Just on a completely different topic -

ARRL is keen on de-emphasizing the "Radio Relay League" connotation.
This was in the works since Kay Craigie was President.  Why? Most
people, including most hams do not know about the ARRL as a radio
relay league. Also, our mission has changed significantly from that
time.

So now, "American Radio Relay League, Inc." is still our legal name.
However, we are now legally also known as, "ARRL, the National
Association for Amateur Radio." On my business card it doesn't have
"Radio Relay League" anywhere. Some directors choose to make their own
and keep that. On the Division YouTube channel I put it because it
fits with the animations and graphics better. But "Radio Relay League"
is well in the past.

Today, think of "Five Pillars" which is what ARRL marketing concentrates on:

- Supports the awareness and growth of Amateur Radio worldwide;
- Advocates for meaningful access to radio spectrum;
- Strives for every member to get involved, get active, and get on the air;
- Encourages radio experimentation and, through its members, advances
radio technology and education; and
- Organizes and trains volunteers to serve their communities by
providing public service and emergency communications.

Now, there IS one function of the ARRL that is concentrated on message
handling and relaying - and that is the National Traffic System, or
NTS, which is still alive and well. There are plans in the works to
enhance and modernize NTS, and it is happening, albeit slowly but it
is happening.

Not intended to diminish anything here, just providing this
supplemental viewpoint.

73
Ria, N2RJ
Director, Hudson Division
ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio <--- that's what I tell people

On Wed, 12 Aug 2020 at 08:30, John Glover via groups.arrl.org
<johnglover66=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
>
> My comment to Dave and Val is admittedly not focused on the precise topic at hand, so I am out of line making it, here.  But I'll ask forgiveness, rather for permission!
>
> It's not really my place to comment, but I did, so in for a penny in for a pound I suppose.....
>
> I would never diminish the accomplishments of the top DXers.  Through ingenuity, labor, and investment they have created truly amazing facilities.
>
> However, IMHO the apparent intensity of this debate is a window into why so many licensees are not members of or otherwise engaged with the ARRL.  It is also a window into why amateur radio has not otherwise gained traction in certain communities.
>
> In this thread, DXCC has been described as the organization's "premier offering", and that seems a very accurate description of how it, and by extension, the ARRL, is perceived (there was even a comment in this thread about revising an estate plan; what is being said behind closed doors?).
>
> This is the problem.
>
> The organization is the American radio RELAY league.  Formed because Maxim had difficulty passing a message. i.e., he was unable to work the "DX" (consider the potential irony that the  ARRL was formed as the anathema of working DX, yet has become synonymous with working DX).  The first pillar of its mission statement is "public service."
>
> The organization is not, say, INDEXA.
>
> For every hardcore DXer, there are 10+ amateurs (and for every hardcore low band or VHF DXer, hundreds?) who have at most a passing interest in that aspect of the activity; whose connection to the hobby is some sort of public service (CERT, ARES, personalized 'prepping') or generalized rf techniques.
>
> The ability to communicate globally via direct RF certainly is a manifestation of experimentation and technological advancement (the fourth pillar), and is therefore an important, integral part of the organization's mission statement.  Those who demonstrate exceptional achievement should, without question, be recognized for such.
>
> But it does not capture the essence of the ARRL's mission statement.
>
> The Public Service Honor Roll ought to be viewed, without question, as the ARRL's "premier offering."
>
> Just my two cents.  YMMV.
>
> 73 de W2QL
>