| Report of the PRC |
Document # 26 |
The ARRL Public Relations Committee met on Saturday, May 18, 2002 during the Dayton Hamvention at the Marriott hotel restaurant on Patterson Blvd at 7:30 AM. Present were Jennifer N1TDY, board liaison Gary Johnston KI4LA, Diane Ortiz K2DO, Jeff Reinhardt AA6JR, his wife Melissa, and Rich Moseson W2VU. Many items were discussed, including the PIO/PIC handbook. Gary was a scheduled speaker at the ARRL forum at 8:15 AM and was not able to stay for the entire meeting. On the agenda were the following:
ARRL materials - Last year the BOD asked the committee to review the materials the League is giving out. There was discussion on the target market - the general public, inactive hams, etc. Volunteerism and public service participation and interest has increased because of the WTC disaster and other terrorist acts. We need to update our materials to show that amateur radio is an important part of disaster planning.
Crisis Planning - When there is a major disaster those involved are often victims as well as volunteers. How can we help them? Mentioned was crisis planning and outside support to the PICs and PIOs involved.
PR education - Jeff reiterated that his goal is to have a PR committee member give a PR forum at every ARRL Division Convention.
In-flight airline magazine articles were discussed.
Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 AM.
The PR Forum on Sunday morning (8:30-10AM) in the Hara Arena at the Dayton Hamvention was well attended and received. Jeff AA6JR did a fantastic job as emcee and everything went very smoothly. Diane K2DO, Rich W2VU, Jim KB9LEI, and Jack Sovik, KB8WPZ (Ohio PIO), told the PR story in different ways - Diane and Rich concentrating on the events of 9/11, Jim on interacting with local and regional fire departments and Jack on getting the attention of the editors and press releases. There was time for some questions and comments at the end. End of Dayton report.
The PRC had a conference call the end of May to review the meeting and other projects. We have made progress in many areas. The PIC/PIO handbook project has been completed and will be available to the ham community on the Internet by the end of July. It is extensive and has new and updated information. This has been a major revamping of the manual and will be an asset to anyone involved in publicity.
In other areas, the PRC has compiled a list of in-flight and other types of magazines to target for ham radio-related article publication. These articles are being worked on by individual PRC members with input from the committee.
Many committee members will be involved in presenting Public Relations forums at upcoming events. Jeff AA6JR is a PR professional and suggested to the committee that they should be directly involved in these at Division and Section conventions. This year Diane K2DO and Rich W2VU will be presenting a Public Relations forum at the New England Division Convention in Boxboro. Another PRC member may be giving a PR forum at a section event in Virginia and Jeff AA6JR will be presenting a PR Forum at the Southwestern Division Convention. Others are also in the works.
The committee joins me in thanking ARRL President Jim Haynie W5JBP, the Officers and Board - especially PRC committee liaison Gary Johnston - for their support and guidance. Special thanks to Jen Hagy N1TDY for her invaluable assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Ortiz K2DO,
ARRL Public Relations Committee Chairman