The “goose and the gander” idiom is well-integrated into American culture. It means, of course, that what applies to one person should also apply to another, essentially stating that everyone should be treated equally. This article uses that metaphor with respect to how the ethics of consistent Bylaw adherence play out at the American Radio Relay League. The goose reflects the hoopla over elections of Board members at the ARRL. The gander is Bylaw 35 and its application to the League employment rules for the Chief Executive Officer.

I received an email from one of my blog readers of the CEO compensation analysis I recently published on this blog. He was really up in arms about the results of an online search. This was done after a local group of hams was heatedly discussing how the League headquarters is managed and Division Directors are selected. This included the proposed changes to that mechanism which some think will result in Directors just being appointed by the CEO. I’ll note that this person has been involved with the ARRL for many years now so he is no stranger to the ARRL’s actions over a long period of time. He sent me two online links that caught my attention as well as his repeating Bylaw 35 from the League website. Let me share what he discovered and why it matters to the membership.

To preface what he found, nonprofit Board members have several fiduciary obligations. We hear a lot about this from the League’s legal counsel and the President explaining various actions by the Board of Directors: the duties of Board members require some action, and so forth. In other words, we “must” take this action because our lawyer says it is legally required of us to do so. Well, that’s a sound argument, if it’s true and not just a cover for intended action otherwise.

One is the Duty of Obedience. This means that Board members must:

• Ensure the organization complies with laws and regulations
• Ensure the organization acts in accordance with its policies
• Ensure the organization carries out its mission
• Avoid unauthorized activities

Thus, Board members must make sure that all Bylaws are followed by the organization and that unauthorized activities are avoided. Sounds simple enough, right? But is the Bylaw policy emphasis involving elections the same as for the others? Is it, as my reader pointed out to me, the same emphasis and due diligence as for the stated employment rules for the Chief Executive Officer? This reader doesn’t think so but decide for yourself after reading below.

It seems clear that the two sets of Corporate Bylaws should be treated as equally important for the governance of the ARRL. The Duty of Obedience seems indeed to fit the goose-and-gander principle specifically. If not, are the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Directors being breached? If they do not ensure that the corporation operates in accordance with the policies (Bylaws) — especially given all of the heat on Division Director elections — are they not allowing unauthorized activities? To “look the other way” is a breach of this, no? Well, it would be up to the IRS or a court to officially decide but it surely appears so to any common sense reading.

Should not the legal counsel for the League respond to this inconsistency, if asked? Perhaps the League attorney hasn’t been asked as I am told by a sitting Board member when I inquired about the inconsistency. I am also told that Board members are not allowed to seek counsel from the paid-for attorney for the ARRL but must go through the CEO or President. Hmm. Is that really the best practice for situations like this? What does the whistleblower policy stipulate for an employee to report this violation of the League’s legal Bylaws? Well, we don’t know since that policy isn’t available to the membership.

Should the two sets of Corporate Bylaws be treated as equally important for the governance of the ARRL? If not, are the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Directors being breached?

Regarding the goose, there has been a great deal of consternation about electing of Board of Directors in recent years. It has been very heated, indeed. The League has a committee to pass judgment on the existing standards for election to the Board and how each candidate passes muster in their nomination and campaign. They have been busy in recent years, with one Board member exiting the position after a quandary over ethics rules and the practice of them by staff at HQ and by Board members.

The League Bylaws are available at their website. The current Ethics & Elections Committee, appointed by the President, consists of:

• Scott Yonally, N8SY, Great Lakes Division Director (Chair)
• Brent Walls, N9BA, Central Division Director
• Tom Frenaye, K1KI, New England Division Director

There is no need here to repeat the details but the reader may well be fully aware of many of these ethics issues regarding election candidates. (If not, check the embedded links I’ve provided or just do an online search.) The point I raise here is that with all of the heat, and only modest light, over how to operate ethically just to get Division Directors elected through a democratic voting process, shouldn’t similar emphasis be placed on the remaining Bylaws? Is it legitimate for the Board to ignore some Bylaws without formal action taken on the Bylaws themselves?

Turning to the gander, the reader of my blog pointed out some specific Internet search results regarding the CEO. He read through the publicly available information on the ARRL website and on the Internet to see that the CEO’s previous company, Talentrian Partners, was still in business, or so he thought. Here’s the website he sent me:

I checked the State of New Jersey’s corporate database but there is no mention of this company. Perhaps it’s just a stale website that, after three years, has just slipped Mr. Minster’s mind about taking it down. Easy enough to clean up very quickly. if the Board directs him to do so. It does give a clear misimpression that he’s still in the “talent training” business. But, that’s just an oversight as long as there is no further business being conducted there. Nonetheless, it should concern the Board that this public impression isn’t a good look for the League, especially with all of the ethical nuances being established for Division Director candidates.

Why would it be important if there is a side-business operated by the ARRL CEO? With all of the thunder-and-lightning over electing Division Directors, the Bylaws of the Corporation must be followed, no? Let’s look at the one pointed out to me by my blog reader.

I have put a red block around the key sentence in Bylaw 35, pages 9-10, in the Bylaw document as amended through January 2025. It shows a fairly standard employment statement that the CEO shall spend his or her “entire time” devoted to the duties of the office as paid for by the ARRL. In other words, the corporation wants this person’s full-time attention and focus on the job! That’s reasonable and appropriate, isn’t it? If Directors have to run such an ethics gauntlet to make certain that they do not gain any undue advantage with respect to any competing candidates, shouldn’t members expect that the Chief Executive Office follow the Bylaws that are plainly stated? As a former Vice President used to say, You Betcha!

The email from one of my readers, however, went on to point out that he also found a current business that the CEO operates, as a realtor for the famous Berkshire Hathaway firm. I’ve placed a screenshot below from the website address the reader sent to me. Yep, that seems to be the same name and cell number as listed on the Talentrian Partners website, now a defunct former business according to the State of New Jersey.

Moreover, the State of Connecticut shows that he is indeed an active licensed real estate salesperson with a broker he works for in Connecticut. Seems like a “real” real estate salesperson from all public appearances.

It is also very clear that being employed elsewhere is at variance with ARRL Bylaw 35 where he is supposed to devote all of his time to his duties there.

I asked a couple of current Board of Directors about this. They both gave awkward answers to what this blog reader sent me. They said they were never told about this outside employment of the CEO in terms of it happening. It was all after the fact and not anything formal. “Rumors in the hallway,” it was described as being. An associated rumor was that he was simply providing security to his spouse who is also a real estate salesperson. I get that as a husband, for assaults on real estate agents during open houses or other private showings are a known risk. The NY Times (paywall) published a story highlighting the risk, especially for female agents. There is a real estate safety education program, too. It is understandable that someone would have significant concerns about a spouse’s safety in a job setting.

It is also very clear that being employed elsewhere is at variance with ARRL Bylaw 35 where he is supposed to devote all of his time to his duties there.

It is thoroughly confusing, however, as to why the CEO needed to get an agent’s license and be listed as a paid sales agent for Berkshire Hathaway just to accompany his spouse to showings out of safety concerns. Has he been paid sales commissions? Has his wife handled real estate transactions for ARRL HQ members? I don’t know but, if so, it would represent a clear ethical issue, would it not? The Board members I asked about this say it has come up after the fact with the argument by the CEO that “everyone knew about it.” OK, so what? Did the Board modify the Bylaw to allow this? It does not seem so in the January 2025 version on the ARRL website.

The Board members I communicated with on this also mentioned that previous CEO Howard Michel was given permission by the Board to retain his consulting job with an Asian technology company. This was mentioned such that the Board had precedent for giving such permission. But the Bylaw has remained in force! Such “look the other way” actions by the Board do seem at variance with the Duty of Obedience that is legally required for them. There’s little “looking the other way” in some of the Division Director races in recent years with social media being searched for negative comments about the League or the other candidate. Hear that goose honking? This is what it’s about.

Well, is it ethical or not? Can the Board just waive Bylaws without formal action? Since the League and its lawyers have pushed such clear and explicit concerns over the elections process Bylaws, why hasn’t there been a similar concern over Bylaws governing the employment policies of other Officers, like the CEO? Does the CFO also hold a side-gig? We do not know.

This appears to have been an open secret to the Board, the facts of which though are fully public (a blog reader found them in a simple Internet search). Is the Board of Directors failing their fiduciary duty to the corporation by effectively rendering Bylaw 35 null and void if and when they wish to by just looking the other way? Why is there such a different emphasis on election ethics while allowing a clear and specific violation of Bylaw 35 to go unchecked? I believe that inquiring minds would want to know. If you are an ARRL member, let your Division Director know your sentiments. But thus far they have looked the other way.

Frank Howell, K4FMH, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Mississippi, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 202 is now available for download. A review of emergency power sources. W5SLA Winter Field Day activities. Icom’s new small business radio package. A highly effective noise blanker. Canarduino Christmas goodies arrived. And more… Download YouTube
George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at [email protected].

Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.

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'The Communicator' Editor

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Sometimes, I just need a reason to get on the air. Specific operating goals can help with this, whatever form they take, including operating awards. One of the first awards I earned many years ago was Worked All States (WAS). The mixed WAS is not that difficult because you can use any of the HF bands to make the contacts. Some bands are better for close-in states while others are better for long distances. Do a lot of operating, and you’ll eventually earn WAS. And it is fun to chase states.

Six Meter WAS

A few months ago, I looked at my Logbook of The World (LoTW) stats and noticed that I was one state shy of having WAS on 6 meters. I was not working towards this objective, but I was making a lot of contacts on six, trying to work countries and grids. The state I was missing was Utah, which is adjacent to my state of Colorado. I know I had worked Utah before, but I didn’t have it confirmed. Utah is not that easy to work from my location, because the populated areas of the state are in a dead zone: too far away for tropo propagation but too close for sporadic-e. Once I realized I only needed Utah, I kept watch for Utah stations showed up on 6 meters. Soon, I worked KI7MD using meteor scatter and asked him to confirm the contact in LoTW. OK, there you g, I had WAS on 6 meters. I consider this a real accomplishment, one that took many years.

Chasing States By Band

Well, of course, it did not stop there. Another review of my LoTW results by state and band revealed that I already had WAS on 20 meters. I patted myself on the back for that accomplishment, even though I just stumbled across it. Then I noticed I had 43 states on 40 meters. Hmm, that should not be too difficult to complete because 40m propagation covers the US quite well. Alaska and Hawaii were both already confirmed so the challenge was filling in the missing lower 48 states. I’ve been doing quite a bit of FT8 operating lately, so I set JTAlert up to alert me when any of the states I needed were received on 40 meters. Whenever they popped up, I’d make it a point to work them, if possible. Soon, the missing states were filled in, and I had achieved WAS on 40m. Technically, I have the confirmations in LoTW (good enough for me), but I have not applied to have the award issued. Well, what band should I pursue next? I was a latecomer to the 30-meter band, making my first contact on that band in Feb 2024. However, I have learned to really like it with its propagation characteristics being an interesting mix of stateside and DX. I had about 30 states confirmed on 30m, so I figured it would not take too long to fill in the blanks. Again, I used FT8 aided by JTAlert to keep watch for the states I needed. I wasn’t completely zoned in on working these states…usually, I was on the air for other reasons, but when JTAlert told me there was a WAS contact to be had, I grabbed it. Right now, I have 49 states confirmed on 30m, with Delaware being the only one missing. Now, someone out there is thinking, “Don’t pursue WAS one band at a time; go for them all at once!” That probably would be more efficient, but that’s not what I am after. I just like having a few operating goals in front of me to focus my efforts and pursuing states on a single band fits that just fine.

WAS Score Card

Here’s a snapshot of my WAS numbers today, from LoTW. After I finish up 30m, I will probably focus on 15m or 10m. I tend to be on those bands anyway for chasing DX. On those bands, I seem to be missing the closer in states with lower population density such as Kansas, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah. This is predictable with the longer F2 propagation normally found on those bands. I don’t know that I’ll ever get WAS on 2m and I am more focused on VUCC for that band. Note that I have 4 states on 70cm: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. I am a bit surprised by that. Anyway, if you are looking for a reason to get on the air, chasing states might be interesting. Remember, it’s all about having fun messing around with radio. 73 Bob K0NR The post Chasing States appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
Bob Witte, KØNR, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Colorado, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and the episode's feature is Rigexpert AA-650 Zoom Analyzer.

We would like to thank an anonymous donor along with our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

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• Ham Radio Operator is Front-Runner to Lead Germany
• Ofcom Mulls Over 6 Ghz Band Sharing For Wi-Fi And Mobile
• Video Tribute Honours New Zealand CW Op
• As Dogs Pull Sleds, Hams Pull Long Shifts On Air
• Operation Veritable Special Event
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Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].

Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.