5 Tips for Reducing Club In-fighting - Clubs and Egos don't Mix

I have recently become aware of 3 Amateur Radio Clubs (ARC) that have experienced in-fighting. Let me ask those of you who can’t get out of the way of your egos, what is the point of being a ham if rather than bringing your community together, your involvement fractures your ham radio community? Bickering over duties, ideas, plans, and other activities is pointless, and can be hermful. 

So, here are 5 tips that'll help avoid or cut down on bickering.

1. Go back to what you agree on. This will often reset the discussion enabling some headway to occur.
2. Speak to others the way you want to be spoken to. This is a take on “the Golden Rule”. If you expect a measure of respect, then make sure you’re giving it.

3. Realize that new ideas are not assaults on old traditions. Club members shouldn’t view changes as a personal attack.

4. Clubs should encourage concerns be brought out into the open and discussed rationally.

5. Hams with concerns/complaints should be listened to objectively. Clubs shouldn’t decide if a concern is important or not based on who has the concern. Every member is important, and no one member makes your amateur radio group a club.

Hopefully those of you in an ARC will consider these ideas and avoid serious difficulties in your organization. Remember, ham radio is supposed to be a fun hobby, not an exercise in politics. Keep your egos out of the equation and you’ll find problems much easier to overcome.