5.NWS Gray Outreach

5. Recruiting and Outreach

1. Recruiting Members

2. Spotter Outreach

3. Club Outreach

4. Public Outreach

5. NWS Outreach

6. Partnerships

5. Recruiting and Outreach

The continued success of the SKYWARN team depends on a non-stop evolutionary cycle of teaching, developing, and advancing current members and bringing new members into the program. Outreach functions involve establishing and maintaining relationships with our partners in the communities we serve.

5.1. Recruiting Members

The primary responsibility for recruiting new team members lies with the Area Managers. In those circumstances where a new Operating Area is being launched or there is no Area Manager, the Amateur Radio Coordinator assumes a direct responsibility for team member recruitment.

5.2. Spotter Outreach

Area Managers are encouraged to attend Spotter training classes held in their assigned Operating Area(s). In the event an Area Manager cannot attend, he is expected to notify the Amateur Radio Coordinator as soon as possible to that appropriate coverage can be obtained. While attending Spotter training classes, the person representing the team should:

1. Introduce himself/herself to the NWS employees conducting the session prior to its start.

2. Work with the NWS employees to find a convenient time to address the audience.

3. Talk briefly about what amateur radio is and what role it plays in the SKYWARN program.

4. Provide local frequency information.

5. Share contact information for those who are licensed and want to get involved in the ham radio team or who are unlicensed and are considering getting licensed.

6. Answer any audience questions.

7. Remain available after the class to talk one-on-one with class participants. The person representing the team is expected to dress appropriately and provide a professional appearance and attitude on behalf of the team at all times.

5.3. Club Outreach

In order to remain visible and maintain a good relationship with the amateur radio community it is imperative that both the Amateur Radio Coordinator and Area Managers frequently engage in basic outreach work throughout their assigned Operating Area(s).

This outreach work can be anything from simply being present at club meetings to put a face on SKYWARN, up to full outreach presentations that discuss how club members can support the SKYWARN program with their reports and by volunteering as Net Control Operators.

Whenever feasible, Area Managers and the Amateur Radio Coordinator are encouraged to maintain a personal membership with as many local amateur radio clubs as possible and participate in as many club activities as possible as a means of developing a mutual support system between the club and SKYWARN.

5.4. Public Outreach

Public outreach opportunities most frequently come in the form of outreach presentations to Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and a presence at local hamfests. Many hamfests offer no-charge tables to non-selling organizations such as SKYWARN, and the team maintains a display board and a collection of printable materials which can be used for any sort of public outreach opportunity.

Area Managers are encouraged to get SKYWARN involved in these sorts of activities and should work through the Amateur Radio Coordinator to get NWS employees involved whenever possible.

5.5. NWS Outreach

NWS Outreach opportunities occur whenever there is an interaction between a SKYWARN amateur radio team member and an NWS employee. In particular, there should be an effort to familiarize new forecasters with the team and our procedures for activation. Journeyman Forecasters cycling into the WFO represent a prime opportunity for education on amateur radio and how it supports NWS operations through the SKYWARN program. Additional outreach opportunities can be coordinated between the Amateur Radio Coordinator and the NWS.

5.6. Partnerships

The Amateur Radio Coordinator is encouraged to maintain a close relationship with our emergency service partners in several key organizations:

1. Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES).

2. Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

3. New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NHHSEM)

4. County and Local emergency management personnel.

These partnerships can be accomplished by:

1. Serving as an ARES Official Emergency Station (OES) as SKYWARN Liaison.

2. Participating in EMA meetings, training, and drills.

3. Sharing report data with decision makers and emergency managers.

4. Involving local emergency management personnel in the SKYWARN training process.

It is absolutely critical that these relationships be developed and nurtured to ensure cooperation and interoperability during emergency situations.