Lads and Ladies of POA, I've been a proud NAFI Master CFI several times over. The renewal process is time consuming and expensive, but when NAFI fired Sandy & Joanne Hill, I was quite put off. I asked NAFI several times what the problem was but never got a straight answer. I then asked SAFE as well, but they don't want to give many details either. Perhaps it was the Hill's upcoming legal struggle that kept a cloud over the details.
I really like the Hills, and they should "own" the NAFI Master Program, especially the FAA agreement where you can renew your CFI when you renew your Master. Brilliant! So when the Hills moved to SAFE, I joined as a charter 'Bronze" member of SAFE for $100. I was a bit surprised that no letter of acknowledgement was received by me (although they said they sent one - but darned if I see it in any of my incoming emails, nor in my US Mail.)
Ya' know, just a quick "thanks" for sending more dues money than really needed 'cause I wanted to help SAFE get started.
Then I get an email asking members to vote for the new SAFE Board. This email didn't include the SAFE website URL, obviously a honest omission, so I reply asking what it is. I then get a smart remark about the URL being included in previous emails from SAFE. The reply inferred "here it is dummy -- but you should know it by now."
Okee-dokey. So I couldn't remember the URL for SAFE and since I had dumped all previous emails, I therefore concluded by their uppity reply that I am apparently not "qualified" to be a SAFE member (much less a recurring Master with that organization) since I have NOT MEMORIZED the SAFE website URL. I have more important things to memorize, but wait -- should checklists be memorized or referred to as written? Off-topic, never-mind.
So I asked for my $100 Bronze membership fee back to which they quickly replied they would be "happy" to return my money. I replied "Happy?" - can SAFE really be "happy" to lose a member? One with extra cash to toss at them? Wow, they are getting a bit confident early in the game. I guess they don't need an old "glider goober" from Texas (sorry Pete, it is just the hat!) So SAFE is "Happy", laughing their snotty SkyGod butts off, I suppose, and I'm the sucker for sending them $100. OK, not the first time I've been an easy touch, but I'm learning who should get it and who shouldn't.
They concluded their email with a sarcastic (OK, my opinion) "Good Luck!" I don't need the SAFE SkyGods to wish me good luck. I MAKE my own luck, thank you. (Want my recipe?)
SAFE might have just said, "Gee Burt, we are sure that you are quite busy runnin' your Marfa, Texas yeehaw glider goober flight school which is quite successful in spite of the lousy economy because you work hard teaching the very UNIQUE SKILLS required to fly gliders safely and showing visiting pilots a real good time down yonder and we apologize for assuming you KNEW the SAFE website URL so here it is -- and by the way we want you onboard."
But Noooooo, I got the brush-off and something about how they are really busy or stressed. Stress? IMSAFE? Oh, the irony!
Since I don't pretend to be a SkyGod after 42 years of flyin' airplanes (challenging) and gliders (more challenging) I've decided I don't want to join another uppity bunch of pretend SkyGod's. Now SAFE is trying to figure out how to refund my $100!
As far as NAFI, I shall be letting my membership lapse with them as well, along with EAA. Both have become way too big. Neither have a clue who I am and what I do, and they don't seem to care if they lose a member here and there.
So I'm opting out of most all flying organizations except perhaps AOPA for their legal advice option / insurance discount, and the Soaring Society of America. These organizations work to keep me as a member, and provide tangible SERVICES I can really use.
If you wanna be a "Master" of something, consider it takes more than filling out forms and sending in your money. It takes passion, hard work, a willingness to always continue learning and an attitude of helpfulness and caring for your fellow Earthlings. If you can make Aviators out of those Earthlings, then you may declare yourself a Master Instructor (in your own mind) and you don't need to pay anyone to bestow this upon you. You don't necessarily need a pretty plaque to be self-confident and to know that you are really good at what you do, in any occupation. But if you think it will help your resume, join NAFI, SAFE, ASCAP, BMI, NASCAR, etc. It's your gig.
So I'm still looking for my $100 refund from SAFE. Apparently I'm the first to depart -- there's an honor! As my Dad would chuckle, "Time Wounds All Heels."
On to better topics! Or the tropics!
Burt
Marfa, west Texas
Where yesterday's "USA Today" arrives tomorrow, and our annual Texas Glider Rally begins this Saturday!