NAR Section News

As of February 1, 2022

Active NAR Sections: 228

New Sections—The NAR would like to welcome the John Champe High School Model Rocketry Club (JCHSMRC) Section #905 out of Aldie, VA. For more about this Sections or to find the one closest to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page.

Section Designated HPR Exam Administrators—As mentioned in the HPR Services News article in last month’s eRocketeer, Sections may designate additional Level 2 and Level 3 certified members to administer the Level 2 and Junior Level 1 written exams. While this policy will go into effect on April 15th, 2022, Sections can now start submitting those names via email (preferred) or hard copy letter from the Section President to the NAR HPR Services Committee Chairman. Names will also be collected during the Section renewal process starting on or about March 1^st, 2022. Keep in mind that only the names of Level 2/Level 3 certified members that are not Sections Leaders/Officers need to be submitted. Please contact the Section Activities Chairman with questions.

Section FAQ #28—Where can I find more information on the three types of NAR Sections? In addition to emailing the Section Activities Chairman, you can find more information about the types of NAR Sections in the “Starting a New Section” chapter of the Section Guidebook.

Click the link for more Section FAQ’s

Section Grants—Applications for 2022 Section Grants are being accepted! Simply fill out and submit the online Section Grant Form to apply for up to a $250 grant. If you need ideas on what to use the grant for, contact the SAC Chairman.

Section Renewals—The online process will start around March 1st. Section Contacts will be sent instructions via email on how to complete the process so please ensure your contact information is up to date. Submit any needed changes using the Online Form (preferred) or by email to the SAC Chairman.

SAC Contact—For questions or comments, contact the SAC Chairman.

Thanks,
Chuck Neff
SAC Chairman

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As of January 1, 2022

Active NAR Sections: 227

New Sections—There are none to report this month but if you’re a NAR member who enjoys launching rockets with other like minded individuals, how about forming your own NAR Section? For more information, reach out to the Section Activities Chairman today!

Year End Reminders:

1. Section Charters do not expire until April 2022. The Section Contact will be sent instructions via email on how to renew your Section Charter online towards the end of February 2022. Make sure that your Section information is up to date!
2. Insurance Certificates do not expire until April 2022. The Section Contact will automatically be sent new insurance certificates via email towards the end of March 2022, before the current ones expire. If you have a site that you are no longer using, please EMAIL ME to let me know.
3. The 2022 Section Grants for up to $250 are now available. Submit your online grant application HERE.
4. The 2022 Free NAR Membership Certificates are now available. Remember, while the free memberships are to be used only for NEW memberships (not renewals or rejoins), they are open to ANY age.
5. All Section related questions should be directed to the Section Activities Chairman and not NAR HQ. Sending questions/inquiries about Section related items to NAR HQ will only delay the process of getting you an answer. Also, many Section related questions can be answered via the Section FAQ’s on the NAR website or listed on the Section’s Group. I encourage you to check them out.
6. Please continue to ask all of your Section Members to declare their affiliation with your Section on their NAR accounts. If you are unsure how to accomplish this, instructions can be found in Section FAQ #10.

SAC Contact—For questions or comments, contact the SAC Chairman

Thanks,
Chuck Neff
SAC Chairman

Active NAR Sections: 224

New Sections–The NAR would like to welcome the Jayhawk High Power Rocketry Section #900 out of Lawrence, KS and the Marshfield Aviation, Rocketry and Spaceflight Club (MARS) Section #901 out of Marshfield. WI. For more about these Sections or to find the one closest to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page.

Charter A Section–Do you enjoy launching rockets with other like-minded people? Would you like to be able to offer FREE liability protection to your launch site landowner? Could you use some help dealing with a local bureaucracy to be able to launch your rockets? Charter as an official NAR Section now and take advantage of the numerous benefits and resources! There are no fees involved and only two active NAR members are required for the initial chartering (depending upon the Section type). You can find more information on the Starting a New Section web page or simply send an inquiry to the SAC Chairman.

Launch Calendar–TARC 2022 is in full swing and Teams are looking for launches to conduct their practice as well as qualification attempts. All Sections should submit your launch events to be added to the NAR’s Event calendar. In addition to helping TARC Teams, this is another way for potential members to find you and see what the NAR is all about. You can submit your events online HERE.

Free Membership Certificates–Time is running out to award your Sections 2021 Free NAR Certificate to a deserving rocketeer! Please take advantage of this benefit and get someone involved with the NAR soon! It’s FREE! Not sure where to find your Sections certificate? Send an email to the Section Activities Chairman for details.

SAC Contact–For questions or comments, contact the SAC Chairman.

Thanks,

SAC Chairman

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Active NAR Sections: 224

New Sections –The NAR would like to welcome the Jersey Shore Rocketry Society (JSRS) Section #898 out of Keyport, NJ and the Southern Vermont Rocketry Society (SVRS) Section #899 out of Guildford, VT. For more information about these Sections or to find the closest one to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page. Don’t have an active Section located near you and you’re interested in chartering your own? Please reach out to the Section Activities Chairman for more information!

High Power Certifications –NAR HQ has been receiving an increasing amount of certification documents that are incomplete. Section Certification Teams need to ensure that all required information is filled out and all documentation included when either sending it to HQ or returning it to the certification candidate for submission. Please double and triple check your forms before submitting them!

Section Grants –There’s still time to apply for a 2021 Section Grant! All eligible Sections are encouraged to take advantage of this generous offer to purchase items such as fire extinguishers/sprayers, fire-fighting tools, welding blankets for ground cover, launch pads, PA systems, weather stations, promotional items, kits for outreach events, etc. Once approved, Sections can receive up to a maximum of $250.00 within a week or so of submission! Simply fill out and submit the online Section Grant Form.

Launch Sites –Is your Section looking for a launch site? We all know that having a launch site is vital to the success and growth of a Section. The online Section Guidebook has a chapter on Launch Sites which contains a lot of useful information that may help you find and secure permission for your Sections launching activities. The Section Activities Chairman may also be able to help with assessing sites, locating landowners, providing letters of support, as well as other assistance.

Thanks,

SAC Chairman

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As of September 1, 2021

New Sections –The NAR would like to welcome the West Texas Space Vaqueres (WTSV) Section #896 out of San Angelo, TX and The Hyperon Project (HYPERON) Section #897 out of Indianapolis, IN. For more information about these Sections or to find the closest one to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page. Don’t have an active Section located near you and you’re interested in chartering your own? The NAR is still looking for members to charter Sections in the states of Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi as well as others. It’s a simple, painless process and best of all, it’s FREE! If interested, please reach out to the Section Activities Chairman today!

Section Types –As mentioned in the last eRocketeer, the NAR has implemented a trial change to its Section types. Effective immediately, current “Private” Sections will be reclassified as “Organizational” Sections and a restructured “Private” Section option will be added. The three Section types and their descriptions are as follows:

Public Sections–Open to anyone and require at least two (2) NAR members to charter and then five (5) members to renew. Public Sections are eligible for all Section benefits, including Section Grants and Landowner Site Insurance as long as they meet the minimum membership requirements.

Organizational Sections–Formed by schools or other organizations (e.g. TARC, Scouts, school groups) that limit participation to their students and faculty and/or members of their organization. They require at least two (2) NAR members to charter AND renew (this is a change from the previous five member requirement). All Section members are encouraged to join the NAR but it is not required. The existing NAR members would be responsible for all activities conducted by the Section. They are not eligible for Section Grants but ARE entitled to Landowner Site Insurance as long as they meet the minimum membership requirements.

Private Sections–Formed as a local group (e.g. friends, families, etc.), they require a minimum of five (5) NAR members to charter and renew each year. Private Sections are also not eligible for Section Grants but they do qualify for Landowner Site Insurance as long as they meet the minimum membership requirements stated above.

All Sections require at least one (1) NAR Senior member among their membership.

To learn more about any of these Section types, visit this NAR webpage or contact the Section Activities Chairman.

Thanks,

SAC Chairman

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As of April 1, 2021.

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Active NAR Sections: 226 (+5 since November, +18 overall since last year at this time)

New Sections – The NAR would like to welcome the Chico Rocketry and Aerospace Club (CRAC) Section #883 out of Chico, CA, the Yuma Arizona Model Rocketry Society (YAMRS) Section #884 out of Yuma, AZ, the Kingman Rocketeers (KR) Section #885 out of Kingman, AZ, the Panhandle Rocket Club (PRC) Section #886 out of North Platte, NE, and the Count Down Cardinals (CDC) Section #887 out of Bloomington, IN. For more about these Sections as well as to find the nearest one to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page.

Charter A Section – Do you enjoy launching rockets with other like-minded people? Would you like to be able to offer FREE liability protection to your launch site landowner? Could you use some help dealing with a local bureaucracy to be able to launch your rockets? Charter as an official NAR Section now and take advantage of the numerous benefits and resources! There are no fees involved and only two active NAR members are required for the initial chartering (five are needed to renew after two years). You can find more information on the Starting a New Section web page or simply send an inquiry to the SAC Chairman.

Section Grants – Applications for 2021 Section Grants are being accepted! Simply fill out and submit the online Section Grant Form to apply for up to a $250 grant. If you need ideas on what to use the grant for, contact the SAC Chairman.

Section Renewals – Remember, the online process will start around mid-February and Section Contacts will be sent instructions via email on how to complete the process. Please ensure your contact information is up to date. Submit any needed changes using the Online Form or by email to the SAC Chairman.

SAC Contact – Chuck Neff, NAR Section Activities Chairman, at sections@nar.org.

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As of November 10, 2020.

Active NAR Sections: 221 (+2 overall change since last month)

New Sections – The NAR would like to welcome the 303 Rocketry (303R) Section #880 out of Broomfield, CO and the Undergraduate Missiles, Ballistics, and Rocketry Association (UMBRA) Section #881 out of Chino, CA. For more about these Sections or to find the one closest to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page.

Section History – Did you know that the NAR has chartered close to 900 Sections over its 63 year history and that there are several active Sections that have been continuously chartered for over 55 years??!! The compilation of all Section names and numbers is currently in process. If anyone has any documents relating to history of their Section or others, especially in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, please reach out to the Section Activities Chairman.

Section Drive – The Section Activities Committee is looking for passionate NAR rocketeers willing to form new Sections (clubs) and promote rocketry in the following states: Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, & South Dakota. Those states currently have some of the fewest NAR members residing there but it only takes two (2) to charter a Section. If you’re not sure how to find members to get started, a list of potential ones can be provided upon request. There are no fees involved with chartering and the process is simple and painless. Once chartered, Sections are entitled to provide FREE launch site insurance for their landowners! If eligible, a Section Grant can also be applied for to help with other Section costs such as safety gear, launch equipment, promotional items, etc. For more information or to start the chartering process, please contact the SAC Chairman.

SAC Contact – Chuck Neff, NAR Section Activities Chairman, at sections@nar.org.

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Active NAR Sections: 219 (+2 overall change since last month)

New Sections – The NAR would like to welcome the LeHigh Valley Rocketry (LVR) Section #878 out of Easton, PA and the Washington Academic Rocketry Network (WARN) Section #879 out of Lynnwood, WA. For more about these Sections or to find the one closest to you, visit the NAR Club Locator page.

Section Grants – Since 2014, the NAR has granted almost 270 Section Grants totaling over $65,000! These grants have been used to purchase a variety of items such as safety gear, range equipment, as well as marketing materials. Sections can apply once per year at any time using the simple online application found HERE. If your Section hasn’t applied for 2020, please do so and take advantage of this generous NAR benefit!

Launch Sites – Is your Section looking for a launch site? The online Section Guidebook has a chapter on Launch Sites which contains a lot of useful information that may help you find and secure permission for your Sections launching activities. There are also chapters on Starting a New Section, Section Management, Publicity, & Running Launches, to name a few. All of the information in the guidebook isn’t just for Sections. Individual NAR members may also find it useful. If you haven’t used this great resource, I recommend checking it out!

Section FAQ’s – Did you know there is a list of Section related Frequently Asked Questions/Answers accessible to Section Leaders on the NAR Sections Group list? If you are a Section Leader/Officer and are not a member of the group, send an email to the Section Activities Chairman and request an invitation to join. Please include your Section Name, Number, and your leadership role.

SAC Contact – Chuck Neff, NAR Section Activities Chairman, at sections@nar.org.

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Active NAR Sections: 217 (+3 overall change since last month)