Jul 9, 2004, 4:24 PM
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Re: [Hooknswoop] Open Question to Incumbents
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What did you accomplish as a member of the BOD?
First I plead ignorance as a first-termer. I figured I would make tons of changes to the SIM if I could get onto the S&T Committee (not even knowing how the system works). I got on. Then I also signed up for two more committees, Nominations & Elections, and Membership Services.
When the BOD meeting happens, I don't get a break, even for lunch, because as soon as one session is finished, I'm running to the next one.
I signed up to do a "scrub" of the FJC and the Coach Course for the update of the SIM. Little did I know that whatever changes I made would go to a Committee, and they would make the final decision as to what could or would be changed.
So my passionate desire to get students not to be taught to unstow their brakes on a two-canopy-out situation is still not changed in the SIM. Fortunately, every DZ I have talked to does not teach the recommendations in the SIM for that scenario.
I listened to (and debated as well) the changes that have been made in S&T, as well as the insurance issues we had to face. As a freshman BOD, I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I'd hoped. But I have plans for the future.
I'd like to get elected again, it's really a thankless job, because *somebody* will get mad at you if you take a stand. I've learned to keep my opinions to myself instead of posting them publicly.
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What are your goals if you are re-elected?
Take on less. S&T is still my first priority, but I think I will give up Membership Services, because that was so much more time intensive that I imagined it would be. Madolyn is a very determined person, and she accomplished a lot in the last cycle.
I'd like to get at least that much accomplished in S&T this next cycle. I'm looking forward to it, and I need every vote, and every skydiver I know will hear from me in one way or another.
I come home from work after a long and sometimes frustrating day at the office, and the first thing I do is crack open a beer and get on this forum to see what's been said since yesterday.
By the time the second beer is quaffed, I'm in a pretty good mood..
Jul 12, 2004, 1:43 AM
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Re: [mustard] Open Question to Incumbents
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I'd like to get elected again, it's really a thankless job, because *somebody* will get mad at you if you take a stand. I've learned to keep my opinions to myself instead of posting them publicly.
That seems like a strange position for someone running for elected office. Sparky
Jul 12, 2004, 4:34 PM
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Re: [PhreeZone] Open Question to Incumbents
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Has anyone taken the time to send an email to the full BOD asking them to reply to this thread?
If not I will, but I do not want to duplicate efforts of others.
That is a GREAT idea...
Take it, Phree...I don't think anyone else on this thread has...then again you just posted that a couple of hours ago, so perhaps if you don't get a response by morning, then do it?? I would really appreciate that as well...
Jul 12, 2004, 5:26 PM
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Re: [mjosparky] Open Question to Incumbents
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In Reply To I'd like to get elected again, it's really a thankless job, because *somebody* will get mad at you if you take a stand. I've learned to keep my opinions to myself instead of posting them publicly.
That seems like a strange position for someone running for elected office.
Well, I thought so too -- more than a year ago. Then I realized that I cannot have a stand that is my own any more: everyone in my region feels that I should represent *them,* which is not possible, since skydivers have a varity of viewpoints. I would preface my posts with "this is not as a BOD person, but as a skydiver," but i made no difference: my mailbox would fill with emails from irate people that said I was WRONG, that I should feel differently, etc.
I guess I started to build a bit of a barrier between me and the attacks. I just didn't know how to do it differently.
Jul 12, 2004, 9:24 PM
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Re: [mjosparky] Open Question to Incumbents
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>>I'd like to get elected again, it's really a thankless job, >>because *somebody* will get mad at you if you take >>a stand. I've learned to keep my opinions to myself >>instead of posting them publicly. > >That seems like a strange position for someone running >for elected office.
I see that she responded down below but maybe I can shed some light too.
I think she's referring to the hazards of becoming a public figure.
If you're just a jumper and you say something people listen or not in one way, but if you're the same person saying the same thing as a public official people take it in a different way.
I've seen her become much more careful about saying casual thoughts passing through her mind.
----
It even spills over on me. There are dim bulbs out there who can't seem to tell us apart, you know, she's the little one with curves, I'm the big one with white hair on my face.
I say something and they jump all over her because they think she thinks that.
----
But on a more general note, I've seen many, many people filled with enthusiasm and good intentions get on the board in the hopes of making changes and doing some good, and a few years later they are discouraged at how much effort it takes to kick the whale down the beach.
Sometimes an idea that sounds good in a local situation won't work as is in the wider, more complex world, and nobody knows how to adapt it or expand it.
Sometimes good stuff doesn't happen because there is just not enough people/time/energy to do it.
Sometimes it's the reality distortion field. I don't understand how this works but I notice that when I go to board meetings I have to exert some real effort to hang on to the weekend to weekend dropzone reality.
I know it affects other people because I hear them say stuff that seems to make some kind of sense in the room where the meeting is happening but not in the weekend to weekend world.
----
In spite of all that I know that you guys can make a difference because I know that I made a difference.
It doesn't feel like it sometimes because it took so much work and took so long that the effort overshadows the results, but I can see words and ideas all through jumping and USPA that I either started or played a part in.
Sometimes the first people to speak up about issues like canopy deaths and exit separation become casualties of war and end up angry and frustrated that nothing happened.
But it's not true, something is happening.
The Dalai Lama said that anger is not cost effective, so if you jump on the board members with anger, even justifiable anger, it doesn't work very well, but if you keep the ground swell going it will happen.
USPA doesn't lead, the grass roots lead, and then USPA follows along and turns it into proper SIM sludge.
Jul 12, 2004, 10:21 PM
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Re: [skr] Open Question to Incumbents
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Skratch, My comment was not in anger, I learned long ago that is a waste of energy. You have brought up some good points and I for one have been around long enough to be aware of your positive influence on our sport over the years. I think maybe skydivers forget that just like our national government, USPA is not a democracy but a Republic. We do not get a say on every issue, we elect people to represent us and give them the power to use their judgment on issues for us. I think Directors should be able to voice their opinions openly. If their position is sound they may be able to sway those that would disagree. On the other hand, if their position is not sound, an open discussion with others might change their feeling. Isn't that what its all about? Sparky
Jul 12, 2004, 11:09 PM
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Re: [mjosparky] Open Question to Incumbents
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>My comment was not in anger
:-)
Actually after the first few paragraphs I forgot I was talking to you and was kind of responding to the whole forum. I had just read all the unread posts before coming back to this thread.
I understand the anger / frustration / resentment on both sides. I feel it too. The skydiving world is taking too long to address some important issues.
But if that becomes the dominant tone we lose dropzone.com just like we lost rec.skydiving.
I sometimes have doubts that open discussion is possible on here, like maybe debate is an art that our current civilization has lost.
People come out ot the gate in attack mode.
Plus this ascii medium is so easy to misinterpret with no tone of voice or body language.
But, I'm startled to see that it's past midnight so I'm going to stop here before I add to the problem.
Jul 13, 2004, 7:45 AM
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Re: [Taylor610] Open Question to Incumbents
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Wally, do we know for sure that all on the BOD know about this thread and that we as a community are asking for participation?
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Jul 13, 2004, 8:18 AM
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Re: [diverdriver] Open Question to Incumbents
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We do now. I just sent an email to all BOD members that are seeking re-election notifying them of this thread, the questions in it and asking their participation on here. I also asked that if they do not feel like participating here that they could email me their responce and I would post it for the members to see.
Jul 13, 2004, 1:18 PM
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Re: [skr] Open Question to Incumbents
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Skratch: Plus this ascii medium is so easy to misinterpret with no tone of voice or body language.
Gary: Yep, and that is why I specifically ask people to call me if they want a more detailed explanation of things, and I even give them a toll-free number, yet so few still call. ?????
Gary Peek: (800) 435-1975
It's my company, I pay the phone bill, you are not going to be harassed by someone who thinks you shouldn't be calling me.....
PhreeZone (D License)
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Jul 14, 2004, 5:53 AM
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Re: [PhreeZone] Open Question to Incumbents
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Further update. Jan also emailed me and will be posting her replay after the BOD meeting this weekend
Danny Page also responded to my email with this reply:
Here's my responses to your questions.
What did you accomplish as a member of the BOD?
During this term, I acted as the competition committee's, sub-committee chair for formation skydiving and the collegiates as well as an advisor to the Group Membership committee. My main focus has been competition, because competition in all disciplines, and at all skill-levels, improves the over-all ability and enjoyment of our sport for a lot of participants.
Specifically, I spearheaded making sure the rules to reflect the competitor's desires for their discipline and getting those rules published and out to the community as soon as they were ratified by the board.
What are your goals if you are re-elected?
I'll continue to represent the best interests of all competitors.
Secondly, because skydivers are still killing themselves under perfectly flying canopies, I'll provide as much input as possible into improving USPA's canopy pilot training programs, from beginner to ultra canopy pilot.
Lastly, because our sport is currently facing a lot of challenges, e.g. increasing fuel prices, the insurance issue, greater FAA scrutiny/governance, headquarters' relocation, and recent court decisions, I'm concerned that our privilege to jump may be constrained more and more as time rolls on. I think I can continue to provide the necessary "level-headed" leadership that will help guide our association through these potential difficulties.
I'm happy for the replys that we've recieved so far. Lets hope that the rest of the BOD replies and allows me to post their replies also.
Jul 21, 2004, 1:19 PM
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Re: [Hooknswoop] Open Question to Incumbents
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What did you accomplish as a member of the BOD?
There is no 'I' in team. All of the issues I worked on were brought to a committee. The committee then presents a motion to the full board. I knew this ahead of time because I have been to 6 or so previous BOD meetings.
I am on three committees: Safety and Training, Constitution and Bylaws and Membership Services. This is a highlight list.
Constitution and Bylaws committee: - Presented a set of specific proxies that the membership wanted. These efforts were undermined when the proxy statement was only printed one time. Originally, they were supposed to be printed three times. - There was a motion to do away with the requirement that jumpers be 16 years old from the bylaws. I voted against that.
S&T committee: - helped develop what has become the Advanced Instructor Course (AIC). I attended a course in May 2003, conducted by Rob Laidlaw, in DeLand, FL (on my own dime). - Review of the SIM and IRM. (twice) - kept the written D-license exam - review of exam questions - represented instructors that wanted a reserve side handle mandatory - generation of an evaluator training tape/dvd - floating the idea of a check-ride - revised the new Canopy Piloting section - There was a motion to lower the tandem age requirement. I voted against that.
Membership Services committee: - generated potential candidates for the USPA Achievement award and Gold Medal award - generated ideas for sport promotion - evaluated insurance options. This included several phone conferences among the committee. - presented survey results in an easy to understand format that -shows what programs members want the most and least. - suggested several usability improvements to the USPA website - suggested spam-protection measures for the USPA website. This supposedly will come to fruition about 1 year after it was suggested. - suggested active participation on internet newsgroups and forums - suggested committee email aliases be reactivated and clarified on the web site - demo jumps requirements to ensure qualified demo jumpers
In addition to the committees that I am a member of: I presented information on the SkyRide operation to the Group Membership Committee that resulted in a letter of disapproval of SkyRide's business practices. These practices have not changed so USPA's attorney is being consulted. SkyRide operation was put on the main agenda, that prompted SkyRide owner Cary Quattrochi to attend a BOD meeting. I fielded many email and phone inquiries about SkyRide and have elevated the awareness of their business practices. I presented a FAQs for the election to the Election and Nomination Committee. I submitted new formations for 10-way and will submit some new blocks for 16-way.
I also learned a lot about parliamentary procedure. I usually read or re-read Robert's Rules on the flight out to the meeting.
In reply to:
What are your goals if you are re-elected?
- keep doing what I have been doing. - keep participating on newsgroups or forums to communicate with as many members as possible. - keep pushing for greater internet communication with members (This is a much tougher issue than you would think. Members need to request this too.) - provide ideas and technical resources for the new software that can provide many new features to the USPA web site. - keep standards for instructional staff high
I will continue to represent and promote individual members' views.
Aug 9, 2004, 6:38 AM
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Re: [mjosparky] Open Question to Incumbents
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Regional and national directors should reflect the votes of the people in their area not just there ideas. If you are afraid to speak up dont be there.
Aug 14, 2004, 5:59 PM
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Re: [Hooknswoop] Open Question to Incumbents
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I don’t spend much time on the forum so I appreciate the email regarding this question. I apologize for the time it has taken me to respond but before and after a Board meeting is typically pretty full for me with preparation and then follow up.
This term I was honored to be asked to Chair the Membership Services Committee. The committee was a good group that was handed a tough insurance situation. We are still researching self-insurance options that could be a possibility in the future. We resurrected our organization’s award program and voted to make the first USPA Lifetime Achievement award in 5 years as well as awarding Meritorious Achievement Awards to some very deserving skydivers. We’ve also made nominations for FAI awards that we hope will be successful.
I’ve also served on the Competition committee and as the Sub-committee chair for Judging and developed qualifications for the Regional Judges Rating and added a proficiency card for that rating to put it in line with every other rating in our system. This was an effort to set clear guidelines for the initial Judges rating so we can train and qualify more judges at the Regional Level. We hope better training at the Regional Level will produce a qualified pool of candidates for the National Rating.
I was the Sub-committee Chair for National Site Selection which includes proposing changes to that section of the Skydivers Competition Manual and managing the bidder’s presentation process to the Board of Directors.
I served as advisor on the Nomination and Elections Committee and was elected as USPA Secretary which means that I sit on the Executive Committee also. That pretty much fills up my time at the meetings as well as good portion of my free time.
If I’m elected next term I will continue to be productive on the Board and try to do what best serves the members. I’m a fun jumper so I don’t have an “agenda” except for maintaining our ability to jump. By having some experience in several areas (former Instructor, former Competitor, former DZO) I can relate and think I can bring their issues to the Board effectively.
My goals are small because I know how long it takes to get things accomplished in any association. It’s like trying to get a train to make a turn. You can do it but it takes a lot of planning and hard work to lay the track. I would like to see us continue to explore self insurance, further develop judges training programs and do some clean up to SIM Section 8. As a member, I will do these things whether I’m elected or not because I’ve learned that if you put a sound and well developed proposal in front of the Board it will get proper consideration.
) 
