On CCRC Elections

An open letter to Coos Radio Club members.

Dear CCRC,

A mentor of mine once counseled a team on “kicking it into a higher gear.” She was talking about a product line.

“If things get stale the line will fail.”

The same applies to the Coos Radio Club. But! We are not stale. We do, however, need to keep moving forward and kick it into gear for this election.

Since joining the club in 2024, we’ve made enormous progress. We’ve invested in Field Days with remarkable success, and supported notable community events. We own and have fitted-up a club trailer at considerable expense. We have Social Media blasting our message all over the place.

Thank you Gary N6BLU for your leadership, energy and hard work during your term as our President. Coos County Radio Club is in a solid position to move forward.

My first involvement with NPO management goes back to 1986. I’ve been a steady volunteer, often an officer and occasionally an executive with community organizations. I currently serve on three non-profit boards. I will stay on this year with CCRC as a Director. (It’s the easiest gig I ever agreed to take.)

In the interest of a very fruitful Club Election season, I’ll share what I’ve learned in 40 years of success and failure.

First, a few of the qualifications volunteers do not need to bring into the mix.

• No new vision required. What the club does, its purpose and what comes next are almost statutorily fixed.
• Knowing everything is impossible. There are people in the club who know things. Pave the way, get them involved.
• Doing everything is impossible. Delegate. There are people in the club who can manage projects and programs. Pave the way for them also.
• Doing everything “the same as always” is boring. Change is good, mix things up. But do it a little at a time. Make if fun.
• Controlling everything stifles creativity. Let folks run with the tasks they enjoy.
• No previous experience is required.
  • An expert understanding of non-profit operations and club-community relationships is not required. There are benevolent past Presidents, Officers and Directors available who can walk and talk through any situation — who will break their necks to help.
• There are no problems, only opportunities. Full stop.

Second. The most important gifts leadership can give to their community boils down to three attitudes.

1. If you care enough to invest some of your time.
2. If you can be available, listen and respond. Be thoughtful.
3. If you can accommodate and respect messy people. (I’m just saying it out loud. We’re all messy and weird. Especially Ham radio nerds!)

Coos County Radio Club is an important community asset. For me, it centers around emergency communications. For others it will be something else. The point is our community will need our skills someday. Let’s be ready to respond “when all else fails.”

Please think seriously about serving in one of the seats we need to fill.

I appreciate everyone in the club. Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,

David KK7WXV