June 2026 – Strategic priorities update

Growing our membership, shaping our future

Following our recent virtual AGM, I felt it would be useful to reflect on our future direction. Membership sits at the very heart of the Society. Without it, there is no collective voice, no effective defence of spectrum, and no structured support for amateur radio across the UK. This is why attracting new members and supporting current ones remains a vital focus.

Momentum and core work

Over the past year, we have seen a clear sense of momentum. There is fresh energy in our outreach work, with new ideas to reflect how people discover hobbies today. Simultaneously, essential work has continued in the background, particularly in spectrum defence with international partners like the IARU. Much of this work is not always visible, but it is fundamental to protecting the future of the hobby.

The breadth of what the Society does is substantial. We represent UK radio amateurs to Ofcom, support the examinations framework, and publish technical material to help individuals develop their skills. This work is delivered by a small HQ team and supported by over 450 dedicated volunteers whose contributions are invaluable.

Practical support and digital evolution

For members, there is a wide range of practical support. Our publications RadCom, RadCom Plus and RadCom Basics, remain trusted sources of information. These are now complemented by a digital platform including an app for mobile devices.

Other significant member benefits include:

• Planning advice: Advice for mast/antenna planning applications and issues, including support letters for applications and appeals.

• EMC support: Assistance with interference matters from the EMC Committee.

• Competition: The RSGB run a suite of on-air contests throughout the year and the Construction Competition encourages practical experimentation

• Club benefits: Affiliated clubs receive Public Liability insurance and structured activity programmes

• Events: Access to webinars, awards, consultations, briefings and conventions throughout the year.

The value of belonging

As I touched on in my AGM video, membership is about more than just services; it is about belonging. People join because they want to feel connected, informed, and valued. Consequently, retaining existing members is just as important as encouraging new ones.

We all need to do all we can to encourage lapsed members to re-join. During a recent visit to the Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society, I discussed this with attendees, and several lapsed members have since returned. We are stronger together. Furthermore, thousands of people take amateur radio examinations in the UK annually; helping these individuals see membership as a natural next step is a priority.

Developing a refreshed membership strategy

We recently held a Membership Strategy Workshop involving Board members, staff, and volunteers. A key finding was that there is no single membership journey. People enter the hobby at different stages, from youth to retirement, and their interests vary.

We are currently considering how our membership engagement activities can continue to evolve to reflect this diversity and offer flexibility and relevance at every stage of a radio amateur’s journey. Our refreshed Membership Strategy comprises four immediate areas for focus. These are strengthening our regional engagement (in-person engagement), broadening our engagement model (virtual engagement), responding to members’ feedback and exploring international opportunities.

We are also very aware that to support members most effectively in their participation and progression, we need to work closely and in partnership with the dedicated organisations that contribute to our hobby. We would be making a mistake if we thought that the RSGB alone can achieve this.  Just by way of an example, let’s think about the incredible work and impact that training organisations like Essex Ham, Bath Based Distance Learning, and the Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) and others have.  Now let’s think about what possibilities exist, helping with matters like encouragement and progression, by working in even closer partnership. That’s exactly what we’re aiming to foster more of as we look ahead.

Project ’30

The Board has begun a broader initiative called Project ‘30. This involves looking ahead to determine what the Society should look like by the end of the decade. It will be considering various aspects, including our structure and effectiveness. We will keep members updated as these work streams develop over the coming months.

Success depends on the support of our members. I encourage you to engage with these developments and share your views. These efforts are not about change for its own sake, but about ensuring the Society remains relevant, accessible, and sustainable. By strengthening our membership collectively, we strengthen the future of amateur radio itself.

RSGB President

Bob Beebe, GU4YOX

strategy@rsgb.org.uk

• You can also find this update in the June 2026 RadCom

Category: RSGB Notices, RSGB Strategic Priorities