Comments on: Observations on a Transformation

By: Logan VA3DLE

Logan VA3DLE — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:46:29 +0000

Geoff
What has happened to the Blog?? Since Peter’s departure the silence is deafening! I had been receiving emails on a regular basis keeping me informed (and peaking my interest) on the current status of issues surrounding RAC.
Since the blog was moved I have received no mails and checking the “”new blog”" I find very little has been added, if anything at all.
The posts that had been sent to the “”old blog”", I found very interesting and informative. That type of open dialogue, I feel, is what is needed for the Canadian ham community to understand the issues and form their opinions on what they feel is needed for “”their future”" in ham radio. Ultimately, to support RAC and membership, or not.
To this end, it appears Peter’s departure from the scene was very untimely. Only knowing of him from the blog and his posts, his dedication to RAC and determination to sort the issues and make it work was obvious.
Whatever his reasons for leaving are his own, and best of luck to him. However this has left a void and noone has picked up the gauntlet, silence prevails. This does nothing to disspell the image of “old boys club” and “secret society”. Some may even look at it as a form of censorship.
The “old blog”, as it was, was working. The “new blog” seems dead.
I can only hope that RAC does not have the same fate as the new blog, death by lack of interest.

Logan, VA3DLE

By: Dave Hayes VE3JX

Dave Hayes VE3JX — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:11:06 +0000

Hi Geoff,

Thank you for your second open letter.

You stated & asked: “We will need to loop back to our membership and test the outcomes of our deliberations to all 5000 members not just the 200 plus that blog. In previous communications I had asked how we can best communicate to our members … the question still stands.”

The best suggestions I can think of to answer your question is:

1. Use the extensive AD network that presently exists;
2. Enlist the Field Organization to spread the word to their volunteers;
3. Utilize the bulletin editors of local clubs throughout the country;
4. Have all the above point to the RAC Blog for up-to-date info.

Point #3 is a very important and extensive network that cannot be ignored in this process. Give us the info and we’ll spread it locally.

That’s my answer anyway.

Thanks for your insights and hard work.

By: Dave Hayes VE3JX

Dave Hayes VE3JX — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:57:57 +0000

I don’t quite understand what happened here, but, initially, we’ve lost two dedicated individuals.

One has returned to help continue the transformation. I would request – actually beseech – Peter West to do the same.

We need you Peter, whatever mistakes were made. Please rescind your resignation and continue to guide us in your important area of the RAC transformation process. I think all parties probably now feel the same way.

Sincerely,
Dave Hayes VE3JX.

By: Garry McCallum

Garry McCallum — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:29:15 +0000

“We cannot burn our people. No process is so important or pure that we can allow our line volunteers to be burned or be callous when that happens. As an executive for more than two decades I can tell you that when someone in good faith undertakes a task for you they must be supported and defended, period.” …Geoff Bawden VE4BAW

I might suggest another related principal -

We cannot burn or people. No process is so important or pure that we can allow our line volunteers to be “strong armed” into volunteering at the expense of family, livelihood or health.

All too often we beg, cajole or guilt trip our capable volunteers into doing too much for the amateur radio community. Sometimes at huge personal costs. Once burned they almost never come back. This is usually (but not always) because there are not enough volunteers to step up and fill the role or share the work load. This issue is not unique to RAC but permeates the amateur radio community in Canada.

If we cannot support all of the current or legacy activities of RAC with the currently available volunteers then we need to rescale the activities such that we do a few things well rather than many things badly. If the volunteer experience was a positive one, we might have more volunteers. If that means “burning the platform” and redefining new sustainable goals then so be it.

Garry McCallum VE5PNQ

By: Stephen Mayne

Stephen Mayne — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 03:27:43 +0000

First off Geoff, please understand that my issue herein lies with those who felt it necessary to sandbag me as you so aptly put it and not the fact that I made a mistake or rather, mis-spoke. I am only human (my wife may care to disagree with me from to time)…

As noted, our past seems to dog us and in some cases, our actions have caused us harm as is the case here. We need to get past the past in order to work on our future.

That said, Peter West wrote me and helped me realize, as have you, Ian McFarquhar and Bill Unger, that although a negative issue arose, something positive can be made of it, a lesson learned to help improve our future, and is that not ultimately one of our goals in the effort to transform RAC?

We cannot and should not hide or shirk from our failures or errors, nor can we afford wallow in them, but rather learn from our mistakes and move on. You have proven that RAC has truly begun the process with your transparency and honesty so I stand to say yes, I erred, yes I learned and here I wish to say that if RAC still wants me to work to help grow into, and strengthen the future of amateur radio in Canada then I say, I AM IN.

STEPHEN MAYNE VE3LWX

AD North & Eastern Ontario
& Coordinator of Philanthropy