Did I really go there?

Did I really go there?

Let me look... hmmm...

Yup, I did. I went there and you didn't even notice.

Being the kind writer that I am, I will tell you that if you want to go there too, all you have to do is review the last sentence in my last post. Actually, you don't even need to bother with the last sentence, you can just read the last 6 words...

"... the creation of a new club."

Creation. It has such a powerful sound to it. Creation! Creation!! Creation!!!

Let's face it, the stars are just about dead. In physics, the theory of momentum states that a body in motion will stay in motion until acted upon by other forces. In the case of the Parastars, those other forces were small but significant enough to bring the club to a catatonic halt.

Fear was probably the biggest disruption to the momentum of the club. Fear of personal liability sidetracked the last two conventions. Because of changes in insurance coverage, officers found that they were personally liable for the actions of the club. As bad as it was to accept responsibility for club members, who you at least knew and flew with from time to time, officers were now responsible for visiting pilots (whose piloting skills were unknown). It helped somewhat that each pilot was asked to sign a waiver but what about guests and spectators? Officers were suddenly personally responsible for each and every person who showed up at the convention. It was too much to ask for from a bunch of volunteers whose only goal was to be good hosts.

The other force that bled forward momentum from the club was the conventions themselves. Conventions were like espresso, they provided a short burst of phrenetic energy but when that was gone, the club was so exhausted that it took a year to recover. Conventions provided so much to so many; they were excellent for visiting pilots, great for vendors, good for the sport but, ultimately, very bad for the club. The conventions drained precious energy from the club and, as a result, basic club functions were ignored. The conventions caused a big rift in the club: some saw great value in conventions ability to make money for the club while others saw the conventions, and the money they raised, as worthless. The club was torn by inusurance issues and eventually torn apart by the conventions.

So, here we sit with a club with lots of money but nothing of value. If the club had used its momentum and money to purchase a field, the conventions would have had a lasting purpose. If the club had used its momentum and money to locate and secure inurance for PPG pilots and clubs, the conventions would have had a lasting purpose. If the club had used its momentum and money to ingratiate itself with the local community, the conventions would have had a lasting purpose.

OK, maybe I am being a bit unfair; the club was very generous to members of our community who were in need and the club enthusiastically supported efforts to improve the safety of the sport wherever possible. It is not my intention to in any way detract from these accomplishments.

What additional accomplishments could the club have achieved if we had had something as simple as a clear and concise mission statement? For years, many have worked hard for the club but the club has not succeeded because there was no clear goal established when the club was created. In my opinion, it is time to create a club that is clear in its mission. Creation of this club can take one of two forms:

1) reconstruction the Parastars
2) the creation of a new club

If the Parastars are unable to respond to requests for information and are content to continue without a President or other board members then I believe that the first option is not really an option at all. In this case, I suggest that the club file for Nonprofit Dissolution, refund whatever is left in the bank to the members and be done with it.

If, however, there is some momentum left in the club then I suggest that people start speaking up. The club needs to provide direction for itself and undertake only things which support its stated purpose. I am willing to accept that the club may not agree with the directions that I would set but I am unwilling to accept stagnation because people are unwilling to state their beliefs.

At this point, starting a new club seems easier than trying to jumpstart the old one but I am willing to work with the Parastars to see what can be done.