Written by HS (12/1980); Transcribed by KE (05/2012) and Reformatted by JS (05/2012)
Homer Smith, Seattle, WA, AMA 398 (CD). It is important that you vote in the election this fall. Those elected should represent the entire Academy, not just the few thousand that vote. Before you do vote, however, there are a few things you should know. The Academy has grown to big business proportions. Whether we like it or not, it is to our advantage to keep it growing. To do that, we must have an effective Executive Council.
Most things within the Academy take years to bring about. The plan to move Headquarters began in 1975 with the Hutchinson property deal. The current long-range plan began in 1977, with a special planning session. The rules cycle is two years long. The current flying site activity began with the creation of the long-range plan. Our current good financial picture was really set in motion with the completion of the “dump the deficit” plan.
What this means is that the majority of the accomplishments of 1979 and 1980 began prior to 1978.
For the Executive Council to work effectively requires a president who works with the VPs and Headquarters. We are a volunteer organization, and people work because they want to. A positive relationship with the Vice-Presidents and Headquarters is the only way to get things done in a timely manner. What U.S. President has ever gotten anything done with a Congress controlled by the other party? Unfortunately, we will see the negative effects of 1979 and 1980 for some time.
How can we prevent this from happening in the future? Two ways. First, elect me to put a positive and experienced force into the lead chair. My qualifications are explained elsewhere in the election material. Secondly, we need a bylaws change to put less emphasis on the role of President, and more on the Vice-Presidents. The VPs are where the rubber meets the road. They are the ones who live with the opinions of their districts. No president can travel or talk enough to get the feel of a district, and because he doesn’t live there, the opinions are rarely from the silent majority. The role of the Vice-President must be increased to take advantage of the knowledge of their districts.
We cannot afford to put our eggs in one basket by letting one individual make decisions that affect the entire Academy and have long-range impacts. Those decisions and policies must be made by the Executive Council where they can be deliberated and considered from all points of view.
As an Academy, neither can we afford to be distracted by petty personality conflicts. My experience on the Executive Council proves that I have a good working relationship with all its members. We must get back to our primary goal – model aviation.
Give me your vote and I will make it count.
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