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jerry-hansen(at)cox.net
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 Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:58 am Post subject: Copy of memo |
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The Coming Battle for the Heart of the EAA – by Doug Kelly
In recent weeks, I have become aware of strong and widespread feelings of concern for the future of our national organization. A minimal amount of investigation disclosed that these sentiments are being expressed by a rapidly increasing number of members, particularly in the homebuilding, vintage and volunteer communities. It is an issue that apparently is emerging all across the nation and is evoking an organized response. An initial effort will be made to generate a protest via proxy votes cast at the annual membership meeting at AirVenture 2012. Likely this will be only an opening salvo in a longer dispute.
While probably symbolic at first, this action is an important effort to alert the EAA Board of Directors to the depth of dissatisfaction with new directions and priorities as expressed in publications, and by sudden changes to a previously loyal staff.
In my view, this is a crisis a long time in the making. The stage has been set because there never has been a solid structural mechanism for member representation in the EAA. After Paul's early and deft leadership, which was based largely on his personal touch, Tom led the organization in the direction of emphasis on show, spectacle, and commercial visibility. Gradually the Board became dominated by corporate interests and big-time fund raising prospects. As a result, AirVenture's success each year now accounts for at least one third of the annual budget. Donations (ostensibly to support educational programs) account for at least another third. Person-power to actually make AirVenture run is largely dependent on a graying and, surprisingly, less happy volunteer corps. AirVenture has become an international extravaganza and cash cow that succeeds in wowing the public and commercial interests but is far more fragile than is generally recognized.
The Board has struggled (1) to define itself appropriately, and (2) to locate a successor to Tom. To my way of thinking, it has not succeeded in either challenge.
I watched for a decade as each year the annual membership meeting was attended by an ever smaller handful of members, and one or two sought bravely to utilize the "election" system, hoping to become members of the Board. Their efforts were almost always effectively thwarted by selection practices within the existing board structure so that very few who truly represented member interests survived the ritual. In truth, I know of only one or two examples of success. The various Councils (including the one on which I served as chairman) give the illusion of member representation but are, in fact, appointed and now mostly tasked with volunteer functions to help make AirVenture run. Their chairpersons are nominal board members but limited essentially to observer status. There is no structure to assure that the traditional purposes of EAA have a voice in its future (namely homebuilding, restoration, craftsmanship, and above all, safe practices in construction, maintenance and operation of recreational aircraft). Thus, the balance of power has been swung largely toward achieving commercial success rather than promoting educational/recreational goals. Our hobby is being screwed over.
Thus, we have come to the point where the EAA Board and its executive and selection committees have now provided us EAA members with a new leader who apparently has little regard for the roots of our organization or the wisdom to weave them into the future. The bottom line is the bottom line and the member is the market. He refers to our avocation as "our industry" and anticipates our loyalty. Please!
The movement to gain input via a proxy procedure has little chance of success this year, but it is very important for the powers that be to get a message that this is, after all, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the proper education of its members. I, for one, strongly object to the sudden and arbitrary shifts in policy, publication and staffing that have changed the focus from the unique and traditional to the mundane, spectacular and commercially profitable. I hope you agree.
You can help by supporting the proxy effort this year. If you attend AirVenture, you can obtain a proxy form at the Cleaveland Tool exhibit (assuming you didn’t surrender your proxy option when you renewed your membership). More importantly, do continue your membership so as to be able to help the movement as it grows in the next year or two. This isn't a quick and dirty venture.
Doug Kelly
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tsts4
Joined: 06 Aug 2007
Posts: 167
Location: Tampa, FL
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Copy of memo |
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Well put. Another thing we can do to help send the message is to become members of the Sport Aviation Association (SAA). I suggest that membership should be "in addition to" and not "in lieu of" your EAA membership, at least for the time being. I've attached a copy of the SAA flyer that was in my EAA Chapter's July newsletter that has all the details for those that are interested.
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| Description: |
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SAA.docx |
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1.63 MB |
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330 Time(s) |
_________________
Todd Stovall
aka "Auburntsts" on EAA and VAF
RV-10 N728TT -- Flying |
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