Los Padres MARA Editorial Page

Updated 06-Feb-03

Please submit your articles for the Los Padres MARA Editorial Page to Denis, AF6DD e-mail: webmaster@mara-hams.org

  1. MARA is comprised of volunteer amateur radio operators banded together to help their communities in the event of a disaster or other emergency. Although many MARA members are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is no connection between the two groups. There are MARA groups in other parts of the United States (see links on MARA homepage). Some MARA members are also members of ERRS, ARES, DCS and/or other emergency communications organizations. Operators interested in joining the Los Padres MARA Chapter should print out the attached (linked) Membership Application (Word.doc) or Membership Application (PDF file), fill it in and send it (via snail mail) along with $5.00 dues payable to Lee Norris, K6CJE, 7901 McNulty Ave., Winnetka, CA 91306. (Family price is also $5.00 - 2 or 3, etc. for the price of 1.
  2. We have completed the writing of a Charter for the Los Padres Chapter of MARA (click on the link to review it) and it has been approved by the interim Chapter leaders. Send any comments you may have on the Charter to Denis, AF6DD at: webmaster@mara-hams.org, or Spencer, N6IWY at: n6iwy@sbcglobal.net.
  3. Attached is a letter/notice from Interim President Spencer Smith, N6IWY. Interim Officers for the Los Padres Chapter of MARA were installed at the Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, 21-Mar-01. They are as follows:

President: Spencer Smith, N6IWY, Simi Valley

Treasurer: Lee Norris, K6CJE, Winnetka

Repeater Steward: Bob Mushet, K6JHX, Agoura Hills

Net Manager:

Webpage Manager: Denis DeFigueiredo, AF6DD, Canyon Country

A Word from the Chapter President:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

To all MARA members:

In order for our organization to move forward we need to staff it. Each MARA officer has certain responsibilities associated with his office, which in turn, when meshed with the responsibilities of the other officers cover the gamut and make a smooth running club. It's akin to the human body, we need all of the parts to make it function. When the body misses an arm or a leg, it still can function, but not very well.

The Los Padres Chapter Board of Directors is presently in the process of nominating members for all of the various offices, i.e., president, vice president, secretary, treasurer etc. Our goal is to have at least two people running for each office on the ballot. There are two ways to obtain these names. The first is to be a volunteer, and the second is to be nominated by the Board.

Please seriously give thought to becoming a club officer. You have heard us say that, "new blood," is the spice of life. This is certainly true. Our current officers have served for several terms and would be happy to see new faces lead the club.

There seem to be a stigma that exists, i.e., "... if I become an officer, I will not have time to do the job; .... I have other callings; ..... my family needs me home; ...I don't
know how to do the job, etc.

Let me clarify our charter.

1. We only are required to have one general meeting a year (and other meetings
as deemed necessary).

2. You, as on officer, will work with the complete board. You will not have to do
everything by yourself.

3. The outgoing board will remain an "Advisory Board" to help and provide
assistance to the incoming board.

With this in mind, it will not take long hours of planning to put together a program.

Please see our web page: MARA-HAMS.ORG for job descriptions for each office.

To those of you who have received nominations, please reconsider them. It makes no difference what class of amateur radio license that you have. All that one needs to do is to be of legal age (only for president) and be willing to make the effort. Being an officer is a rewarding experience. To those of you that want to volunteer, please email me at n6iwy@sbcglobal.net or call me at (805) 583-1127.

With your help, I look forward to a successful 2002 club year.

73

Spencer Smith, N6IWY
President, Los Padres Chapter - MARA