[k6arc] Net Check-in Discussion

[Chuck Bland - NA6BR]

Good evening all from Florida.

I have read these emails with interest. I must say, I am surprised at the
fervor that has been stirred by this by a subject that has not been
mentioned in my memory with this club, nor have I heard it done our our
net before.

I have at least considered all inputs that have come my way, directly and
indirectly. Good ideas can sometimes come from likely and unlikely places.
This email list is certainly a good place and I want it to continue.

Several criteria should be employed in our decision process. Certainly,
our membership has the strongest voice, as it should be, since it is their
club. But it is a collective voice. No one person or their ideas bear
enough weight that merits automatic adoption. Even me. Especially me.

So, we have before us a proposal that mobiles be allowed check-in before
others. In many ways, I am apathetic about this, even as someone who has
frequently checked-in from my vehicle. I have never felt the need to be
moved to the front of the line, nor have I felt neglected that I wasn't
asked. I also think it has been clear for the last few years that we
haven't done mobile check-ins, so I don't understand the sudden
expectation that we should be doing it and had people waiting for it to
happen.

In the big picture, I could go either way on this. It isn't a big deal and
it isn't worth the high feelings.

But, I will say this; the case to do this has not been made. The only
reasons I've seen in support of this is basically that two other clubs do
this.

So what?

Decisions made on policy in this club are made on the merit of the
proposed idea and not on what other groups do. Such a consideration may be
a factor, but by itself, it is not a reason.

The considerations I would look at are:

Does our net have a problem because this isn't happening?
If so, how would it solve the problem?

Does our net stand to gain if we start doing this?

How many members actually want this?

What is the opinion of the club at large?

Our entire club structure and policies are flexible. That flexibility
comes in varying degrees, depending on the scope of the change. But all
ideas and proposals get due consideration but not automatic adoption.
There are good ideas and there are bad ideas. Some will be accepted and
some will be rejected. That's the way things work.

I don't see an issue in play that merits anything but civil discourse.
Let's hear from more members. State your opinion and make your case. I
welcome our members being involved in the life of their club.

It is one of many factors that make us a group and hobby in which people
want to participate. Let's encourage that.

Chuck