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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Keith you make a really good point.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We are not some huge conglomerate like the AMA for
instance, we're a select few doing something unique and very specialized. if we
want to see it continue to grow, even if it's little by little, or even hold the
ground we have, we need to think hard about what we CAN do. Each and every one
of us. If the answer is "not much", then so be it, that's FINE. But I believe
there's more out there that can, and for whatever reason, choose not to. Perhaps
they just don't know how?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm certainly not suggesting everyone go out and
start giving time and money, all I'm saying is ask yourself what it's worth to
you. Yeah, I edit the K factor, travel all over the place, give away scratch
built planes and whatever. And it's just a very small drop in the bucket
compared to what I get back from pattern.... so to me, it's a no brainer. I'm
not rich, but I can build a plane and cut some kits. I can't think of a more
deserving person than Marcio to build this plane for. If you haven't met him
yet, you will. he's a great guy, and I'm taking great pride in building and
finishing this plane for him. He's not udner any obligation from me to even fly
the thing, he earned it in my eyes, and so did Dean and Rufus.....it's the least
I can do.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It's a hobby, guys. It's not the NFL, it's not
NASCAR, it's fun and it's supposed to stay that way. But in order for any of
this to work, somebody has to be willing to give a lot of time and effort. The
more, the better. Differences need to be put aside, and we need to roll up our
sleeves and get to it. I loudly applaud all of the efforts made by Lamar and
Jerry and the rest of these guys, like for instance, who is out there pounding
the dirt harder than Rusty Dose and Dave Guerin? give them a buzz and see how
you can help.......IF you can. If you can't, that's fine and dandy, just come to
the meets and let's have fun!!! just be sure to take a minute to recognize who
IS out there busting thier tail.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Let me tell you, you wouldn't believe how much
difference one person can make. As long as your heart is in the right place, you
can truly make a HUGE difference.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Let's do it guys!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>-Mike</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=tkeithblack@gmail.com href="mailto:tkeithblack@gmail.com">Keith
Black</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org
href="mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 26, 2006 7:33
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA
membership - and Donations!</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mike, your email stated exactly what I was
thinking. Thank you for writing it!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I personally VERY MUCH value the
K-Factor and think it would be a terrible loss if it were to go away or
if the circulation were reduced. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I also GREATLY appreciate what the NSRCA volunteer's do for us. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Perhaps those of us who are unable to contribute
time, due to family & work obligations, but are financially
able could donate an extra $50, $100 or $250 to help the NSRCA.
Many many organizations, collages, fraternities, public television,
amateur sports organizations, etc. depend on additional donations to keep
running. If we could get 100 people to give an additional $50 to $100 we
wouldn't be rolling in dough, but it could certainly help. Heck, 40 people
donating $250 would raise $10,000 for the NSRCA!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Personally I'm very willing to do this, for goodness sakes, last
year Mike Hester donated three pattern planes that he paid for and spent time
building!!! Those who can afford should at least be willing to write a
check!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Some may ask what if the money's not spent wisely? My answer would echo
Mike's point, people volunteer because they love pattern, I am absolutely
confident they have the best interest of pattern in mind. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Marty, if you add a donation section to the NSRCA shopping cart I'd be
honored to be the first to use it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Keith Black</DIV>
<DIV></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
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<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=kerlock@comcast.net href="mailto:kerlock@comcast.net">Mike
Hester</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org
href="mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 26, 2006 3:04
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA
membership, dues and volounteers</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<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>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<P>
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