2.NWS Gray Team

2. NWS Gray SKYWARN Team Structure

1. 1. 1. General Information

      2. Organization Name

      3. Mission Statement

      4. Core Values

      5. Legal Structure

      6. Financial Structure

      7. Assets and Liabilities

      8. Ability to Further Organize

2. NWS Gray SKYWARN Team Structure

2.1. General Information

The NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team is a public service organization dedicated to service to the National Weather Service during periods of severe weather. SKYWARN is open to all qualifying amateur radio operators and is an independent group not directly affiliated with any other club, group, or organization. SKYWARN consists of several key elements. The first of these elements is the NWS SKYWARN Program Manager and Focal Point(s). These individuals are NWS employees who are responsible for overseeing the operation of the network, for selecting and appointing key SKYWARN personnel, and for acting as contact points for the NWS among the amateur radio community. The Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) serves as the Program Manager and may appoint SKYWARN Focal Point(s) to perform day-to-day functions associated with the SKYWARN network.

The SKYWARN Amateur Radio Coordinator, along with his Area Managers organize the operation of the entire SKYWARN amateur radio network in accordance with the needs and guidance set forth by the NWS. This volunteer position is elected by majority vote of the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team, but should be approved by the NWS SKYWARN Program Manager, to ensure that the person chosen can work well with NWS personnel and to ensure stability in the position. The Coordinator must possess superior communication and coordination skills and should be readily available to the NWS, both for severe weather net activations and for consultation on amateur radio issues. The Amateur Radio Coordinator Job Description can be found on page 8 in this manual.

Nothing could be accomplished without Net Control Operators (NCO) and Responders. Net Controllers and Responders are both responsible for operating the local SKYWARN nets during activations, and Responders have the additional role of operating the SKYWARN Radio Desk at the NWS Gray WFO during particularly severe weather events or communication disruptions.

2.2. Organization Name

The organization has in the past been known as “Yankee SKYWARN” and “Maine-New Hampshire SKYWARN.” During the SKYWARN Strategy Meeting on December 7, 2019, the official name that was chosen is: “NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team.” The names “NWS Gray SKYWARN Team,” or simply, “NWS Gray SKYWARN” are the only acceptable variations.

2.3. Mission Statement

The NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team exists to provide communication services for the collection of severe weather reports and dissemination of critical weather information in support of the National Weather Service and its mission to protect life and property by improving warning accuracy.

2.4. Core Values

Since 2014, the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team has operated under seven Core Values which guide everything we do:

• Dedication - We serve the National Weather Service and each other with a spirit of commitment and dedication to our common mission to protect life and property.

• Education - We value each other’s interests, skills, and experiences and we actively and publicly share our talents and our knowledge.

• Integrity - We act honestly and in the best interest of the SKYWARN mission in everything we do.

• Respect - We recognize the duties each person on the team has volunteered to perform and we appreciate their hard work, even when things go wrong.

• Teamwork - No one person can carry the weight of the SKYWARN program. It takes many people working together with diverse skills and a common goal to achieve success.

• Community Involvement - We share our educational resources and our intellectual assets freely with the communities we serve and strive to be good neighbors and partners in the amateur radio world and our communities in general.

• Continuous Improvement - We aim to do a lot of things right and want to be the best, but in order to truly be the best we need to accept that sometimes we'll fail, and that's okay as long as we learn something from it and use that experience to make ourselves stronger.

2.5. Legal Structure

The team currently operates without formal legal structure. Each member is volunteering his or her time, resources, and efforts to the National Weather Service directly. While there is some formal leadership structure to the team, it is not its own distinct legal entity.

2.6. Financial Structure

The team does not have or manage its own finances. Occasional funding for equipment needs is accomplished through the normal budget and procurement process at the National Weather Service, though the primary source of equipment and supplies remains individual donations from team members and partners. The team does not maintain its own physical assets; radio equipment and operational supplies are considered property of the National Weather Service.

The giving of cash or cash-equivalent donations to the team is formally discouraged. Individuals and organizations wishing to donate physical goods such as radio equipment, accessories, or supplies should do so to the National Weather Service. This may be accomplished through the team's leadership structure or by direct contact with the SKYWARN Program Manager.

Lacking any financial structure or assets, the SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team is unable to reimburse its leadership, members, or other individuals for any equipment, supplies, services, or other purchases, or for mileage, insurance, or any other expenses.

2.7. Assets and Liabilities

In general, all equipment installed at NWS Gray is the property of the United States Department of Commerce. Certain incidental supplies, such as binders, notebooks, pens, paper, food, beverages, etc. at the SKYWARN amateur radio station are supplied by and at the sole expense of the purchasing Amateur Radio Coordinator, Area Manager, Responder, Net Control Operator, or other individual, and become the property of the SKYWARN Amateur Radio Support Team.

2.8. Ability to Further Organize

Nothing in this manual shall be construed as to restrict the ability to further organize the team. There would be substantial benefit to incorporating the team as a non-profit organization, and the SKYWARN Amateur Radio Coordinator has the ability to restructure the team accordingly in the future.