jlmiracle

SECTION 6: DISCIPLINARY ACTION A. Any member may be censured, suspended or expelled by the USPA Executive Committee, with such action subject to review by the BOD, for causes including but not limited to transgression of basic ethical principles of USPA as detailed in the Constitution, By-Laws, and policies of USPA. If requested, the member shall be granted a hearing before the BOD at its next scheduled meeting. Notice in writing shall be given the individual at least 30 days in advance. A majority vote of the BOD shall decide any action on the matter. So the problem is the Executive Committee. We not only need to replace Winstock but also President: Sherry Butcher Vice President: Randy Allison Secretary: Ray Lallo Treasurer: Albert Berchtold Member at Large: Tom Noonan Chairman of the Board: Jay Stokes Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Where are the video's sent? RD or to headquarters or full board? Is it only the RD that decides their fate? This has ALWAYS been an issue with the USPA, lack of consistency in dishing out/or not punishments. Everything they put in their manuals are vague and I believe they are opening themselves up for many lawsuits when they suspend one and not another. For me, it's not just coming down to who should I or should I not vote for but do I even want to remain a member of this organization. I am not in the eastern region but hope they pick a good one this time (as with every region). Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

The job does not pay...they get reimbursed on expenses traveling to meetings and other dropzones in their region. judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

DSE - Not everyone wants to compete. I pay my way, I buy my own gear. I'm not sure what the manufactures bring to the table for someone like me who just wants to jump, not compete. This has always been a problem with both regional and national directors. They don't care what the members want, they have their own agenda. How do we fix this? How do we fix the under the table deals that go on at every meeting. How do we keep the whole membership informed? They need to publish who voted for what. We need to make the board accountable to the members. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Thank you for your replies Charlie. Many years ago, my husband and I attended a board meeting to get an AFF certification course at our home dropzone, because we had the minimum candidates interested, which is a non-GM. This was back when Don Yarling was in charge. At that time, our RD and Glen Bang (pre-bod) told us no way would that ever happen. Don Yarling had no problem with it, he said he holds them at non-gm places all the time, particularly overseas and there was no reason for the board to deny us. We got out way, we got our course, but the next meeting they added the extortion fee(as I call it) to non-GM dz to hold rating courses. I appreciate your desire to be on BOD, answering my questions, and wish you the best of luck! Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

So, DSE, are you saying that if you were running, you would be more likely representing the Group Memberships then you would be the individual memberships? There is no manufacturer membership that I am aware of. As you stated about attending a meeting, and I have attended a few, they sleep, play on their phones, text their buddy across the room, make fun of the guy doing the current presentation, read the newspaper and really give no indication they want to do the job they ran for and were elected to do. They are there to get drunk and do their little under the tables deals. What is your source for the above statement? Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

I really like this question, but I think it may be too broad and allow a candidate (any candidate) to answer by saying nothing. Can I make a suggestion? What are some very specific examples where a BOD member would need to choose between the individual members vs the group members, and where specifically, does Fencebuster stand on those issues? So far I have only seen one issue, and that is the TM's and DUI's. Where else could a BOD member have to choose between two masters? One thing, in particular that really bothered me was ratings courses. The USPA would have a rating course at a non-GM dz and they would charge a fee because they were not a group member. Those ratings courses are for the individuals benefit, not the dropzones. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Like Skyjumpinfool, I would like a little clarification on your stand. Do you think the USPA should be there for the group members or individual members. From what I have seen over the years, it favors group members over the individual members. You cannot serve 2 masters. How do you feel about how the USPA handles the "rule breakers". Such as how and who hands out the "punishments" and the lack of published rules and their appropriate punishments that the S&TA's should follow. Yes, I have read the governance manual, so much I have found every typo and grammatical error. Everything listed is very general and open to interpretation. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Don't forget you were born with mad skillz and you are better than the average skydiver, a natural even...[;) j Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

This is not surprising considering the media thinks twitter is a reliable source. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Good to hear Isaac. Wishing you great success! Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

In my mind, no, USPA is what stands between us as skydivers and FAA regulation of our sport. You want to eliminate arbitrary enforcement? Let's get the Fed's involved and see how that goes. BPA anyone???? My problem with the USPA, as you so nicely put it, is the ARBITRARY enforcement. Due to their lack of consistency, I think they are more likely to get sued. They have no track record to show how they consistently enforced anything. One guy gets away with behaving badly while another can do the same and get their rating pulled? Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

I have no idea since I have never had the need to look at the AOPA website. Like I said, I know the USPA will never be transparent. I know this is a battle I will not win. They will always play favorites. I will continue to pay my insurance premium because I want to skydive, but I have not respect for the organization. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

No, I'm quite aware of the "governance manual" and I am also quite aware about the minutes from the meetings, which tell me nothing. I'm just looking for some consistency when they CHOOSE to discipline someone. Currently there is no consistency, because everything is super secret, and they don't want to hurt any ones feelings. Why should I give a crap about their rules, regulations, and recommendations, if I don't know if or what the consequences are. Yep, been doing this almost 20 years...and I have realized over those 20 years the USPA is nothing more than a 3rd party liability insurance middle man. The purpose of my proposal is to stop crap like you posted from happening. If there is a written list of offenses and their punishments, then there could be some consistency in the discipline. Maybe the ones that behave badly would think twice about it, if they were going to be "outed" to the rest of the community...kinda like a police report. I know the BOD will never go for this and there is no point in trying to get any transparency with the USPA, but I can still speak my mind about. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

But all of that is after the fact...after someone died or got hurt. And it is only twice a year. I want to see it published monthly. They do put out a monthly publication and email Who did it, what they did, and what was their punishment. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

What exactly are the "basic" guidelines. Seem to be a lot grey area. Why can't the USPA publish a list of offenses and there appropriate punishments? People make mistakes skydiving, but I'm talking about the ones that know better and push that limit where eventually someone gets hurt. (which we want to avoid) EXAMPLE (using the new tandem rules): Offense: Did a turn over 90 degrees on purpose (not to avoid obstacle) 1st Offense: Warning 2nd Offense: 30 day rating suspension 3rd offense: rating pulled If the members actually knew there were consequences to breaking the BSR's it might make them think twice about it. Also, S&TA's are usually buddies with the jumpers at their dz's and I think that makes it harder for them to discipline them. If they can just say here is a list the USPA Board of Directors have put together as violations and there punishments, It will take some of the pressure off them doing the right thing. I realize getting the USPA to be more transparent is a losing battle, but sometimes I feel I just can't sit by and not say anything. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

With zero response to this I will assume that there are no written guidelines for the S&TA's, and its just another free-for-all. If the USPA wants to be taken seriously, they really need to show that they WILL discipline those that break BSR's (and not secretly behind closed doors). Judy Just out of curiosity, why do you feel disciplinary actions should be public? Peer Pressure. I think people will behave better if they know that there are consequences...We have alot of hearsay with the USPA so we don't really know if they disciplined anyone or not and how severe their punishment was. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

With zero response to this I will assume that there are no written guidelines for the S&TA's, and its just another free-for-all. If the USPA wants to be taken seriously, they really need to show that they WILL discipline those that break BSR's (and not secretly behind closed doors). Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Hi Tom, First, thank you for all your very informative posts. I was wondering if the S&TA's have ever been given any guidelines on how to handle any jumpers that violate the BSR's whether they are instructors or not? Do they get a warning first, then suspension for the second violation, 3rd violation ratings/membership pulled? Has anyone ever thought of introducing a fine? (not sure how that would be collected) Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Don't forget to mention in order for the GM to come to order you need 10% of the members there. Most of the Board members at the last meeting either slept through it or played on their phone. j Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

What tunnel did you go to? Tunnel should help and not hinder. I've seen many students "fixed" by going to a tunnel. Sounds like the tunnel is holding back power or lacks power to keep you up in a good arch. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

It's not so much can you get a job, but can you make a living and are you will to live below the poverty line. I wish you luck and great success in becoming a skydiver. Welcome! Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Skydiving is a piece of cake physically compared to my experiences driving 60 laps at a time around Talladega multiple times at 180+ mph or 80 laps at Bristol. I cannot speak for baseball pitchers, golfers, or bowlers because I just don't have enough experience with those activities. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Thank you for the link. Judy Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

How do we sign up for this newsletter? I can't find it on the USPA's website. Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.