There have been a number of emails flying around over the past couple of days that I have been copied on – names are not material, but the gist of the subject revolves around who might be qualified for the job versus what attributes we look for in a new Section Manager. To my understanding, Paul (KJ4G) may not run for another term – there are at least a couple of amateurs who have expressed interest in pursuing the position. I only know one of the potential candidates - but regardless of who runs, I have begun to think about the kind of person whom I want to represent me in the North Florida Section. Of course, qualifications from a skills and experience set are important, but there are other “qualities”, attributes if you will, that I will be looking for and evaluating. As I began the thought process, I started listing those attributes and experiences in an email addressed to the folks on the original email list. As I read the email over-and-over again, I came to the conclusion that perhaps others would benefit from the dissertation, so I publish it openly here with very minor changes to protect the identity of individuals (where necessary).
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The electoral process is serious – each of us has our own criteria, biases and preferences, so this is not meant to sway anybody’s opinion – only to share one person’s perspective.
.. EXCERPTED from a response to a closed-email chain – 20-January-2012
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With regard to SECTION MANAGER, allow me to share some thoughts about the job and the attributes of someone I would be looking for to represent me in high office :
- You have to be an EMBRACER OF CHANGE – saying that you only like 2 meters, HF and CW is just not enough nowadays. YOUR personal opinions and preferences really do not matter – you are here toPROMOTE ALL OF AMATEUR RADIO. Of course, you may not be an active participant in any or all of the digital or other modes (including satellite, spread spectrum, etc), but saying that you wouldn’t oppose something is TACIT DISAPPROVAL – that’s really not the role of a SM.
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Paul was always faulted for promoting D-STAR. As all of you know, I’m a major DSTAR proponent and invested in the technology – but Paul’s fault wasn’t that he promoted it – but rather that he was perceived to ONLY promote DSTAR (which was not true). What people failed to give him credit for was that he EMBRACED new technology – and eventually openly embraced WL2K and other digital technologies after many years of lobbying by Bud and others.
.. - You have to be a FULL-TIME PUBLICIST and CHEER-LEADER – always stumping for Amateur Radio and the ARRL. Great people skills and a fearless attitude toward “getting the word out”, both internal AND EXTERNAL are hugely important.
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We, overall, do a very poor job of external communications and public relations. The new SM needs to change that – NOT by being the face, but by creating initiatives that will get amateurs involved, excited and active – regardless of the technology – then trumpeting their progress and success in an interactive, engaging medium to all members in the section.
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We have done a very poor job of getting the word out – relying on “old technologies” like driving hundreds of miles, or using the website (very infrequent changes). Today’s SM needs to be a MASTER COMMUNICATOR, using all of the latest tools, mediums and technology, like WebEx, Conference Calls, BLOGS and VIDEO to get the word out about activities, progress and accomplishments within the section.
.. - You have to be a part-time COUNCELLOR – motivating the best and the brightest to take positions of responsibility, but also mentoring and lifting-up those who are down-trodden and have felt disenfranchised due to past injustices.
.. - You have to be a part-time SURGEON – willing, able and skilled to cut out the “cancer” where it exists within our leadership team, as well as the rank-and-file. Nobody likes to invoke discipline, or perform organizational realignments, but the SM and all of their staff – need to be strong leaders and find the best-of-the-best to lead the organization. One bad apple can ruin the entire basket.
.. - You have to be a part-time EXPLORER – sometimes with no particular destination in mind. The SM needs to instill a spirit of adventure and experimentation, of asking
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“.. what if we tried this (or that)..??”, or
“… who might be able to do this..?”
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Trying and failing is not to be faulted – FAILING TO TRY is much worse.
.. - You have to be a full-time HEAD-HUNTER – constantly recruiting, looking for the best experience, best talent for jobs that need to be filled. The Good-ol-Boy’s network just doesn’t work for the future. There is a wealth of new talent in the section – new licensees, young licensees – these folks look at the world with different eyes – we need to harness that spirit of adventure and that fearlessness – before they find other places and other hobbies that fulfill them.
.. - You have to be a full time TEAM-LEADER – focusing attention on the team, not on yourself. I believe that the SM’s legacy is built on the team that he/she puts in place – on the positive movement that they implement, on the excitement that they generate – NOT on the speeches that are delivered, or the number of hamfests attended. The PERSON of the SM is immaterial to most of us – we want to see CHANGE, EXCITEMENT and RECOGNITION for the things that the entire amateur community does in the section.
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While no single person can perform all of these tests or fill of these roles with equal excellence, it will be incumbent on us as the voting membership to prioritize the experience and characteristics of the candidates based on what we perceive to be high priority items.
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As a growing number of people line-up to run for SM (sick humor), let me share with you who I will be looking for (aside from meeting the above “qualifications”) :
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- Someone who has accomplished a great deal in their professional or personal life – a person who has strived to be the best-of-the-best, regardless of field (including wives and mothers, since that is arguably one of the most difficult “professions”)
.. - Someone who has a long record of MENTORING others – whether in teaching one-on-one sessions, or being a prolific writer and sharing their knowledge just for the joy of sharing. Do you take people under your (ham) wing and try to give them new experiences, make them better and groom them in the hobby..?
.. - Someone who has a long record of working Public Service Events with Amateur Radio – both for the recognition that it gives to Amateur Radio, and because it provides valuable training opportunities for our teams. Net Control, passing traffic, net discipline are all highly perishable skills which need to be honed and practiced on a regular basis. Working under pressure with multiple unknowns, as is common during public service events, is extremely valuable to non-experienced amateurs.
.. - Someone who has a record of “pushing the envelope” – trying new things, doing things that others said couldn’t be done. I love people who are never satisfied with things “the way they are”, versus “the way it could be” and embark to make the necessary changes. That “drive” and a sense of constant improvement is both contagious and inspiring in the amateur community.
.. - Someone who talks about WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE (MISSION FOCUSED) and how they expect to tackle the challenges, versus who THEY are and what their “qualifications” might be..
.. - Someone who is focused on BUILDING TEAMS, rather than kingdoms – I believe that much of the “cancer” of amateur radio is due to a perceived sense of “entitlement” by some individuals who have held appointed positions for far too long. Their focus has been on maintaining the status-quo and therefore keeping their empire in-tact, versus advancing the entire amateur community.
.. - Someone who is focused on EXCELLENCE – I have become famous for coining the phrase “.. we may be called Amateur Radio Operators by the FCC, but we don’t need to be amateur-ish in the way that we conduct ourselves”. This is especially true given the new crop of licensees – we need to LIFT THEM UP and encourage them to conduct themselves professionally – it builds self-esteem, as well as positive recognition for our hobby and community.
.. - Someone who DOESN’T WANT THE JOB – and has to be arm-twisted into taking it. I’m not kidding here. I question the agenda those who want a political job – one that pays nothing, that has more headaches than rewards and one where everybody is a critic. To me, those that do politically maneuvering in order to garner the position are even more questionable.
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These are only my thoughts – each ARRL member will have their own evaluation criteria. Sharing my thoughts is only meant to give one person’s perspective – not to imply any other agenda.
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best regards to all of you..
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Mike – WB6RTH
20-Jan-2012
