Due to irreconcilable differences between the RSGB Board and the Trustees of RAEN (The Network) over the direction and future management of RAYNET the Society has decided to end the Memorandum of Understanding put in place in April 2004. This was designed to try to bring closer together all RAYNET factions for the greater good of RAYNET and the image of Amateur Radio to the user services and the general public. However a number of instances had come to light where The Network had operated outside of the agreement and at the Board meeting held on July 12th it was decided to replace the MoU with a Position Statement, which will be available on the RSGB website. During a meeting held on July 24th between representatives of the Society and RAEN this document was rejected outright by RAEN.
The RSGB had put forward to RAEN a number of joint ventures such as a common RAYNET Handbook, common ID cards for all RAYNET groups and a common insurance arrangement. All of these measures were designed to assist members and to strengthen RAYNET in the eyes of the user services. Sadly, despite initial agreement, offers of cooperation on these projects was withdrawn by the Management Board of the “Network”.
Earlier this year the RSGB sent out a questionnaire to all affiliated clubs and societies seeking information regarding Public Service (including but not limited to RAYNET) activity and capabilities. This was to RSGB clubs and Societies only, yet the Network maintain that it should have been vetted by them in the first instance and that they were the “larger market force” in the UK as far as the amateur radio emergency services were concerned. The RSGB take the view that it is up to them alone to decide what should be sent to their members.
The RSGB had proposed 6 monthly meetings between the RAEN and RSGB, but this was also rejected by the Network. The RSGB remain open to further discussions as and when the RAEN decide that this is in the interests of the Movement.
Meanwhile, the Director Public Services has been tasked with producing an RSGB RAYNET ID card, seeking improvement to the RSGB RAYNET insurance and producing an operations manual. All RSGB groups are urged to continue with the excellent arrangements for cooperation that are in place ‘on the ground’ between all groups.
The RSGB will continue to represent all UK Radio Amateurs, Affiliated Clubs and Groups and its members in the unbiased way it has done so for the past 95 years.
It will continue to recognise the importance of RAYNET both in the UK and across the world and will endeavour to meet the needs of all RAYNET operators of whatever persuasion.
The following is the position statement rejected by RAEN (The “Network”)
RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN—a Position Statement with respect to Public Service radio
1. The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is pleased to declare that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into with the Radio Amateurs Emergency Network (The Network) in 2005 created a favourable framework within which the relationships between the two organisations could be further enhanced.
2. RSGB understands its duty as the nationally recognised Radio Society to work, in tandem with representatives of the Amateur Satellite Service in the United Kingdom (UK), as specified in Article 25 of the ITU Regulations, to negotiate with the Office for Communications (Ofcom), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and their successors on all matters that directly affect the licensing and regulation of licensed radio amateurs in the UK.
3. RSGB also understands its duty as an elected Member Society of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) to represent all licensed radio amateurs in the UK to the IARU and through that forum to other Member Societies, the European Union (EU) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)—a division of the United Nations (UN).
4. RSGB intends to continue to discharge those responsibilities to the well-being of all licensed amateurs in the UK.
5. RSGB acknowledges that any radio amateur or group of amateurs has the right to lobby, give advice to or share information with any locally elected political representative, Member of Parliament (MP), Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Government Organisation or Government Department, local or national.
6. RSGB will always support any such initiative if it seeks improvements to particular aspects of the hobby within negotiated legal frameworks. However, in considering such courses of action RSGB will not support any activity that seeks to directly alter the legal agreements entered into after negotiation with Ofcom and MoD, or seeks to replace the role of RSGB as set out in paragraph 2 above. Indeed, RSGB will always seek to support any lobbying initiative or information sharing action that is seen to be for the benefit of licensed amateurs but reserves the right not to support any lobbying or initiative that is not viewed in that light or which is considered either vexatious, unduly costly or seen to lack merit.
7. This position statement is intended to cover all aspects of our hobby. With particular regard to RAEN (the Network), RSGB intends to replace the MoU of 2005 with this statement setting out RSGB’s duty requirements whilst working with the Network to support lobbying and similar initiatives that are clearly for the benefit of all licensed amateurs in the UK and where the content of such initiatives is freely discussed prior to action.
8. In the area of Emergency Communications RSGB will continue to support any Club, Association, Society or Group affiliated to RSGB and will support and assist any Club, Association, Society or Group seeking such affiliation. RSGB will continue to offer experience and knowledge to all Groups, including the Network, involved in Emergency and other Public Service Communications and will in the first instance channel such expertise through the RSGB Board Member holding the Public Service Portfolio or its successor. The RSGB Administration Centre or designated alternative department, shall make available information to any Group or individual who contacts the RSGB seeking information.
9. RSGB is determined, in conjunction with the Network, to continue to build upon and further expand the excellent working arrangements that have been applied by both organisations since the signing of the MoU resulting in clearly identified benefits to all UK licensed amateurs, and in recognition of the need to represent a unified approach to the general public. It is proposed that a meeting is held at 6 monthly intervals between the two organisations to discuss all matters of mutual interest.
10. This statement hereby sets aside the MoU of 2005 and moves to this more formal arrangement. Over time further revisions and improvements may be made to this document, as a result of a process of co-operation and dialogue between RSGB and the Network.
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