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![]() "Michael Coslo" wrote in message ... If enough people are as "alienated" as he says, it should be possible to compete however, and build a new alternative to ARRL membership. I've given enough reasons that I don't think it will work, but I don't mind being proven wrong. I've read that paragraph several times, and it remains self-contradictory. (A) "it should be possible", but (B) you've "given enough reasons that I don't think it will work". So which of those won't you "mind being proven wrong", A or B? My message is pretty simple. Take away all the "sophistry" and it is: - "If you don't like what is happening, get involved. Change it." That's Paul's clear message. But yours is wrapped in condescending patronization. The Man in the Maze QRO from Baboquivari Peak, AZ -- Iitoi --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- multipart/alternative text/plain (text body -- kept) text/html --- |
#2
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Iitoi wrote:
"Michael Coslo" wrote in message ... If enough people are as "alienated" as he says, it should be possible to compete however, and build a new alternative to ARRL membership. I've given enough reasons that I don't think it will work, but I don't mind being proven wrong. I've read that paragraph several times, and it remains self-contradictory. (A) "it should be possible", but (B) you've "given enough reasons that I don't think it will work". So which of those won't you "mind being proven wrong", A or B? I'm not particularly worried about either one. I won't comment more about that, because you are swinging the topic toward me, and away from the ideas regarding forming a new organization. My message is pretty simple. Take away all the "sophistry" and it is: - "If you don't like what is happening, get involved. Change it." That's Paul's clear message. But yours is wrapped in condescending patronization. Illitoi, would I do better to tell the guy, "Give up, you can't do anything about it? Let me tell you a little story, then see how condescending you think I am. In our local club, we were dying the death of a thousand cuts. Membership was down, interest was disappearing quickly. We were lucky if we got 10 members to a club meeting. Field day might get 4 of us. I got together with another officer, and said Let's change this. Initially there was lots of resistance by members. "Hams are getting old and don't care any more. "Testing requirements are letting in rifraff, and that's why no one is interested. "Ham Radio is dying, and our generation is the last". On and on and on. My reply was that "All that is possible, but I want to try something". First thing I demanded was a change in attitude. No Morse code supremacy. A person might know that he is better than other Hams because he took a Higher speed test, but let's keep it to ourself for a while. Morse code proficiency is really cool, and I respect that a lot, but it doesn't make me a better Ham than the Technician who volunteers for all the public service work. Respect for ALL the Hams is Job One. Second thing is everyone was reminded that they were once newbies, and didn't come into radio knowing everything. We set up training classes in the basics, and even put together a workbench for training at our "shack". Third was "Quit complaining, daggonit!" Does the new guy really need to hear about how much you hate (insert topic here) within five minutes of meeting him? Give it a break, it isn't a good way to attract new folks, and those it might attract are likely to be complainers. Fourth was institute testing before club meetings. We did this as soon as the F.C.C. rules changed to allow it. Works wonderfully. Test applicants get a round of applause, and another if they pass. Those who do not are offered help to be sure to pass the nest time. Finally, and this one takes constant watching, is that members have to avoid being an "UberHam". You may have a hundred foot tower with a 40 meter beam, and Yaesu's fine 12K offering running into an Alpha, but the guy with a Swan into a dipole is doing okay too. Results? The quixotic quest that was doomed to failure, trying to regenerate interest resulted in local growth in new Hams at the 2 percent rate, increased membership in the club, and at least a quadrupling of Field day competition. We have alternating weekend breakfasts and weekend mountaintop days, all heavily attended. So while some might think that I am being condescending when I tell someone to get out and do something, I have to note that I am dead serious. Maybe my reasons that I think it will fail are wrong, just like I proved the local naysayers wrong. But unless the guy gets moving and proves me wrong, it just ends up being another Ham complaining in a newsgroup, or eHam, or QRZ.com, or on the air. And that really doesn't accomplish much. Thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does the work. - 73 de Mike KB3EIA - |
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