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MEET THE MENTOR A VIRTUAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM THIS PENNSYLVANIA RADIO CLUB
FOUND A WAY TO CONTINUE MENTORING ITS MEMBERS AND CREATING ENTHUSIASM FOR
THE HOBBY, WHILE OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF COVID 19.  DON EVANS, K3ZR
DESPITE THE COVID 19 GATHERING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED IN 2020, SOUTH MOUNTAIN
RADIO AMATEURS SMRA, AN ARRL SPECIAL SERVICE CLUB, EFFECTIVELY FOUND A WAY
TO NOT ONLY ATTRACT NEW HAMS TO THE CLUB, BUT TO KEEP THEM MOTIVATED WITHIN
THE HOBBY.  SMRA IS LOCATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AND HAS OVER 100
MEMBERS.  DURING THE PANDEMIC, MORE PEOPLE BECAME INTERESTED IN THE HOBBY
AND MANY RADIO CLUBS EXPERIENCED MEMBERSHIP GROWTH, DESPITE A SIGNIFICANT
DECLINE IN MEMBER PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES.  SMRA PRESIDENT JACK HIMES,
NC3O, EXPLAINED THE ENSUING CHALLENGE WE HAVE A STEADY FLOW OF NEW HAMS
FROM OUR VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS PROGRAM BY OFFERING FREE MEMBERSHIP INTO OUR
CLUB TO EVERY PERSON WHO PASSES ANY LEVEL OF THEIR RADIO LICENSE EXAM, HE
SAID.  WE ALSO HAVE MENTORS AND OUR OWN CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, BUT
WHEN WE WERE REDUCED TO ONCE A MONTH VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETINGS, TRYING TO
GET THE NEW HAMS TO MEET THE EXPERIENCED ONES WAS THE CHALLENGE.  JACK
ADDED THAT EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS BY THEIR MENTORS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL,
BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER HAD A SAFE WAY TO FULFILL THE EXPECTATIONS OF NEW
HAMS DURING THE PANDEMIC.  ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH, MEMBERS OF
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