Bid: $RACESBUL.346
Subject: BUL 346: RACES, What's That?
 
 
From: W6WWW@KD6XZ.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NOAM
To  : RACES@ALLUS
 
TO:     ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:   ALL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO:   ALL AMATEURS U.S     (@USA: INFORMATION), CAP, MARS.
FROM:   CA GOVERNORS OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
        (W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA)  PH: 916-262-1600, 2800 Meadowview Rd.,
        Sacramento, CA  95832. Landline BBS, 916-262-1657 (Open
        to all). Internet crm@oes.ca.gov or seh@oes.ca.gov
 
BULLETIN 346    Category: Management - Overview:
Release Date:   October 3, 1994
 
RACES, What's That?
        Ever see that question in the eyes of someone who has
just heard that term, possibly for the first time?
        Well I do, far too often. At State OES there is a
constant stream of officials from an agency somewhere around the
country. Sometimes the introductory remarks of the staff person
that brings them in will include a phrase like "this is our
RACES". All too often, I perceive the visitors mental question,
"RACES, what's that?". Sometimes it's very obvious and asked out
loud. Other times it may remain unvoiced. It is usually
accompanied by a slight change in the way their head is held as
their "body language" projects that mental question to a phrase
that has little or no meaning to that person.
 
        So how do I respond? Well, that's the interesting part.
When the explanation avoids the use of the term "Amateur" I find
that they leave with a good understanding of our Auxiliary
Communications Service. But if the term "Amateur", as in Radio
Amateur Civil Emergency Service", is spoken, there is almost a
guaranteed response; one that few of us would appreciate. That
response is a far too often 'shutting down' of further curiosity.
Something in the term "amateur" triggered an association that
stifles further openness or interest. Oh, they may be polite and
listen but its easy to tell they have already closed down their
mental process to what is being said.
 
        Those who work with people are aware that interpersonal
communication is fragile. That process begins with a thought in
your mind; then you express it in words so I become aware of it
as well. My senses hear or see what you say, along with what you
don't say, which usually shows up as unspoken "body language". In
response my mental process INTERPRETS that sensory input  and the
result becomes your "message" as I received it. It may be close
to what you had in mind as you spoke your words, but it may be so
far removed from what you had in mind that you'd never believe it
could be that different. If somewhere along the way something in
your words or your silent body language triggers another image or
thought in my mind, I may be totally distracted and never hear
the rest of what you say. In a way it's a wonder we humans
communicate to any great degree at all. Probably even marvelous .
 
        So how does that apply to the topic "RACES, What's That"?
Well, check next week for the sequel!
EOM.