[NSRCA-discussion] Going forward.

Sun Jun 24 09:53:19 AKDT 2007

Few things come to mind on this.

For Eric.Although I understand what you are stating and realize I don't have
all the facts, I must wonder how this thread has helped grow pattern. Eric,
I'm not talking about you even though this is your ID. How many potential
pattern guys have now turned away because of this thread? It's an ugly black
eye and I don't appreciate this forum being used for this purpose. But now
the cats out of the bag, let's deal with it fairly.

For the NSRCA Board..I would like to see where this was addressed in the
past board meeting minutes. I would like to know where this can be reviewed.
If not, I request a copy of the minutes to be mailed to me at my present
address. I would like to know what authority a SIG has to sanction a paying
AMA member from participating in an AMA national event even as a judge. At
what point did the NSRCA Board discuss this with the AMA Competition Board?
If not at all it's nothing less than a lynching and the board members
responsible for this should resign immediately. Eric is an AMA member first.
The NATS is an AMA event First. I would agree that the CD, with input from
the NSRCA Board, could recommend sanctions to the AMA on behalf of a written
protest.

I would be interested in what Dave Brown and the AMA Competition Board has
to say.

With this being said, if in fact there is rules clearly stated and the NSRCA
had the authority and acted in those rules let me know and I will apologize.
I would like to know where it is written.

Rules that actually state in the AMA rules book. The pilot or anyone on his
behalf can't confront the judge. This violation is sufficient to result in
disqualification of the pilot from this event. See General Competition Rules
page 12 of 12 under General, Section 8.

In the General Competition Rules it also outlines the rules for Protest, See
General Competition Rules page 9 of 12 under Sanctioned Events, Section 18.
I will assume that at a Nationals event, the CD followed these rules. They
should have been followed to the letter regardless of the NSRCA's position.
The CD is an AMA representative and acts on the AMA's behalf. No influence
by the NSRCA should have impaired the protester's right or the rights of the
person being protested.

I would like the NSRCA Board President to respond regarding the AMA Protest
Rules and how they were followed to the letter in this case as well as any
sanction for an individual confronting a judge regarding a pilots scores.

Larry Diamond

AMA 5024

NSRCA 3083

  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Grow Pattern
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:41 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Going forward.

Please understand that I wrote about what had happened to me for a reason
greater than personal vindication. There is a fundamental problem with
sponsorship, contestant judging, and the management/development of judges.

(I can't address the information given to the Don Lowe Masters or the
attempt to remove me from Model Aviation reporting unless I do something and
subpoena the records of the NSRCA board, their e-mail their appointee's
mail. To go "legal" on the NSRCA would just be ugly, damaging to all and
exhaust what little NSRCA money there is in the bank. That is not my
agenda).

I can address how I was processed by the NSRCA as regards allegations of
biased judging. I can't do much about what happened to me, but I can do
something about the next guy. So can you. (After all, it could be you.)

First of all, the NSRCA needs to amend its charter to state that it is a
ruling body on judging resources. Then update the bylaws to cover the
related process. There is an NSRCA bylaw on how to do this and it involves
all of you, the NSRCA membership, voting on a proposed change.

Secondly, the AMA has a pretty good disciplinary process that the NSRCA
could incorporate to deal with judging infractions. It tells the accused
what they have been charged with and allows the accused to present their
case. There is even an appeal process if the member does not agree with the
decision or the punishment.

We all deserve a fair trial and the right to face our accuser(s) or the
accusation(s).

With the bylaws as they are, I consider the NSRCA board to have acted
illegally and to not have given me a chance to challenge their evidence
BEFORE they met and passed their sentence. 

Most importantly, the NSRCA needs to revamp its judging training. They now
need to add performance evaluation to allow us to know how well we are
performing as a judge. Maybe we need to be rated as to what we can judge.
e.g. which class we can cover etc. We should be tested before--not just
accused after!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--

By NSRCA board voting, I will be eligible to judge pattern in 2009. 

Please consider this for a moment.

I am sitting in the judge's chair and I see a zero spin entry, no stall etc.
I think for a moment as the rest of the spin is being executed. Hmmm?

-What if the other judges all saw that as a valid spin entry? 

-What should I do? If I am out of the norm, I will be in trouble again, 

-They will be watching. 

-It would take only one pilot to complain and I would be toast..

-A small trickle of sweat runs down my back. 

-The clock is ticking.

-Oh no! My confidence as a judge is shot. 

-I freeze.

-I chicken out and give a 6.

Well, I need not worry because they will never pick me to judge again. But
they will pick YOU!

-----------------------------------

My thanks for the off-list encouragement. I will keep your identity
confidential. I understand that you cannot post on the discussion-list. I
know that it is intimidating when this could affect your results down the
line. It is supposed to be a discussion-list about everything that affects
pattern. That is, unless your president tell you to not do so!

I really thank the two NSRCA board members who had the courage to let me
know that the NSRCA board was trying to have me removed from writing the
column and that they are currently planning to take me off the list. 

I am sorry I blitzed the discussion-list with long notes but, you guys know
me--I write and this is what happens when I do :-)

Got to get back to the real world again.

Good luck everybody and best regards,

Eric--Exiting the box!

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