The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio Discussion on the Future - IARU Region 3 Conference Bangalore, India, August 2006 Timothy S Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA IARU Vice President

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 2 Background to Present Discussion Trinidad Admin Council Meeting Sept 2004 AC asked Officers review IARU structure Drafting of background papers-2004/2005 Initial Meeting-Savannah-March, 2005 Report to Region 1 EC meeting April 2005 Report to Region 2 EC meeting Sept 2005 Report to Region 1 Conference September 2005 Report to Region 3 Director’s Meeting Oct 2005

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 3 A brief history of the IARU organisational structure IARU has had three governance structures: , , post 1984 Structure has not kept pace with changes in communications nor does it reflect regional interests

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 4 Perceived shortcomings of the existing structure No legal standing in any country Too much responsibility and authority rests with a single member- society Member-societies have no real voice in the selection of international (as opposed to regional) IARU officers The three IARU regions are defined on a geographic basis relevant only for ITU radio spectrum allocations The constitutions of the regional organizations are not fully aligned with the IARU Constitution IARU member-societies are not always fully representative of Amateur Radio interests in their countries, but there is no provision for those interests to be separately represented The provision permitting IARU membership representing a “separate territory” leads to confusion and occasionally to conflict Global coordination is sometimes difficult

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 5 Other concerns The IARU is not widely regarded as relevant by radio amateurs at the grassroots level Participation in regional conferences is declining Some member-societies are declining in membership and activity, and a number have become inactive A new generation of leaders for the IARU must be developed

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 6 What’s happened so far IARU officers have considered alternative future organisational models A possible model has emerged, which is being developed further to test its validity The President of each Region has been invited to participate in a committee to work through the detail Until this is further advanced, we do not know whether the model is viable

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 7 Vision What will the IARU be doing in 20 years? (this does not mean we plan to take 20 years to change !) – Representing amateur radio to international telecommunication organizations –Developing standards, including but not limited to, band plans – Sanctioning and administering competitive events –Promoting means to stimulate the growth of amateur radio

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 8 Elements of a possible model International non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Geneva Association registered under Swiss Law Annual General Assembly as the ultimate authority of the IARU Permanent independent Secretariat with Secretary-General employed by the IARU An Executive Board to administer the affairs of the IARU between annual meetings “Commissioners” responsible for standards and sanctioning activities Categories of membership to address “second society” and other representation issues Opportunity for participation by other Amateur Radio organizations either as observers or via the Commissions

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 9 Some possible issues with the model Affordability Availability of suitable people to take on the key roles The future role of the Regions Making a “matrix” structure work – known to have its challenges

The International Amateur Radio Union Working for the future of Amateur Radio 10 What's next? Ongoing discussions with the Regions A report to the AC this month Further discussions within the AC Further work on the detail A report to member societies with an invitation for comment and views