One of the most rewarding aspects I have had in the Parker Radio Association has been serving the membership as President. The role, as well as the opportunity, has helped form me in ways that have helped me personally and professionally. At the same time, I am a firm believer that every good leader surrounds themselves with people much smarter than they are and I have been fortunate that every member of the PRA Board and Committee Chairs in the past eight years has fulfilled that mission of intelligence surrounding. Serving in a leadership position within any organization requires passion, integrity, empathy, and the will to have fun through the process.
This month, the membership will go through the nomination process to identify and select candidates that we have the confidence that can manage the organization, but also lead our group beyond what we can see in the here and now. If you have ever wanted to be a part of the leadership team, this is your opportunity. Over the few weeks, you will see regular emails in our blasts and from Brad, W0BDT, our Election Chairperson. Brad, along with Bill, W0SUN and Alan, AC0F, will overseeing the nomination and election. In these regular updates, a summary of each position is detailed, as you have started to see in the weekly email blasts. The best part of the PRA, if you want to know more about a particular position, all you have to do is ask the current holder. As you have hopefully experienced, we are a very transparent organization and we promote learning, teaching, and leadership in the amateur radio service.
Maybe you are not quite ready for a Board position; that is absolutely understandable. However, maybe you have a passion for one of the PRA committees like the Repeater Committee or Elmer Committee. The Committee Chairs not only work closely with the PRA Board, but it is in these committees where the magic happens and “stuff” gets done. The PRA Board is not in place to make all the decisions; the Board is in place to guide and guard the organization. If decisions were made only from the top, we certainly would not have as much fun as we have the last eight years. At the same time, we would never have accomplished what we have done in a relatively short period of time. If you have a passion and interest in leading a PRA Committee going into 2022, let it be known!
The State of the PRA is strong and it is strong because of the amazing members that are passionate in giving of their time, talent and treasures. Going into nomination and election season, take stock in the importance of this process and if you are giving consideration for a position on the Board or Committee, make it known so that you are given all the encouragement and support possible. During this time, may we all embrace the passion, integrity, empathy and will to serve our membership happily, with a spirit of fun, and simply do the right things for our organization.
73,
Dan – N2SRK
President
Parker Radio Association