Speak to young people about amateur radio.
When responding to questions about The American Legion Amateur Radio Club, how might you answer? I suspect many of us quickly note that as ham operators, we provide community service in the form of radio communications as needed to assist public events; or, perhaps, events sponsored by a Legion post. Or, that the service could be supporting emergency management agencies – local or national – during natural disasters.
But we're not limited to these.
The purpose, as set out in the resolution that established the club in 2011, is to facilitate public communication with federally licensed amateur radio operators who are members of the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons. That resolution also encourages member participation in amateur radio licensing and emergency communications. I draw your attention to the phrase "participation in amateur radio licensing." In a word, that would be "educating" others about amateur radio. One way to accomplish this, and in a manner well short of conducting licensing classes, could be speaking to young people about the hobby. A starting point for youngsters who take the road to acquiring a license could be with your post's SAL squadron, a Boy Scout troop in your area, or other youth group whose adult leadership deems worthy a presentation on amateur radio.
Of the 13,290 Legion posts, 6,113 have a squadron attached to the post. If your post has no squadron, chances are good that there are squadrons at other posts in your area where young people can be introduced to amateur radio. In speaking to young people, the presentation should not focus on the fact and theory of radio operations, but rather on a basic explanation of amateur radio, the learning opportunities it offers, and the "fun" aspect of the hobby. Any discussion should, of course, include show-and-tell portions with hands-on opportunities for the youngsters or on-the-air demonstrations with an HT, for example.
Many know of the amateur radio event sponsored annually by the Boy Scouts of America, Jamboree-On-the-Air. Your post's participation in JOTA could be the means to introduce young people to amateur radio. Information about JOTA is at http://www.scouting.org/jota.aspx. BSA also offers a Radio Merit Badge to Scouts, with the tasks required to earn the badge divided between broadcast and hobby [amateur] radio. A brief amateur radio presentation to a Scout troop might start a Scout on the road to this merit badge.
For those inclined to provide this service in their community, be aware that you don't need to re-invent the wheel. Visit the ARRL website for the article "Public Speaking About Amateur Radio Before Youth Groups," at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/1905Talking%20PointsYouth.pdf. There you will find much information that includes the how-to with an outline for preparations, suggestions for approaching adult leaders of various groups, and demonstration ideas for hands-on use of radio equipment by the young people.
Making a presentation to any group requires careful preparation which usually is made easier with the help of others. But it certainly can be done by one person. It still requires attention to details. Consider, however, that a brief presentation developed for a small group can be easy to manage and yet effective in garnering the interests of young people.
- Ham Radio