Scott Yonally, N8SY
for
Great Lakes Division Director
“A Future Vision for the Great Lakes”
I have delivered
As a former Ohio Section Manager and the current Great Lakes Division Vice Director, I have:
- brought new people into Amateur Radio by collaborating with clubs across the division
- created positive public and private agency awareness and support for ARES and Amateur Radio
- ensured effective and open 2-way communications between the ARRL and its members
I will continue to deliver.
I am passionate about this hobby. I’m a straight shooter. I don’t put on pretenses. What you see is what you get. And what you’ll get from me is dedication to the job of division director and to the ARRL, without which we would not have this wonderful hobby we all enjoy today.
This is why I am seeking your vote.
Experienced Leadership
It is more critical than ever to have solid, experienced leadership on the Board of Directors in order to ensure a stable financial future and a strategic plan for the ARRL going forward.
The Great Lakes Division needs a director who is collaborative, innovative and action-oriented to continue to accomplish these goals.
I am that person. I promise to work hard for you.
I have had extensive ARRL field organization experience at all levels: Public Information Coordinator, Affiliated Club Coordinator, District Emergency Coordinator, Assistant Section Manager and Section Manager.
Career
Prior to retirement, I served as a Senior Staff member and Quality Manager in the automotive and defense industry, making strategic decisions and leading the organization towards its goals.
I was responsible for managing a 25-person, three-shift department that was certified under ISO-9001/2000 and AS-9100 Aerospace Standard as well as various other military and ANSI specifications.
I was directly responsible for estimating the needs, and procurement of precision quality assurance equipment to comply with strict military and automotive requirements.
I developed a number of new methods of assembly, quality assurance record keeping, and inventory control which greatly improved the return on investment of not only our corporation but our customers as well.
I was responsible for the quality of all incoming and outgoing materials from suppliers used in our manufacturing processes to our own output of finished products.
I regularly made visits to our customer and supplier base throughout North America to ensure conformance and understanding of the parameters of the products. If there were problems with materials, either from our production floor or from our suppliers, I was responsible for working directly with them to do a Root Cause Analysis to find the problems quickly and efficiently and then correct those problems.
Working with the U.S. Military and many of the largest automotive assembly manufacturers I assisted them and our suppliers to gain opportunities that otherwise would have been missed to make a better product for a lower cost. This also included doing Design of Experiments with them to open opportunities for improvement.
Today’s Challenges
I’ve listened. I’ve heard from you the challenges we face today:
- threats to our spectrum
- aging Amateur Radio population
- protection from oppressive antenna restrictions
- making the NTS / ARES more robust with more training
- developing better services for our Affiliated and Special Service Clubs
As your director, I promise to uphold my fiduciary duties and work hard to ensure that our dues structure is sound so that our future programs and services can grow.
My extensive field organization experience and time collaborating with the ARRL staff and board members will contribute to ensuring that ARRL leadership is proactive in resolving the concerns of both the national, and the Great Lakes Division membership.
Retaining New Hams
The ARRL represents what is best in Amateur Radio, and our ever-faithful members are the reason that the ARRL has such a strong and rich history. I’m sure you feel as I do that clubs are the backbone of our hobby, and are key to increasing ARRL membership. Many clubs around the country have great programs to teach and license the next generation of hams, but they fall short when it comes to retaining those new hams.
As a current Vice Director on the board, I’ve been involved in new key initiatives that will focus on recruitment and retention. And with your help, as Director I will be even more involved in shaping future programs.
Emergency Communications & Field Services Committee
I serve on the Emergency Communications & Field Services Committee, where I’ve led the charge to modify the Club Commission Program to make it more advantageous for the clubs. I also led the charge to make all Affiliated and Special Service Club anniversary dates expire at the same time, making it much easier for clubs to remember when to renew.
Public Relations Committee
I am privileged to serve as the Board Liaison to the Public Relations Committee. This Committee is charged with many different Public Relations activities—World Amateur Radio Day and Field Day are just a few. The PR Committee is also responsible for nominating candidates for the Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award and the Philip J. McGan Silver Antenna Award. Both of these awards are very special and are only given out to a few selected people that have gone through very thorough screening.
ARRL Foundation
Serving as a volunteer on the ARRL Foundation, I have had the pleasure of assisting in the selection of students to receive scholarships these past several school years. This duty is very important to make sure that the many hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships were awarded to the best qualified students.
Section Manager Training
I have been honored to assist for the past two years in the training of new Section Managers. My presentation on “Exploring the work and overall experience of being an ARRL Section Manager” has had a real impact on a number of newly minted SMs. I still have contact with many of them today, helping with day-to-day issues that a Section Manager faces.
On-Air Operating
I am an Amateur Extra operating 160 meters through 450 MHz. I’m a “casual” DXer but really enjoy just “rag chewing.”
Summary of accomplishments
- Great Lakes Division Vice Director
- ARRL Section Manager
- ARRL Assistant Section Manager
- ARRL Public Information Coordinator
- ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator
- ARRL VEC accredited Volunteer Examiner
- Laurel VEC accredited Volunteer Examiner
- 2019 ARRL Joe Knight Distinguished Service Award recipient
- ARRL Life Member
- Life member of the Ohio Single Side-Band Net
- Member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association
- Vice Chair of the Richland County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
- Member of Ohio Public / Private Partnership (OP3)
Lake County Amateur Radio Association
✓ “LCARA’s board of directors is proud to endorse Scott Yonally, N8SY, for Director of the Great Lakes Division of the ARRL.
“Scott has worked tirelessly on behalf of Amateur Radio in Ohio, and in particular the many clubs in northeastern Ohio. He deserves our gratitude and support. When voting opens, we urge your to cast your ballot for Scott.”
Geauga Amateur Radio Association
✓ The Geauga Amateur Radio Association is an amateur (ham) radio club in the Cleveland Ohio area devoted to promoting amateur radio, supporting public service activities, and uniting amateur radio licensees in Geauga and surrounding counties in Northeast Ohio.
Seneca Radio Club
✓ The Seneca Radio Club, a Regional Amateur Radio Club in Seneca County of over 50 active members, hereby endorses and unanimously supports Scott Yonally, N8SY, in his bid to become Director of the Great Lakes Division of the ARRL. His commitment to the betterment of Amateur Radio is unequaled and his vision for the future is forward looking and in the best interests of Amateur Radio operators everywhere. Based upon his Amateur Radio experience, radio club growth, delivery of support, and unconditional Service to Amateur Radio, we can think of no individual who is more qualified to be the Great Lakes Division Director. Please join the Seneca Radio Club of Tiffin, Ohio, in supporting Scott Yonally, N8SY, for a bright future for the Great Lakes Division of the ARRL.
Central Ohio Radio Club
✓ “The Central Ohio Radio Club (CORC) is pleased to endorse Scott Yonally, N8SY as the next ARRL Great Lakes Director. Our club has enjoyed Scott’s many visits to our meetings updating us on the latest ARRL information. He is an extremely dedicated ARRL knowledgeable volunteer.” —Laura Perone, KA8IWB, CORC President
The Central Ohio Radio Club, Inc., established in 1970, maintains a network of repeaters covering the 2M, 6M and 70cm bands. The mission of CORC is to:
a) Enhance the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
b) Extend amateur radio’s proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
c) Advance skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art.
d) Expand the existing reservoir of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts in the central Ohio area.
Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society
✓ “Scott Yonally, N8SY, who is running for the ARRL Great Lakes Division Director position was at the picnic … Scott was given five minutes to talk about the position, he stated the current director is stepping down and he answered questions. Scott mentioned his background with the ARRL and that he is running opposed. A motion was brought by Carl, W8KRF, and seconded by Bill, N8WS. The vote was unanimous to endorse Scott.”
The Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society is one of the oldest radio clubs in the Great Lakes area, having been formed in 1958 or 1959, and receiving official status in 1963. Our membership comes primarily from the Northern Ohio area. The Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society has been an American Radio Relay League-affiliated radio club since January 1972. We provide public service, education, and furtherance of the Amateur Radio hobby.
Massillon Amateur Radio Club
Since 1927, the Massillon Amateur Radio Club has been a diverse radio hobbyist club that is currently over 80 members strong. Active within our community as well as an ARRL Special Service Club, we are actively involved in many facets of Amateur Radio, including public service, membership, field day, repeaters, Amateur Television (ATV), Skywarn plus many other interests.
✓ “As an ARRL Affiliated and Special Service Club, The Massillon Amateur Radio Club has unanimously pledged to endorse Scott D. Yonally (ARRL Great Lakes Division, Vice Director) as a candidate for the ARRL Great Lakes Division Director in the November 2023 ARRL Election (term to commence January 1, 2024).
“Scott Yonally has tirelessly supported the mission and vision of the ARRL in Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio as well as at the national level of the ARRL. Scott has provided endless support to our local organization in his current position as ARRL Great Lakes Division Vice Director and was a major advocate to us in many supporting and committee roles for multiple decades prior to his current position. Recently, Scott has fulfilled the role of ARRL Great Lakes Division Director in the absence of Dale Williams (WA8EFK) – Current ARRL Great Lakes Division, Director.
“Scott is an extremely experienced candidate who has much insight into the needs and challenges that face amateur radio and the ARRL in the 21st century. His commitment to excellence and professionalism is represented in his ability to tackle difficult issues in a difficult world, while always striving to provide respectful solutions. This insight has always been reached by listening. Scott is a tremendous advocate & educator to all organizations and goes above and beyond to share the mission of the ARRL. His ‘message’ is consistent, accurate and dependable.
“The Massillon Amateur Radio Club, through unanimous endorsement & proclamation by voting members has recorded our endorsement of Scott D. Yonally (N8SY) as a candidate for the ARRL Great Lakes Director. (Recorded in the minutes of the September 1, 2023 Meeting of the Massillon Amateur Radio Club)” —Donald L. Rankl, N8IVJ – President, Massillon Amateur Radio Club
All Things Amateur Radio Association
✓ All Things Amateur Radio Association (ATARA) is a family-oriented radio club set in the foothills of Southern Ohio. Our mission is to have fun with all aspects and modes of operation for amateur radio. We enjoy supporting a plethora of organized outdoor community events by operating from base stations, mobile stations & handhelds (HTs). We welcome amateur operators, non-amateurs, and family members to join our exciting club and to participate in all of our activities and events!
Van Wort Amateur Radio Club
✓ Our Mission Statement:
To educate and increase the proficiency of its members concerning scientific advancement and progress in the science of amateur radio communications.
To organize and train licensed radio amateurs capable of maintaining radio communications as a public service during periods of emergency.
To encourage and sponsor experimental activities in radio communications and electronics, to the end that skills and experience gained in amateur radio will further the application of electronics to the benefit of the public at large.
Scioto Valley Amateur Radio Club
✓ Founded in 1959 the Scioto Valley Amateur Radio Club was created to promote amateur radio activity in Southern Ohio.After 50 years the club is still very active in promoting the hobby and providing emergency communication for the Scioto River Valley! Club meetings 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30pm at Scioto Trails State Park.
Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association
✓ The Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association or “SARA” was established in 1977 to provide technical support, fellowship, and public service opportunities for amateur radio operators in the tri-county area of Medina, Summit, and Wayne counties in Northeast Ohio. SARA is an ARRL Special Service Club, meaning that it exists to go above and beyond for their communities and for Amateur Radio. SARA strives to be a leader in the Amateur Radio community by providing technical training, publicity programs, and pursuing technical projects and operating activities.
SARA is a general-interest club with members involved in a wide variety of amateur radio activities including VHF/UHF communications, HF communication, repeater operation, digital voice technologies such as DMR, radiosport contesting, and, of course, public service. SARA is proud to support ARES programs in both Summit and Wayne Counties as well as NWS SKYWARN operations in the tri-county area.
Findlay Radio Club
✓ “The Findlay Radio Club endorses Scott Yonally, N8SY, for Great Lakes Division Director.”
The Findlay Radio Club clubhouse has a meeting room, radio room, kitchen, and rest rooms. The radio room contains many radios from various manufacturers, and allows radio communication in almost all modes. Its antenna farm has many towers which contain antennas for optimal radio sending and reception. For all amateurs in the area and passing through, the club offers two repeaters—one on 440MHz and one on two-meters. The club participates in the ARRL’s Field Day each year which allows the membership to contact many other amateurs from many different regions. It conducts examinations for those wishing to obtain an amateur license each month, and helps to fund the Findlay Safety Town which teaches area youngsters to respect and cope with vehicular traffic. The club has purchased a communications trailer which is used by the local ARES group in emergency situations and continues to provide the venue for the Findlay Hamfest, which is held in September each year.
Southern Ohio Amateur Radio Association
✓ “Thank you Scott for everything that you do for ham radio. Yes, you do deliver!! You certainly have my vote and the full support and endorsement of the Southern Ohio Amateur Radio Association.” —Mike Love, WB8YKS
The Southern Ohio Amateur Radio Association is an Ohio non-profit corporation dedicated to community service through Amateur Radio. SOARA is active with ARES / RACES, Lawrence County, Ohio EMA and all other emergency services. SOARA is also active with special community events and local media. SOARA is an ARRL Special Service Club, effective on November 19, 2019.
Richland County (Ohio) Emergency Management Agency
✓ “Scott Yonally has been actively engaged with disaster efforts in Richland County for many years. He has participated in such activities as local disaster exercises and recovery from local disasters. He also participates on committees such as the Local Emergency Planning Committee as vice chair and has been involved with exercise design teams. Scott’s affiliation with the Amateur Radio club plays a vital role with the Richland County EMA in times when communication via cell or local radio methods are weak or not functioning at all.”