Over and Out

Andy, Andy, Carl, Doug, Mary, Peter, Skip, Sonny, and Tom listened patiently while Evan and Rick pontificated on the use of radios in glider operations. Everyone, including the instructors, learned something. We now know why you should never use the word "repeat" on the radio (ask Carl). We also learned that you can cover all the radio topics in a single session, and still have time for dinner at the brewpub. This class will be repeated at least once before the season gets underway.

Breakfast tomorrow at "The Fort."

Out.

Nomenclature

In the last post, I talked about forming "Working Groups" to address the major subject areas covered in Tony's survey. As a result of communications I've had since then, I realize that I have been using a term that is not well understood. The work that a Working Group does is the thinking variety, not the manual labor variety. In my mind, the terms "Working Group," "Task Force," and "Subcommittee" are all interchangeable. My choice of words must have been influenced by my involvement with the International Gliding Commission, which has spawned all sorts of Working Groups for various projects. Someday I will write about the IGC.

Anyway, if the survey topics could be summarized in single words, they would be these:

1. Encampments
2. Weekdays
3. Travel
4. Radios
5. Groundschool
6. Spending
7. Fleet
8. Social
9. Membership
   

The survey responses indicate that our members care enough about one or more of these topics that it would be appropriate to assign policy-making responsibilities to small groups of interested people. The Board of Directors welcomes the opportunity to distribute the decision-making. All you have to do is pick a topic and volunteer. If you don't, you will continue to suffer under the current oligarchical regime.

I will continue to use the term "Working Group."

Survey

About a month ago, Tony had the inspired idea of polling club members on a variety of topics. The basic purpose of the survey was to get a reading on how satisfied we were with the club's approach to the larger issues: costs, fleet, operations, encampments, etc. The results (so far) have been quite interesting and in some cases, surprising.

I learned that we're generally happy with the way things are currently working, that encampments are important, that social events are at least as important as flying, that ground school has been neglected.

I was surprised to learn that people are much more willing than I thought to travel to ground school sessions, work parties, and meetings, and to spend real money on soaring safaris. I was further surprised by how much misconception there is out there on the subjects of airport operations, relations with our landlord, and maintenance.

In the weeks ahead, we will form "Working Groups" of members to address the various topics, with the goal of renewing our old commitments and integrating the new ideas.

I view the survey and its analysis as a turning point in the way we do things around here. Full credit to Tony for thinking it up.

(If you haven't participated in the survey, it isn't too late. Contact anyone for a copy, fill it out and send it to Tony).

He's baaack!

Congratulations to Andy Lumley on his election to the position of Club President. And thanks to Gregg for his service as president for the past year.

In other news, it's blogging season again.