you'll have to fill out a few forms in the ARRL Club Kit (41,175 bytes, PDF file).
Affiliated Clubs -- The Power of Incorporation, by Joseph Morton, KF2MX, is available in Adobe Acrobat format:
The ARRL is a national organization, dedicated to the advancement of Amateur Radio. As an ARRL Affiliated Club, your group can take advantage of certain benefits which are only available thanks to the large membership and widespread services of the ARRL.
Just a few advantages of being an ARRL Affiliated Club:
The ARRL is especially proud of our affiliated clubs that excel in their activities. Clubs that go the extra mile to provide on-going training and support for the benefit of their community, fall into our Special Service Club category. These extraordinary groups actively pursue all aspects of Amateur Radio: New Ham Development and Training; Public Relations; Emergency Communications; School Club Support; Technical Advancement; Operating Activities; Annual Reports, and more.
In addition to all benefits afforded our affiliated clubs, Special Service Clubs also receive the following additional benefits:
You can locate the Special Service Club(s) in your area using the web site at http://www.arrl.org/field/club/biglist.html. After plugging in your section, check the block next to "List SSCs Only" and click on the "Show Clubs" button below.
If you'd like to join this exemplary group, an application is available at http://www.arrl.org/field/club/forms/fsd7/index.html.
Keeping in mind that not all promotion methods work in all parts of our big country, here are some very useful ideas from people who have been quite successful.
Members must register to enter the Members Only area. This is a one time procedure and you will need your membership number, which appears above your name on your QST mailing label. Register here.
If you are not an ARRL Member and wish to join, please go here.
Newsletter Development [PDF file, 67,852 bytes], by Scott Yonally, KC8SS
One excellent way to promote activity and public awareness of your club is to run a 2-meter contest, similar to the W.A.M.Co. Event designed and organized by the Mercer County Amateur Radio Club in Sharon, PA.
The above article is in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). Download it FREE here.
Contesting and events which take place outside the club meeting are excellent ways to promote camaraderie, teamwork, and emergency preparedness. A few of these are:
In our continuing effort to help serve all the needs of you and your club, we've put together the following questions. Please fill this out once a year, at the time most convenient for you. By keeping a dated copy on file, you will know when to do the next one.
To fill out the questionnaire, go here.
Effective immediately, clubs affiliated with the ARRL can sign up for the League's new E-Mail Forwarding Service. The forwarding--or alias--service is available at no additional charge for ARRL affiliated clubs. It will provide clubs with a uniform "call sign@arrl.net" e-mail address that remains the same even if the user changes e-mail service providers.
TO SIGN UP FOR A CLUB ARRL.NET EMAIL ADDRESS:
If your club is looking for loads of helpful information to keep things moving, you can't miss the Active Club Online Primer
Combining the best of the completely updated Special Service Club Manual, this online version permits quick access to hundreds of pages that can enhance club functioning and help yours gain new members. Need to now how to get your club more involved in public service? How to present programs that make meetings more lively? How to help hams with disabilities? Find it fast...online and immediate!
Many clubs are searching for database programs, which compile and maintain membership lists. Some clubs desire a program for club finances. Still other clubs are setting up their own in-club reflectors on the Internet to keep the members informed on local activities.
If you, or a group you are familiar with, have a software program that works well with a club-related program, let us know so we can share this with other clubs.
For a very diversified index of Ham Radio software, check the website at: http://www.ac6v.com
THANKS FOR DROPPING BY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, COMMENTS, OR SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE SUBMIT THEM TO:
73 and good luck.
