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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ok,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Christmas is now officially over, and so is my
cease fire =) I'm going to preface this with a slight warning: I'm not
trying to be adversarial, I'm trying to explain some things and express some
frustrations. If I get a little animated, well it's just the way I am, so bear
with me....or just close it out and go about your merry way without
reading.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The very first thing I want to express is how much
WORK it is being involved with the NSRCA. None of the officers or volounteers
get paid, for the most part they all have jobs and this is something they do
because they WANT to. Because they CARE. If any of you have this vision of fat
cigar smoking slicks sitting around a board room counting money and laughing at
the membership, MAN have you got the wrong picture.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I can tell you without exception that every single
volounteer, officer or whatever has nothing but YOUR best interest in mind. if
you disagree with the way they do things, that's another issue, but here's the
real problem: who else will do it? Most people in positions are doing thier JOB
because nobody else WILL!!!! What thanks do they get? When's the last time you
picked up the phone or sent an email to your officer and/or rep and thanked them
for giving so much of thier time and effort? Sure, some of you do, and let me
tell you, it is VERY much appreciated. But most of the membership simply wants
to fly, and things be taken care of for them. But if something happens they
don't like, THEN the reps will hear about it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Complacency and lack of volounteers is the largest
problem we have, not a stupid $10 increase in dues. $10 freakin dollars, who
cares?????? And if your issue is principal, just what do you expect? Most of the
officers are doing the work of 10 people already. Some more than others. if YOU
have an idea of what could/should be done, here's a novel idea.....DO IT!!!!!
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now here's a little tidbit that I'm absolutely
positively %110 convinced of. There is no magic thing that we can do to attract
new competitors in droves. It ain't happenin. There is one way, and one way only
to attract new people. YOU, each and every member has to get out there and
actively represent pattern and the NSRCA. If a person is interested, you'll
know, so help them as much as you can. If they are not interested, there's
nothing in the world you can do to make them suddenly see the light, buy a
pattern plane and drive to a contest. What you CAN do is be helpful and sell it,
and if it's something they have an interest in, keep selling it and maybe
they'll choose to join us. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I made a conscious choice to do everything I could.
Not for any other reason than I love it that much. I know full well there are a
few isolated people out there that believe I/we do it for other reasons and have
ulterior motives. You're wrong, oh well, be wrong if you like. Some peole just
love conspiracy theories.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As for the K Factor....you have to understand how
the expense works. MOST of the money is in set-up fees. Printing one isn't all
that much difference price-wise than printing hundreds. The price of doing
business of any kind in the US has increased, and we're not immune. Can we shave
a few bucks here and there? Sure, but not to the extent you may think where the
magazine is concerned. Have you noticed how many editors we've gone through in
the past few years? Can anyone guess why? Because it's a LOT of work, and
generally thankless, and I'm just about convinced that the only people that
actually read it are new members starving for info. I'm fairly convinced that
most of the general membership gives it a quick glance and a toss to the side.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The other problem is content. When is the last time
YOU (generally speaking) wrote something for the K Factor? Or even sent in a
picture? A couple weeks ago I sent out a request for pics of somebody's shop, it
is building season in most of the country and I know how many of you are working
on projects for next year. Guess how many I have recieved thus far? Zero. Nada.
Not one. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So if I sound frustrated, it's because I am. VERY
frustrated. I know how hard Lamar and Jerry have worked, as well as all of the
VPs. I don't think most of you even realize just how much time and effort they
all gave. I am going to support Derek fully, and whatever the new administration
decides, I'll back them up %100. if we have to go online only, or bi-monthly,
that's what we'll do. if you think another editor is needed, say the word and
adios amigos, good luck. No harsh feelings, I'm only worried about what's best
for us ALL. I could care less what format it's in, but remember how many people
are going to scream "everyone doesn't have access to the internet!!!" if we go
all online.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I understand fully well that for most of the people
flying pattern, this is a HOBBY. Nobody cares about the politics, they just want
it to work. But what they seem to miss is that somebody has to give up a LOT of
time and sweat to make it work, and when something goes wrong, they see it as
everything going straight to hell and it MUST be mismanagement. but one person
can only do so much, maybe it's time to give a little too?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Pay the freakin $40 and get involved. Give a
little. This is OUR club (so to speak). it's not us vs them, it's not the dirty
politicians spending away your hard earned money, it's not inept...if we were to
suddenly have to do without this organization, we'd have one heck of a mess of
problems to handle, but a lot of people have no idea how much the NSRCA actually
DOES. And without YOUR support, help, input, whatever, it ain't gonna work
fellas.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is it right here, right now. This is almost
the start of a new year, a new season, and a new beginning if you choose to view
it that way. Which way it all goes doesn't depend on what "they" do, it depends
on what YOU do!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now my epoxy is cured so back to work!!!! And
please, let's get past this and move forward and grow. put the differences aside
and let's get busy.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And most of all...have FUN!!!!!!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>-Mike</FONT></DIV>
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