we met with Multnomah County, Gresham and Portland, Emergency Managers. They we very pleased to see how we were all coming together to build a fine organization of qualified radio operators to assist in an emergency. The Emergency Managers will be sent the 2nd draft next week for them to look over before approval. There are many exciting projects that will be coming up this next year. If you would like to help with any of them please let me or one of your AEC's know.
      I would like to take a few moments to talk to you about some other small items.

    The County ARES/RACES program is voluntary no one has to feel pressure to be apart of the group. The down side to this is that we can not just issues out State ID Cards for people how would like to just have one. The State and the ARRL Section require any ARES group to meet standards. Parts of these standards require training and active participation. All we ask is that you come with the commitment to further your Ham Radio skills and the compassion to want to help those in need. If you are not able to be active this is fine. This doesn't mean that we will not use you in an emergency. We will just have to assign you to areas that don't require ID Cards. But on the other side I am not asking you to drop everything you are doing to devote all of your time to ARES but to be apart of the program when you can. Please understand I am very committed to what ever I do for anyone. All

I am trying to do is build a program that will be the best for all in the communities we serve. I believe that if we all work together by training as one we will have the best group of trained operators in the District and in the Oregon Section. My friends if you have a problem or would like to talk with me please feel free to do so.

     I would like to also like to invite everyone to check in to the County ARES/RACES and Net Team Training Net every Wednesday at 7PM on the 146.840 repeater. This is one way to meet new Hams and to keep up on events.
    In closing I would like to thank the members of the Portland Amateur Club and the members Hoodview Amateur Radio Club for the support of the program.
73's
Perry W. Hopkins KD7EYM