Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Jerome DaoustGeneral Member
After some questioning (ref), thanks to David who obtained a confirmation (ref) from USHPA, that the club is no longer a Chapter, yet offers the ability to renew…
CSS did not renew their chapter status on the last cycle. Depending on the direction the chapter pursues moving forward, we would be willing to consider their chapter renewal if they applied.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberThanks for confirming (ref) your position Stan. I like what you told me on Saturday, it went something like: “On any issue, both sides debate by presenting arguments, and then there is the truth.“. At this point, both sides presented some arguments, maybe others have new info to add, and it can take its own course.
I do appreciate the time and energy you are putting into the club. I also like how we can debate, yet still enjoy flying and spending time together.
Thanks also to Alan and David doing investigative work, on whether or not the CSS is currently an USHPA Chapter. The detailed info I was provided (ref) makes me believe we are not, while websites may need updating.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberFor Jai Pal…
After re-reading Jana’s post (ref), she seemed aware that only General (not Board) meetings require 30-day notice, but was complaining instead that the board meeting we just had, was overdue. Of course, the more notice time the better.
For Jana…
During the meeting I remembered and asked your question about what by-laws are up for review. This was Stan’s answer.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberJerome DaoustGeneral MemberBoth statements (from Stan during yesterday’s meeting) can be correct…
- There is no current plan to accept AUA ratings.
- The club by-law that limits the requirement to USHPA (and IPPI) ratings, is up for review (ref).
So one may deduct that either…
- There is a desire/plan to accept ratings from another (yet to be named) association, maybe one that does not exist now (AUA could just be used as a template).
- There is no reason to limit the club to one specific association’s rating system, or use that freedom as leverage in future negotiations (with USHPA for example).
The future will tell, which of the above was closer to the truth.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberA related piece of information from today’s (2022/7/16) board meeting, which had a good exchange of ideas…
There will be at least one club by-law up for review/update at the next general membership meeting in October: The one where the club is currently limited to accepting only USHPA (and IPPI) ratings. Stan added that it would have to be approved by general membership.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberWhen challenged, you feel “attacked”.
Bullying (insults, defamation) may work on an insecure teenager, mostly ineffective with adults, more of a reflection of one’s character. Doing it under public view makes your stock go down.
Forums (or meetings) are places to exchange viewpoints and some will be in opposition.
As a board member, expect challenges, while held to a higher behavior standard.
Hoping for only “feel good” feedback is unrealistic, take pride in doing your best and don’t “burn out”.All good on my side…
I am a night owl by nature, expect me to be online at any hour, situation normal.
I am proud of helping people to fly and collected testimonials.
I am at a sweet spot in my life, and wish you also get to experience these simultaneously: Financially comfortable, lots of free time, healthy.About Zac, Dusty, Luke and Chris: All fine people. I passed on the info I received. Of course, everyone wants to share their passion and minimize burdens. Best to also list yourself as benefiting from avoiding RRRG/PASA school insurance.
Lost Swing sponsorship: Blaming others sounds like a comforting rationalization.Volunteering.
You are wrong to think your CSS efforts are not well appreciated. I appreciate your: Site maintenance, shade structure work.
Beyond the CSS site, there are many ways to help the flying community:
– Help other local flying sites (join me at Soboba one of these days).
– Participate and provide guidance on an international forum.
– Publish equipment reviews.
– Share knowledge on a website, podcast, video channel.
– Help a national association.
When donating (time, effort, money) it is not a competition, do what fits you best.See you at the meeting Marcello.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberStan wrote (ref)…
The Board has not been planning or considering getting out of USHPA, changing the rating system, or obtaining another rating provider. Each and every one of these decisions would have to be made beforehand by a vote of the entire club membership.
The above is not true. This is what I found (source)…
Not true in that the CSS Board chose to drop being a USHPA Chapter by canceling their Conditional Chapter renewal in 2021 (more info at the end of this posting). Chapter’s need to maintain sufficient Risk Management and not operate as a commercial entity for their activities to remain as a Recreational Chapter. Chapters always have an option to convert part or all an operation to a Commercial Flight Park if that is the path that they would like to pursue.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberYes Jana, sharing here for a wider audience to review, is the best path to unbiased answers. I plan to be at the meeting, but not expecting important matters to be resolved in a short amount of time. Now some fact checking…
Marcello wrote (ref)…
Zack majors that could not teach here under the RRRG program. And Dusty Rodes that only does tandems and don’t teach primary students, or Luke weaver that only teaches his best friends to share the passion of the sport, and Chris Tillier that brings family and friends from work to have a fun weekend with them. I hope I answered your questions and concerns and I’m glad that you are helping other members understand what the board of CSS is working for.
The above is not true. This is what I found (source)…
Any instructor can teach and add any Site that they would like to teach at as a PASA or RRRG direct School (Assuming that the Site Landowner/ Agency allows commercial instruction at the Site and requirements are met). They just need to add that Site to their Lesson Plan with Risk Management for the Site. There are several PASA or RRRG direct Schools teaching at CSS Site Locations.
The RRRG was not preventing Zac or any instructors from training at CSS. Zac failed to report student days and did not renew his PASA / RRRG insurance paperwork. Many reached out to Zac to do his paperwork for him, but he refused help.
Dusty did not renew PASA nor RRRG insurance.
Other instruction can also happen at Sites, however, the instruction in most cases would not be covered by USHPA / RRRG insurance unless those providing the instruction maintained that coverage for themselves, the Chapter, and Landowners.If Luke and Chris had maintained noncommercial status, and a Rogallo level membership, then their instruction could be covered under his USHPA Rogallo level membership. (However, the Students or tandem students would need to all be USHPA members (full or Temp 30 day).
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberI wondered the same. Confusing title, not being either “Board meeting” or “General Membership Meeting”. I guess it is to make members feel welcome to attend a board meeting.
Update… Here is the corrected announcement and agenda for those who did not get an Email or planning to join before the meeting and price increase…
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberThanks Jana, will update later today.
Getting good input from many, that I need to merge in (Update: Done).
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberFor questions about a club’s intentions to modify policies/rules, it is best to have these discussed publicly (more people aware) and ahead of meetings, to give people more time to think (do research) and avoid debates during a meeting, where such topics are unlikely to be resolved in a short amount of time.
It is in this spirit that I created a focused topic: AUA ratings.
Thanks to all who are working on the future of our club, if we disagree at times, it just means that we care.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberThanks for chiming in Jai Pal.
For Bille (see above) and others who posted questions under this topic, can you acknowledge them (answer when possible, maybe later) at your board meeting? They are conveniently collected under this topic. It should be to everyone’s (members and board) benefit to address them sooner than later, without forcing members with a question to be physically present. It seems like an unnecessary hurdle is being created.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberI Emailed the treasurer (contacts for board members) for you, but…
Did you select the Deluxe package? I was tempted… Help for glider setup and breakdown (once per day), walk to the head of the queue when ready to launch, other pilots will clear the thermal when you arrive, and you can land on of the full width of the LZ.
The Platinum package (3x basic membership) seemed a bit much for me: Only adding cold beer (up to 2/day) to the Deluxe package.
Jerome DaoustGeneral MemberLinda (ref): What’s the deal with overnight parking?
Linda (ref) + Jana (ref): Shade structure completion status? More funding needed?
Linda (ref): Any upcoming events?
Linda (ref): Can we update the links on this website, to the multiple LZ webcams?
Linda (ref) + Zac (ref): Will we start accepting ratings from the AUA (American Ultralight Association)?
Linda (ref): How can the club collect fees for overnight parking and showers?
Linda (ref): More details on the proposed camping layout (sketch)?
Jana (ref, ref 2): How to ensure board members avoid conflicts of interest, when also serving AUA or USHPA?
Jana (ref): Since they are not an insurance provider, what significant benefits would AUA offer the club?
Jerome: Would accepting AUA ratings for pilots, instructors and tandems, lower the safety standards at the site and strain our relationship with USHPA?
Jana (ref, ref 2), summarized: Hypothetical scenario (unrelated to father Peter)… If the club votes to accept AUA ratings (in addition to USHPA’s), and an instructor or pilot loses his USHPA rating, but a previous/current member of AUA, will he be allowed to teach or fly at AJX? If not already an AUA member, can he join now and continue to teach or fly? How to protect the club from an instructor or pilot judged unfit by USHPA?
Jerome (ref): Does the AUA have worldwide recognition? To but it bluntly, its website and single 3-page SOP for ratings and training seems like a one day effort. Is this a shell association collecting people disgruntled with USHPA?
Jerome (ref): What is the number of pilots/instructors in the AUA, but without an USHPA rating, that want to fly/teach at AJX? Is the club’s expected extra income worth their addition? Those pilots could try to get an IPPI rating, and then be allowed through that existing recognized equivalency.
Jerome: CSS has a list of approved instructors/schools. Excluding myself (not actively teaching at the site)… Will accepting more tandem pilots and instructors from AUA be disrespectful to the currently qualified instructors/schools, who will also see their business diluted among a larger pool of tandem and instructors? Also, facilitating visiting instructors (mostly operating elsewhere) and students can leave our site damaged without suffering the same consequences as if they mostly operated here.
-
AuthorPosts