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Written by: admin

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Published: 02 July 2025

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“If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.” (General Eric Shinseki – U.S. ARMY)

Things move fast these days in almost every aspect. It seems that some days can be a blur, leaving us wondering if everything is out of control. I read an article recently that mentioned we have at our fingertips (cell phones, computers, Google etc.) more information available in a single hour than the average 80-year could forgather in an entire lifetime of reading books, attending universities, or studying giant manuals of engineering or scientific theories! This wasn’t all that long ago! While not all of this “information” is helpful or even useful, it is sometimes difficult to summarize it all and put it to work in any practical way.

With everything moving at the speed of light, how do we make heads or tails of what needs to be accomplished ? First and foremost, we can’t be afraid of change. But this change can come at us at a pace that can feel awkward, uncomfortable and in a manner that we aren’t used to digesting.

The current generation is often referred to as the “microwave generation.” -- Seemingly, void of much thought, difficulty or sacrifice. Pushing a few buttons and obtaining an “answer” to just about anything feels like the norm. We're not talking about this kind of "change" - which can be noisy or without regard to thoughtfulness, lacks wisdom or is whimsical.

How does any of this relate to the world of amateur radio or the Massillon Amateur Radio Club ? No matter the pace of the information flow (or change), what we can provide is nearly 100 years of solid, consistent and thoughtful growth. In almost a century we’ve been able to hold onto the most important aspects that have served us well, and will take us well beyond next 100 years. This is one particular aspect that we hope will never change. But, If we continue to challenge ourselves to work on getting better at change – the sky is the limit!

Communication is the hallmark of any organization, and we don’t always succeed in our own organization. Doing this with a real, live human being is where the challenge always lies. Tom Sly (WB8LCD – ARRL Section Manager) gave a recent talk at a hamfest forum. He shared - “That for a hobby that focuses on communication, we aren’t very good at it most of the time.” With everyone having a thought, an idea, a suggestion, or a solution to just about everything we’re trying to accomplish, how do we make anything work at all? This can make any change even more difficult.

I would suggest that sometimes in order to go faster, move farther, or remain relevant, that we slow down and listen, even in the face of all of the ongoing, fast-paced changes! Listening seems to be a lost art these days. We’re all eager to provide that lightning-bolt of an answer. I’m my own worst enemy at times, but I work on being a better “listener” every single day!

But, if we don’t “listen” to the newest voice or a different idea for change, we can easily slide back into the old routine of “this is how we’ve always done it,” forfeiting even a flicker of a solution that could possibly be transforming in a million ways!

We aren’t in competition with anyone (…except actual operating events – hi, hi). We aren’t trying to be the biggest or the smartest. We aren’t trying to be just like the “so and so” club. We aren’t trying to “out-do” anyone. We aren’t searching to be in the limelight. What we ARE, is a place and a space for people to feel welcome and to be encouraged to grow and learn at whatever pace someone chooses to pursue. Our biggest challenge is listening to someone new who may well in fact provide a solution (change) to something we’ve thought we couldn’t tackle in almost 100 years!

It isn’t particularly helpful or positive to keep mentioning that many amateur radio clubs across the country are continuing to fade, and in some cases, completely fold. My speculation is that in many situations, change is not happening. If MARC is going to continue to be a strong, vibrant, growing and relevant organization, we cannot stand against change! This is not a haphazard path and without restriction kind-of-change. We have benchmarks and checks-and-balances in place to facilitate smooth movement forward! We want everyone to feel that their contribution is acceptable and know that we are good listeners!

In a 2002 book written by Jason Jennings (in referring to organizations) he wrote a book titled -- “It’s not the BIG that eat the small, It’s the FAST that eat the SLOW”! While we’re not in a race (other than the human race), we can all work on being better at CHANGE -- But, maybe at a little faster pace than we’re used to!

73,

Don Rankl – N8IVJ