[Bob Kuczewski]

http://forum.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&p=403783

USHPA VP Alan Crouse wrote:

Ok, so now that I have your attention, time is running short to comment on the draft proposal to restructure the USHPA Board (yes, the draft really does suggest going to 7 spots). Read why and comment here: https://www.ushpa.org/member/governance-proposal-2018

Great idea? Lousy idea? Tell us by June 30.

It's a draft that received a ton of discussion at the Spring board meeting and will likely do the same in the fall.

Love it? Hate it? Ideas to improve it? We want to hear from you!

Thank you,
Alan

They're still rearranging the deck chairs.

I wonder if the "7" would include Mark Forbes?

[DaveSchy]

This is nothing more than a very lame imitation of our over all Trumpian political climate.
If you don't like the way the game is going, change the rules!
The U$HPA "Bored" is so disconnected from any semblance of reality that they can't even realize that these types of "knee jerk" reactions and goal post relocation only hurt... wait for it... the rapidly decomposing fetid remains of a once great club. Phew!!!

The Forbinian stink is overwhelming!

[Rick Masters]

So much for mob rule...        

[Frank Colver]

I sent my comments today and told them what they need to do ultimately (you can probably guess some of that). But I also said this change was good in that it opened the door for easier member communication. We'll see what comes of it, maybe same old same old, but any of you, who no longer belong? Well you have no voice in USHPA. Imagine what could be done if all of the unhappy ex members (especially HG pilots) rejoined and spoke up, wow, what a loud sound that would be! Join and speak up! I did.

It's like the Democrats not voting and then complaining because Republicans got elected or visa versa. Well duh!

Frank

[Rick Masters]

Sorry Frank, but the USHPA is no longer the USHGA.
When they did away with negative G loading requirements, I voted with my feet.
I bear no responsibility for what has happened after that.
All those soaring parachutists will have to represent hang gliding without my financial support.
And I remain in hope that hang gliding enthusiasts will form a national hang gliding association to fill this vacuum.
You can't make that happen by feeding the problem.

[Bob Kuczewski]

There's a saying that covers this situation: damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Sometimes there just is no best answer. Either approach has its downsides. But the flip side is that either approach has its upsides as well.

Rick is right about the downsides of feeding U$SHPA. But Frank is also right about having an influence from within.

My only concern about the "influence from within approach" is what to do when attempts to influence are completely ignored. That's when it's good to start letting people know what's been requested and what's been ignored.

I've heard a number of people tell me that they've written letters to the editor at USHPA and nothing is ever published. If there's any interest, we could start a topic (or maybe a subforum) for letters to USHPA's editor that were never published. That would give those good ideas some exposure ... and maybe shame USHPA's editor into doing a better job.

By the way, there was a recent announcement that Erika Klein (Sylmar HG pilot) was just hired as the new "Communications Manager" for USHPA. Maybe it would be helpful for someone using the "influence approach" to contact her.

[Frank Colver]

Yes, the reason that now is the time that USHPA member voices need to be spoken is because USHPA is asking for that input, they asked to hear from us (by 6/30), and I replied. They even asked for any and all input even if it was very negative against the org. They said any opinion pos or neg is valid and will be considered. "Tell us if you love us or if you hate us". I stressed the importance of the part of the change proposal to add the communications director (I didn't know she was local - wow). It may also be easier for members to effect change with a smaller BOD.

Don't give up on the patient that is looking for new medicine.

I also said a number of things that need changing, I didn't pull any punches, so I could look in the mirror and know that I made an effort. Rick, "Voting with feet" = no vote. They won't even know the person is gone and it helps to leave as members, only those who are Ok with the status quo = no change. It's a "self fulfilling" prophecy that nothing will change.

I encourage Rick to go ahead and form his national recreational hang gliding organization. Yeah, go for it Rick! Get the BOD and officers and get incorporated. Charge dues so that there is an actual voting member roster (please save #7 for me). Go to DC and meet with the FAA and convince them that there is another national organization voice to be heard and included in any part 103 change discussions. Make the bylaws and SOPs and set about trying to convince land owners to allow flying without liability insurance. Acquire insurance for those that can't be convinced. Get lawyer members to pledge pro bono defence for any landowner suit not covered by insurance (there will be very few because insurance coverage invites lawsuits). Work to organize flying at sites where paragliders and hang gliders interfere with each other. Try to avoid physical fights at those sites, it just makes us look bad to the FAA and public at large.

I could go on and on but I'm sure you all get the idea............

Frank Colver, proudly answering the call to reply to USHPA's call for member opinions, good or bad. And I checked the box for them to contact me for further discussions.

[Rick Masters]

Frank, you know we did all that stuff in the USHGA.
Look what eventually happened: they embraced parachuting and hang gliding was crippled!
Just because USHPA hasn't told you to shut up like they have me doesn't put you on a high horse.
How can you and the other USHPA hang glider pilots tolerate such betrayal?
I thought for a moment your efforts at Dockweiler were moving things in the right direction.

BTW, I don't support causes I don't believe in and I'm fine with that.
And I remain in hope that hang gliding enthusiasts will form a national hang gliding association to fill this vacuum.

[Bob Kuczewski]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with Rick on this one. USHPA hired Erika to put out propaganda. If they really had any intention of changing course they know how to renew the Torrey Hawks chapter application that's still laying dormant in their in-box. They also know how to reach me and renew my membership. Every day that goes by without them doing those things is another day of lost flight in my life that I will never get back. Never. They know that every day, and they take it from me ... every day. It's wishful thinking to imagine otherwise. I know, I know, it's not all about me. But what they do in my case is a window into their rotten souls.

On the other hand, Frank is also right. You have far more influence, Rick, inside USHPA where you can campaign on a platform while running for office, make contacts through Pilot Connect, and write letters to the editor and complain when they're ignored. Rick, I would personally pay for your membership as long as you promised to CC me on all your emails!!   

But time will tell. I predict Erika was hired to push "feel good" propaganda while nothing else changes. We won't be able to resolve anything by arguing, so we might as well just sit back and watch.

Either way, I hope you'll consider publishing your requests Frank. Then we'll all gain some insight as to how much USHPA is actually listening.

[Rick Masters]

You have far more influence, Rick, inside USHPA where you can campaign on a platform while running for office, make contacts through Pilot Connect, and write letters to the editor and complain when they're ignored.

I am not trying to influence the USHPA and its paragliding majority.
I am not trying to change the USHPA and its paragliding majority.
I am not trying to direct the USHPA and its paragliding majority.
I am, instead, offering my opinion to hang glider pilots here on the US Hawks forum and nowhere else.
My opinion is that a national paragliding association and a national hang gliding association would be more effective as separate entities
Hang glider pilots should abandon the USHPA and form a real national hang gliding association
because there currently is none and they really, really need one.

In addition, I can never be part of a hybrid free flight organization that promotes paragliding.
Too many people have died due to canopy collapse.
Paragliding is parachuting and entails risks I cannot accept nor understand.
I am a cross-country hang glider pilot.
I bear an obligation to promote safety in my sport, which utilizes non-collapsible aircraft, and I cannot be part of this new fraud.
If I am the only one in all of freeflight who feels this way, then so be it.
That's the way it is.