March. 31, 2001

IMPORTANT NOTICE

MERCURY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION (MARA)

The old MARA net for the Bakersfield - San Fernando - Santa Barbara and Simi Regions has been reorganized. The new organization of MARA for the above area will be named the "Los Padres California Chapter", hereafter to be called the Los Padres Chapter.

This entity is separate from the Emergency Response Radio System (ERRS) organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as such will be run as an amateur radio club. The club will be open to all who wish to participate in it. We will re-instate an annual dues program with nominal dues to be used for support of the club and will have various planned activities during the year. We encourage all to join.

Club officers will be elected once a year at a general meeting. Interim club officers will direct the club until the general meeting is held and new officers elected. All officers will be members of the MARA Board of Directors. The interim officers and vacant positions are shown below.

President: Spencer Smith, N6IWY

Vice Pres./Activities (vacant position)

Secretary: (vacant position)

Treasurer: Lee Norris, K6CJE

Net Manager Larry Holdaway, KB6WNA

Repeater Trustee Bob Mushet, K6JHX (fixed position)

Newsletter Editor (vacant position)

Web Master Larry Holdaway, KB6WNA (fixed position)

We would like to have some volunteers step forward and nominate themselves for club officers. You must hold a valid amateur license to be a club officer. Remember, the club will grow as "new blood" is infused into it.

A member application form is included with this mailing. Please return it with your remittance to the addressee shown on it.

The official club newsletter and operating information can be found on the club web site,

Looking forward to a great organization. 73’s

Spencer Smith, N6IWY

Interim President, Los Padres Chapter of MARA