[Bob Kuczewski]

I guess there are two broad schools of thought on the mission statement.

One is that the mission statement should be a single broad statement that's easy to remember, easy to quote, and sets the guidelines for a more detailed list of goals. In that model (which I tend to favor), the mission statement might be simple like "protect and promote the sport of hang gliding". Then one could ask if preserving history helps to protect and promote the sport. I think most people would agree that it does, so that puts it in our scope.

The alternative approach would have a more detailed mission statement that might include history more explicitly.

The plan in this topic is for each Board member to put forth a few of their favorites and then we'll put them up for a vote to see where that takes us. So if you have some suggestions please share them and lobby the Board members to vote on them.

FYI, The current Board members are Joe, Bill, Sam, and myself.

[JoeF]

Look to U.S. Hawks.
What is its mission?
May the answer be easy, short, simple, direct, memorable for a distinction.
No too broad. Focus. Fulfilling the pointed mission could include actions, processes, programs, habits, etc. that support the mission.
Notice that the history of subject matter of the mission could well be a high-drawer objective; Frank Colver pointed out the importance of history.

Propose for mission statement:

Mission Statement of U. S. Hawks HGA:
To promote and protect recreational hang gliding in the USA.

================================================
Actions and habits that could perhaps fulfill that mission without being directly integrated in the mission statement:
1. Publish a comprehensive growing history of hang gliding.
2. Ever deepen hang gliding safety manual.
3. Communicate opportunities for responsible recreational hang gliding.
4. Let other agents handle non-recreational hang gliding matters; communicate well the distinction between recreational hang gliding and non-recreational hang gliding.
5. Maintain a forum dedicated to recreational hang gliding. Moderate the forum so the focus is well supported.
6. Stay away from the selling the soul of recreational hang gliding to insurance companies.
7. Stay away from having any ratings except "Recreational Hang Glider PIlot" RHGP
8. Advance recreational tools and habits that support free mentorship, observing, critique, local recreational/educational clubs.
9. ...
10. ...

[Bill Cummings]

Look to U.S. Hawks.
What is its mission?
May the answer be easy, short, simple, direct, memorable for a distinction.
No too broad. Focus. Fulfilling the pointed mission could include actions, processes, programs, habits, etc. that support the mission.
Notice that the history of subject matter of the mission could well be a high-drawer objective; Frank Colver pointed out the importance of history.

Propose for mission statement:

Mission Statement of U. S. Hawks HGA:
To promote and protect recreational hang gliding in the USA.

================================================
Actions and habits that could perhaps fulfill that mission without being directly integrated in the mission statement:
1. Publish a comprehensive growing history of hang gliding.
2. Ever deepen hang gliding safety manual.
3. Communicate opportunities for responsible recreational hang gliding.
4. Let other agents handle non-recreational hang gliding matters; communicate well the distinction between recreational hang gliding and non-recreational hang gliding.
5. Maintain a forum dedicated to recreational hang gliding. Moderate the forum so the focus is well supported.
6. Stay away from the selling the soul of recreational hang gliding to insurance companies.
7. Stay away from having any ratings except "Recreational Hang Glider PIlot" RHGP
8. Advance recreational tools and habits that support free mentorship, observing, critique, local recreational/educational clubs.
9. ...
10. ...

I'm very comfortable with Joe's suggested mission statement as it is.
I'm also comfortable with the eight points of the Hawks vision.
(With the holiday approaching I may have to be contacted by my cell phone since internet access may be difficult for me until this coming weekend.)

[Bob Kuczewski]

With the holiday approaching I may have to be contacted by my cell phone since internet access may be difficult for me until this coming weekend.

Thanks(giving) Bill!!!

Since the motion was passed on Friday the 20th, then the week of open discussions will continue through Friday the 27th. That puts the 3 day voting window right smack in the middle of the Thanksgiving weekend.  

So if there are no objections, I'd like to extend the previously mentioned 3 day voting period until Friday December 4th. That gives us the following schedule:

  Open discussions: Through Friday, November 27th - midnight in Hawaii
  Board voting: Through Friday, December 4th - midnight in Hawaii

Any objections or requests for a more formal vote? If there are no objections, we can just go with this, but if anyone wants to vote on this procedural change, please consider this post as my motion awaiting a second.

[EDIT November 28th, 2015]
Note that what I called the 3 day voting period was originally intended to be the 3 day proposal or nomination period as described in the original motion.
I'm sorry for this mistake. Please post immediately if you feel that this has caused any confusion which might affect the outcome of this process. Thanks.
[/EDIT]

[SamKellner]

  second  

[JoeF]

  Yes  

[Bob Kuczewski]

  Yes.  

Bill is on a trip away from his computer. I spoke with him on the phone last night and he votes   yes   as well.

[Bill Cummings]

US Hawks HGA Mission Statement.
A cautionary note here: I read a story in the Business section of the Las Cruces Sun News that carried a story by AP Food Industry Writer Candice Choi, Titled "Emails reveal Coke's role in anti-obesity group." It was found in Wednesday 25, 2015 newspaper.
The nonprofit group accepted 1.5 million from Coke that also made suggestions as to the draft of the nonprofits Mission Statement.
Coke also helped pick the group's leaders and suggested videos and articles for the group's website.
The Global Energy Balance Network contends that the 1.5 million will not influence their work.

[Bob Kuczewski]

The nonprofit group accepted 1.5 million from Coke that also made suggestions as to the draft of the nonprofits Mission Statement.

Thanks Bill!!! I searched for that story and also found it here:

http://m.sfgate.com/news/medical/article/APNewsBreak-Emails-reveal-Coke-s-role-in-6653547.php

I like the sound of "recreational hang gliding" in our proposed mission statement more and more all the time.

I think yesterday was the start of the original 3-day proposal period (since extended by amendment to December 4th) where each Board member may make official proposals for us to vote on. Please use the green "nominate" tag to highlight your actual proposed mission statement to keep it separate from any other comments in your post.

By the way, I think I introduced some confusion with my earlier post (see correction in red above). The original 3-day window was for formal proposals by the Board members and not the actual voting. The actual voting will start AFTER the proposal period which ends on December 4th.

[JoeF]

  Mission Statement of U. S. Hawks Hang Gliding Association:
To promote, protect, and serve recreational hang gliding in the United States.  



{proposal amended to spell out "Hang Gliding Association" and "United States" while matching "U.S." in U.S. Hawks with "United States".)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States