Recently, there a Tweet went out encouraging plain language.

Here's the Tweet. It was also copied on Facebook.

http://ow.ly/ulgq If Cops give up 10 codes, hams should give up Q-signals. QSL? 10-4 #hamr #arrl SPEAK to me.

National Public Radio makes a case for plain language by describing an incident where plain language communication saved a Trooper's life.

Listen to the local repeater. An unexpected Ten Code might be met with "Is that necessary" or "Ten Code is not allowed here".

So, if Ten Codes are unwelcome, for whatever reason, in the interest of plain langauge, are Q-signals as well something to remove?

While Q-signals have their place on CW, are they really needed on voice?

While there may be no known lives lost by using Q-signals given that Homeland Security continues to address plain language in NIMScast perhaps it's time to look at the issue.

Hail - the Star Trek Wiki #SMEM

What can one learn from the "Hailing Frequencies Open, sir" of Star Trek fame as it relates to Social Media?

1.  Different channels produce different audiences.  For example, YouTube will not be appropriate for the visually impair but Twitter may be the most excellent tool to reach that population.  Facebook attracts a different customer than does Pinterest than does Google Plus.

2.  Social Media is about engagement.  When someone posts on your Facebook wall, do they expect a response?  Do they get a response, if one is expected?

3.  Social media is less about tools and more about planning.  What kind of results are you expecting?  Are you getting the results you expected?

Open Hailing Channels!  Communication must be two way.




Hail - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki

Are you participating in #NPM12 #AltusOK #OKready

September is National Preparedness Month and this is the perfect time to check out preparedness events on the calendar and add yours as well. Don’t know how to add an event to the calendar? See the simple step-by-step directions here.

COALITION PROGRESS:

• 2012 Membership Goal: We have surpassed the halfway mark with 6,757 members of our 12,500 member goal. We’re moving full steam ahead - Invite your peers now!
• Events = 313 of 2,000 - Please add your event to the calendar.

FEMA ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New to the community? Want to know how to comment to a member’s post, create a new discussion forum, or add a photo? TheCommunity.FEMA.gov user guide provides most of these answers! Find it here at the top of the ‘explore resources’ page. 

PREPAREDNESS DISCUSSIONS:
General Discussions: Use this discussion forum to discuss preparedness related topics of your choice.

• Do you know the popular song Call Me Maybe? Michelle shares an Emergency preparedness cover of this song. 
• Michelle shares with us that her organization, the American Public Health Association will be participating in the first Southeast Shakeout!

Introduce Yourself: Use this discussion forum to introduce yourself.

• See who has joined this week and help welcome them!

Help and Technical Support: Use this forum to submit questions about how to use this site and report technical issues.

• Add your questions or report a technical issue.

REGIONAL DISCUSSIONS:

• Region I: Donald discusses the effectiveness of using the cartoon called The Flat Family (husband Stanley, wife Stella) as a mechanism for youth to affect change in the way adults think about preparedness. You don’t want to miss this!
• Region II: Eric distributes the contact information for the POC for Citizen Corps and CERT for a few states.
• Region III: FEMA announces its first youth preparedness council.
• Region IV: Do you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, or Mississippi? You are Region IV! Please start a new discussion and introduce yourself!
• Region V: Carl expresses his interest in coming together and have a training exercise on Disaster Response and Radio Communications.
• Region VI: Chad, of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management urges Arkansas members to register for Ready Arkansas for National Preparedness Month.
• Region VII: Tom introduces himself as the FEMA Region VII Community Preparedness Officer and welcomes new members.
• Region VIII: Do you live in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Montana? You are Region VIII! Please start a new discussion and introduce yourself!
• Region IX: Annette, a Northeast Nevada Citizen Corps Coordinator, shares a few of the events/ideas that her area will be hosting for National Preparedness Month. Get some great ideas for your area!
• Region X: Judy is looking for more discussion participation from members in her region!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• CPR + AED Certification, Dallas, TX | August 11, 2:30pm to 5:30pm
• Seven Steps to Preparedness Webinar Series, At your desk | August 16, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
• G-317 CERT Basic Training, Palm Harbor, FL | August 17, 6:00pm to August 19, 5:00pm
• E-Prep Brown Bag Lunch Series, Barnstable, MA | August 21, 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• CERT Refresher Course, Sandy, UT | September 8, 10:00am to 2:00pm