The 16th annual New Section Manager Workshop October 10-12 afforded 14 new Section Managers a chance not only to visit ARRL Headquarters and gain some perspective on their new leadership positions. During the weekend gathering, participants not only got to meet many HQ staffers but learned some of the ins and outs of how to become effective section leaders and administrators.

The workshop also 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 Section Managers, participants were able to explore what works as well as what does not and to bring home some fresh ideas, plus some encouragement.

On Friday, October 12, Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, led the Section Managers on a tour of Headquarters where they met staff and visited W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station. The visiting Section Managers enjoyed the chance to operate from W1AW in their spare time during the weekend.

ARRL Membership and Volunteer Services Department hosted the event. Several HQ staff members led training sessions during the weekend workshop, giving the new Section Managers an opportunity to learn more about the League's Field Organization, as well as discuss the variety of ARRL programs and support available from Headquarters with staff experts.

Western Washington Section Manager Jim Pace, K7CEX, said he has attended many conferences throughout his career and found that "some are not so good, some are sort of good and some are just a waste of time; however, the Section Manager Workshop was beyond what I thought it was going to be. The information, quality of presenters and the ability to converse, argue and resolve issues with other Section Managers made it a great event."

Louisiana Section Manager Gary Stratton, K5GLS, agreed: "I had a great time in Newington, as well! It was a pleasure to meet all of the other Section Managers and interact with them during the meetings. I think that Steve and the rest of the Headquarters staff did a great job organizing the sessions."

Those providing workshop presentations included Ewald, ARRL Emergency and Preparedness Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD; ARRL Marketing and Sales Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R; ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH; ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X; ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP; ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ; ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI. ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, spoke about the Amateur Auxiliary and issues concerning regulatory matters. ARRL News Editor Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, discussed writing and editing for the ARRL Web site, QST and other League publications.

Workshop attendees were Jay Isbell, KA4KUN, Alabama; Jim Larsen, AL7FS, Alaska; Jim Latham, AF6AQ, East Bay; Ed Stuckey, AI7H, Idaho; Gary Stratton, K5GLS, Louisiana; Don Wood, W5FHA, New Mexico; Joe Giraudo, N7JEH, Nevada; Lynn Nelson, W0CQ, North Dakota; Paul Eakin, KJ4G, Northern Florida; Rich Krohn, N2SMV, Northern New Jersey; Steve Early, AD6VI, San Diego; Glen Clayton, W4BDB, Tennessee; Jim Pace, K7CEX, Western Washington, and LeeAnne Allen, WY7DTW, Wyoming.