ARRL Board Political Disqualification, Code of Conduct, and Censure Activity

Letter from Commissioner Mark Weiss, K6FG, describing ARRL Forum

From: Mark Weiss
Date: Thu, Nov 9, 2017 at 4:45 AM
Subject: Code of Conduct
To: n6aa@arrl.org

November 9, 2017

Richard J. Norton, N6AA

ARRL Southwestern Division Director

Dear Dick,

This email is sent to you in response Director Dick Norton's request that I provide you with my recollection of some events that took place at the ARRL Forum during the 2017 International DX Convention in Visalia, California.

For your consideration, at the end of this letter I have included a brief statement of my relevant background information.

I don't recall the identity of all of the members of the Visalia ARRL Forum's panel, but Dick Norton appeared to be the primary speaker.

One of the topics addressed was the new Code of Conduct.

Dick Norton began the program by stating that he, as a Director, fully supports the actions of the Board of Directors. He covered some points of the new code that impact his relationship with the membership. Dick then inquired of those present if there were any questions or comments from the floor.

In response to Dick's inquiry, several of us raised our hands and were recognized.

When I spoke, I was very direct in my strong opposition to enactment of the confidentiality provisions contained in the Code of Conduct. My expressed thoughts included, but were not limited to the following:

1. I acknowledged that Board member loyalty and commitment to the League was properly mandated; but the gag order contained in the Code of Conduct is clearly contrary to my sense of serving the best interests of the ARRL members.

2. I stated that contrary to the view expressed by the current ARRL administration, ARRL is a representative organization. That is, our districts elect directors and vice-directors to create and implement policies and rules that best represent the interests of amateur radio in general, AND THE INTERESTS OF OUR DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR.

3. It is my understanding that directors and vice-directors are precluded from informing their district members of the various (and conflicting) views expressed by the directors during the legislative process. If my observation is correct, I fear following will occur:

A. I may never be provided with information upon which I can evaluate the propriety of the Board's action.

B. I will never know the positions advocated or supported by my director at the Board meeting.

C. I will never know if my elected director acted in furtherance of the best interests of the hobby in general, or in the best interests my district in particular.

D. I will have no factual basis upon which to support or oppose my director's bid for reelection when his or her current term ends.

Much to my surprise, as I was sitting down after I finished delivering my brief remarks, there was unanimous and very loud applause. I was shocked because I had not intended to stir up widespread opposition to the ARRL leadership's action; it was my intention to simply express the reasons for my opposition to the Code of Conduct.

It was immediately apparent to me that my remarks resonated with nearly everyone in the room. In fact, at the conclusion of discussion of the issue, the call for a vote in support or opposition to the Code of Conduct resulted in an overwhelming condemnation of the Code.

The Code of Conduct has been discussed at meetings I attended this year at our local radio clubs. The consensus among the club members was always consistent with the reaction to my comments at the Visalia ARRL Forum.

It is my fear that the League is heading down the path of becoming a secret "Star Chamber" organization without the transparency to which our membership is entitled.

Please do not form the impression that I believe Board disclosure to the membership is absolute. I indeed recognize the need to maintain confidentiality of proceedings in appropriate circumstances.

The Code of Conduct is already generating adverse consequences to the League. I personally know of valuable bequests that have been withdrawn as a result of the new disclosure rules. If this action is a trend, the League will definitely be harmed.

It is my opinion that the League's leadership made a major mistake in adopting the Code of Conduct. Please do what you can to cause the Board to revisit the Code of Conduct legislation. Please remove the "gag order" provisions. Please freshen the air the surrounds the ARRL leadership.

Thank you & 73,

MARK A. WEISS, K6FG

P.S. The following is a brief summary of my background:


	Amateur Radio
		ARRL life member
		Former chair of IARU Region 2 Band Plan Committee
		Former member of ARRL Band Plan Committee

	Employment:
		1967-1968: Litton Data Systems. Engineer
		1969-1985: Attorney
		1986-2006: Los Angeles County Superior Court