[NSRCA-discussion] Why did you join the NSRCA?

Sun Feb 1 23:05:24 AKST 2009

Chris,

I support pattern. However, I refuse to equate supporting pattern with being a member of the NSRCA. That doesn't mean that I won't join again, just explaining why I'm hesitant to at this time. I support pattern by going to my local contests, and some not-so-local contests when I can. I support pattern by helping out my fellow pilots with advice, coaching, calling, emergency repairs/parts, whatever I can. I especially look to help the newcomers and encourage their progress. I'm even looking into having my club host a contest next year. Pattern is what I do, so please don't try to make it sound like I don't support it because I haven't renewed my membership.

I know that the K-Factor starves for content. I don't hold you accountable for that fact. I have contributed to the K-Factor before by helping write Bryan Hebert's trim article. I've considered writing other things as well, just haven't really gotten around to it. My point on the K-Factor was that the NSRCA is wasting money by making it as long as it is. Results tables and 3-month old pictures from contests fill space, but ultimately that's all they do. It's old news.

Keep in mind what I write here is simply my opinion, and I know many out there disagree with it. I bring these issues up because so many people leave this sport, or at least the NSRCA, without ever letting anyone know why. I'm at a point where I'm trying to justify remaining a member of an organization that really has no apparent benefits to me. If nothing else, perhaps the leadership can come to a better understanding of why membership numbers are on the decline.

Matt
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: krishlan fitzsimmons 
  To: General pattern discussion 
  Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 1:07 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Why did you join the NSRCA?

        Jerry, 

        Thanks for joining in on this. You have the best memory of anyone I know when it comes to your memories of pattern. Good to see them brought out here. I wasn't involved back then so I have no idea. 
        And, Jon told me we are staying at your mansion, not Vics house next weekend. Is this correct. I haven't talked to you and don't want to impose. 

        Matt, 

        You may not support pattern, and that's fine. To each his own. And if you have opinions, please tell your district VP and ask him to bring it up in the next board meeting. Or better yet, come to the nats, and attend the board meeting. It's quite interesting. I like to call it the" bored" meeting though.. lol.
        And as always, if you want to voice your opinion, and make it matter, contact an officer of the Nsrca. It's our job to listen and take it to the "bored" meetings. 
        Matt, it is to my unsatisfaction that I am not making the K-factors interesting enough that that alone doesn't make you want to rejoin. How about submitting info on your own? Anyone can!!! I'm shocked that someone as vocal as you (and I don't know you) doesn't rejoin just to support pattern. Heck, I am an Imac member and I have never flown an Imac flight. But I support their cause. And don't want to see them fail. 

        Chris 

        --- On Sun, 2/1/09, Budd Engineering <jerry at buddengineering.com> wrote:

          From: Budd Engineering <jerry at buddengineering.com>
          Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Why did you join the NSRCA?
          To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
          Date: Sunday, February 1, 2009, 10:51 PM

          On Feb 1, 2009, at 1:11 PM, Matthew Frederick wrote:

            It may very well be in pattern's interest that the NSRCA remain healthy, but I am my own driving force. I don't fly to win the district championship, and I don't attend the Nats at this point. Before the NSRCA came around, there were still AMA rules for pattern. Contests were held. I could make an argument that the NSRCA in it's current form is the reason that pattern struggles. I'm not saying that, but evidence exists to support the claim. 

          I'd be interested in hearing that argument.  Really - I would.  I have my own ideas as to what the problem is, but it's always good to get another opinion.

            I tried to go read the history of the NSRCA to find out exactly what year the organization was formed, but the link to the NSRCA history article is not working. 

          IIRC it was around 1973.  Rhett Miller was the first president.  Long before the fall-off in pattern started.  I joined in ~ 1982 or 83, Larry Ott was president then.  The K-Factor was about 8 half-sized pages written on a typewriter and copied off on a Xerox machine.  What few illustrations it had were hand drawn.  I think dues were $20 or something like that.  I joined because it was the only way to know what was going on around the country (my phone bills were a lot higher back them).

            All I know is when I first started in pattern in 1990, the NSRCA was hardly around, and I frequently attended contests with 40 - 50 contestants.

          True enough, the contests were a lot bigger back then.  And then the advent of the turn-around patterns into the AMA classes occurred (1989).  Almost overnight participation dropped to about half, and it's never recovered from there.  Anybody remember the divide in the membership in the 86-87 timeframe about the AMA classes going turn-around?  There was a guy on the AMA Contest Board from Kansas named Jim Mowrey who was ready to succeed from the union (and take half the membership with him) if that happened.  I don't know where he disappeared to but I'm not so sure he wasn't right.

            I've been holding my thoughts on this, but I think it needs to be said: the thought of the AMA allowing the NSRCA to make changes to schedules or rules without going through the AMA rules process scares me. Although I have been an NSRCA member for 2 years, I never once felt that the NSRCA leadership was really looking out for my interests. If the rules proposal comes up to allow the NSRCA to have that level of control, I will vehemently oppose it with the AMA, and encourage all of my friends to do the same.

            Matt 

          Actually, I've been wondering the opposite.  What is the added value in having AMA involved in the process?  Or lets put it another way - do you really need an AMA Sanction to hold a contest?  I submit that if the contest site is at an AMA charted club field the answer is no, the sanction is of no added value.

          Keith Hoard, here's a good one for you to stir the pot with.  What say you?  : )

          Jerry

          Budd Engineering
          jerry at buddengineering.com
          http://www.buddengineering.com
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