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The discussion started with "The Oz Report" writing:
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.
I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with the letter. My experience with Dennis Pagen has been fairly limited. However, their final point about fearing retribution from USHPA for speaking out is very clear and very accurate.
