New RSGB Honorary Treasurer

The RSGB Board is pleased to confirm the appointment of Chris Wood, GD6TWF as Honorary Treasurer with immediate effect. Chris is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has spent many years as a senior accountant within the banking industry, with roles including director level responsibilities and audit. Chris lives on the Isle of Man and continues to enjoy his long interest in yachting as a volunteer with the Isle of Man Sailing for the Disabled Charity. He joined the RSGB and became licensed whilst still at school and has maintained his interest since. The Society welcomes Chris to his new role.

New Section Manager Appointed for Northern New York

Thomas Dick, KF2GC, Section Manager for the ARRL Northern New York Section, has stepped down after serving, first from 2000 – 2006 and again from 2009 – present. ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, has appointed Rocco Conte, WU2M, of Gloversville, New York, to succeed him on an interim basis. Conte has served as an Assistant Section Manager and District Emergency Coordinator for the last several years. His appointment became effective 17th January 2022.

ARRL Foundation to Create club grants program

The ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of amateur radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Clubs historically have recruited, licensed and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for radio amateurs to continue their education and training.

“This program will substantially contribute to the growth of amateur radio clubs and their efforts to expand and support the amateur radio community.”

— Dr. David Woolweaver, ARRL Foundation President

The new ARRL Foundation Club Grants program, funded by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), will make $500,000 available to clubs, enabling them to more easily provide and expand these important services. The program will provide up to $25,000 for worthy club projects, while requests for more than that will be referred back to ARDC.

Beginning in April 2022, amateur radio clubs will be able to apply for these grants by filling out a simple form on the ARRL website. The ARRL Foundation will then evaluate the grant proposals, with a key criterion being how the project will advance amateur radio in the grantee’s community. In most cases, this process should take no longer than 90 days.

“We’re very excited about working with the ARRL Foundation on this program,” she says, “We can’t wait to see what kinds of creative things clubs will do with these grants”

— Rosy Schechter, ARDC Executive Director