Our group has higher general ham radio operators’ participation in public service/training than many. In order to have an ARES group serving the county, you must have a certain level of altruistic–willing to serve others–hams in the county and group. It can’t be everyone just sitting at home depending on an ever-diminishing group “down at the EOC” serving them. It has to be a two-way street. There has to be a sharing of responsibilities. Otherwise, eventually, there won’t be anyone “down at the EOC” to get your call.
Part of that is being willing to join in and be part of the group, the “team,” sharing the responsibilities. Over the years, we have had the expected number of hams moving in and out of activity. But there has to be a supply of more hams moving into activity with the group, learning how things work, understanding and serving at the EOC, deploying to shelters, being involved in our training, and exercises such as the ARRL SET, and Winter and ARRL Field Days.
You have to be “trainable”–willing to learn. Most of the problems in groups stem from difficulties in personal interaction–we have to work at getting along and all these activities are part of that. Time working shoulder to shoulder with others is how you get to be understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, which we all have. You must be flexible: “Semper Gumby” is an old saying in the ARES community.
Exercises like the Field Days, the annual Simulated Emergency Test and others are chances to get out of the house, and into a group. It can’t be all loners–you don’t build public service strengths with loners. All of us have tendencies to just want to be on our own–but that means there won’t be anyone at this or that shelter, or at the EOC, etc. Our group always has plenty of empty spots and slots for activity: lots of places for people to plug in, ask for help, get some mentoring, join in the fray! We have all kinds of people in our group, with all kinds of different ways of serving (which we appreciate) –but in the end, we have to have a team.
And this is how you keep a volunteer public service group going. So, what will be your decision? Join in, or shrink back? The hams in the community basically decide where ham radio “goes” in public service. The professionals simply look to see if we have volunteers in the needed slots. If we don’t–they don’t see us as useful. That’s obvious and fair. Now it’s up to you.–Gordon Gibby, KX4Z