LOU EVERETT, SR., WA5LOU
FOR ARRL SECTION MANAGER
INDIANA SECTION
EXPERIENCE UNDERSTANDING COMPASSION
As you all know, soon you will be receiving information and a ballot to vote for a new ARRL Section Manager for the Indiana Section. The ballot will have pictures of me and one other candidate with our 300 word statements. A person can’t say much in 300 words or less. So, I thought this would be a good way to provide all of you with information concerning myself and some of what I will be doing as your new Section Manager.
My name is Lou Everett, Sr., WA5LOU. My wife, Doreen, and I live in Cumberland, Indiana, on the far east side of Indianapolis. Doreen is a Ham, also. Her call-sign is AE5QM, and she is an Extra Class License Holder. Doreen and I have three children, all grown and out on there own. I am a retired veteran, so I can devote quality time and service, as your Section Manager.
My interest in ham radio began when I was about 10 years old. My Dad had an enormous amount of old Military/Amateur Radio gear. This made it possible for me to become very interested at an early age. I have been a ham for 40 years, and over the years I have converted and updated my station so many times it is difficult to count. It is incredible what Amateur Radio teaches us over the long haul.
When in the Military, I had the opportunity to meet so many interesting Amateur Radio Operators. The camaraderie experienced among the Amateur Radio Community is second to none! My desire to serve this great community continued to grow.
I had always had a deep desire to be involved in service to the public, and have found that desire being fulfilled in serving the Amateur Radio Community in several positions throughout the years. Through those positions and assignments my service reached out to the local communities, as well. These were and are incredible and very valuable experiences.
When I was stationed in Hawaii I served the community as a MARS Member as well as an ARRL Official Relay Station. I was the MARS Training Officer, and the RTTY Officer for the State of Hawaii. I was also a Net Control Station on both MARS & ARRL NTS Nets. We handled hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of messages per month going to and from our veterans and their families. We handled a lot of phone patch traffic, as well. In Hawaii, supporting Field Day was always a priority.
While stationed in New England, I served as the New England Teleprinter Net Training Officer, as well as its Assistant Net Manager. I represented the ARRL Section there as an Official Relay Station, Net Manager, and Assistant Net Manager. I led a fine group of Net Control Operators into new territory, handling 100s, maybe even thousands, of messages every month, going to and from our veterans and their families, during the Vietnam War. We handled regular Stateside routine traffic, as well. We also handled a lot of phone patch traffic here, too. Here, again, supporting Field Day activities was always a top priority.
Further, when I was in Texas I served as an Acting Section Manager, Assistant Section Manager, Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, Net Manager for the Texas Traffic Net, Net Manager for the Texas Emergency Net, and Net Manager for the Texas Section Managers Net. I also was an NCS on the Central Gulf Coast Hurricane Net and the Gulf Coast Single Sideband Net.
The above are all incredible experiences. I will always remember and highly value these Amateur Radio life experiences. I remember reporting Net activities, etc., to Section Traffic Managers, and others, that are now ARRL Officials.
Currently I am serving the Indiana Section in several assignments. I am serving as your ARRL Section Traffic Manager, your Net Manager for the Indiana Traffic Net, one of your ARRL Official Observers, and one of your ARRL Official Relay Stations.
We have some awesome UHF/VHF Systems throughout the Indiana Section. These activities are so important! My only regret is that I can’t get in on all these great 2 meter/440 nets, and the like. These UHF/VHF Nets play a super roll in our Indiana NTS and ARES success.
The current Indiana ARRL Section Manager, John Poindexter, W3ML, has done a great job. There is no doubt about it! However, maybe it’s time for some new blood — some new ideas — ideas that will bring the section further along in technology, training, and communication throughout the section. Together we can build on what we already have, filtering where necessary, with improvement in all areas of our team responsibilities.
The Indiana Section is facing many challenges as we progress along in the stream of time.We must address both Federal and State credentialing requirements, legislative threats, increased training requirements, and the ever emerging needs of our served agencies and communities. We certainly cannot ignore or avoid their impact. We need to improve in the NTS & traffic handling, in our Section. We have some areas where it is difficult to get a message into. It is vital that we work as a cohesive team to address these challenges, showing understanding and compassion, so we can continue to improve and provide the highest level of service that the people in our communities deserve.
Together, we can provide leadership with a wide open door policy, honestly listening and communicating with each other throughout the Section. Not just within the Leadership Team, but within the entire section’s membership. We are all members of the same ARRL Team. So, this kind of communication is of utmost importance, and when you elect me your new Section Manager I will see that this is accomplished.
Further, within this type of communication, it is necessary for the Section Manager to work closely with the ARRL Officials above him. We are all a team, so working with the Central Division Director and his Vice Director, and other ARRL staff members, so as to get YOUR message across, is a top priority. There is so much to do in protecting Amateur Radio and our ARRL Section Members.
As your Section Manager I will be accountable for carrying out the duties of the office in accordance with ARRL policies established by the Board of Directors and I shall act in the best interest of Amateur Radio and the Indiana Section.
I WILL:
1.Recruit, appoint, and supervise section-level staff in administering our Field Organization’s principal areas of responsibility in the Section. These areas are emergency communications, message traffic handling, technical activity, volunteer monitoring, government relations, public relations in the general community, information services for amateurs, and cooperation with affiliated clubs.
2. I will appoint qualified ARRL members in the section to other Volunteer positions in support of Field Organization objectives, and may authorize section-level staff to make such appointments, as well.
3. I will keep well informed concerning matters of ARRL policy so as to administer our Field Organization in accordance with current policy so as to provide correct information in response to members’ inquiries.
4. I will supervise the activities of section level staff, monitor performance of the Field Organization volunteers, and provide guidance as necessary to ensure that appointees act in the best interest of Amateur Radio and the Indiana Section in accordance with ARRL policies.
5. I will maintain liaison with our Central Division Director, and will make periodic reports to the Director regarding the status of section activities. I will also receive information and guidance from the Director pertaining to matters of mutual concern and interest. I will serve on the Division Cabinet and render advice as requested by the Director.
6. I will conduct correspondence and other communications with our ARRL members and affiliated clubs in the Section. I will make personal visits to clubs, ham fests, and conventions. I will respond to members’ questions and concerns or refer them to the appropriate person or office in the League organization. I will maintain liaison with representative frequency coordinators having jurisdiction in the Section.
7. I will personally write, or supervise the writing of, a monthly “Section News” article. This article will provide information concerning Section activities and will encourage member participation in our field Organization.
8. As your Section Manager I will attend the Section Manager Orientation Training given at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.
9.I will promote recruitment of new amateurs and new ARRL members, and encourage attitudes and actions which welcome new radio amateurs and integrate them into League and club activities.
Folks, together we can do it! Elect me as your new Section Manager and I will see to it that these things and more are accomplished.
I would appreciate your vote in this election, and would enjoy hearing from you. I truly want to hear your concerns. You can drop me a line via e-mail at: loueverettsr@arrl.net. Or, you can give me a call at: 317-622-1130. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please mark your ballots so to elect LOU EVERETT, SR., WA5LOU, as your new Indiana Section Manager.
73 to all!
Lou Everett, Sr., WA5LOU
ARRL Section Traffic Manager, Indiana Section