For many years, members of VOL ARES have received training credit for participating in on-air nets, attending monthly meetings, and participating in public service events and Field Day. However, the group has never established a minimum amount of hours or credit for anyone wanting to maintain their membership in the organization. I believe it is time to establish such a requirement for several reasons: 1) it is important that ARES members that want to assist with public service events or deploy in times of crisis be properly trained and prepared to do their job as an amateur radio operator; 2) it is an incentive for folks to participate in as many ARES activities as possible. During any given year, VOL ARES holds 52 weekly nets on the 147.240, and ten monthly meetings not including Field Day as well as participates in three to four SETS including bike-a-thons. In addition, some members act as net control stations or serve as a member of the VOL ARES volunteer examination team. Thus, there are many opportunities to participate and receive credit for the service. At the same time, it is understood that members need flexibility in order to fulfill these minimum requirements. Some members may not be able to attend monthly meetings due to work, health or other factors but can participate in nets. Others find themselves in reverse circumstances for one reason or another.
As a result of considerable discussion between the EC and AECS, we have agreed to give each member points for participating in the above mentioned activities. The point structure is as follows:
Participation in nets (e.g., VOL ARES weekly net; East Coast District weekly net; Goblin Patrol): 1 point each.
Participation in monthly meetings: 2 points each.
Participation in Field Day, SETS, and drills: 3 points each.
Participation as NCS, VE team: 2 points.
Meeting Program Presenter: 2 points.
Given the wealth of opportunity to participate in ARES events, we do not believe that the accumulation of a a minimum of 30 points will pose a great burden for each member. This minimum can be reached by participating in any combination of the above listed activities to provide flexibility. For example, homebound folks could fulfill the minimum requirement by checking into 30 nets. The EC will track each member’s activity. Members that are not participating in nets or meetings will be contacted and extenuating circumstances will be taken into account. We hope that VOL ARES members are willing to meet these modest requirements in order to maintain membership in a group that promises to be there for the community “when all else fails.”
Steve Craft