Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Biography |
Catalog Number |
2018.01.91 |
Object Name |
Photograph |
Caption |
2018.01.91 |
People |
Rushing, Helen |
Search Terms |
Biography Chapter - Mid-Eastern Life Members |
Description |
1. When did you join APCO? 1957 2. Describe your agency position, brief responsibilities and length of service Agency: Maryland State Police Electronic Services Division (Dept. of Public Safety & Correctional Services. Positions: Started as Senior Stenographer 1956; reclassification/promotions were to Stenographer (Permanent), Secretary I, Barrack Clerk, Clerk IV and designation in same position was Service Specialist (paraprofessional category and I received a State award for that. Length of Service: 30 yearsBrief Responsibilities: FCC technician and station licensing, FAA Tower lighting/painting, advisor/ re FCC applicable rules and regulations; represented MSPESD at various meetings, processed certifications, interference research, citations from FCC, assisted inventory control, proposed changes to agency governing manuals for staff and field personnel. Girl Friday in absence of employees or during emergency priority situations. Stayed knowledgeable of dispatch procedures, applicable rules and regulations of both agency and FCC.(1988 - 1989 employed at APCO Chapter Desk, New Smyrna Beach, FL) 3. Describe what course drew you to join APCO? (Chapter) Duties with the Maryland State Police Electronic Services Division were completely different from previous employment duties. My boss was Secretary-Treasurer of MD/DC Chapter of APCO, and work he had me do for him and his boss (who was chapter president) lead me to believe APCO would be a way of becoming knowledgeable of the duties I needed to perform. Was a particular person influential in getting you to join? Yes, as previously mentioned, my boss (Wilson McVey) was Secretary/Treasurer of the Maryland/DC Chapter of APCO and his boss (Louis Bloom) was the president-both of Maryland State Police. (The Chapter later becameMid-Eastern Chapter (Delaware, District of Columbia, and Maryland). The MD/DC Chapter was hosting the 1958 Intl. Conference in Baltimore. 4. Can you describe your APCO activities at the State chapter and National level during your tenure at APCO? - Chapter officer positions held: President (3 years), president-elect, vice-president, Secretary/Treasurer (several terms) and recording secretary. Served on many Chapter committees: major ones being Constitution and Bylaws, Frequency Coordination, Regulatory Review and Historical. Assumed committee Responsibilities in Chapter hosted Regionals (1971, 1974 & 1980) and National (1975) Conferences. Represented the Chapter in technical and APCO oriented panel discussions at Regionals. Functioned as an alternate frequency coordinator commencing in 1956 for Chairman of a 7 state Region #9 area; later Md/DC until 1979. Remained a member of the Frequency Coordination Review Committee until 1984. What was your favorite? Meeting with those in attendance at Chapter Meetings, Regionals or International Conferences, whether they be members, guests and/or vendors, always seemed to Expand my knowledge of the communications world. APCO 5. Has your APCO membership had a direct effect on your career in public-safety communications? It definitely did and although retired (still Active, Senior and Life membership status) being able to ask questions of others, helps in understanding what is happening in the public safety communications field today. 6. What do you like most about APCO? When I have had a "need to know" and my leaders were not available, I could always contact another APCO member - many times in adjoining Chapters, who always helped willingly 7. What does APCO do better than anyone else? Can't answer that one! 8. What does APCO need to do to move forward and stay current? More info in the magazine as to what is happening in various projects, Committees, nationally and/or by the Executive Council. I used to get ideas from columns about Chapter meetings. Make an effort to keep those of us that are still participating up to date. (Those that are not computer knowledgeable who can't go on all those sites where your info is furnished should still be able to find it in the magazine.) I have been told that when items are posted on Intl. sites, it is often hard to distinguish what it pertains to - for example, the word regional is used and often it does not pertain to an APCO designated Regional area. Personally, I don't know how Chapters are supposed to know what members are qualified for (i.e, to consider them for officer nominations or committee assignments) if Chapter's don't receive a copy of the completed application. I understand that the membership printout is only available to a couple of officers in the Chapter. 9. What stands out as significant contribution during your time in office? Increased membership by 600 through a recommended promotional Contest. Articles published in association magazine, compiled Monthly newsletter to Chapter Officers - both resulted and improved meetings and increased memberships. |