Marathon County ARES/RACES

In an effort to keep everyone informed as to what is being discussed at the state level, this blog will follow the discussions of the state net and report on anything that needs to be reported on.

On the 8/22/2010 net, the following Net Reports were made:

• Denny K9LGU (Section Traffic Manager) - Discussed recieving messages when it may be garbeled, etc., and how we should make an attempt to get the message through.  The example used was if the contact information was incomplete we can use phone books, callsign look up, etc.  When making contact with the party to whom the message is intened, make sure to identify yourself as a ham and that you are not trying to sell anything, all you are trying to do is deliver a radiogram.  If unable to deliver the message, then you send a service message which will be discussed next week.
• Skip W9REL (Section Emergency Coordinator) - Directed us to the WI ARES/RACES website so that we can start registering for the fall conference.  He also suggested that we begin making preparations for the annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET) which will be held on Oct. 2nd 2010.

Net topic: What are we doing with our local groups to make sure that our volunteers are acting as professional as possible when in the field?

Mentoring, coaching and providing an example for our operators seemed to be the theme from everyones comments.  My thoughts tend to shadow those comments in such that we have to provide a good example and make sure that everyone understands that professionalism is expected at all time during an activation.  If someone is not behaving appropriatly, don't make a big scene, but try and discuss the problem with the individual on a 1 on 1 basis later on.

One big comment was made that really stuck with me.  When we are activated for a event, it isn't a club activity, and as such there are a lot higher expectations as we are working with professionals.