Running for a position in my club

dell30rb

dell30rb

Final Approach
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
7,147
Location
Raleigh NC
Display Name
Ren
Home Airfield
KTTA, NC81
I have decided to run for an "at large" position on my flying club's board of directors, at the suggestion of our head cfi. Its a non-profit club with 12 aircraft ( 4 152's, 3 172's, 3 PA-28's, 2 Mooney M20J) and several hundred members. I have to send in a "statement" which will be printed in the club newsletter preceeding the elections. Here is what I have come up with. Comments appreciated!

I joined WOC in February 2011 and have since logged over 115 hours in our aircraft. Currently I am working on the instrument rating with xxxx. I’d like to join the board as a member at-large so I may support our club in its mission to keep us flying.

Before deciding to run, I spoke with current VP xx xxxx to get a clear picture of the duties and responsibilities of a board member. He mentioned one of the major items on the board’s agenda for 2012 will be the refurbishment and upgrading of the mid-range fleet. This is a challenge I am eager to tackle.

Our aircraft are aging well and remain airworthy thanks to regular use and preventative maintenance, however there are some items to be addressed. Some of our aircraft have torn or missing door seals, window seals, worn bushings and broken or missing interior plastic / sun visors. I’d like to see to it that these items are addressed before major avionics upgrades are budgeted. We are fortunate that moving-map GPS and satellite weather devices have dropped in price to a level where it is no longer premium technology, but something the weekend warrior can afford. I will ensure that any upgrades to the aircraft are made in accordance with a philosophy that maximizes value - durable equipment that enhances the utility and safety of our aircraft with minimal cost and downtime.

A secondary (and important) function of the club is to serve as an ambassador to GA and encourage others to pursue a pilot’s certificate. Recruiting primary students allows us to grow and retain full time instructors who provide invaluable service in the day to day functioning of WOC. In addition to spending time on club PR and recruiting projects, I propose a policy change that will encourage our vast membership to introduce new pilots to the left seat. I’d like to grant each member a once or twice per year exemption to the $20 “one day member” fee so that one can send an interested friend, spouse etc... up with one of our excellent instructors for the same low rate we enjoy. If aircraft availability to other members becomes significantly impacted by this change, it could be restricted to weekdays only.

Wings of Carolina is one of the strongest GA organizations on the east coast. The quality of our membership, fleet, instructors, and the reasonable cost to participate in the club are the primary and significant core values of WOC. As a board member, I will strive to maintain and improve where possible the low hourly cost and availability of club aircraft and instructors. In doing so I will promote volunteer participation, frequent use of the aircraft and a board that is responsive and financially conscious.
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That many aircraft and that many active members? I'm impressed!

I like your exemption idea to provide a lower cost to introduce new blood into the club. But unless there is a major scheduling challenge on weekends, I would adjust your proposal to include weekends. That's going to be when more of the new blood is available. Just leave it to your CFI Cadre to be more aware and sensitive to a regular member having some priority as they work with the newbie to schedule a good time slot.

Another club benefit idea to propose. Allow members to earn credits or reward points for assisting the club in various activities. Develop a schedule with several and varied activies that says, "for this activity, you earn XX points". Then have another schedule or menu that says "Spend YYY points and get this reward" Reward can be anything from a free month of dues, free hours of flight time, free hours with a CFI, a free BFR, entry into a monthly drawing for a really cool prize, etc.

Idea goes toward rewarding members who want to be involved as a helper indian versus the cheif. As the other members of the tribe see the initial group get rewarded, they may join in. Eventually, you have more helping hands to take care of routine business, improvements, and PR projects. And everyone benefits because the load is shared across more folks.
 
Our fleet, instructors and low cost are the core competency of our club.
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Better phrasing
The quality of our mebership, (gotta give credit to the little people --AM88) fleet, instructors, and the reasonable cost to participate in the club are the primary and significant core values of WOC. As a board member, I will make it my mission to maintain and improve on these values. To accomplish this, I will promote programs that reward increased volunteering by the members, programs that keep our fleet well maintained and always available for your use, and I will ensure the board remains responsive and financially conscious to the membership.

I welcome any input from any member. Feel free to contact me at [ph#] or .
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Some additional edits....

A secondary (and but still very important) function of the club is to serve as an ambassador to GA and encourage others to pursue a pilot’s certificate. This includes Rrecruiting primary students allows us to grow and as well as recruiting and retaining full time instructors who provide invaluable service in the day to day functioning of WOC. In addition to spending time on club PR and recruiting projects, I'd like to propose a policy change that will encourage our vast membership to introduce new pilots to the left seat. I’d like to grant each Each member would be granted a once or twice per year exemption to the $20 “one day member” fee so that a member can send an interested friend, spouse etc... up with one of our excellent instructors for the same low rate we enjoy. If aircraft availability to other members becomes significantly impacted by this change, it could be restricted to weekdays only.
 
I made some of those changes - however I omitted a few because i'm trying to keep it short and sweet. It has to fit in a newsletter and I feel its already kinda long / wordy!

I'd like to stay away from "member points" if possible. We do not have a system like this in place now and we get a very good amount of work done by members who volunteer. Adding a points system etc.. I am afraid may encourage unhealthy competition / jealousy / finger pointing or something like that.
 
Have you considered running for higher office? Like POTUS? You're better qualified than the current Pres as well as the oposition candidates. :D
 
Anthony said:
Have you considered running for higher office? Like POTUS? You're better qualified than the current Pres as well as the oposition candidates. :D
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How much foreign policy experience does he have? How much prior experience in government? How many top terrorist leaders has he ordered killed? :D

From his picture, it doesn't look like he meets the age requirement for POTUS, so it would have to be some other office.
 
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The age requirement for potus is 35! I have plenty of time to clean up my act
 
"financially conscious"

Or "fiscally responsible"?

Mirriam-Webster dictionary:
" perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree of controlled thought or observation <conscious of having succeeded> <was conscious that someone was watching>"
 
murphey said:
"financially conscious"

Or "fiscally responsible"?
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THAT's the phrase I was trying to come up with earlier... but had a bit of brain block.
 
Everyone who decides to seek a board seat should use your writeup.
 
Just a side-note...

Before joining any BoD or running for any club office these days, make sure the organization has appropriate liability insurance for the Officers and BoD if you have any significant assets (including owning your own home).

Have seen people volunteer with all the best intentions, who end up named in lawsuits by association and spending inordinate amounts of personal funds, time, and mental stress waiting for lawyers to prove they weren't involved in corporate malfeasance or discrimination.

Their real day-job employers were also none too impressed at the number of days they had to take off of work to go to court.

Just pointing it out to save you possible future grief. If they don't cover the leadership, fix that, or get your own rider policy on your homeowner's or renter's insurance. It's usually very cheap.
 
murphey said:
"financially conscious"

Or "fiscally responsible"?

Mirriam-Webster dictionary:
" perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree of controlled thought or observation <conscious of having succeeded> <was conscious that someone was watching>"
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"fiscally responsible" was the original wording but I changed it. Financial responsibility is a big buzz-word in the business world.. all over the news you hear politicians and talking heads calling for fiscal responsibility in banks, corporations and lending institutions.

I did not want to compare our current board to these organizations - essentially I felt the phrase may have been taken the wrong way by some, to mean that I was worried the board may be squandering or abusing our money.

Financially conscious is something I came up with - I was hoping folks would take it to mean "I will be aware of our financial state and carefully make decisions when spending club dollars"

Let me ask a question... when you read "financially conscious" for the first time, what comes to mind?


As for liability, we are fortunate to have a hefty liability policy that prevents subrogation against members. Also, I don't own a home or anything like that. Just an old jeep, couple guitars, furniture, a dog, and an old sailboat.
 
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