In June, the board of directors of The Yasme Foundation announced the recipient of its annual Excellence Award, Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, along with grants that will be used to support ham radio around the globe.
This year’s grants from The Yasme Foundation—a not-for-profit corporation organized to support scientific and educational projects related to amateur radio—will go a long way toward encouraging youth participation as well as bolstering the efforts of hams in developing countries:
- $5,000 each to the Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) and ARRL Foundation scholarship programs for 2024
- IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group, Association des Radio Amateurs Tunisiens, and Ethiopian Amateur Radio Association in support of the 2023 YOTA Summer Camp in Hungary
- Support for the advancement of amateur radio in South Sudan
In awarding Rapp its Excellence Award, The Yasme Foundation wrote that the honor was “in recognition of his many contributions to amateur radio in recruiting, training, and mentoring young operators over the years. The initial school radio club sponsorship, followed by managing the Region 2 YOTA Camps, providing administrative assistance for the camps through non-profit organization, and managing the Hamvention’s Ham Radio 2.0 showcase have all made a big impact. Recruiting young operators is key to the survival of amateur radio and his tireless efforts are appreciated.”
From The Yasme Foundation press release: “The Yasme Excellence Award is presented to individuals and groups who, through their own service, creativity, effort and dedication, have made a significant contribution to amateur radio. The contribution may be in recognition of technical, operating or organizational achievement, as all three are necessary for amateur radio to grow and prosper. The Yasme Excellence Award is in the form of a cash grant and an individually-engraved crystal globe.” The award has been given since 2008.
For a great overview of The Yasme Foundation’s history and impact, read this article from current Yasme Foundation president/director and OnAllBands blogger Ward Silver, N0AX.
