Present SSA crisis

There has been a lot of criticism of the Directors on RAS. However,
when you have a couple dozen well-meaning (but basically unqualified)
persons on the Board, and you get in this type of situation, probably
the problem is with the system rather than with the individuals. Put
another two dozen randomly selected soaring pilots on the Board, and the
same thing would have happened.

If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure. For example, is it good to have
so many directors? Would it be better to have a much smaller governing
body, where each individual is directly responsible for something,
rather than the current situation where any individual is just a face in
the crowd, and bears no direct responsibility for his/her mistakes?

If the Board had hired such a consultant a few years ago, the Board
would have learned about the necessity of an outside audit, and also
would have been told to set up a system of checks and balances, so it
would have been difficult for an employee to create the current
problems. So we wouldn't be in the present mess.

This leads to a point that someone else recently made on RAS -- maybe
what the SSA really needs is to hire someone (perhaps only as a
part-time advisor) who is knowledgeable about running a non-profit
organization, and who can provide continuing advice. Such people
probably are a dime a dozen in Washington. This may is the best
argument for getting the SSA out of Hobbs -- you just aren't going to
find the right people in Hobbs.

Greg,

I could not agree with you more. Good post.

Maybe we should be in Elmira, NY right along side of, or even in the
same building with, the National Soaring Museum. Way back in the 70s
or 80s the board discussed moving to Elmira but for some unkown reason
it was voted down. Maybe now is the time to rethink that issue and
join the NSM under one roof (if they would have us).

There could be a lot of advantages to that move.

Regards,

Frank Reid


Greg Arnold wrote:
There has been a lot of criticism of the Directors on RAS. However,
when you have a couple dozen well-meaning (but basically unqualified)
persons on the Board, and you get in this type of situation, probably
the problem is with the system rather than with the individuals. Put
another two dozen randomly selected soaring pilots on the Board, and the
same thing would have happened.

If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure. For example, is it good to have
so many directors? Would it be better to have a much smaller governing
body, where each individual is directly responsible for something,
rather than the current situation where any individual is just a face in
the crowd, and bears no direct responsibility for his/her mistakes?

If the Board had hired such a consultant a few years ago, the Board
would have learned about the necessity of an outside audit, and also
would have been told to set up a system of checks and balances, so it
would have been difficult for an employee to create the current
problems. So we wouldn't be in the present mess.

This leads to a point that someone else recently made on RAS -- maybe
what the SSA really needs is to hire someone (perhaps only as a
part-time advisor) who is knowledgeable about running a non-profit
organization, and who can provide continuing advice. Such people
probably are a dime a dozen in Washington. This may is the best
argument for getting the SSA out of Hobbs -- you just aren't going to
find the right people in Hobbs.

Frank Reid wrote:

Frank, SSA was moved to Hobbs due to the efforts of Jack Gomez, Mr Hobbs
in his day, and Judge Hal Lattimore...Jack wanted it and Judge Lattimore
as a Director of Region 10 delivered it. Marion Griffith had a sweet
deal for a site near DFW Airport between Dallas and Fort Worth. But the
Judge had control of the BOD's actions, in those days.

This is the second time in four years, the BOD and Excon have been
caught with there pants down. SSA needs a complete overhaul of the
office policies and bookkeeping procedures. Anytime an organization that
collects money for a membership card, publishes a monthly magazine,
sells merchandise and helps contest flying with a few printed cards
continues to get in trouble with someone's hand in the kitty, it is time
for a change.

We have had several articles about "Where is the world is Dennis", he
should have been in the office managing the office.

Sam Fly


Greg,

I could not agree with you more. Good post.

Maybe we should be in Elmira, NY right along side of, or even in the
same building with, the National Soaring Museum. Way back in the 70s
or 80s the board discussed moving to Elmira but for some unkown reason
it was voted down. Maybe now is the time to rethink that issue and
join the NSM under one roof (if they would have us).

There could be a lot of advantages to that move.

Regards,

Frank Reid


Greg Arnold wrote:

There has been a lot of criticism of the Directors on RAS. However,
when you have a couple dozen well-meaning (but basically unqualified)
persons on the Board, and you get in this type of situation, probably
the problem is with the system rather than with the individuals. Put
another two dozen randomly selected soaring pilots on the Board, and the
same thing would have happened.

If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure. For example, is it good to have
so many directors? Would it be better to have a much smaller governing
body, where each individual is directly responsible for something,
rather than the current situation where any individual is just a face in
the crowd, and bears no direct responsibility for his/her mistakes?

If the Board had hired such a consultant a few years ago, the Board
would have learned about the necessity of an outside audit, and also
would have been told to set up a system of checks and balances, so it
would have been difficult for an employee to create the current
problems. So we wouldn't be in the present mess.

This leads to a point that someone else recently made on RAS -- maybe
what the SSA really needs is to hire someone (perhaps only as a
part-time advisor) who is knowledgeable about running a non-profit
organization, and who can provide continuing advice. Such people
probably are a dime a dozen in Washington. This may is the best
argument for getting the SSA out of Hobbs -- you just aren't going to
find the right people in Hobbs.

Greg Arnold wrote:
There has been a lot of criticism of the Directors on RAS. However,
when you have a couple dozen well-meaning (but basically unqualified)
persons on the Board, and you get in this type of situation, probably
the problem is with the system rather than with the individuals.

Just my opinion here (Unlike the posts of Frank Reid, which are
indesputible facts), you are correct. It would still be in the best
intrest of SSA if the Executive committee were to resign.I think this
would help restore the membership's faith in SSA.

If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure. For example, is it good to have
so many directors? Would it be better to have a much smaller governing
body, where each individual is directly responsible for something,
rather than the current situation where any individual is just a face in
the crowd, and bears no direct responsibility for his/her mistakes?

It would probably be good to keep the regional system intact, but
update the Executive board system.You should forward your ideas to your
regional director.I have been in contact with my regional director (Who
is good drinking buddies with Frank Reid), and he has assured me that
the SSA management is going to get a complete overhaul.

This leads to a point that someone else recently made on RAS -- maybe
what the SSA really needs is to hire someone (perhaps only as a
part-time advisor) who is knowledgeable about running a non-profit
organization, and who can provide continuing advice. Such people
probably are a dime a dozen in Washington. This may is the best
argument for getting the SSA out of Hobbs -- you just aren't going to
find the right people in Hobbs.

It has kind of amazed me that with all the money that flows through the
SSA every year, it is run mostly by part time volenteers.Dedicated full
time staff and a move out of Hobbs is exactly what they need.Take a
look at what the Academy of Model Aeronatics managed to do.Years ago
they were faced with declining membership, vitually nonexisant
participation in their national event, and an upstart competing
organization.They managed to turn all that around, and vastly improve
their magazine in the process.I see no reason (Other than the current
management) why the SSA couldnt do the same thing.

Although there is a present crisis at the SSA, involving a substantial
amount of money, the problem is pretty basic - the lack of financial
oversight.

I am a lawyer and have served non-profit organizations and insured that what
happened in this case did not happen. There are plenty of lawyers or CPAs
that could have easily prevented this from happening, by respecting the
bylaws and other corporate regulations. There are good attorneys and CPAs
in Hobbs, NM as well as elsewhere. On the other hand financial
mis-management can occur anywhere.

Moving the SSA should not be done because of financial mismanagement. That
would not solve the problem. If Hobbs is not the best place, for other
reasons, then a move should be considered by the Board. If Hobbs is the
best place, then it should remain there. Hobbs is not the cause of the
financial loss.

The lesson learned will prevent it from happening again. This is a perfect
example of why checks and balances are important. The Board members were
elected and they tried their best. That they failed to do an adequate
pre-flight was a simple - but costly mistake, which I trust they will not
repeat.

This is an opportunity to make improvements to the SSA. Fix the things that
are broken - but do not discard what is good about it. It is a non-profit
organization that helps us enjoy the freedom of flight.

Colin

I have been a member of ssa for 15 years. I look casually through the mag every month. i was aware that we hired a new ed several years ago.

I was NOT AWARE that there was any problem with the last ed. nor do i have any idea what people "in the know" are referring to when they reference past problems ( computer system, credit card abuse, the site selection etc. )

Did I miss a discussion in our monthly magazine or a note from the board re these past problems?? or were they quietly dealt with by a select few and the information not made known to the membership?

If a select group "quietly handles" messy problems, it creates a super class of members. Protecting the general membership from details that are unpleasant sets the stage for bigger and bigger problems.

A culture simply cannot be allowed to develop within an organization such as SSA in which a select few dispose of problems quietly. A non profit organization should, imho, be run as a transparantly as possible. This is a basic concept that should be instilled in every employee also.
If the last ed was fired for cause, we should have been told.

moving forward requires a hard look at the past.
"Sam Fly" wrote in message news:dCEOg.52$uj3.45@trnddc08...


Frank Reid wrote:

Frank, SSA was moved to Hobbs due to the efforts of Jack Gomez, Mr Hobbs
in his day, and Judge Hal Lattimore...Jack wanted it and Judge Lattimore
as a Director of Region 10 delivered it. Marion Griffith had a sweet
deal for a site near DFW Airport between Dallas and Fort Worth. But the
Judge had control of the BOD's actions, in those days.

This is the second time in four years, the BOD and Excon have been
caught with there pants down. SSA needs a complete overhaul of the
office policies and bookkeeping procedures. Anytime an organization that
collects money for a membership card, publishes a monthly magazine,
sells merchandise and helps contest flying with a few printed cards
continues to get in trouble with someone's hand in the kitty, it is time
for a change.

We have had several articles about "Where is the world is Dennis", he
should have been in the office managing the office.

Sam Fly


Greg,

I could not agree with you more. Good post.

Maybe we should be in Elmira, NY right along side of, or even in the
same building with, the National Soaring Museum. Way back in the 70s
or 80s the board discussed moving to Elmira but for some unkown reason
it was voted down. Maybe now is the time to rethink that issue and
join the NSM under one roof (if they would have us).

There could be a lot of advantages to that move.

Regards,

Frank Reid


Greg Arnold wrote:

There has been a lot of criticism of the Directors on RAS. However,
when you have a couple dozen well-meaning (but basically unqualified)
persons on the Board, and you get in this type of situation, probably
the problem is with the system rather than with the individuals. Put
another two dozen randomly selected soaring pilots on the Board, and the
same thing would have happened.

If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure. For example, is it good to have
so many directors? Would it be better to have a much smaller governing
body, where each individual is directly responsible for something,
rather than the current situation where any individual is just a face in
the crowd, and bears no direct responsibility for his/her mistakes?

If the Board had hired such a consultant a few years ago, the Board
would have learned about the necessity of an outside audit, and also
would have been told to set up a system of checks and balances, so it
would have been difficult for an employee to create the current
problems. So we wouldn't be in the present mess.

This leads to a point that someone else recently made on RAS -- maybe
what the SSA really needs is to hire someone (perhaps only as a
part-time advisor) who is knowledgeable about running a non-profit
organization, and who can provide continuing advice. Such people
probably are a dime a dozen in Washington. This may is the best
argument for getting the SSA out of Hobbs -- you just aren't going to
find the right people in Hobbs.

Greg Arnold wrote:
If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure.

A good idea, but it might be even better to see if we could get help
from Harvard, Stanford or similar Biz School alumni on a volunteer
basis. I know both Harvard and Stanford have programs of this nature to
help non-profit organizations run more efficiently. One of my good
friends does this through Harvard's program and he is a first rate
consultant, much better than SSA could probably afford to hire. (He's
the former CFO of a public company.) And he puts in a fair amount of
time on his projects. It's not just a "look good" thing.

A big question is whether there are any such people willing to work on
SSA, esp given its remote location. Maybe there are some such people on
this site??

What do you call a "similar" grad school? Do you have to fly an ASW-29 as
well?



Please don't from any accredit
wrote in message
oups.com...


A good idea, but it might be even better to see if we could get help
from Harvard, Stanford or similar Biz School alumni on a volunteer
basis. I know both Harvard and Stanford have programs of this nature to
help non-profit organizations run more efficiently. One of my good
friends does this through Harvard's program and he is a first rate
consultant, much better than SSA could probably afford to hire. (He's
the former CFO of a public company.) And he puts in a fair amount of
time on his projects. It's not just a "look good" thing.

A big question is whether there are any such people willing to work on
SSA, esp given its remote location. Maybe there are some such people on
this site??

My understanding is that years ago when the SSA "worked" it was run by
young dynamic leaders who loved soaring (e.g. John Dezutti) who took a
position like ED almost right out of college/B-school, spent several
years learning the ropes of running a large organization, then moved on
to bigger and better things (notice the success of the 83 Worlds
organized under a tight timeline following the UK's scuffle with
Argentina/Falklands Islands in this timeframe). They were probably
also cheaper than the six figure ED's we've had lately. I'm all in
favor of this plan, and hell, I even know where you can find one (or
more) individuals who fit the description.

2c


wrote:
Greg Arnold wrote:
If the SSA survives, it really needs to hire an outside consultant who
is an expert on non-profit membership organizations, and who can advise
about the proper governing structure.

A good idea, but it might be even better to see if we could get help
from Harvard, Stanford or similar Biz School alumni on a volunteer
basis. I know both Harvard and Stanford have programs of this nature to
help non-profit organizations run more efficiently. One of my good
friends does this through Harvard's program and he is a first rate
consultant, much better than SSA could probably afford to hire. (He's
the former CFO of a public company.) And he puts in a fair amount of
time on his projects. It's not just a "look good" thing.

A big question is whether there are any such people willing to work on
SSA, esp given its remote location. Maybe there are some such people on
this site??

Sam Fly wrote:


Frank Reid wrote:

Frank, SSA was moved to Hobbs due to the efforts of Jack Gomez, Mr Hobbs
in his day, and Judge Hal Lattimore...Jack wanted it and Judge Lattimore
as a Director of Region 10 delivered it. Marion Griffith had a sweet
deal for a site near DFW Airport between Dallas and Fort Worth. But the
Judge had control of the BOD's actions, in those days.

I was there, and Hal (Judge) Lattimore (did not control the BOD's
actions. I certainly did not get any pressure from him. Sterling Starr
was in control of the process (not the outcome) and I think he did a
damn good job. He didn't seem like the kind of guy Hal could push around.

This is a "reprint" of a posting I made about Jan 2005:

"Warning: some details below may differ from the facts, due to imperfect
memory!

The decision to locate the SSA headquarters in Hobbs was not easy,
cheap, or done casually. I was a Regional director at the time (about 15
years ago) when it was decided to move the headquarters out of Santa
Monica, which had become extremely expensive to lease.

The process consumed considerable time and effort over many, many months
on the Director's part, as they sought bids from all over the country.
The primary bids came from soaring groups in Colorado Springs, Elmira,
and Hobbs. Each place made passionate presentations, describing why
their place was the best.

When it came time to vote, the majority of the Directors voted for Hobbs
as the best overall bid for meeting the Society's needs. All bidders had
strengths in different areas, but Hobbs (in the form of the city and the
county) offer of substantial financial assistance, other aid, and a
history of low labor costs, tipped the balance. At the time of our vote,
the Society was swimming in red ink, and this aid was crucial.

As a result, we acquired a fine new office building built to our
specifications in an area of excellent soaring, just across the street
from the airport where regional and national contests are held, and
where the National Soaring Foundation conducts its operation.

Re-locating the office is possible and would yield some benefits, but
the overall picture must be considered very carefully to ensure a net
benefit after the time and costs of finding a new place, moving there,
and continuing operational costs are included."

--

--
Note: email address new as of 9/4/2006
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

"Transponders in Sailplanes" on the Soaring Safety Foundation website
www.soaringsafety.org/prevention/articles.html

"A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org