Do You Have a Card?
David Coursey, N5FDL Thu, December 18, 2008 at 3:01PM Sure, most hams already have cards—QSL cards, that is, but that’s not what I am talking about. I’m asking about your ARES business card, suitable for passing out to non-hams.
I am thinking about this because earlier today I was scoping out a site for our Northern California Emcomm University, tentatively scheduled for next March. I arrived, unannounced, to look at the facility and the person responsible doesn’t know me, has never heard of me, and is only vaguely aware of the served agency that will be hosting the event.
Being able to shake hands and present a business card visibly improved my credibility and made me appear as more than a “mere volunteer.” I’ve seen this before, how my volunteer business card can help break the ice and get you past the, “So, who the heck is this guy?” stage with people whose assistance I need.
Business cards are cheap, as the zillion emails I receive from VistaPrint constantly remind me. If you’re headed that way, be careful to go to the actual VistaPrint site. Do not to respond to all the spam that arrives pretending to be VistaPrint.
I have ordered cards from VistaPrint on many occasions and have been happy with them. But, there are many places that sell business cards, and prices vary widely. Mostly based on how quickly you need the cards.
I recently received a referral to a British company called Moo that does some really neat cards—and allows you to select a different image for each card if you choose. I want to order cards from them, but have not yet done so.
The front of my ARES card shows my company name as “The Amateur Radio Emergency Service of San Joaquin County” and includes my name, call sign, title, address, email address and a couple of telephone numbers. The back side of my card includes some basic ARES information:
San Joaquin County ARES
Volunteer Amateur “Ham” Radio operators providing emergency communications services to the citizens of San Joaquin County. For more information about our group or how to become a ham operator in only one day, please visit www.sjares.org.
My current card has a nice stars-and-stripes design, but the next will probably be more business-y and have the red, white, and blue ARES logo (that I don’t like) on it.
Business cards are cheap and useful. If you’re an ARES/RACES/ACS leader, they are an excellent investment.
