On April 19, 2006, a new communications plan for ACS was approved by ACS manager Mark Sheppard. 

The plan was developed by a communications planning team consisting of Jim Doub K6TKU, Hal Mueller KE7BYN, and Peter Smith N7BYP. The complexity of ACS communications requirements was the driving force behind the new plan. Basic concepts underlying the new plan include communications elements, personnel, policies, and website as follows.

Communications Elements

     Communications elements include contents, or what is communicated, audiences, to whom communications are directed, and channels, the means through which communications are passed. An analysis of ACS communications revealed numerous contents (such as alerts, news, training, etc.), audiences (ACS members, EMCOMM community, served agencies, etc.), and channels (web, QRV?, nets, etc.). The multiple contents, audiences, and channels presented challenges for how to best structure communications for maximum effectiveness.

Communications Personnel

     The team concluded that ACS should identify a Communications Coordinator to manage the various communications needs of the organization. The Communications Coordinator may also serve as a Public Information Officer for ACS. In addition, the Communications Coordinator will work with the editor of QRV?, the content webmaster, net managers, and meeting administrators to ensure that communications are both effective and efficient.

Communications Policies

     A number of tentative communications policies were developed by the team. These policies will not be official until they are approved by ACS leadership. If you have any suggestions concerning these policies, please communicate those suggestions to the communications planning team.

1. Communications policies are determined by the Communications Coordinator in consultation with the ACS administration.

2. Overall communications decisions (e.g. decisions concerning most appropriate communications channels for given contents and audiences) are the responsibility of the Communications Coordinator.

3. Communications managers are responsible for all communications delivered via their respective communications channel.

4. Content confidentiality is determined by ACS Administrators.

5. Official communications to the public are the responsibility of the Public Information Officer.

Publications Policy

     As a part of the overall communications plan, a draft publications policy was also prepared. Again, this policy will not be official until it has been approved by ACS leadership. If you have any suggestions concerning this policy, please communicate them to the communications planning team.

    This policy outlines the legal, ethical, and appropriate publication of material through the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS).

Information within the content areas below are not allowed to be published in any form through ACS sponsored print or electronic media.

Sexual: Obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, or sexually offensive material.

Harassing or Slanderous:  Material that is intended to threaten other individuals or groups.

Illegal: Material in violation of current U.S. copyright laws.

2. Communications managers must validate content material through appropriate ACS source authorities prior to publication.

3. Contents other than official ACS management, training, news or alert contents are not normally communicated through official ACS channels. Exceptions are determined by the Communications Manager.

 ACS Website

     The centerpiece of the new communications plan is the revised ACS website. Special thanks to Hal Mueller for developing the website and offering web hosting at no charge to ACS. The new website includes articles of interest to ACS members as well as the general public, a useful calendar showing ACS and related ham and Emcomm events, a greatly revised and helpful member section, searchable QRV? archives, and more! If you haven’t already done so, be sure to point your browser to www.seattleacs.com and check it out.