He wants members to write him with ideas such as this so fire away. Perhaps the CEO David Minster NA2AA can change that. It was removed by Bob Interbitzen NQ1R, ARRL Product Development Manager, a couple of years ago as being irrelevant, right after my blog post was being circulated. Re-introduce the $200 ARRL Library Book Set to the ARRL website.It appears that the HQ Field Services Staff does care about clubs now. Note to the skeptic: did you realize that for years the annual affiliated clubs forms that many club officers (including me) completed and submitted to HQ simply went into a file cabinet? And that the staffer who was leaving that position intended to put them in the trash dumpster out back when he retired, saying that “nobody cares about clubs anymore”? I didn’t think you did. It also means it will not simply go away when some ARRL staffer decides s/he doesn’t want to deal with it anymore. This makes it an official program with a League commitment. ARRL Board declare public libraries as new “served agencies” like Red Cross, not for emergency communication but for education and outreach.This is a recommended game plan to engage public libraries in the United States as a portal for education and outreach regarding amateur radio. Here are the steps I outlined in my member to my Director for implementing the ARRL program: Programs are the key “cheese” that will move public library directors today. I was tasked to work with the PLS and learned quite a bit about how local public libraries view their mission and operations. The Public Library System reports to the college board in Georgia. I learned this while at the Board of Regents Office in Atlanta. It’s because programming for the public is the “ new cheese” for library directors. Library Directors asked local ham club representatives if they would give programs at the library BEFORE hams could even bring it up! That’s a good sign.

The Vice Director, Ed WB4RHQ, told us on the Zoom call how successful the Plant the Seed initiative has been in Tennessee already. This memo recommends specific steps and stages for engaging affiliated clubs in this initiative. I prepared a memo some time ago to my Division Director, for whom I serve as an Assistant Director for the Delta Division. Getting guests to the dinner table in the first place is one step! Engaging local clubs is that first step but they have to have access to the tools to make it efficient and effective for a longer term pay-off. But there’s more than just setting the table to ensure a meal that is well-enjoyed by all in attendance. Contact info for the Director, number of programs for youth and young adults, and so forth would allow clubs to target libraries that already have active programming in place and are near their location. (They are re-thinking that page, too.) I’ll supply their IT staff with a file of public libraries in the U.S. Mike W8ZY and I agreed that a map display would be a good tool to add to the ARRL-affiliated club search page.

Emcomm mou example with red cross