‰  NOW 25 WPM  ‰  TEXT IS FROM OCTOBER 2017  QST  PAGE 76 ‰

SENATE LEADERSHIP IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL, WHICH SHOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR
MARK UP IN THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE.  ARRL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TOM
GALLAGHER, NY2RF, PRESENTED THE REPORT OF SIX HEADQUARTERS STAFFERS WHO HAD
BEEN TASKED WITH IDENTIFYING THE CHALLENGES FACING ARRL AND DEVISING
FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS.  SPECIFICALLY, THE COMMITTEE ADDRESSED MARKET RESEARCH
FINDINGS THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO REVEAL THAT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF NEW
HAMS JOIN THE LEAGUE, AND ONLY ABOUT HALF OF NEW HAMS ACTUALLY GET ON THE
AIR.  THE COMMITTEE BEGAN WITH THE PREMISE THAT ARRL MUST ACT IN ORDER TO
REMAIN RELEVANT GOING FORWARD.  IT PROPOSED INSTITUTING A LIFELONG LEARNING
PROGRAM TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A CLEAR DEVELOPMENTAL PATH FOR ALL RADIO
AMATEURS, FROM NEWCOMERS TO ESTABLISHED RADIO AMATEURS.  THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF NEW PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO INCREASE THE
KNOWLEDGE BASE OF NEWCOMERS IN ORDER TO GET THEM ACTIVE, AS WELL AS
‰  END OF 25 WPM TEXT  ‰  QST DE W1AW  ƒ