The Annual Section Manager (SM) Workshop -- held September 25-27 -- afforded 12 newly elected SMs (including three that began their first terms of office on October 1) to visit ARRL Headquarters. During the extended weekend gathering, participants not only got to meet many Headquarters staff members, but also learned some of the ins and outs of how to become effective Section leaders and administrators. The primary purposes of the Workshop sessions were to share ideas and to provide basic administrative, management, leadership and motivational training.

"The Section Manager Workshop is an orientation and training event for new Section Managers that have come on board within the last year," said ARRL Field Organization Team Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X. "The ARRL has conducted this training each year at HQ for the past several years, and it was well received once again this year by the participants. The Membership and Volunteer Programs Department Staff and its Field Organization Team were the lead coordinators of the event."

In attendance at this year's Workshop included Arkansas Section Manager J.M. Rowe, N5XFW; Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Mike Neilsen, W1MPN; Iowa Section Manager Tom Brehmer, N0LOH; New York City-Long Island Section Manager Mike Lisenco, N2YBB; North Texas Section Manager Jay Urish, W5GM; Oklahoma Section Manager Dean Feken, KL7MA; San Joaquin Valley Section Manager Dan Pruitt, AE6SX; Southern New Jersey Section Manager George Strayline, W2GSS, and Wyoming Section Manager Garth Crowe, N7XKT.

These three new Section Managers who were elected in August were also in attendance: Georgia Section Manager Gene Clark, W4AYK, Los Angeles Section Manager David Greenhut, N6HD, and South Texas Section Manager Lee Cooper, W5LHC. Their terms began October 1

The workshop provided an opportunity for those taking part to chat among themselves or within the group, sharing their own views on various issues and exchanging ideas. Through training and orientation sessions conducted by ARRL staff members and by meeting with other SMs, participants were able to explore what works as well, as what does not, and to bring home some fresh ideas and some encouragement.

On the morning of Friday, September 25, the Section Managers were given a detailed tour of ARRL Headquarters to meet staff and to visit W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station. Several visiting Section Managers enjoyed the chance to operate from W1AW for a little while late on Saturday afternoon.

Several Headquarters staff members led training sessions during the weekend workshop, allowing these Section Managers an opportunity to learn more about the League's five pillars -- Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology and Membership and how the role of Section Manager plays an important role.

The following HQ staff members involved in making session presentations included Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD; Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP; Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ; Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R; Membership Manager Diane Petrilli, KB1RNF; Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG; Assistant Manager of Membership and Volunteer Programs Norm Fusaro, W3IZ; Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, and Steve Ewald, WV1X. Other workshop speakers included ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, and Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N.