Robert's and Other's input below mentions 2500 members and 4500 members 20
years ago, however in the GFA Information - Welcome to Gliding section of the
GFA website it states "The GFA is a non-profit Incorporated Association
registered in Victoria. It is supported by 12,000 members (of varying classes),
belonging to one or more of the 88-odd clubs spread across Australia."
So how many members does the GFA actually have?
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Hart
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Cc: Steve Martin ; DDSC Chat ; John Ashford ; Lindsay Mitchell ; Leigh Evans
; Michael O'Brien ; Rob Izatt ; Peter Pledger ; Mike Truitt ; Ivor Harris ;
Tony Cavanna ; Dan Byrnes ; GQ Committee ; Brian Wade ; Dave Donald ; Peter
Stephenson ; Grant Harper ; Darryl Hansen ; Ralph Henderson ; Tony Scarlett ;
Ian Perkins ; Alwyn Reid ; Alan McMaster ; Al Sim ; Stuart Lutton ; Ron McLeay
; Caboolture Gliding Club ; Hank Kauffman ; Daryl Connell ; Ross Hall ; Keith
Frewin
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:36 PM
Subject: [Aus-soaring] GFA, marketing and democracy in the GFA (was Re: PDA
Programs and other matters)
David
Marketing and the future of Gliding;
Regarding Adam Wooleys comment on marketing, It seems, regretably, we will
never see gliding marketed as well as hang gliding until an entire generation
of overly conservative people, who have controlled gliding clubs and peak
bodies policies for the last 20 years leave the system.
Unfortunately, this denies the reality of our situation: as a movement, we
don't have a marketing problem we have a retention problem. Across all the
regions, we are attracting about 1,000 new people into gliding every year -
that's about 40% of the membership. Unfortunately, we also have about the same
number or greater leaving the gliding movement every year. Until we understand
in more detail why this is so, then spending money on marketing would be
wasteful as we can't keep the people we do attract. I am hopeful that this year
the central administration of the GFA will spend some money on trying to tease
out what I am sure will be a range of reasons for the rate people are leaving
the gliding movement.
It is worthwhile however pointing out that even when we do know why people
are leaving, the GFA Board and Executive can do very little to reverse things.
Members interface first and foremost with their clubs and only they can change
this interface. There are some things the central sporting body can address -
and, for example, the change from instructing/coaching to integrated training
is one of those. Another is modernising our safety stance - and the upcoming
discussion at the Ops Panel looking at creating a modern, integrated safety
management system that would align us with world's best practice in this area.
But I reiterate: it is at the club - the interface between the membership and
the sport - that the changes will need to have most effect. These changes
probably do not need to be huge - but they do represent changes that have been
discussed for some years, with very little effect at most clubs - at least as
far as I can see. After all, whilst you can with some justification claim that
the central administration of the sport as done little to arrest the decline,
the same can be said of almost every club. The example you give of the
(mis)treatment of an 18 year old pilot is a clear example of the sort of thing
that needs to change at the club level. It is also something that you, as a
member of that club can make happen (and the GFA Board and Executive can do
nothing about).
The finger clearly points in both directions.
These same people have taken gliding fron 4,500 members 20 years ago to
2,500 now, says it all really. For example, why do glider pilots need to be
anually checked twice as often as GA pilots? Gliding In Australia has been
flying a straight course in heavy sink for 20 years. I for one have given up
hope of seeing change-especially as the selection of the GFA descision makers
is not done in a democratic all members vote for board fashion, in fact the
system is stacked to ensure a popular vote of the entire membership cannot
change the board or executive members. The HGFA seems to be able to manage
proper democratic elections via a vote of all members, where candidates state
their policies and ideas for the future before their elections so why cant we?
It's not quite true to say that the board is not elected from the membership:
the regional representatives are elected by their (regional) membership.
Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, the regional organisations appear to be
moribund.
It is true, however, that the Executive does not face the membership in terms
of election.
This is because we, the membership have allowed this situation to arise and
then permitted it to continue. I am certain that if the membership really
wanted to change this situation, then the current power structure in the GFA
would change. However, the vast majority of the membership just want to go
flying and not get involved in the heat and venom that would be involved in
forcing such a change. Those people who were at the 2005 Gliding Queensland
AGM, attended by the then President and and Vice President, where this issue
amongst other controversial (if not heretical) changes were canvassed would
know just how much emotional energy is consumed in trying to force change
against the will of the holders of power. It is also notable just how
unsuccessful was that great expenditure of energy.
I have now completed two terms as Gliding Queensland's regional Board
representative. At every possible opportunity I have pushed for more open
governance of the sport and on almost every occasion I have failed in that
goal. I have just been re-elected as GQ's regional representative and I will
continue to push in that direction - but I expect the pace of change to remain
glacial.
Unless there is real pressure from the membership for change to occur in the
governance of our sport, then there will be no change. The regional
representatives on the Board each with two votes, can outvote those appointed
to the Board through less democratic routes. So there is a route through which
change can occur - another route is through special motions at the AGM or
through an extraordinary general meeting. Both of these routes however require
the membership to get itself organised. On the one hand to, give clear voting
instructions to their representative and the other to coordinate across the
movement sufficient people and proxies at an AGM or special meeting to change
the Articles of Association.
It is really easy to point the finger at the people who currently govern our
sport. It is worth noting however that whilst I disagree with much of the way
things are done, it is clear to me that the people involved believe they are
doing the right things in the right way. That this hase been going on for some
20 years may be damning to those people in the administration of the sport, but
it is equally damning of the membership that permits the situation to continue
for 20 years.
Want change? Then make it happen, because unless you do, it won't.
--
Robert Hart [EMAIL PROTECTED]
+61 (0)438 385 533 http://www.hart.wattle.id.au
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