US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

I've recently begun inviting specific clubs to join with us in building the US Hawks. But in the process of asking, it became obvious that we really need to define some bylaws so clubs will know what it is that they're joining.

So I'd like to start looking at various examples of bylaws to see what we'd like in our bylaws. If you have any sets of bylaws that you think would be good for the US Hawks, please post them in this topic where they can be discussed.

Here's the set of bylaws that I know best (because I wrote them):

Torrey Hawks Mission Statement and By-Laws
(http://torreyhawks.org/ABOUT.HTM)

Torrey Hawks Mission Statement:

The Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club is dedicated to promoting and protecting the sport of Hang Gliding at the Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Torrey Hawks By-Laws:

• Article I - Name
  The name of the organization shall be the Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club. The club may also be known as the Torrey Pines Hawks Hang Gliding Club, Torrey Pines Hawks Hang Gliding Association, Torrey Pines Hang Gliding Association, or simply (and most commonly) the Torrey Hawks. The club web site shall be TorreyHawks.org.
  
  
• Article II - Purpose
  The Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club is dedicated to promoting and protecting the sport of Hang Gliding at the Torrey Pines Gliderport.
  
  
• Article III - Membership
  The membership of the Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club shall consist of individuals whose applications for membership have been accepted by the Association. Voting members must hold a USHPA rating of H4 or above and have flown a hang glider at the Torrey Pines Gliderport within the previous three years.
  
  
• Article IV - Officers
  The officers of the Torrey Hawks shall be a President, Vice-President, and Secretary. These officers are elected for a one year term by voting members of the Club at the annual meeting. Representatives of the club to other organizations shall be chosen by the President.
  
  
• Article V - Meetings
  The Torrey Hawks shall hold at least one annual meeting for the election of new officers. All other meetings are considered Special Meetings and will be scheduled as needed by a majority of the Torrey Hawks Officers. Meetings may be held electronically.
  
  
• Article VI - Minutes and Records
  The Torrey Hawks secretary will take notes at all meetings and distribute them electronically as requested by members.
  
  
• Article VII - Parlimentary Authority
  The Torrey Hawks meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised unless otherwise provided for in these By-Laws.
  
  
• Article VIII - Ammendments
  Ammendments to these By-Laws may be made during Annual or Special Meetings and require a two-thirds vote of the voting membership present at any such meeting.

How do these sound as a starting point?

Here is a link to the RGSA by laws. I'm not sure if you need to me a member to read them or not.
http://www.rgsa.info/AboutUs/AboutUs.htm

This link may start you on the path to the SSA bylaws.
http://www.flysandia.org/

In the coming US Hawks bylaws, might there be a name change to reflect the other bylaws and mission statement?
United States Airframed Hang Gliders (USAHG), an association dedicated to those involved in airframed hang gliders.
Double meaning on "hang gliders" in the name: the pilot and the craft. Attention to canopy gliding parachutes is left to other organization. USAHG certainly would have members with canopy interests, but the assets of the USAHG would stay focused on airframed craft matters. Liaison with canopy factions would be maintained for site-use sharing purposes to respect safety matters. USAHG might not have ratings and might not interface with insurance businesses, but put dominant focus on information, forum, equity mentoring, inclusive communications, technology disclosure, safety-critical notice, systematic member-contacting, production of programmed self-testing and self-checklisting, ... USAHG could thus have full welcome to eHG for the coming era of nearly infinite sites while use of fuel-guzzling potential-energy participation becomes obsolete. New era; new bylaws; new org. Treat ahgs as walkers, runners, pole vaulters... ahgs simply have overgrown clothes that let them fly in federal airspace under FAA airspace-use rules. Plan to fly without injury to third parties; USAHG would focus on support for such conduct. Have equity mentoring combined with communications and information supplant commercial instruction.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

For everyone's benefit, I've reformatted the RGSA bylaws that Bill mentioned and posted them here.





I've also included the Sandia Soaring Association's bylaws here:

Bylaws of the Sandia Soaring Association, Inc. (The SSA)

Article I. Membership

1. Classes. The Corporation shall have the following classes of membership. Their respective rights are as follows:
   
   1. Full Membership includes the right to vote on Corporation affairs, hold office and, upon qualification, have the right to fly at SSA controlled sites.
      
   2. Associate members are encouraged to attend all club functions.
      
   3. Temporary membership is available to visiting pilots on a monthly basis and provides a right to fly at SSA controlled sites, but not a right to vote or hold office.
2. Admission. All applicants for full or temporary membership must also be members of the United States HangGliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). An applicant shall be admitted to full membership in the Corporation only upon making application therefore, meeting those requirements set by the officers, and payment of dues. Applicants for associate membership shall be accepted upon payment of dues.
   
3. Suspension, expulsion and removal from office. A member may be removed from elected or appointed office, have his or her membership suspended for a period, or be expelled from the Corporation for cause, such as violation of any of these Bylaws or violation of flight regulations or other rules of the Corporation or for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Corporation. Such action shall require a two thirds (2/3) vote of all the voting members at a regular meeting, provided that a statement of the charges and a notice of the time and place of the meeting have been mailed to the member at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting, and that the member will have an opportunity to present a defense at the meeting.
   
4. Transfer of membership. Membership in the Corporation is not transferable or assignable.
   
5. Termination of membership. Membership shall terminate on the death or resignation of a member or three (3) months after expiration of the annual dues. On such termination, any rights, titles, or interests of the former member in or to the property and assets of the Corporation shall cease.

Article II. Dues.

1. Annual dues. Membership shall determine from time to time the amount of the initiation fee, if any, and the amount of annual dues payable to the Corporation by Full and Associate Members. Dues shall be published each year via a newsletter or web site.
   
   
   1. Full Members: $35.00 per year.
      
   2. Associate Members: $17.50 per year.
      
   3. Temporary Memberships: $15.00 for a one month membership
2. Payment of dues and fees. Annual dues shall become payable on the first day of the calendar year.

Article III. Meetings of the members.

1. Annual meeting. An annual meeting of the members shall be held in the month of October, at a time announced on the web site or discussion group,for the purposes of electing officers, and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the election of officers shall not be held in the month designated herein for any annual meeting, the officers shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the members as soon thereafter as conveniently may be done.
   
2. Regular meetings. Monthly meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at a time and to be announced the week prior on the web site or discussion group
   
3. Quorum. Full Members represented at a scheduled meeting, with a minimum of five (5), shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter to be voted upon by the members represented at a meeting shall be necessary for the adoption thereof.
   
   
   1. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or by the Bylaws, notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than five (5), nor more than fifty (50) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by mail or on the web site, by or at the direction of the President, or the Secretary/Treasurer, or the officers or persons calling the meeting, to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the member at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice of meetings may be given as announcements in the SSA website or announcements delivered by e-mail.
      
   2. Attendance at any meeting by a member shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a member attends a meeting for the expressed purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Article IV. Board of Directors.

1. Directors. The Directors of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice-president, a Secretary/Treasurer and a Newsletter or Web Site Editor.
   
2. Election and terms. The President, Vice-president, Secretary/Treasurer and Newsletter Editor shall be elected by a majority of the voting members of the annual meeting and shall hold office for a period of twelve (12) months or until their successors are elected. There shall be no limit to the number of terms each officer may serve.
   
3. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and shall in general, supervise and control all the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the members. He or she may sign any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments that the officers have authorized to be executed. In general, he or she shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Corporation.
   
4. Vice-president. The vice-president shall be in charge of parliamentary procedure at all regular Corporation meetings. He or she is the co-chairperson of all Association. In the absence of the President or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the President and shall have all the powers of and be subject to any and all restrictions on the President.
   
5. Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the members, see that all notices are duly given in accordance with these bylaws or as required by law, be custodian of the Corporation records, keep a register of the post office address of each member and, in general, perform all duties that may be assigned by the President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation, receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever and deposit all such moneys in the name of the Corporation in such banks, trusts, companies or other depositories as shall be selected by the officers, and shall perform such other duties as may be incident to the office of Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall provide an annual financial report at the January meeting. The Secretary/Treasurer shall provide new members within the first month of membership with a web site account and access to the bylaws, rules, and the current membership database.
   
6. Newsletter or Web Site Editor. The Newsletter or Web Site Editor shall be responsible for the collection and compilation of any news and information that shall be of interest to the members. This shall include, but not be restricted to, notice of Corporation meetings, results of elections, officers meetings, committee meetings, club activities, applicable Federal, State and City actions that may have bearing on the Corporation, safety information and news from other flying organizations around the world. In addition, the Editor shall select articles submitted by the members that are deemed satisfactory for publication. He or she shall have the right and duty to edit said articles to conform with standards of propriety, legality and validity. The newsletter or web site shall be updated on a schedule in accordance with Article III, Section D of the Bylaws pertaining to notice of meetings for the Members. Funds for the publication or site fees will be provided from the club treasury upon receipt of invoices or documentation meeting the Secretary/Treasurer's approval. In absence of an appointed “Editor” the Secretary shall assume these duties.

Article V. Contracts, Checks, Deposits, and Funds

1. Contracts. The President may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation in addition to the officers so authorized by these Bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
   
2. Checks, drafts or orders for payment. All checks, drafts or orders for payment of money, notes or other evidence or indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officers or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as from time to time be determined by the officers.
   
3. Deposits. All funds of the Association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Association in such banks, trusts companies or other depositories as the officers may select.
   
4. Gifts. The directors may accept on behalf of the Corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or device for the general purposes or special purposes of the Corporation.

Article VI. Identification Cards

The Corporation shall provide for the issuance of identification cards or other tokens evidencing membership in the Corporation. These cards or tokens shall be in such form as may be determined by the officers. Information included on the cards shall include the member's name, corporation number, USHPA number, USHPA rating, Corporation ratings, and expiration date. All cards or tokens shall be consecutively numbered to correspond to the Corporation records. If any card shall become lost, mutilated or destroyed, or if new information contained on the original is out of date, a new card may be issued on such terms and conditions as the officers may determine.

Article VII. Amendments and Attachments

1. Amendments. The Bylaws of this Association may be amended, repealed, added to or new Bylaws may be adopted by the vote or written assent of a majority of the members entitled to vote or a two thirds (2/3) majority of a quorum at a regular Corporation meeting.
   
2. Attachments. Copies of all current rules and guidelines as recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the Membership shall be permanently attached to these Bylaws. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for updating these copies as the situation demands.

Article VIII. Miscellaneous

1. Controlling Law. These Bylaws shall be interpreted, governed and construed under the laws of New Mexico.
   
2. Severability. If any provision of these Bylaws or any part thereof is declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such action shall not affect the validity of these Bylaws, and the remainder of these Bylaws shall remain in full force and effect according to the terms of the remaining provisions or parts of provisions hereof.

Attachment A.
Sandia Soaring Association, Inc.
Sandia Peak Pilot Guidelines.

1. Pilot minimum qualifications to fly Sandia Peak.

1. A current USHPA Advanced (H4/P4) rating for the type of wing flown (HG/PG).
   
   1. HG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL, FSL, AWCL, TUR, RLF & XC
   2. PG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL, FSL, TUR, RLF, XC, HA & RS
2. Be a current full or temporary Sandia Soaring Association member.
3. have a minimum of 100 hours of logged mountain flying experience.
4. have a minimum of 150 foot launched flights.
5. Utilize a helmet, reserve parachute, and airworthy glider.
   Note: New pilots must be guided by a rated Peak Guide Pilot for the type of wing flown for a minimum of 10 flights before becoming eligible for a Peak Rating.

2. Qualifications for Sandia Peak Rating.

All pilots –

1. Current Full SSA Member
   
2. Must be guided by a minimum of 2 different Peak Guides in Pilot’s wing type.
3. Must be approved by the majority of those that have guided Pilot for wing type rating.
4. Minimum of 10 logged and guided Peak flights for type of wing flown.
   
   1. First 5 flights must be supervised by a Guide of Pilot’s wing type.
   2. Subsequent flights may be supervised by Guide of either wing type.

3. Qualification to be a Sandia Peak Guide.

1. Be a current Sandia Peak rated pilot (minimum two years).
2. A paraglider Peak Guide must be a current or former Hang Gliding Peak Guide or meet all requirements in sub-section C below.
3. Either 50 Peak launched flights over a 2 year period for non-Crest Guides or 10 flights over a 1 year period for current Crest Guides.
4. Acknowledgment and acceptance of responsibilities as indicated by signature below. Said acknowledgement to be executed annually by no later than April of current year or guide status is revoked
5. Approval of three current Peak Guides who have flown with the pilot and recommend that they be given the responsibility of Peak Guide.
6. Guides must meet annually in the month of March to re-affirm guidelines and discuss any issues

4. Guidelines for Sandia Peak Guides.

1. Verify qualifications of guest pilot.
2. Preview landing areas with guest pilot.
3. Discuss Tramway rules and etiquette with guest pilot.
4. Insure that instructions from Tram personnel are obeyed.
5. Review weather and flight conditions with guest pilot.
6. Review Peak Manual with guest pilot.
7. Review terrain with guest pilot.
8. Have guest pilot sign Peak waiver of liability (first flight).
9. Log guest pilot and Guide pilot with Tramway cashier.
10. Guide pilot must preflight and hang check (HG) or verify harness buckled and risers secured to harness (PG) and launch guest pilot.
11. Review flight with guest pilot after landing.

5. Sandia Peak Tandem Requirements.

1. Pilot in Command must be a full SSA member.
2. Pilot in Command must be a Peak Guide pilot for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
3. Pilot in Command must sign the SSA Tandem Responsibility Acknowledgement.
4. Pilot in Command must follow all USHPA Tandem requirements.
5. Pilot in Command must hold a USHPA Tandem rating for the passenger's skill level.
6. Passenger must hold a USHPA Advanced (IV) rating.
7. Passenger must sign the SSA Tandem Liability Release. Said Tandem Liability release to be executed annually by no later than April 1 of current year or Tandem privileges are revoked.

Attachment B.
Sandia Soaring Association, Inc.
Sandia Crest Pilot Guidelines.

1. Pilot Minimum Qualifications to Fly Sandia Crest

1. Current USHPA Advanced rating (H4/P4) rating for type of wing flown (HG/PG). Exception allowed for local SSA members with Intermediate rating (H3/P3) for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
   
   1. HG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL, FSL, AWCL, TUR, RLF & XC
   2. PG pilots rating must include the following Special Skills: CL, FSL, TUR, RLF, XC, HA & RS
2. Visiting USHPA Intermediate rated pilots with:
   
   1. 50 logged hours.
   2. 150 logged foot launch initiated flights.
   3. Sponsorship of a current Local Instructor, Observer, or Crest Guide appointed for the type of wing flown (HG/PG). Sponsership involves Local Instructor, Observer, or Crest Guide having witnessed or verified pilot’s skills and determining them as sufficient for flying Sandia Crest
3. Current Full Sandia Soaring Association Membership.
4. Helmet, reserve, airworthy glider.
   Note: New pilots must be guided by a Crest Guide pilot until qualifications have been met.

2. Qualifications for Sandia Crest Rating.

1. All pilots –
   
   1. Current Full SSA Member
   2. Must be guided by a minimum of 2 different Crest Guides in Pilot’s wing type.
   3. Must be approved by the majority of those that have guided Pilot for wing type rating.
2. All pilots (except those qualifying in Sections 2.C-2.E) – Minimum of 10 logged and guided Crest flights for type of wing flown.
   
   1. First 5 flights must be supervised by a Guide of Pilot’s wing type.
   2. Subsequent flights may be supervised by Guide of either wing type.
3. H4/P4 w/250+ mountain hours – Minimum of 5 logged and guided Crest flights on type of wing flown guided by a Crest Guide of wing type flown. (e.g. – H4 w/250+hrs needs a minimum of 5 guided flights guided by a Crest HG guide)
4. Pilots that have Crest rating in another wing type – Minimum of 3 logged flights guided by a Crest Guide of new wing type. (e.g – Crest rated PG pilot needs a minimum of 3 HG flights from the Crest and those flights need to be guided by a Crest HG Guide.)
5. Pilots with a Peak Rating – Minimum of 3 logged flights in wing type for which Pilot has Peak rating that are guided by a Crest Guide of wing type for which Pilot has Peak rating. (e.g - Peak rated PG pilot needs a minimum of 3 PG flights from the Crest and those flights need to be guided by a Crest PG Guide.)

3. Qualifications to be a Sandia Crest Guide.

1. Current USHPA Advanced (H4/P4) rating for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
2. Current Full Sandia Soaring Association Member.
3. Current Sandia Crest rated pilot for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
4. 50 hours Sandia Mountain flight experience over a minimum 3 year period or prior Crest Guide status.
5. Acknowledgement and Acceptance of responsibilities as indicated by signature Below Said Acknowledgement to be executed annually by no later than April 1 of current year or guide appointment revoked.
6. Recommendation and approval of 3 current Sandia Crest rated guides for type of wing flown (HG/PG) that pilot is qualified.
7. Guides must meet annually in the month of March to re-affirm guidelines and discuss any issues

4. Guidelines for Sandia Crest Guides.

1. Verify qualifications of guest pilot.
2. Preview landing area with guest pilot.
3. Review weather conditions with guest pilot.
4. Review terrain with guest pilot.
5. Guide must preflight guest pilot's glider.
6. Guide pilot must hang check (HG) or verify harness buckled and risers secured to harness (PG) and launch guest pilot.
7. Review flight with guest pilot after landing.

5. Sandia Crest Tandem Requirements.

1. Pilot in command must be a current full SSA member.
2. Pilot in Command must be a current Crest Guide rated pilot of type of wing flown.
3. Pilot in Command must sign the SSA Tandem Responsibility Acknowledgement.
4. Pilot in Command must follow all USHPA Tandem requirements.
5. Pilot in Command must hold the appropriate USHPA Tandem rating in the type of wing flown (HG/PG) for the passenger's skill level.
   
   1. Tandem 1 - Rated pilots for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
   2. Tandem 2 - Novice pilots for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
   3. Tandem Instructor - Student pilots for type of wing flown (HG/PG).
6. Passenger must be a current member of USHPA.
7. Passenger must sign the SSA Tandem Liability release.

6. Novice (Hang 2) Instructor / Guide for Hang Gliding only.

1. Instructor / Guide must be a current full member of the SSA.
2. Instructor / Guide must be an SSA Crest Guide pilot for hang gliding.
3. Instructor / Guide must be a current USHPA Certified Advanced Instructor for hang gliding.
4. Instructor / Guide must have had direct involvement in the instruction of the Novice pilot.
5. Instructor / Guide must sign the SSA Instructor /Guide Responsibility Acknowledgement. Said Acknowledgement to be executed annually by no later than April 1 of current year or privileges are revoked.

7. Novice Pilot must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a current SSA full member and a current USHPA Novice rated pilot.
2. Have a minimum of 10 logged solo flight hours.
3. Pass the USHPA Intermediate tests, both oral and written for hang gliding.
4. Sign the SSA Novice Pilot Liability release.
5. Fly within the following limitations:
   
   1. Prior to or following significant thermal activity.
   2. Wind speeds at launch of less than 12 mph.
   3. Maintain radio communication between pilot and guide.
   4. May not fly if there is any storm activity in the vicinity.

Appendix A.
History of Revisions
Adopted by The Sandia Soaring Association, Inc. at the September 1993 meeting.
Amended/Revised January 31, 1996
Peak Guide requirements revised September 4, 1996
Crest/Peak Tandem rules added September 4, 1996
Crest Instructor/Novice rules added September 4, 1996
Annual Meeting changed from June to October. Revised March 5, 1997
Redefinition of a quorum adopted November 4, 1998
Meeting and Newsletter publication schedule modified November 4, 1998
Increase of dues after 01/31 to $30.00 adopted January 3, 2001
Use of e-mail and website for Fliers adopted Jan. 3, 2001
Mountain committee eliminated Jan 3, 2001
New pilot/ guide rating process adopted Jan 3, 2001
Eliminated Mountain Committee references, added web site references, added PG pilot
guidelines and performed minor typographical corrections, October 14, 2003.
Revised membership dues, December 1, 2004
March 2009 Revisions:

added restrictions on temporary membership
Change dues rates and eliminate dual tier rates
Change USHGA to USHPA wherever mentioned
Change due date for dues
Revised meeting days and times to allow for officer announcements
added "In absence of an appointed “Editor” the Secretary shall assume these duties"
added "or tokens" to Article VI to allow for helmet stickers should the officers call for them
added language to include paragliding to the guidelines, clarify requirements and make Peak and Crest requirements consistant
re-added special skills requirements for both wing types at both launches
added "for type of wing flown" where appropriate and desired by the membership
added "or verified" to observer/sponser requirements
change language to clarify that the Novice Instructor exception for the Crest applies only to hang gliders

July 2012 – Peak and Crest guided flights number 6+ can be by a guide of either wing type.

Thanks Bill. I think these are very good examples.     

Could we include a bylaw that states that any changes to articles of incorporation and/or the bylaws must be done with a two thirds vote by the responding membership and only after a reasonably long period and well advertised, notice of proposed rule making?
Perhaps include an exigent exception clause allowing board members to act only in the interest of the overall membership and in keeping with not just the “letter” but also the intent of the guiding articles of incorporation and/or bylaws.

Why would we include an “exigent exception clause?”
It is impossible to predict any emergency that could come up.
It is also difficult to come up with a viable example.
I will offer up the best example I can come up with now since I lack a good imagination.
EXAMPLE: Let us say our organization is based in Phoenix, Arizona and the four hour advance warning siren goes off to alert everyone of the impending Tsunami.
It would be imprudent for the Board of Directors to generate a “Notice of Proposed Rule Making calling for a two thirds vote to move the home office, records and collected dues to higher ground.
In similar (or less exciting) situations the Board of Directors should be allowed to act without fear of backlash to operate in the organizations best interest.

Just some suggestions here that other Hawks may be able to tweak into a good resolution.

billcummings wrote:Could we include a bylaw that states that any changes to articles of incorporation and/or the bylaws must be done with a two thirds vote by the responding membership and only after a reasonably long period and well advertised, notice of proposed rule making?

I think that's a great idea ... Director Bill.   

billcummings wrote:Perhaps include an exigent exception clause allowing board members to act only in the interest of the overall membership and in keeping with not just the “letter” but also the intent of the guiding articles of incorporation and/or bylaws.

I think that's another great idea ... Director Bill.   

billcummings wrote:Why would we include an “exigent exception clause?”
It is impossible to predict any emergency that could come up.
It is also difficult to come up with a viable example.
I will offer up the best example I can come up with now since I lack a good imagination.
EXAMPLE: Let us say our organization is based in Phoenix, Arizona and the four hour advance warning siren goes off to alert everyone of the impending Tsunami.
It would be imprudent for the Board of Directors to generate a “Notice of Proposed Rule Making calling for a two thirds vote to move the home office and records and collected dues to higher ground.

... and you say you lack a good imagination!!   

billcummings wrote:In similar (or less exciting) situations the Board of Directors should be allowed to act without fear of backlash to operate in the organizations best interest.

I think that's yet another great idea ... Director Bill.   

billcummings wrote:Just some suggestions here that other Hawks may be able to tweak into a good resolution.

I nominate .... Director Bill.   

Do you accept the nomination?

Review?

by RickMasters » Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:03 pm

Bob, I simply ran out of money and closed my Mythology of the Airframe web site.
No paraglider pilots ever contributed to its upkeep.
They don't want to hear the truth.
That's very important to them.

No people who had experienced tragic loss contributed.
It was too late.
I fully understand this.

A few hang glider pilots did help, and I appreciate that.
They understood that it was really, really important.
But when only a handful realize this, it doesn't matter.

And a green power paraglider pilot who had never experienced freeflight contributed an impressively large amount when he realized that what he was getting into was a whole hell of a lot more dangerous than he had been told.
Like many others, he thanked me for saving his life.
I feel sad that this limited amount of funding couldn't keep the site going.

A lot of other people thanked me for saving their lives.
But they didn't help with the expenses.
Life is cheap.
Paragliding makes this clear.

I wish I had some skin in the game but I stopped flying in 1987.
I've given all I can.
It wasn't enough.
Paragliding will destroy hang gliding.
You guys f***ed YOURSELVES.
And now you have been f***ed by the people you turned your sport over to.
It was the greatest sport that had ever been created by man.
I firmly believe that.
It's too bad that most of you don't get it.
Many of you helped engineer the entire debacle.
And my opinion of most of you freeflight pilots these days is pretty low.
The pilots I flew with in the 80's would never have allowed this to pass.
When you hang glider pilots gave away negative loading to welcome in the paraglider, you sacrificed every gain we've fought for since the 1970s.
HOW COULD YOU DO THAT????
That was stupid and unforgivable.
You threw away your sport.
You need to fight to live.
It's Darwinian.
Don't ou understand?
It's not like you don't deserve what's coming.
You have my condolences.

Avoiding marching into duplication of the current USHPA will take some watchfulness.
[ ] Will there be an org 100% focused on short-hang-line airframed hang gliders?
[ ] Will there be an org that simply steps aside "third-party" insurance and accepts the workarounds?
Humans wear clothes sometimes; they leap and fly as dancers, jumpers, skippers, basketball players, runners, high jumpers, pole vaulters, long jumpers, skiers, ski-gliders, etc. Let humans play, please. Hang glide plan and do, so as to avoid injuring other people and properties. Carry your own health insurance. The soul sold to the "third-party" businesses by USHPA was recognized in the Licher move (instructed from the Soaring Society of America habits) at the start of USHGA (the second). The ever pushed "because it opens sites" can be set aside; forget opening sites that bring on ever-maturing controls, expenses, constraints, and some pressures that feed some unsafe flows.
[ ] Will there be an org that advances near-infinite sites in lieu of controlled sites? Press for such.
[ ] Will there be an org that puts communication at the top of the list? Open. Robust.
[ ] Will there be an org that depends on equity mentoring as it steps fully aside from rating systems and commercial instruction?
===="I fulfilled Checklist A, B, C, D, E, F, ...". "I review practiced Action Checklist A, G, Q, etc. on dates: ____. "I am equity mentoring with ____ and _____." "I will not have grades, ratings, badges,tags, etc. but will ever depend on immediate risk managing, smart practice, watchful review, analysis of peer comment, etc." Etc.
[ ] Will there be an org that sees the writing on the wall: fuel burning will not be needed to have potential energy for launching?
[ ] Will there be an org that respects the E.A.A. ethos on experimental aircraft within single-person airframed kite hang gliders?
[ ] Will there be an org that is confident that it does not need to conjure up participants. One that will have more than its hands full by fielding the interest shown by those seeing the history and activity of hang gliding as it continues to unfold in the world?
[ ] Will there be an org that avoids all brick-and-mortar office and its expenses? Avoids all "traveling" expenses of leaders? Avoids selling anything? Lets donations pay the nominal server space on the Internet?
[ ] Will there be an org that has no forced dues, but donation-only button opportunity?

JoeF, Quote----
“-----Will there be an org that advances near-infinite sites in lieu of controlled sites? Press for such.”

I Selected for now this one good quote from Joe out of many other good thoughts to comment on as I see exactly this situation in place in my hang gliding area.

The Lincoln National Forest’s agreement with the Rio Grande Soaring Association, (RGSA) [rgsa-dot-info], needed assurances that we would notify them if our site insurance were to laps.

To my knowledge insurance is not required for the hunters, quad runners, jeep drivers, motorcyclists, mountain bikers, hikers, campers, mountain climbers, skeet shooters, and other target shooters that use the same area at the end of the forestry road.
The clubs old guard got us into this insurance problem in the past when they decided to hold a Hang Gliding Nationals at our Dry Canyon, Alamogordo site years ago. We haven’t held a Nationals Meet here in decades but still the Forestry Service requires that we alone must be insured. More summers than not in recent years the Lincoln National Forest is closed to the all and the RGSA due to extreme fire danger.

However, our new flying site that we have unofficially named the, Magdalena Rim, is on BLM land that does not require that anyone carry insurance. They also have a higher bar when closing the lands for fire danger. The only impediment to hang gliding or paragliding is that there is a 7 minute walk (motor less area) up a gradual hill to the cliffs edge. This BLM site does not require any USHPA rating to fly. Common sense would suggest that the site is possibly about a P1-P2 and a H2-H3 due to the restricted landing field. (RLF)
The RGSA hasn’t decided what the rating should be in order for a visiting pilot to garner club member assistance with the use of this site.

At our insured Dry Canyon Site we actually are not authorized to prevent anyone using “our” ramp. The most we can and must do is inform the Lincoln National Forest about a non insured pilot taking off from the launch ramp. The next move lies with the Forestry Service. (Rumor has it you will get two weeks in the electric chair before they hang you in the public square.)

There is a gate at the bottom of the hill on the forestry service road that they can close and lock at their whim.
The only real club control over these two sites would be to throw tomatoes eggs, and fruit at any boorish offenders and post to Youtube under some despicable and insensitive heading. (Or carry red handled wire cutters like I do.)
I too would like to know as JoeF quotes:
“-----Will there be an org that advances near-infinite sites in lieu of controlled sites? Press for such.”

JoeF wrote:Avoiding marching into duplication of the current USHPA will take some watchfulness.
[ ] Will there be an org 100% focused on short-hang-line airframed hang gliders?
[ ] Will there be an org that simply steps aside "third-party" insurance and accepts the workarounds?
Humans wear clothes sometimes; they leap and fly as dancers, jumpers, skippers, basketball players, runners, high jumpers, pole vaulters, long jumpers, skiers, ski-gliders, etc. Let humans play, please. Hang glide plan and do, so as to avoid injuring other people and properties. Carry your own health insurance. The soul sold to the "third-party" businesses by USHPA was recognized in the Licher move (instructed from the Soaring Society of America habits) at the start of USHGA (the second). The ever pushed "because it opens sites" can be set aside; forget opening sites that bring on ever-maturing controls, expenses, constraints, and some pressures that feed some unsafe flows.
[ ] Will there be an org that advances near-infinite sites in lieu of controlled sites? Press for such.
[ ] Will there be an org that puts communication at the top of the list? Open. Robust.
[ ] Will there be an org that depends on equity mentoring as it steps fully aside from rating systems and commercial instruction?
===="I fulfilled Checklist A, B, C, D, E, F, ...". "I review practiced Action Checklist A, G, Q, etc. on dates: ____. "I am equity mentoring with ____ and _____." "I will not have grades, ratings, badges,tags, etc. but will ever depend on immediate risk managing, smart practice, watchful review, analysis of peer comment, etc." Etc.
[ ] Will there be an org that sees the writing on the wall: fuel burning will not be needed to have potential energy for launching?
[ ] Will there be an org that respects the E.A.A. ethos on experimental aircraft within single-person airframed kite hang gliders?
[ ] Will there be an org that is confident that it does not need to conjure up participants. One that will have more than its hands full by fielding the interest shown by those seeing the history and activity of hang gliding as it continues to unfold in the world?
[ ] Will there be an org that avoids all brick-and-mortar office and its expenses? Avoids all "traveling" expenses of leaders? Avoids selling anything? Lets donations pay the nominal server space on the Internet?
[ ] Will there be an org that has no forced dues, but donation-only button opportunity?

I looked at Joe's daunting list of questions last night and I have one answer that covers them all:

    The US Hawks will become whatever our members
    (this means YOU) have the desire and drive to make it become.

I certainly have my preferences on almost all of these issues, and I will list them because I'm a member with a right to speak like anyone else. But I really want the US Hawks to become what the HGAA should have become ... an organization of hang glider pilots making decisions for themselves and for their sport. I see my primary role as ensuring that we don't have the kind of backdoor takeover that happened at the HGAA. An organization at this stage needs a parent just like a newborn baby does. It needs protection from the many predators out there who would want to kill it or enslave it for their purposes. That's my primary role at this stage.

I would also compare it to the founding of our country. The key thing that the founding fathers did was to give us a framework (the Constitution of the United States) upon which everything else was built. That will be the most important thing for us to do. For right now, while this baby is very young, I will be making decisions to protect it from the dangers of the world. But as the Board begins to take shape and find its legs and its voice, I plan to give it more and more authority ... eventually turning over the web site itself. That's my plan, and I welcome any help that you all can give me.

OK, that's enough dancing, here are my answers to Joe's questions:

Will there be an org 100% focused on short-hang-line airframed hang gliders?

Before I turn full control over to the Board, we will have a mission statement that defines our focus on the sport of hang gliding.

Will there be an org that simply steps aside "third-party" insurance and accepts the workarounds? Humans wear clothes sometimes; they leap and fly as dancers, jumpers, skippers, basketball players, runners, high jumpers, pole vaulters, long jumpers, skiers, ski-gliders, etc. Let humans play, please. Hang glide plan and do, so as to avoid injuring other people and properties. Carry your own health insurance. The soul sold to the "third-party" businesses by USHPA was recognized in the Licher move (instructed from the Soaring Society of America habits) at the start of USHGA (the second). The ever pushed "because it opens sites" can be set aside; forget opening sites that bring on ever-maturing controls, expenses, constraints, and some pressures that feed some unsafe flows.

I don't like the idea that we should ever have to pay in advance for something that we haven't done. That's basically unAmerican, and it's essentially what mandatory insurance is. So I think we should do what we can to try to free ourselves from the insurance tail that wags the dog in so many aspects of our lives. Having said that, I can see that there will be land use situations where we will probably have to provide insurance (or assurance) so that we can fly. My current plan is that insurance will be a separate paid benefit of US Hawks membership. I would like basic membership (for information, communication, and fellowship) to be free. But if there are things (like insurance) that cost money, then we should provide whatever form of paid membership is necessary to provide it.

Will there be an org that advances near-infinite sites in lieu of controlled sites? Press for such.

I think we should strive to make flying a hang glider as widely accepted as walking down the street. Having said that, we know that hang gliding does have a higher degree of risk, and we have to accept the limitations of that risk or show that we can mitigate it.

Will there be an org that puts communication at the top of the list? Open. Robust.

It already is.     

Will there be an org that depends on equity mentoring as it steps fully aside from rating systems and commercial instruction?
===="I fulfilled Checklist A, B, C, D, E, F, ...". "I review practiced Action Checklist A, G, Q, etc. on dates: ____. "I am equity mentoring with ____ and _____." "I will not have grades, ratings, badges,tags, etc. but will ever depend on immediate risk managing, smart practice, watchful review, analysis of peer comment, etc." Etc.

I would like the US Hawks to foster the pilot-helping-pilot concept as much as possible. But I am not against rating systems or commercial instruction. But I am just one vote.

Will there be an org that sees the writing on the wall: fuel burning will not be needed to have potential energy for launching?

I support any efforts you make to harness the wind to bring pilots and their gliders to safe launch sites.

Will there be an org that respects the E.A.A. ethos on experimental aircraft within single-person airframed kite hang gliders?

I'm not familiar with this issue, so I don't know my position. It might be a good topic to open up if you want to give us your ideas.

Will there be an org that is confident that it does not need to conjure up participants. One that will have more than its hands full by fielding the interest shown by those seeing the history and activity of hang gliding as it continues to unfold in the world?

I think we'll certainly want to reach out to bring new people into the sport. John Heiney has a great philosophy on this, and I hope he doesn't mind me trying to convey it as best I can. John's feeling is that there are certain people for whom the sport is "in their blood" and his job is to simply expose them to it and they will then seek it out. So he doesn't do much "convincing" of potential students. They either see it and say "This is what I've always dreamed of" or they don't. I think John is right, and so I think the promotional role of the US Hawks will be in spreading the knowledge about the availability and accessibility of the sport.

Will there be an org that avoids all brick-and-mortar office and its expenses? Avoids all "traveling" expenses of leaders? Avoids selling anything? Lets donations pay the nominal server space on the Internet?

I like all of these ideas. I've been donating this site for years now, and I have no plan to stop anytime soon.

Will there be an org that has no forced dues, but donation-only button opportunity?

I like that as well. That's the way the Torrey Hawks have been since our founding over 6 years ago. I think that's a pretty good record.

Thanks for the questions Joe. But please remember that these are just my answers. I will try to start the US Hawks in that direction, but as the Board takes more and more power, it will eventually be up to all of us.