SC Section manager election results
After waiting what felt like an eternity, I was advised by ARRL HQ yesterday that I have been elected to serve as Section Manager for a full 2-year term starting January 1st. I have already spoken with Billy Irwin (K9OH) and thanked him for his participation in the race and ensured his continued role as Assistant Section Manager – SKYWARN Program Manager where his dedication and experience have been invaluable. I now want to communicate a big THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to submit a vote for Billy or me. We appreciate your participation. While I know a lot of you outside of the midlands don’t know me yet, I plan to visit all the clubs and hamfests/tailgates I can over the next two years. Please take a moment to stop by the ARRL SC booth and say hello if you see me. I will have the Section Manager report posted tomorrow.
73
W1MRC
florence hamfest
* Please read the below from Donald Bryant, KB4RRC in reference to the Florence Hamfest tomorrow 09/07/2024 *
“Hi Gang !
Florence Amateur Radio Club Vice President Bruce Turner, WW4BT and I had a pow wow at 8am and decided to continue forward with the Hamfest Tomorrow. We do not know what the low pressure is going to do tas it passes along the coast tomorrow. Some say .1 inch of rain and some say .7 inches of rain, we don't know when and how much.
I would ask that every coming to sell be prepared and have a covering if outside.... IT IS POSSIBLE WE MAY EXTEND THE TIME TO 2PM ! Lots of unknowns at this point! There is plenty of inside space and a shed on the outside we can maximize.
My Cell Number is 843-615-0277 for any last minute questions or inquiries as to our status tomorrow.
We will keep you all posted !”
Greetings…
…to all Amateur Radio Operators, especially those in South Carolina! I’m Matthew Crook, W1MRC, and I am your new South Carolina Section Manager as of July 1, 2024. I have served as Assistant Section Manager under John, NJ4Z, since June 2023. I have a short bio on my qrz.com page, so I am not going to post that here. However, reach out to me if you have any questions or need any assistance.
I’m excited to have this opportunity to work with hams across the state to grow both the number of (active) hams and ARRL membership in South Carolina. I believe the biggest key to our success is successful clubs. As we finally have COVID and Lockdowns behind us I am seeing several clubs locally growing and becoming very active. I am sure there are more across the state that I am not aware of yet doing the same.
The ARRL Section Manger e-mail capability is currently still unavailable, otherwise, John and I would have pushed out e-mail notifications already of these updates. Please bear with us as ARRL gets all their online services back in working order.
As time permits I plan to visit as many clubs in SC as I can. Please send me an e-mail if you have a specific date you want to request a visit.
My current term as Section Manager ends 12/31/2024. Elections will be held in September/October for the 2025/2026 term, so please watch for your ballots, e-mail notifications, and postings here and ARRL.org.
Last and definitely not least, Thank you to John Gendron for serving as SC SM and giving me both the opportunity to serve as SC ASM and now SC SM. Thank you Dr. Jim, Bill, and the current SC cabinet for your support as I step into this new role. Thank you Marc Tarplee for setting the high bar of excellence for the SC SM during his 13 years in the position.
73
Matthew, W1MRC
Changing of the guard
I hope this finds everyone well. When I was asked to fill out the section manager term for Dr Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, in late May 2023 I was honored and excited to give back to amateur radio. I am passionate about amateur radio and the people within our ham community. I looked forward to serving the hams of South Carolina for as long as they would have me. I enjoyed the opportunities presented by the position and meeting folks across the palmetto state.
My goal as section manager was not only to represent and support ARRL members in the state but to serve the entire amateur community. It also encompassed promoting amateur radio to anyone and everyone.
This said, my time as section manager has come to an end. In late 2023 my wife and I purchased property in the foothills of North Carolina to build our retirement home. We are beginning construction with a move slated sometime in mid to late 2025 planned. I could not in good conscience run for re-election as section manger in late 2024. I discussed this with key members of the SC cabinet, our Roanoke leadership and ARRL HQ in Newington. After much thought, it made sense for me to step down to allow another section manger the time to get their feet wet and earn the support of the ARRL members of South Carolina in the coming election and provide consistency in leadership in the years to come.
As of July 1, 2024 I have resigned my position as ARRL SC section manager. Matthew Crook, W1MRC of Lexington, SC who served as an assistant section manger since May of 2024 has agreed to fill out this term. Matthew has a passion for amateur radio, he is a strong leader and has great vision. Matthew is very involved in his local club (Ridge Amateur Radio Club) and has helped many clubs across the state. He provided much help during my term as section manager and will make you all proud to be part of the SC amateur community. I look forward to serving in his cabinet as an assistant section manager until I make the move to the foothills.
It was an absolute honor and privilege to serve this last year in the role as section manager. I appreciated all the support and encouragement. Please support and encourage Matthew as he takes the reigns as section manager.
Until next time… 73 and stay passionate about amateur radio.
John Gendron, NJ4Z
ARRL Foundation Club Grant Program
The ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of Amateur Radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Clubs historically have recruited, licensed and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for radio amateurs to continue their education and training.
ARRL Foundation Club Grant Program
The ARRL Club Grant Program will be accepting grant proposals from June 3, 2024 through July 26, 2024.
The ARRL Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the Club Grant Program for 2024.
ARRL Club Grant Program at a glance:
·Click HERE to apply.
The ARRL Club Grant Program will be accepting grant proposals from June 3, 2024 through July 26, 2024.
·Grants will be available up to $25,000
·Clubs who receive grants will be required to share updates and reports with ARRL
·Clubs do not need to be ARRL-affiliated clubs or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
·Emphasis is given to projects that are transformative in nature.
·Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: get on the air projects; ham training and skills development through mentoring; STEM and STEAM learning through Amateur Radio; station resources for use by the ham community; and emergency communications and public service projects that emphasize training
·Grant funds may not be used for commercial or for-profit projects