Just prior to the ARRL Board of Directors 2009 Second Meeting, three newly appointed Vice Directors made their way to Newington for a day of orientation. Pacific Division Vice Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, Southeastern Division Vice Director Jeff Beals, WA4AW, and West Gulf Division Vice Director John Thomason, WB5SYT came to learn the "ins and outs" of the ARRL Board and ARRL Headquarters operation. The 2009 Second Meeting is scheduled for July 17-18 in Windsor, Connecticut.

According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "The new Board members came to Newington to learn not only how the Board functions, but to see what each department does and how it interacts with and serves both Amateur Radio and ARRL members, through our five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology and Membership. I am pleased they came to see how we support Amateur Radio each and every day here at ARRL HQ."

One of the highlights of the group's visit to Headquarters was a tour of the Membership and Volunteer Programs Department. Dave Patton, NN1N, explained the function of the department and its staff. "We showed them how we support Amateur Radio and our members through our Field Organization, Ham Aid Program, emergency communications support, operating events and awards," Patton said.

Beals, the former Southern Florida Assistant Section Manager, was appointed Vice Director upon the death of then-Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU. "I haven't been to Headquarters in about 15 years -- I'm just amazed at how much things have changed," he said. "It never ceases to amaze me how much we give our members for their membership dollars. What's available to them, the services, the functions we perform for the members, it's just incredible. I think if more hams out there cold see what we do here, we'd double our membership in about 5 minutes."

Thomason, the former Oklahoma Section Manager, was appointed Vice Director when then-Director Coy Day, N5OK, resigned and David Woolweaver, K5RAV, moved up to Director from Vice Director. "It's been quite a day -- it's been long, but it's been good," he said. "We have had the good fortune to see so many wonderful League staffers and to get together to help plan for the future. Departments here at Headquarters were able to share some of the things they have done on behalf of our members. It has definitely been a good day and it will only get better."

Tiemstra, the former Section Emergency Coordinator in the East Bay Section, was appointed to his position in June after then-Vice Director Andy Oppel, N6AJO, submitted his resignation. "When we got to Headquarters, we found that we had a full day planned," he said. "We saw all aspects of the Headquarters operation and it is quite an impressive operation -- much larger and much more complicated than I expected. I am really looking forward to the Board meeting on Friday. I am so fascinated by all the things that the League is doing these days. I think that it will be a tremendous learning experience and something I will probably never forget."

A report on the July meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors will be available on the ARRL Web site and in The ARRL Letter.