MikeTJumps

Ron was one of the originators of the NSCSA hoop dive. An excellent relative worker and organizer. Few will ever be as good as he. He will be missed. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

National Indiee Excellence Awards - 2008 SPORTS Category Winner: Parachuting: The Skydiver’s Handbook by Dan Poynter and Mike Turoff http://parapublishing.com Para Publishing 978-1-56860-141-0 http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results.htm Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Thank you! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Here is a link provided by Dan Poynter of ParaPublishing concerning Parachuting Statistics. http://parachutestatistics.com/sites/parachute/resources/statistics.cfm It is quite a long article and is filled with information. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I just got the horrible news myself. I was working with Lowell all week at the PIA symposium and nothing indicated any sort of a health problem. This is indeed a sad event. God speed Lowell. Now fly your tail off in the venue of Heaven! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

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Nice article, Gary. Do you remember my article in Parachutist titled "Staff Longevity"? It is a parallel to several of your points. I'm heading home from the PIA Symposium today. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Yes, it is all done now. Here is a listing of the sponsors and prizes that were awarded in the raffle drawing. Note: If you didn't look for your raffle ticket number and now realize that you did win one of the few unclaimed prizes, you can write [email protected] and send her your winning ticket to collect your prize (but wait until their website is back up and operating next week). Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I can tell you that with a consistent last or next to last place finish, the only reason why I ran the last time was a promise to Bill Ottley that I would do it one more time before he died. Not being on the BOD does not saddle me with their responsibilities nor target me the way they are targeted. I will continue to be an advisor to the Safety and Training Committee as long as I can afford to. My 30 years of jump experience with 28 of them being instructional does serve a purpose. However, other priorities have taken over (such as commanding a Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Houston), so as I said a couple of years ago in a Parachutist article, Staff Longevity is affected by a number of decisions and this is one reason why I have backed out of the instructional corp at this time. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I have no knowledge of that, but B. J. Worth and Jan Meyer looked into two different electronic voting systems. Perhaps you might give them a nudge in the direction of the BPA's system? Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Some BOD members admitted to filling in the USPA # and/or address on ballots where members forgot to do so. That is another reason to have a different process. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

No, it wasn't a miniscule amount accoding to Larry Bagley who is in charge of the vote counting. What is even more depressing is the hint at the amount of apparent invalid ballots where a checkmark was made for a candidate and the signature ink was different. That is an indication of pre-marked ballots, a violation of the election process. Once an election cycle is started, the rules can't be changed. With the publication of the notice of the election in this coming April's Parachutist, the system is "locked in" and it will be up to the electorate to change things for the future election. If you think we have a bad election process, just look what we're being offered for the next President of the US. We need statesmen, not politicians. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Thanks for the correction. I have made it. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Tandems into stadiums will still be kept under tight waiver control, but seasonal waivers may be granted to specific pairings of personnel that have demonstrated sufficient capabilities to perform those types of jumps. This will hopefully eliminate the preponderance of “11th hour” waiver requests. The Advanced Instructor Course (originally based on Skydive University materials) is morphing into an Instructor Examiner/Course Director Course and is still undergoing further refinement. In the near future, a couple of trial courses may be run to allow field input to hone the material into a better format and refine the individual portions of the course. We can fully expect that some type of electronic voting will be strongly considered most immediately as a way to obtain a vote (I stand corrected; thank you Kirsanne) to consider the elimination of the signature requirement for the regional directors nomination petitions. Perhaps in the future, photocopied ballots and/or downloaded ballots will not be allowed to eliminate that type of abuse of the voting system (where ballots are pre-checked and people asked to sign them). The concern that is raised is that if only the ballot in the magazine is an official ballot, the vote count may become even smaller than in the past. Future meets: Meet Directors will not be allowed to compete at meet events. This will encourage a meet director to focus strictly on his/her responsibilities of running the meet rather than potentially splitting his/her attention between the meet and competing. As usual, the report out from the Competition Committee is long. I will leave it to someone else to detail those items. Future meets: Meet Directors will not be allowed to compete at meet events. This will encourage a meet director to focus strictly on his/her responsibilities of running the meet rather than potentially splitting his/her attention between the meet and competing. Rob Laidlaw is going to be paid for his development services of the Advanced Instructor Course (AIC) which is now becoming a part of the new Instructor Examiner/Course Director Course (IEC). Proficiency Cards for the new IE position are going to be created. Safety and Training Committee reported out on numerous waivers that were requested. A Tandem Manufacturer has requested that the S&T committee consider some action guidelines for repeated infractions of safety in tandem jump operations. The list is being reviewed as to the prospects of recommendations for remedial training of those Tandem Instructors committing such unsafe activities. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Closed meetings are performed for the purpose of avoiding personal information from being revealed until such time as actions are formalized. For example, heated discussions dealing with disciplinary actions are best not given a public airing. When a disciplinary action is discussed, legal issues may be involved and it is strongly advised not to openly discuss those amongst "the public" but to keep things specifically limited to those involved in the decision process including those representing the accused. As such, I understand the need for a closed session to resolve the issue. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

There is only one legitimate way to change things and that is by getting a massive participation in the election process. With reporduced ballots that could potentially be questioned under scruitiny, you may see a serielized ballot system put into place and/or an electronic balloting system run by an independent business entity that can ensure compliance with the election rules. Imagine, if you will, each member getting a ballot that has a number on it correlated to their membership number (but of course different from it) so that it can't be "abducted" by others. (In the case of a lost ballot, HQ could issue another special ballot to a requestor.) Then, either electronic balloting or use of only the ballot originally sent in the Parachutist magazine would be held as valid. More paperwork, more cost, and a lower voter turnout will probably be the result, but the integrity of the process would be assured. As a person who has repeatedly attempted to be elected and gotten very low vote counts for "lack of popularity" reasons, I've given up on trying to get onto the BOD and have resolved myself to just being an advisor to the S&T committee. I will continue to participate in this function as long as I am able to do so. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Committee meetings were being held today. I sat in on the Safety and Training Committee as usual (I'm an advisor to the committee). Several items are currently being discussed but nothing has been resolved that is reportable yet. The Nominations and Elections committee determined that it was not in the best tradition of the USPA to limit the terms of elected representatives. The next USPA BOD meeting is scheduled for July in the general area of the USPA offices but may even be in Alexandria for the potential convenience of transportation of the BOD from the Reagan International Airport. Nothing is set in stone at this time. Here is some information about next year's events: The USPA will co-locate its February 2009 meeting with the PIA symposium in Reno, NV. PIA Symposium Monday 2/9- Friday 2./13 PIA meeting Friday 2/6- Sunday, 2/8 USPA BOD Friday, 2/6 – Sunday, 2/8 with the DZO conference meeting that Monday, 2/9. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

It was a disciplinary action against a foreign member that amounts to a slap on the wrist and has no real effect because the time of the suspension has already lapsed. Foreign jumpers can not be controlled by the USPA, but it was felt that a statement of disapproval of his actions was necessary and thus made. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

In addition to what you folks have already read, the other major issue that was probably discussed in closed session was that of the "Skyride" lawsuit decision by the executive committee based upon the legal opinion/recommendation of the corporation's lawyer. Although the BOD members would not come out directly and say so at the "general membership meeting" (meaning that it was an informal discussion session because a quorum of the membership was not present), you will be able to assume that the decision of the executive committee was most probably upheld. I cannot give you a definitive statement on that issue because I could not get confirmation of that issue's resolution by any BOD member. The BOD's meeting minutes will be the final authoritative resource of information on this issue. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

4:30 p.m. and they've finally finished the closed session. The gallery is being allowed back in. I have yet to hear the results of the last session but I will post it once I do. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Laura, Shoot me your e-mail ([email protected]) and your phone # and I'll call you when it opens up. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

It is now 2:50 p.m. I have just been informed that the action to remove Jan Meyer from the BOD has been voted down. Jan is still a member of the Board of Directors. Now they are moving on to the discussion of the Skyride settlement. That will also be in closed session. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

OK. Let's face it, sitting in the gallery and being moved out of the room for a closed session is the pits. However, I will attempt to keep the general membership informed to the best of my ability. I see notes are already being posted on the Jan Meyer "impeachment" site, but I am going to post my notes here so as to include other items and opinions. USPA BOD meeting, Orlando, FL 02/08/08 The agenda as published: 1. Call to order by the President 2. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting & adoption of the agenda 3. Interim actions of the Executive Committee & President's Report 4. Treasurer's Report 5. Executive Director's Report 6. Special Agents Reports A. IPC delegate 7. Old Business 8. New Business A. Recommendation of the Executive Committee in the Matter of the Removal of Jan Meyer for Just Cause. 9. Committee Reports: A. Competition B. Constitution & By-Laws C. Executive D. Finance & Budget E. Group Member F. Membership Services G. Nominations & Elections H. Regional Directors I. Safety & Training 10. Adjournment 9:00 a.m. Meeting called to order by Pres. Glen Bangs. A motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting made, approved and seconded. A motion to approve the agenda was asked for. Jan Meyers made a motion that Item 8A of the agenda be deleted. A second was heard from the floor but Glen Bangs declared it dilatory (delaying) by a point of order and that it will stay on the agenda. There is much discussion and the session is being closed for further discussion (meaning we in the gallery were told to leave while the BOD argues these points). I believe that there is a major personality issue that is leading to this closed session and I feel that things could be handled in a much more expeditious manner rather than keeping the gallery members outside for what is now more than four hours of thumb-twiddling. I would question the need for concealing the goings on of the meeting from the gallery. One way or another, we will eventually learn what is being discussed. The use of closed meetings to minimize disclosure of personal issues has some valid purposes but it can be overused as well. I would encourage any use of a closed meeting to be strictly time limited as it presents an aura of secrecy which is (in my opinion) not really necessary in our organization. I have just been informed that the BOD meeting is attempting to handle all “closed session” items in one fell-swoop so as to eliminate the constant move of the gallery in and out of the meeting. Communication to the gallery of this decision would have been welcome as compared to the current situation of being left “in the dark” as to what was going on. It is now 2:50 p.m. I have just been informed that the action to remove Jan Meyer from the BOD has been voted down. Jan is still a member of the Board of Directors. Now they are moving on to the discussion of the Skyride settlement. That will also be in closed session. Randy Allison has been selected as the newest member of the BOD, replacing the resigned Kip Lohmiller. He will represent the Mid-Eastern Region. Another very qualified candidate, Gene Newsom, had also vied for the position. The decision between the two candidates was surely a difficult one. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

It is yet another sad day in our community. As we all age, some of us drop off from one world into the next. Ray will be free of his earthly confines and be in freefall forevermore. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Yesterday, Saturday, August 11, 2007, Connecticut Parachutists in Ellington, CT held a celebration of life service for Jim Bates. To say it was well attended would be an understatement as family, friends, and many vintage jumpers filled the small skydiving club that Jim and Marge have worked to support for over 35 years. Marge commented how much it meant to her to see the show of support. Even Jim’s cardiologist came out for the event. At approximately 4:30 pm, a dive was organized by Billy Beaudreau to release Jim’s ashes above the drop zone. Many joked of what strings Jim had pulled to secure an absolutely perfectly blue sky and very light winds for this special day. In the week prior, Billy had shared with many of us his special connection with Jim. It seems Jim came to his school to introduce skydiving and encourage people to make a jump. Jim Bates questioned how many people wanted to make 1 jump, gaining a quick raised hand from all. Then he asked how many wanted to make 1000 jumps, leaving the students in thought as Jim clarified that nobody initially plans on making 1000 jumps. Over 5000 jumps later, and now having two sons strong in the sport, Billy still joked with Jim, telling him “It’s all YOUR fault”. Jim would just smile. Armed with that story, and many others, Billy gathered the list of jumpers whom Jim, himself had asked to be a part of this honorable event. Those who were no longer active, were offered a seat in the plane, but kindly declined. It was an honor for myself to be added to this list by Marge. Billy Beaudreau, Bob Smith, Howard Burling, Randy Thompson, John Spear, Mike Hennessey, and Roseanne Longo quickly dirt dived and headed to the plane. Paul Peckham, of Orange, MA, would exit after us, jumping the American flag, which would be key in the military honors to follow. Jim “Oke” and Ryan “ripcord” would be capturing this dive with videos and stills from multiple angles. It’s skydiving, so there were jokes and jabs on the ride to altitude as many people’s minds were recounting memories. Paul passed around Jim’s USPA card – current, of course, through 2008. The dive went as planned, with Billy releasing Jim’s ashes into freefall around 6000 feet, then deploying himself. The others made a star, then tracked away and deployed. A large crowed gathered by the tuffet to offer applause as the skilled accuracy jumpers did their landings. Paul’s approach trailing the American flag was a beautiful sight. It captured the eyes of all on the ground, and was followed by a precise landing, where he carefully guiding the flag into the hands of one of Jim’s sons. The crowd made their way towards the manifest area, as the military honors took place. Even when played softly, taps is a powerful piece. Dry eyes diminished as we watched the flag carefully be folded and presented to Marge with the following words, only audible for Marge to hear. “As a representative of the United States Army, It is my high privilege to present to you this flag. Let it be a symbol of the grateful appreciation our nation feels for the distinguished service rendered to our country and our flag by your loved one.” It was then that you could see Marge’s shoulders collapse, knowing she has carried out Jim’s final wish, and that he is a part of our Blue Skies forever. The celebration of life continued past sunset with a plentiful BBQ and abundant stories shared amongst people. Marge was proudly showing people three colorful photos of the ash release dive that were already presented to her by Jim “Oke” Thank you to those who attended, who sent well wishes, for the jumpers who were patient while this event took place, to the CPI staff and volunteers who worked hard at the planning of the event and cooking for the BBQ that followed. Thanks to Billy and the group that jumped, especially Paul and our two videographers. A very special thanks to Jim Bates for the blue skies and light winds. As a side note, Marge will be having surgery on Tuesday, her birthday. This is a second attempt to repair the hole in the macula of her eye. She will have limited access to email, etc, as she once again needs to stay in a face to the ground position for at least 10 days. I apologize for any omissions or oversights in the recounting of this event. Any omissions or incorrect recounts are purely accidental. Respectfully, Roseanne Longo Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook