AF6AY wrote:
On Mar 25, 6:57�pm, (Michael Black) wrote:
"AF6AY" ) writes:
� �The "Diamond Terrace" project is something the ARRL
� �thought up...apparently to enshrine its own home grounds.
� �I have nothing against such a project but I object to what
� �I think is a mis-use of "my club" funds in order to boost
� �their home grounds appearance and "memory." �[I am a
� �member of the ARRL]
� �Making up some nebulous "reason" for enshrining some
� �names, possibly callsigns, in a "memory walk" area is a
� �rather transparent effort to bring in more funds for the home
� �ground's budget. �It only reinforces a false delusion of
� �"greatness" of past amateur radio hobbyists which will lead
� �other, newer amateurs into a false idea of their hobby.
How can it be a misuse in the first paragraph when in the second you see
it as a means of fundraising?

The ARRL is using its PRESENT facilities to publicize this
"Diamond Terrace." I would personally prefer they do
something else with "donations" rather than beautify their
grounds with memorials that are 3K miles from me.

So don't pay for a brick.


Any organization generally has a fixed income, and a fixed budget. �If they
want to do something extraordinary, they need to do this sort of fundraising
campaign, so they can raise money without raising fees or whatever their
usual source of income.

Let's cut to the chase here. The ARRL is *also* a publishing
business.

That's a startling revelation, Leonard. Should the League rev up the
presses when it needs money for additional projects?


This is basically an extension of that fundraiser. �The idea being
taht if there is something permanent, people are more likely to donate
money. �If they get something tangible, they don't even have to be
concerned with what the money is used for, which means "outsiders"
can even be tempted to donate. �(Maybe not in this case, but when
that theatre group here has their annual raffle, the lure of the prizes
should mean a broadened base of ticket buyers.)

I am more than familiar with theater groups, even if they spell
it "theatre." :-) Lots of them in the Los Angeles area. This
is the entertainment center of the world (and big business,
regardless of what NYC thinks).

Is it your opinion that NYC doesn't think that Hollywood makes movies?

I'm not going to wage war over this Diamond Terrace project.
I just object to it in its present form, okay?

Then don't buy a brick.

I say again, I don't care for THIS particular "memorial" thing
and it means nothing to me for spiffying-up some building
entrance that is 3K miles from me in cold New England
territory.

So your view is that you'd cough up if it was closer to Los Angeles?

What would Hawaiian or Alaskan amateurs think
of such "memorials" considering they are even further away?

They'd probably think that they'd bought a brick to be placed at the
Headquarters of the largest amateur radio fraternal organization in the
world.

Bottom line: The ARRL is *not* some local club that
depends near-total on member contributions.

Would you be more inclined to buy a brick to be placed at some local
club in New England?

But,
the way I see it, the League sometimes tries sales pitches
to make distant members THINK they "need to contribute."

You don't have to buy a brick, Len.

Dave K8MN