December 2024 – Strategic priorities update

| November 14, 2024

Strategy: Four major events

The RSGB has just completed four major events of strategic importance. This marathon of planning and execution, one of which was many years in the making, was only possible due to the strenuous efforts of volunteers and staff alike. On behalf of the Board and the members of the Society I thank them for their work which went well beyond the call of duty.

The National Hamfest

Attending the National Hamfest gives the RSGB an opportunity to engage with members and non-members to show the range of services that we offer. It also enables Board Directors and RSGB committee representatives to chat to both committed members and with those who do not yet appreciate the numerous ways in which the Society supports and enhances amateur radio in the UK. These interactions contribute to our strategic goals of recruiting and retaining members.

An additional benefit of attendance is the opportunity to launch new book products and showcase our catalogue. Book sales support not only our financial strategic priority but also our objectives of developing amateur radio, encouraging a diversity of amateur radio interests and promoting the advancement of amateur radio technology.

I must emphasise that whilst the sale of books contributes to the income of the Society, contrary to popular belief our largest income source is actually our membership subscriptions. This is why it is important that those who wish to see amateur radio thrive in the UK join the Society and support our work.

The ISS Girlguiding contact

In her first official engagement as Girlguiding Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh joined 100 excited Brownies, Guides and Rangers in making a live amateur radio contact with astronaut Sunita Williams, KD5PLB on 5 October. The RSGB and ARISS organised this event in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, Girlguiding Surrey West and Brooklands Museum’s Innovation Academy programme.

Following the contact, the girls enjoyed a variety of amateur radio and STEM activities. You can see a short video of the day on the RSGB YouTube channel and read more about the event in this RadCom on page 42.

The event, which was over two years in the planning, fits squarely into the RSGB Growth strategic priority. We know of one girl who started the day wondering why they were there to do “boys stuff” and left full of enthusiasm for technology. As well as bringing amateur radio into focus with 100 youngsters it gave us the opportunity to explain the various connections between the Royal Family and the RSGB that span over 90 years. Also present were representatives of the entire Girlguiding leadership including Patron, Chief Guide and County Commissioners. They saw the exciting activities we can offer to girls and we had the opportunity explain how we could support events such as Thinking Day. Finally, this event gave us the opportunity to meet the executive leadership and Trustees of Brooklands Museum and to sow the seeds of future engagements between the RSGB and the Museum.

The RSGB Convention

The RSGB Convention is one of the premier events in our calendar. It is a high-quality event for those who attend in person, watch remotely or view the video catalogue after the event. It provides a showcase for the Society’s activities and a means of interaction between members and the leadership of the RSGB.

The two-day livestream is created and produced skilfully by our Communications Manager Heather Parsons and enabled by a number of volunteers who are technical experts in their fields. Feedback tells us that it is the envy of the amateur radio world. This stream of excellent material is intended not only to support members in their radio interests but to attract non-members to the Society. Nearly all the talks were recorded and some will go onto our YouTube channel to promote the RSGB to the wider amateur radio community whilst others will be shared exclusively to members as a membership benefit. This supports both the RSGB growth and membership strategic objectives. Read more on page 28.

The Board thanks everyone who helped make this event a success, in particular RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB who was the Convention Chair and expertly pulled this event together again.

Goyder-Bell centenary

Mill Hill School was the site of the very first two-way QSO between student Cecil Goyder, 2SZ and New Zealand sheep farmer Frank Bell, 4AA. Radio-physicist and Nobel Laureate Sir Edward Appleton said afterwards: “This is probably the most dramatic moment in the history of the development of the short waves when the greatest distance possible on this earth was bridged for the first time.”

On 19 October we celebrated the centenary of this event. Led by RSGB Life Vice-President Don Beattie, G3BJ, the RSGB team worked with the school to put on events including a build-a-radio workshop and a re-enactment of the QSO on a wavelength very close to the original. We showcased amateur radio to the pupils and encouraged them to be part of the new school amateur radio club. To enable radio amateurs to get involved, the Centenary celebrations have included special call signs, awards and a QSL card and ZM100DX will remain active until 26 December.

Showcase amateur radio

If your club or group is organising activities that showcase the best of amateur radio I would encourage you to demonstrate your event to the public at large.

In order to understand the significance of such events to our Growth strategic priorities, I would urge you to watch the Convention “Discussion with the Board” session on our YouTube channel, and in particular the answer given by Heather Parsons our Communications Manager about the number of people who get to hear about amateur radio and the RSGB via mainstream media, largely through the work of the RSGB Comms team. The numbers are staggering and one of the keystones of our Growth strategy.

 

Stewart Bryant, G3YSX

Board Chair

strategy@rsgb.org.uk

 

Category: RSGB Notices, RSGB Strategic Priorities