On Nov 12, 7:55 am, danlj wrote:
Dear ras-ers,

I took some time last week to send a response on the Future
Restructuring Task Force final report and appendices to the task force
members and a couple of the folks on the executive committee.

I thought that the report was realistic and thoughtful and reflected a
lot of work. I'm satisfied with the work and the recommendations. (I
do believe that it should have explicitly addressed the governance
authority of the Board over the executive director; and felt that the
appendix on SSA mag was probably more prescriptive than necessary.)

It was a surprise to get a reply from one of the 8 FRTF members saying
that the task force had had ZERO (please excuse the shout) responses
from anyone else in SSA. It is not like us to be silent.

I am curious. Does this silence mean that:
A. SSA-ers are uniformly pleased with the wise and thoughtful
recommendations of the task force;
B, No one cares;
C. SSA-ers are too busy finishing out the season to read;
D. Altitude hypoxia has created a universal reading dyslexia amongst
soaring pilots.

Oh, wait; if you are reading this and comprehending it, D must be
false...

Dan Johnson
Menomonie WI
(aka monogamy)


I hope you've also read the board and excomm minutes following this
final report. I had some initial concerns about the mix of at-large
directors to elected directors, both serving three year terms. The
board adopted one year terms for the ALD's. This defused at least one
of my objections, so I have yet to comment directly to the FRTF.

Among my observations, there was a footnote used as a reference which
was an unqualified opinion/finding of another study group. There are
volumes written about organizational and group dynamics, it was very
disconcerting to find such a weak reference used to justify an
important point. There was also a poor assertion that unqualified
volunteers should be placed on advisory committees. In the world of
non-profit organizations, advisory committees are generally built from
experts that can give qualified, competent advice to a board like the
SSA's. Perhaps that comment came from a poor experience with a
citizen advisory committee or something similar, but clearly someone
on the FRTF needs to do some additional research. I know there are
some misgivings the vision of the relationship of the board, an exec,
and committees. The power within a non-profit organization lies with
the board, however, IMVHO the strength of the organization lies within
its committees AKA its volunteers. The SSA is largely a volunteer,
membership organization. However, according to one out-going SSA
director, the SSA board's experience with some committees has been
lackluster. People will volunteer and don't follow through. Much is
said about the statement of work, but this will be some time coming.
If you volunteer, than be active, and help develop what that statement
of work will be. Those effective SSA committees are very active and
successful. However, if you think there's something the SSA should be
doing or doing better, I implore you, and any SSA member that's read
this far, to find the committee or director that has responsibility
for that item. Better yet, volunteer for that committee. You'll make
friends, get smarter, and we'll all benefit. That's how we become
greater than the sum of our parts. No one should be sitting on the
fence waiting to see how it turns out, but should give insight and
bring their talents to the table now. BTW, paying your SSA dues
affords you this great opportunity to serve directly as a volunteer.
That's a member benefit that's seldom mentioned.

OBTW, speaking of volunteers, WI has no current SSA Governor. Here's
your chance to step up!

Very best regards,

Frank Whiteley
SSA Governor, Colorado
Chair, SSA State Governors & Record Keepers Committee
SSA Clubs & Chapters Committee