The ARRL is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award. This annual honor goes to a radio amateur who has demonstrated success in Amateur Radio public relations and best exemplifies volunteer spirit of the award's namesake, Phil McGan, WA2MBQ (SK). As the first chairman of the ARRL Public Relations Committee, McGan helped to reinvigorate the League’s commitment to public relations. Nominations are due at ARRL Headquarters by May 25, 2012.

“Throughout the year, ARRL Public Information Coordinators (PICs), Public Information Officers (PIOs) and other public relations volunteers strive to keep Amateur Radio visible in their communities,” explained ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. “They do this by publicizing special events, writing press releases and maintaining good relations with local news media. Their efforts benefit us all. Nominating someone -- and recognizing his or her public relations achievements -- is “the perfect way to say ‘thank you’ for promoting Amateur Radio.”

The McGan Award honors achievement in public relations. Pitts pointed out the distinction between public relations -- essentially getting Amateur Radio’s message to the public -- and public service, which is Amateur Radio activity on behalf of the public, such as supporting emergency communication. “If you’re considering nominating someone in your area for the McGan Award, please ask yourself if your candidate’s work fits the public relations definition,” he said.

The McGan Award recognizes those Public Relations activities that include efforts specifically directed at bringing Amateur Radio to the public’s attention (and most often to the news media’s) in a positive light. These may include traditional methods such as news releases, or less-traditional methods such as hosting a radio show or being an active public speaker.

Unfortunately, McGan never got to see how well his own PR efforts paid off. In his honor, his friends in the New Hampshire Amateur Radio Association joined with the ARRL Board of Directors to pay a lasting tribute to the important contributions he made on behalf of Amateur Radio by establishing this annual award. A committee of volunteers knowledgeable about Amateur Radio public relations will pick the winner, subject to approval by the ARRL Board of Directors. All McGan Award nominees must be a full ARRL member -- not a group -- in good standing and may not be regularly compensated for public relations work involving Amateur Radio, including payment for articles. Nominees may not be a current officer, director, vice director or paid staff member, or a member of the current selection committee.

Nominations must be received at ARRL Headquarters by 5 PM Eastern Time on May 25, 2012. The committee will not consider nominations that arrive after the deadline or without an entry form. Complete details -- including an official nomination form, eligibility requirements and instructions on how to nominate someone -- are available on the ARRL website. Completed entry forms and supporting materials should be mailed to Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award, c/o Allen Pitts, W1AGP, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.