Microlighters is the accredited blog that MISASA supports is used for debate. This thread is under hangar talk - maybe it should be moved to MISASA I will leave it to Admin to decide.
We decided to not enter a public debate on the proceedings at the Aero Club AGM. If nothing else we succeeded - one thousand fold in getting those present to understand that we are frustrated. I have spoken to Atholl but he has opened the can and broadcast the matter of our unhappiness and now there are many that want answers. As the person that spoke on behalf of your association these are my views on a few topics.
Appointments
I fully support Jeff, Paul and Craig's appointments and remain 100% convinced that they merit their positions. The MISASA Committee heard the campaign appeal from Karl and we all voted for Paul's appointment at the previous AGM.
The Blue Sky Plan.
The Aero Club lectured us on what we must do but taken as a whole we were told to be of service to them. What we have been experiencing is now, as I see it, an official declared policy of the Aero Club. Our calls for an understanding of what the Aero Club does for our members have gone unanswered for a couple of years. Yes, we fly the flag and tell a story on our website of what is done for us but the truth is that the attitude of some of the executive and the non-visibility of the declared services mean that many are now prepared to step forward to ensure change is achieved. Oh boy, I must tell you that the "instruction" to not expect services from the Aero Club and that we must now be of service to them that was styled in line with the punch line of John Kennedy's speech was as far from a rallying call as one could get. "Don't ask what we do for you - ask what you do for us!" It sounded like the Headmaster issuing a decree! So yes, there is the matter of a future clubhouse but first, we need to get the basics right. More relevant, as far as I'm concerned, is the expectation that we must serve them and not expect services from the paid administrators of our club. If you were there, did you not feel that you must now "hand in your homework for marking?"
Below: Some excerpts that illustrate the attitude that made the original speech one of the greatest of this century and why, I believe the Blue Sky Plan needs a rewrite. Clearly there is a need for a "Blue Sky Plan" as, taken as a whole, morale is at a low ebb. "Morale or Esprit de corps" relates to our capacity to maintain belief in stated goals. In a membership association, a call to obedience will simply not do the job and issuing duties with a superior attitude will also not achieve a queue of volunteers.
Ask not what your country can do for you: This speech was delivered by John F Kennedy at his inauguration in Washington on January 20 1961.
> Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us.
> Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
> And, if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour - not a new balance of power, but a new world of law - where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.
> And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
> My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what, together, we can do for the freedom of man.
The solution actually lies in establishing a warm working relationship and positive playing field in which constructive criticism is welcomed and does not have to be taken to an AGM after more than a year of trying to be heard.
The Fundi System
Here there are two matters - the question of us retaining our own master membership database and the question of the method of collection of fee income.
I have proposed the following decisions to the MISASA Committee for consideration at the next Committee meeting. If you would like to attend please contact John Boucher for details - all our meetings are open to members and we do not hold private and confidential meetings to progress hidden agendas.
Decision 1
This is a matter of principle: That we manage our own master membership database no matter what payment system is used.
Comments
We currently do not hold the master membership list - we must own this membership database and this must not be contracted out to a third party. We are sitting on a mag and need to post it but we do not have a reliable address list - this must not be allowed to happen again.
Decision 2
Online Membership Database & Access, Inclusion etc:
Comments
> That we work with RAASA to create a draft membership database -> of past and present members ( This is well underway).
> The database must reflect static information including allergies, blood type, aircraft ownership, next of kin, active membership years etc and that a privacy policy must be enforced that the information only be used for administration of membership matters and that the information will not be provided to outside parties unless the member provides such other person with access detail to their own information.
> That we regard all past members as being "Pilot Members" even if they do not renew membership or if they join as co-pilot members.
> The membership database to include co-pilot membership for friends and or interested parties who wish to receive a copy of the magazine.
> That we include on our website a membership database that can be accessed by MEMBERS AGAINST the provision of an ID NUMBER AND PASSWORD.
> That the administrator/s have access to extract address lists and membership statistics.
> That administrator access (to the full database) be restricted to individuals so approved by the members in general meeting or by a majority of voting members on a ballot hosted on our website.
> That a member be allowed to provide access detail to others for their online membership status ( ID & PASSWORD) to be verified re proof of membership and that in addition this information is made available on an aviation (airforce type) flight "dog tag" that members may wear for use in case of an accident or incident.
> That we cause to be made the "dog tags" at our cost which are to be issued against payment of the 2013 membership fee together with the plastic "pilot" dome badge.
> That access to the draft database be granted to members and past members on our website provided that they enter their ID number and their membership number as a password which they must be required to change when they login.
> That we issue an appeal for members to confirm their details. Members must also be able to phone an appointed administration officer/s who will check and confirm their details for them.
Decision 3
Dog Tags: Free to current members. Available to past members and Co-Pilot members against payment of R50.
Decision 4
> That we employ a "friendly outgoing" person to run a MISASA Office on a one day a week basis from 8am to 1pm should suffice.
> That the person be equipped with a pay as you go cell phone, and internet access to attend to membership administration on behalf of members that have difficulty with online systems.
> That we review the decision to run our own office and payment system in the future with a view to handing over these functions to the Aero Club but only when a friendly working relationship is considered possible between the Aero Club staff and our membership. In the interim that we run a manual (not computer / internet based) accounts administration that is managed by a part-time office.
The Mag's Editorial Policy
I am told that Atholl is critical of me and the mag. Interesting as I spoke to him about an hour ago. Our mag remains a membership fun publication that is not required to stick to strict starchy publication guidelines and we will continue to accept cell phone pictures and allow members to be themselves without harsh editorial interventions to get stories to be offered in the Queen's best English. Should someone out there like to take over from me and volunteer for the Editor's job please count on my support. In the interim, the mag will continue to be produced against the benchmark of a school yearbook rather than the latest issue of the Queen's Horse & Hound!
Fly safe and please do have your say.