Doc. # 27

REPORT FROM THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

As newly appointed chairman of the ARRL Public Relations Committee for 2001, I would like to report to the ARRL Officers and Executive Board that the committee has proceeded forward in a timely manner and with much enthusiasm. There have been three teleconference calls and one meeting. The breakfast meeting, attended by half of the PRC members, was held at the Marriott during the Dayton Hamvention.

The main focus of the committee so far has been the revision of the ARRL Public Information Coordinator/Public Information Officer handbook. It contained much outdated material and the committee undertook not only updating the existing data, but also adding new chapters/sections and adapting it for web-based Internet ease-of-use, including "point and click" links to other web pages and reference material. Work on the Handbook is ongoing.

Getting together and communicating on this project has not been easy. The committee members are a diverse group both geographically and in the area of ham radio. Our group includes a Section Manager, PIOs, PICs and media professionals - most who had never met or talked to each other prior to appointment to the committee. We have become, through great effort, a cohesive group with long and short-term goals that is results oriented and very dedicated. Special thanks are extended to Jen Hagy N1TDY and Gary Johnston KI4LA (our board liaison) who have gone out of their way to assist and guide the committee.

The committee also presented a forum at the Dayton Hamvention featuring five amateurs from across the country who have been very successful in getting good PR for Amateur Radio; Cal Davis KF4LAR, Sherri Brower W4STB, Scott Yonally N8SY, Stephan Anderman K2SMA and Jeff Reinhardt AA6JR. At the forum each made a presentation about promoting good Amateur Radio public relations from different angles. They included dealing with TV producers and media photographers, using your club newsletter to get good PR, press releases, to a "PR Tool Kit for busy people." PR Committee member Jeff AA6JR showed a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation geared to be used at Division and Section Conventions. The forum was very well attended, even though it was scheduled late Sunday morning. The committee would like to thank ARRL President Jim Haynie W5JBP for attending and speaking at the forum, Jen N1TDY for making the arrangements and PRC member Jeff AA6JR for obtaining two Alinco hand-held radios for the door prize pool. A videotape of the forum was made by PR committee member Gary Pearce KN4AQ which is being processed and will be sent to the PR committee members and presenters.

As stated in the ARRL PIO Field Organization appointment description, "The purpose of public relations goes beyond column inches and minutes of air time ... PR activities must be well-timed and well-coordinated within the community " The Public Relations Committee is dedicated to providing the PIOs,PICs, Section Managers and other Field Service personnel the tools so that these goals can be met.

Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Ortiz, K2DO, Chairman, PRC.