On Nov 12, 10:09 am, SoaringXCellence wrote:
On Nov 12, 7:52 am, Bullwinkle wrote:



On 11/12/07 6:55 AM, in article
om, "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)

Perhaps it's a wait-and-see attitude. The SSA was supposed to have been
fixed when Sanderson was fired, and it just got worse, didn't it?

Personally, I'm waiting to see if the promise by all the officers and
Executive Committee members to resign by 1 January 2008 is fulfilled. If
even one decides that the SSA needs their "special experience in this
difficult time" and goes back on their word, then it's just going to be the
"same ole, same ole."

Bullwinkle- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I also have taken a wait-and-see attitude. I'm less concerned about
all the EC members resigning as I think that in this environment that
finding replacements (willing, excited, qualified volunteers) would be
difficult. I agree that the association needs to stop trying to be
all things to all people, but I've been in other organizations that
interpret that as "keep the contests going and screw everything
else." (I'm a "Fast Fred/Instructor Irv" type member.) The resulting
emphasis on contests alienates the casual flyer and does little to
promote the sport to future pilots. A very difficult balance that I
will be interested to see effected.

Mike

I think that was an initial response that would lose us valuable
experience and lessons learned. That is one reason for an Advisory
Committee for the SSA board, to retain that organizational history and
capture expert advice.

I think we fail to promote the 'sporting' aspect of soaring
overall. Soaring is an air sport and the importance of that is not
lost on the FAA. For example, an Experimental Racing Airworthiness
Certificate includes (from FAA Order 8310.2):

(33) Proficiency flights are authorized without geographical
restrictions when conducted in preparation
for participation in sanctioned meets and pursuant to qualify for
Federal Aeronautique International (FAI) or
Soaring Society of America (SSA) awards. These flights may only take
place as defined in the aircraft program
letter, and prior to the specific FAI or SSA event. The pilot in
command must submit a description of the intended
route and/or geographical area intended to be flown to the local FSDO.
(Applicability: Group I, Gliders Only)

It follows that flying for personal bests, SSA and FAI records and
awards, and competition flying should be mentored at the grass roots
level, as should many other aspects of involvement; safety, equipment,
events, clubs, recruitment, youth programs, insurance, and more. The
Contest Committees have been successful because they've had their act
together for many years and come to the SSA board meetings well
prepared with their agendas. Other committees have a less visible
role but have also been very effective. Other committees barely have
a pulse. It's really incumbent upon those groups to be effective and
relevant.

Actually, there's never been a better time to become a volunteer. The
door is wide open to new and exciting approaches and we have more
technological opportunities than ever before.

Frank Whiteley