Truly special Amateur Radio clubs are well balanced in their programs for serving the community, developing club members' Amateur Radio skills and social activities, striving each year to build on their successes to improve their effectiveness. The objective of the ARRL's Special Service Club program is to help good clubs organize and focus their efforts on those things that really count. Being an SSC should mean that members have certain skills, that the club as a group has the ability to improve service inside and outside the Amateur Radio community, and that it does so when needed.
To be accepted under the ARRL SSC program, your club must be actively involved in each of the following areas. Please describe your planned programs and activities on the application form.
To be renewed as a Special Service Club, your club must continue to be actively involved in each of the following areas. Please describe your planned programs and activities on the renewal form.
Purpose: Develop an effective, coordinated program of public relations, recruiting, training and ongoing assistance targeted to prospective and newly licensed hams in your community.
Purpose: Establish an effective Amateur Radio presence in your community, including contact with local media and coverage of your activities; Public Information Officer appointment.
Purpose: Club members should become skilled in communicating effectively during communications emergencies and be prepared to assist when needed; Official Emergency Station appointment and participation in ARES.
Purpose: Continuing education in the technical aspects of Amateur Radio to ensure that your club members are technically competent, familiar and comfortable with modern radio-electronics technology; Technical Specialist appointment.
Purpose: Active participation as a club in one or more major operating or operating support activities to ensure that your club maintains a high level of operating skill.
Purpose: Every active club has its special interests and activities that make it unique, that give it special personality. List three of these activities. See the Active Club Online Primer for ideas under the sections on Special Service Clubs.