ARRL Board of Directors, Standing Committees to meet in Connecticut next week

The ARRL Board of Directors holds their annual meeting of 2009 January 16-17 in Windsor, Connecticut, with Directors, Vice Directors and ARRL Board officers in attendance.

The meeting will be preceded on Thursday, January 15, with meetings of the Administration and Finance Committee and the Programs and Services Committee.

The Administration and Finance Committee, chaired by Northwestern Division Director Jim Fenstermaker, K9JF, studies, advises and makes recommendations for all administration and financial matters of the League, including recommending the annual budget to the Board, making recommendations in regard to staff management and interfacing with the ARRL Foundation on fundraising issues.

Fenstermaker said he can report that "2008 was a relatively good year with growth in membership and meeting the needs of our members. The 2009 plan calls for continuing to provide existing programs and to develop new programs, as well as provide better communication tools. Our belief is that in difficult economic times, members will focus even more on activities they are familiar with and have investments in, such as Amateur Radio. We see our opportunities and ability to serve members' needs increasing under this scenario."

The Programs and Services Committee, headed by Midwest Division Director Bruce Frahm, K0BJ, studies, advises and makes recommendations for all programs and services provided by the League, including Logbook of the World, W1AW and the incoming and outgoing QSL services.

"The Programs and Services committee is pleased with ongoing work to strengthen ARRL's Internet presence through the Web site redesign and the expansion of the IT department. A good example is the new Triple Play Worked All States award that is generating a lot of interest. On the Field Organization side, we are monitoring implementation of changes brought on by the Section Governance survey that was reported in July, as well as those brought about by the NERPC report following Hurricane Katrina and other large-scale disasters.

Membership Services projects include receiving studies from our Contest and VHF/UHF Advisory Committees and ongoing consideration of awards-related matters. We're also interested in development of the new 'PR-101' course for Public Information Officers and our other educational offerings," Frahm said.

Per the Articles of Association, the ARRL Board of Directors meets twice a year, in January and July.

Source: The American Radio Relay League