Hello Dan; First I need to say that on behalf of the Coupers everywhere thanks for all your efforts and suggestions. They're very much appreciated by everyone involved in the hobby.
Secondly, we notice that the appropriate battle cries here have been, "Members make the club", "Do your part", "If you're not a member, you've no right to complain", "If you want something done, step up and do it". etc., etc. Yes all correct, members and volunteers absolutely make up a club. So it's sad indeed that very, very few people actually come forward with special thanks to those outstanding individuals who over the years volunteered much of their time and efforts, sweat and blood, and more money than can be imagined to further the cause of Ercoupe ownership. There are really too many people to be counted. Folks that basically put the rest of their lives on hold and receive absolutely no compensation for their efforts other than the satisfaction of getting the job done and bringing a little joy and camaraderie to others. We all know the guys here within our ranks, our members know the guys and gals out there. Today here, we have you Dan, Syd, the Wrights and all the other fine people who try to put on events and activities. So from all these messages that some people would rather not see, I say that I've come to renew my appreciation for those who work so hard for the benefit of others. Those that took the time to defend the motherland more out of love and habit than of reality. Those actions are commendable too, at least they were kind enough to show an opinion. Finally, I say that before awarding your kudos to the very few who've profited from the benevolence and toil of others, give the first pat on the back to those guys and gals in the trenches. The people who by working hard and long make it their business to keep our dreams alive, the people forgotten or not even thought about when turning in at night. No, they don't want money (they wouldn't get any), they don't want a plaque (to hell with ethics) they want your help. Lending a hand would be the best compensation these individuals could receive from you. How about giving a few hours a month to email, stuff letters, make a few phone call, post a couple of fliers, anything. It'll make a world of difference for all. If you can't, any many aren't able, now about anonymously sending a couple of cases of pop or a few boxes of morning donuts over their way! What say you? No gang, sorry but I'm far from being done with this! Al DeMarzo Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page - Free and Easy http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Hall To: [email protected] ; Ralph Finch Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 3:33 AM Subject: Re: [ercoupe-flyin] Hartmut's Post: Problems with the EOC This will probably be it for me on this topic...(beat to death) GENERAL STUFF; Yes there is room for improvement however; I would like to thank the entire EOC organization including Carolyn & Skip for the help & support that they have provided us over many years. If not for their efforts, it's quite possible that we would not be having this discussion at all. It is necessary and healthy to bring up concerns and issues, and to have discussions with constructive criticism however; it is also important to keep in mind that this is a basically a small largely unfunded volunteer organization with limited resources. (Ideas are great, but someone has to do the work and it often takes far more time and effort to get things done that would appear to be the case, as I've learned the hard way!) This should be obvious however; when having these discussions & exchanges it is very helpful to (please!) DE-personalize any negatives or criticisms whenever possible and deal with the underlying issues & ideas rather than individuals. That's the most considerate & often the most constructive approach, particularly considering we're a volunteer organization. If you have something positive to say, by all means, personalize it (I've benefited from this recently, thank you!). EOC ORG STUFF; Like Ralph and others, I see the purpose of the National EOC as; 1) A means of helping to facilitate the support of our planes, by providing a nationwide network of knowledgeable people with which to exchange information. The email lists and web sites are increasing filling this role, reducing the importance of the paper based newsletters to many - but not all of the members (* more on this point below!). 2) Lobbying government agencies was not as much of an issue for the EOC in the past however; it is becoming increasingly important (Sport Pilot / LSA, & SB32 are recent examples). However we don't have the resources for anything like a full time lobbyist or government coordinator (unless someone volunteers - and then there's the travel issue since 'face time' & relationship building is still important!). 3) The regions & local membership are probably best suited for the majority of the social aspects of the club, and providing information related to local technical support. Paraphrasing liberally, Ralph asked; "...what if as Region 7 Director I had spent my time & efforts lobbying the FAA instead of putting out so many email newsletters...?" I think the basic intent was & is to suggest that the EOC should shift some resources from the Social & Newsletter issues, to governmental issues, which may be true however; since this was directed to me / Region 7 Director specifically, I'll respond; A) The Region 7 Director responsibilities were assumed in late 2004, which was very (too) late in the process LSA rulemaking, and was well after SB32 was issued. B) As a relatively young & healthy instrument rated SEL Commercial pilot, I had no personal interest in the LSA or Sport pilot rules, and only a very limited knowledge of them. C) The time and travel beyond SoCal that would be required to participate in any kind of FAA (in OK) or industry rulemaking or lobbying simply exceeds my personal resources. D) In my opinion working with the FAA and industry groups is best coordinated at the National level using whatever volunteers are available for the task (IF ANY). In the past it seems to me that AOPA and EAA have handled government & regulatory issues however; a couple of recent issues have affected Ercoupes specifically in a ways perhaps not seen in the past. Question is; what is the likelihood of future regulation that would have an impact specific enough to the Ercoupe to require club resources?? If none are anticipated, then do we really need to shift resources long term or just temporarily to deal with the LSA / Sport Pilot rules & SB32? Still, Ralph's main point that EOC resources should be directed more towards government relations probably has some validity, at last in the short term, due to changes in the GA environment. * My observation is that many Ercoupers (30 to 40%?) don't have active email addresses and probably fewer still use the internet regularly, so the paper based EOC monthly Newsletter is their primary source of information. It's probably a generational thing, with a shift is taking place from printed material to electronic media. I know that Ralph and several members are way ahead of the curve compared to most EOC members in this respect. IMHO even those without PC's often have much to contribute to the EOC group. By comparison the RV folks are often a generation younger, and consequently tend to be more comfortable with email & the web than Ercoupers. I'm done, stick a fork in me. Dan Hall EOC Region 7 acting director N3968H Based @ CNO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ralph Finch" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:50 AM Subject: [ercoupe-flyin] Hartmut's Post: Problems with the EOC > Hartmut, you hit the nail on the head: > > "As long as the national EOC is seeing its duties in organizing a national > fly-in and publishing a monthly newsletter, I see no reason join. And so > do > many others. > > "Folks, the national fly-in and the newsletter should be the occasion > where > the work for our Ercoupes is being summarized, they should support the > cause, not be understood as the cause." > > To those who spend large amounts of time organizing flyins and social > events, especially Syd and Dan H: First, thanks. I have enjoyed a few of > those. But you have also expressed your dissatisfaction at the lack of > response. Dan, what if you had spent your many hours lobbying the FAA > instead of writing the California EOC newsletters? > > I believe there are 3 main reasons for a type club: > > 1. Serve as a forum for exchange of technical information, buy/sell > market, > and so on. > 2. Lobby FAA and other agencies for issues relevant to that type. > 3. Organize social events. > > Before the Internet a type club was the sole main forum for #1. Now the > email lists have taken over that role. Even the RV folks, which are very > active, have shifted away from Van's RVator newsletter to web and email > lists for tech info. Likewise us Coupers. > > EOC seems to do nothing about #2. All effort goes into #3, and the EOC > therefore attracts the social people. But that seems to be insufficient > reason for a lot of us--me included--to remain a member. > > As for Mark from Texas--you make a good case for avoiding EOC if you've > signed up more people like you. > > Ralph Finch > N. California > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 - Release Date: 1/2/2008 > 11:29 AM > >
