[SCCC] ARRL Board Actions

[Jim McCook]

Dear ARRL Board members,

Without getting into the long list of reasons that you have heard from 
other ARRL members, let me just say that I'm extremely _disappointed_ 
with the Board over the recent changes and proposals that we have all 
read about, beginning with the so-called "Board of Governance and 
Conduct of Members."  How did ARRL survive so long _without_ this 
overbearing, controversial document that leaves so much to interpretation?

When I first heard about this document I read it multiple times, and was 
shocked that ARRL would actually produce something like that.  Why was 
it suddenly necessary to produce it, unless it was an overbearing 
political move by the Board majority?  I have seen several negative 
opinions of it expressed by prominent ARRL member attorneys like K6FG, 
K1VR, K6LA and others, who also commented on the ridiculous censure of 
N6AA that was apparently based on the opinion of an observer at the ARRL 
Forum at the last Visalia DX Convention.

I read the "document" well before the convention, so was listening 
carefully to Dick at the Forum to see how he handled this "proclamation" 
in his address and discussions.  I noticed that he presented nothing 
beyond statements of fact regarding that document and his own 
limitations, so am of the opinion that the so-called "evidence" of his 
misdoing was simply false news. I know what I heard, and he did NOT 
violate any part of the "proclamation."  Some people are using 3rd hand 
information which, as we all know, is not dependable.  When he spoke to 
the San Diego DX Club last summer, I noticed he was careful NOT to even 
express and qualify personal opinions, which the "proclamation" does not 
restrict.  This was before the censure.

Remember, ARRL Board members are ELECTED, not appointed!  It should be 
clearly obvious that they should be _unrestricted_ in communicating 
their views and actions ofthe Board to members.  Can you imagine any 
politician being _elected_ to office by withholding his opinions, 
disagreements, and other actions in Congress?

When I read the N2YBB proposals about adding other staff as voting 
members with the Board, and ESPECIALLY the proposal by K5UZ that the 
Board would reserve the right to terminate the membership of a ARRL 
member (with NO qualification), I was horrified, realizing that 
political power moves like this will only destroy all ARRL credibility 
with its members.  These appear to be obvious political attempts to grab 
more power by the current Board majority.

I have recently removed ARRL from my will and will not support ARRL 
financially until all these issues have been completely resolved.


73, Jim
W6YA
ARRL Life Member