HISTORY
REACT in New Jersey
1985
The Presidents Action Committee made up of all New Jersey Team presidents formed the New Jersey Council of REACT Teams (NJCORT) on January 13, 1985, to replace the previous ineffective "State Council". NJCORT had its first major fundraiser (raffle and Teams were asked to donate $15 to the council for start-up funding. Delegates voted to rotate meeting locations rather than 1 location and decided to send minutes free to each NJ Team, RI HQ and RI Board of Directors. Developed working relations with several state and national agencies and began to emphasize mutual aid as shown in the combined efforts in the Cliffside Park plane crash. NJCORT letterhead was developed and GMRS was introduced by a NJ Team. First new NJCORT Team was Tri-County SAR Emergency Communications REACT and MAPSMARS (GMRS organization) was started. NJ Team hosted 2 Search and Rescue (SAR) exercises for other NJCORT Teams.
1986
Four digit numbering system introduced to Council Teams due to large number of transient users. Council adopted amendment allowing Teams from adjoining states (with 5 or more members living in NJ) to have full privileges in NJCORT. RI officially recognized NJCORT as REACT Council. Second new Team was Hamilton-Mercer REACT, third new Team was Jersey City/Hudson REACT and Union County REACT dissolved. NJCORT joined NJVOAD as primary communications group. Council represented at RI Convention in Calgary, Canada and at Virginia REACT Council meeting in Lynchburg, Virginia. Third SAR exercise was held and NJCORT received incorporation as Garden State Council of REACT Teams, Inc. (GSCORT). First regular fundraiser was annual GSCORT picnic.
1987
Council started newsletter - Radio Waves from the Garden State - which received 2nd place in the RI newsletter competition. Newsletter sent FREE to all NJ REACT members, Teams and selected agencies. Also sent to RI Board of Directors and various members, Teams and Councils. Council meetings scheduled for the entire year. Fourth new Team was Newark Alert REACT and Tri-County REACT of Glassboro dropped. Two Council training events were SAR exercise and communications seminar. GSCORT patch was developed and incorporated into wearables. Council representatives attended the RI Convention in San Antonio, Texas, Pennsylvania REACT Council, and Virginia REACT Council meetings. The REACT Amateur Radio Club was introduced to GSCORT. Second regular fundraiser began with the November potluck. Dick Cooper won the K40 REACTer of the Year for 1987.
1988
"REACT Store" started as a convenience to members in obtaining fast moving REACT supplies immediately. Council received and distributed Affiliate member information and received the Governor’s Award for Highway Safety. GSCORT represented at RI Convention in Roanoke, Virginia (14 members) where Council newsletter received 2nd place in RI competition. Tri-County SAR changed name to Action Emergency Communications REACT and GSCORT’s 5th new Team was Bergen-Passaic REACT. Jersey City/Hudson REACT and Newark Alert REACT failed to renew for 1989. Third regular fund raising event was the Super Bowl/Spaghetti Dinner and Council held another communications seminar. GSCORT and Hamilton-Mercer REACT received the K40 Annual Awards for council of the Year and Team of the Year respectively.
1989
NJRARC received recognition from the ARRL and membership in Hudson Amateur Radio Club. Council represented at RI Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. GSCORT’s 6th new Team was Union-Middlesex REACT. Jemstar "medivac" helicopter lands at Council picnic and Council delegates vote to work on 2 day GSCORT Convention for April 1990.
1990
GSCORT’s first state Convention held in April. The first Council awards recognized Individual, Junior, and Team with the most monitoring hours in New Jersey. NJ Life Members donated motor home to the Council to help promote REACT and help Teams. GSCORT was represented at the RI Convention at Spokane, Washington, and at a Pennsylvania Council meeting. Delegates voted to bid for the 1994 RI Convention for New Jersey. The Newsletter received 2nd place in RI competition. Edison-Raritan Bay Area REACT’s charter was revoked for cause by the RI Board of Directors.
Summary
1985 through 1990 saw 43 regular meetings hosted by 12 Teams and there have been 13 formal fund raisers. GSCORT was represented at RI Conventions from 1986 to 1990 and have attended a minimum of 8 meetings of 3 Councils including Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. The Council has promoted numerous training seminars including Red Cross, Search and Rescue and Communications. GSCORT has also hosted a REACT International Convention. The Council has received 6 new Teams and lost 5 Teams. GSCORT continues to promote publicity, fund raising, membership, training, various Team and members programs and participation in the activities of REACT International.
