US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

Concerning Dennis Pagen
And his impending retirement

Concerned Guys<<ridgeliftguys1>> writes:

This was sent yesterday to USHPA and blind copied most of the BOD and candidates.

The USHPA BOD Has a Big Opportunity to Improve Our Representation

In about a month BOD nominations will be over and at the fall BOD meeting one of the new board's actions will be to appoint at large directors. Our representatives need to be future forward and willing to work for the sport, not old fashioned and arrogant, using the organization to sell books and get free travel via CIVL.

Dennis Pagen claims that he nearly stepped down from USHPA four years ago “but everyone begged him to stay until he achieved 40 years in hang gliding”. That's not the story we heard- apparently he's offended and overruled too many people and has become even more demeaning in his anti-woman ways in both our sports. But, at the last minute in 2011, the new USHPA leadership didn't want to take him on in a pissing contest as a major issue, so they agreed he could step down in four years. It's time now- but will Dennis keep his word?

2015 –is finally the year of his “40th Anniversary” and a lot of people can hardly wait for him to retire or be retired.

Paragliding is the growth area of USHPA. While Dennis touts that he co-wrote a paragliding book, he has not flown one in 10 years. And despite his assertions that a “thermal is a thermal” the skies are different for paraglider pilots. And so is today's flying world, for all pilots, HG and PG, male and female, old experienced hands and beginners.

Dennis refuses to use any modern technology – all the the apps and videos that are coming out are miles ahead of his paperbacks. He teaches seminars from flip charts with a Magic Marker- really?

Dennis has also missed some key safety calls at meets in the past four years (PG and HG) so at this point it's pretty obvious he only supports his CIVL and FAI connections , not the pilots or the USHPA. So what are we losing? But, make no mistake,- he will cry “victim” at the drop of a hat and pull every trick he knows to get his position extended yet one more time. Let's keep that from happening. Our organization is not a clique. Old dog, old tricks.

And everyone has been patient. When Jamie was first made the USA CIVL delegate in 2011, she got to the international Plenary Meeting and Dennis had already arrived ahead of her and designated her the alternate U.S. delegate so he could “show her the ropes”. Four years later and either she has been shown all his ropes or he never had any intention of helping her. See “Til Death Do Us Part” from the Oz Report (July 19, 2011): http://ozreport.com/15.141#4

Whether you personally like Davis Straub or not, he usually calls it like it is. Pagen has a history of saying one thing and doing another and it's likely his “4 more years” promise is just a pledge he made four years ago to save his skin. Lately he's been telling people “70 is the new 40” and that makes us think he will hang on for dear life (no pun intended). It's all about control with him. He uses his USHPA appointment to bully the CIVL guys and he uses his CIVL position to make the USHPA let him overturn elections.

No one disputes that going up in a hang glider in 1975 took guts or that early on he encouraged pilots to better use an understanding of weather. Let's give him his due recognition for pioneering. But every dog has his day and his day is done. Have a “lifetime achievement” plaque made, thank him, toast his accomplishments and long service and give him a nice send off. That's better than his current “lifetime monopoly”. When other countries gather he is our “chief” representative. We want Jamie instead, and more pilots like her.

This fall is the only real chance to see Dennis off gracefully. He brags about “always getting the first or second biggest number of votes” for an at large directorship at the USHPA BOD meeting and, more importantly, he watches closely to see who doesn't vote for him. So the way to accomplish this change without a lot of drama is to give him the plaque and toasting first and then everyone abstain from voting due to his “retirement”.- That way he cannot single anyone out. Now is the time -we need someone whose agenda is bigger than their own ego and whose attitude is more inclusive than exclusive.

This move is long overdue. Frankly it was overdue in 2011. What did we gain by having him for 4 more years?

So let USHPA take the high road and facilitate positive change by thanking him and orchestrating a gold plated goodbye so that he has to honor his word. Have a party for him in Austin at the Fall BOD and present his plaque. To discuss this on the Oz Report or HG.Org, just call it “Old Dog Party ”. He doesn't read either one, hates Davis Straub and doesn't read what the pilots are talking about unless something becomes an “official issue” and he can issue an edict about it.

It's up to the BOD. You can't expect to have USHPA executive leadership rein in his behind the scenes maneuvering if you keep re-appointing him. If you think your responsibility is just to “help your region” then you are forgetting that you also influence who represents our sports nationally and internationally.

All you have to do is agree he deserves recognition while at the same time making room for some new representation. Let's pave the way for a bright future with new blood and team players. We've all waited long enough for the next generation to run things.

Respectfully and Patiently Submitted,

The Ridgelift Guys

Who are we? Three pilots who want to see change and know that our flying credentials will be pulled if we speak out openly. Sadly that is the kind of power and retribution we risk and we're not willing to never fly again. But we are willing to speak up and put this before USHPA BOD. And we feel there's been enough history for you as a group to want to make some changes. Just keep to the high road and remember, Dennis is the one who agreed he would step down on his 40th anniversary- so you are not forcing anything, just making sure the guy keeps his word. Do it up right and it can be a very smooth transition.

Well written.

I don't know enough yet to have an opinion however this writing is compelling.

"Paragliding is the growth area of USHPA."

Wow. While I may have mixed feelings about Pagen, these guys really tipped their hand. Not big on PG? Still want to promote HG? Get out of their way!

RM

While you are at such motions, do both sports a service:
SPLIT.
Focus on HG in a national org.

Focus on PG in a national org.

Have those two orgs be distinct.

Good time to do such! Pagen could symbolize the changing era. PG is on the move; focus.
HG is on the move: focus. WHGA, HGFUSA, and USHawks are signalling: "focus" into distinct orgs.

The challenges of HG are more than sufficient to have total robust focus on HG without admixture of the
PDMC complex parachute: PG.

May HG accept the unfolding future with all its assets in a focused org.

Idea: USHPA : drop "H" and let the PG reign as it is flowing.
Then all H: swarm to focus energies sooner than later.

Pagen, go out with doing some strong work to help this matter of distinction and focus occur sooner than later. Spend your final marbles well!

Andrew Vanis wrote:I don't know enough yet to have an opinion however this writing is compelling.

Nor do I but putting someone down because they use flip charts and magic markers indicates to me that the authors are adding negative substance to their argument… perhaps because it does not stand on it's own? The overall tone is hostile, not dispassionate and well reasoned.

Whenever I read something like this I look for the exaggerations. If I find any I put a lower value on the content. They could be right, but it will take a bit more to convince me than it would have otherwise.

"Who are we? Three pilots who want to see change and know that our flying credentials will be pulled if we speak out openly."

Hmmm… now just what does that remind me of…wasn't there some discussion recently… yeah, that's right, there was some guy got booted out for speaking up…ruffling some feathers…looks like some guys got that message.

Mark Forbes wrote:As one of those people supposedly "in the know" about all the steamy smoke-filled-room politics, I find this piece more than a little fanciful. I don't know where they're getting their information from, nor who they are, but I give it very little credence. And I told 'em so…I said that I'd give their opinion the level of consideration it deserves. I think that level is just barely above zero.

As for the silliness about worrying over being tossed out of USHPA, that's just ridiculous. Our recently-expelled former member's behavior was far beyond simple criticism, and extended over a period of many years. Citing that as a reason for cowardly anonymity is laughable.

If you want to have influence, then be willing to put your name on your words and back them up with provable facts. You don't have to guess who I am, or wonder if I'm hiding behind some fake identity. I don't have multiple personalities or pseudonyms, and I sign my name to what I write. You may disagree with what I say, and that's fine. I take criticism a lot more seriously from people who are willing to say what they think and identify themselves.

MGF

Hi Mark,

Do you know if Dennis is actually going to retire?

Is Jamie actually our CIVL Representative?

Who would you like to see as at Large BOD members?

BTW, this is Davis Straub asking.

One of the great things offered in the Oz Report is a forum for healthy debate. Unfortunately, when the debates turn anonymous, all credibility goes out the window and what could have been a hearty and constructive exchange of viewpoints becomes an embarrassing and unproductive display of innuendo, mud slinging, and lies.

The “Concerning Dennis Pagen” post is one of these worthless articles. Although I see very little (if anything) in the way of a cogent argument, if the authors really think there is an issue here let the them stand up and identify themselves to put value to their words. To do otherwise immediately invalidates their argument.

The Hang vs. Para, safety, and women’s support assertions are all unsubstantiated (and unbelievable based on Pagen’s history) and the lack of modern technology as an argument is weak and pointless. Furthermore, the reasoning for the author’s anonymity is silly. There have been far more outspoken and outrageous critics of the organization than these folks (like Davis himself) and not only are they still thriving USHPA members, but they have been able to present logical opinions and have fostered positive changes.

Don’t let the Oz Report devolve into an internet cesspool of anonymous name calling, back stabbing, cowardly hit-and-runs.

Dudley Mead

I trust my readers to understand and critique any article that I publish. I am of course aware of all the issues raised on all sides.

Agree!!

Phil Sergent
H5 USHGA 7722

DHMead wrote:One of the great things offered in the Oz Report is a forum for healthy debate. Unfortunately, when the debates turn anonymous, all credibility goes out the window and what could have been a hearty and constructive exchange of viewpoints becomes an embarrassing and unproductive display of innuendo, mud slinging, and lies.

The “Concerning Dennis Pagen” post is one of these worthless articles. Although I see very little (if anything) in the way of a cogent argument, if the authors really think there is an issue here let the them stand up and identify themselves to put value to their words. To do otherwise immediately invalidates their argument.

The Hang vs. Para, safety, and women’s support assertions are all unsubstantiated (and unbelievable based on Pagen’s history) and the lack of modern technology as an argument is weak and pointless. Furthermore, the reasoning for the author’s anonymity is silly. There have been far more outspoken and outrageous critics of the organization than these folks (like Davis himself) and not only are they still thriving USHPA members, but they have been able to present logical opinions and have fostered positive changes.

Don’t let the Oz Report devolve into an internet cesspool of anonymous name calling, back stabbing, cowardly hit-and-runs.

Dudley Mead