As I understand the "democratic " process in GFA we have no vote. So its up to us to influence our individual Clubs to instruct the State associations.
I've made my desires known to my Club as follows. I think this election is important to individual members. If you want to have membership involvement in GFA you will need to have representatives on the executive who are prepared to involve individuals. >From my observations of the Qld scene I think Ralph Henderson has some pretty impressive runs on the board. The following is what I've written to my Club - Lake Keepit. If you think likewise, I suggest that similar action would be fruitful. Dave Shorter Copy of letter to LKSC Board. A recent email from Jenny Thompson in Qld drew members' attention to the fact that for the first time in many years two candidates are standing for election for the presidency of GFA. Much is said and written about the non representative nature of GFA. My observation of the candidates, Bob Hall existing President, and Ralph Henderson from Qld is that there is a very telling contrast between the GFA establishment representative in Bob, and the new and energetic breath of fresh air in Ralph. Bob is certainly from my impressions an ernest and dedicated GFA man and someone who has obviously put much time and effort into the organisation. But for my money, to invigorate GFA, implement needed change, promote and market gliding, and increase the democratic process, my money would be on Ralph. I've met Ralph on quite a few occasions and find him very approachable and with good common sense ideas. He's certainly invigorated gliding in Qld as attested by Robert Hart below. As it stands, I don't believe the common membership can have a direct say in the voting. The votes are cast by the State Association delegates. And they in turm take their instructions from official Club representations - am I correct? In which case, I request that the LKSC Board take note of my preference and I would encourage all LKSC members to similarly consider these issues and let your Club Directors know. If our Club can be pursuaded to endorse this view the Club can then indicate to the NSWGA how we wish them to vote. I believe also it would be fruitful for our Club and its members to discuss with other Clubs the pros and cons of the two candidates and try and reach some common understanding in directing our individual membership preferences to the Associations' voting. Dave Shorter ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Hart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 9:07 AM Subject: [Aus-soaring] GFA Executive Elections > Hi > > Many people outside Queensland won't know Ralph Henderson - but then I > don't think Bob Hall is particularly well known either, despite being > the current GFA President. > > For the policies of the two candidates, I suggest you contact them > directly, as I have no desire to put words into their mouths. However, I > do know Ralph and would like to pass on to you why I strongly believe > that he would make an excellent President of our association. > > It is a truism of management that an individual's past performance is > the best indicator of the future - and Ralph's past performance in the > Queensland gliding scene has been excellent. > > Ralph is past president of Darling Downs Soaring Club. During his > tenure, he was responsible for organising the considerable effort of a > small team of people needed to reincorporate the club under the Qld > 'incorporated association' regulations. This activity was not glamorous, > but was essential to secure the future for the club, making it > significantly easier to run. > > As president, Ralph ensured that the club members were given regular > opportunities for involvement in their club's management. Open meetings > were held regularly at the club house on weekend evenings, in which club > members participated in the current running and future planning of their > club. > > Ralph's presidency was marked by the forging of local and international > links of great benefit to SE Qld gliding. Under his leadership, a > reciprocal membership agreement was reached with Caboolture gliding > club, giving Caboolture club members somewhere to go for XC flying. This > boosted DDSC's aircraft utilisation and also gave them access to the > significant numbers of ab initio pilots trained by Caboolture. His work > on the international front has lead to biennial visits of teams from the > UK and the participation of international pilots in the DDSC organised > state competition in 2002. This effort is bearing further fruit in 2004, > with pilots from NZ, Japan and Italy so far confirmed for the > multi-class Nationals in October. > > Ralph also headed the organising teams that ran the 2002 State > competition (at McCaffrey Field) and the 2003 Easter competition (at > Dalby). These competitions were very well attended and excellently run. > Ralph is also heading the organisation of the 2004 multi-class nationals > (at Dalby in Oct this year), which, from current indications, will be > the largest Nationals for some years. > > Ralph is currently president of Gliding Queensland (formerly Queensland > Soaring Association), the peak state gliding body. This organisation has > been re-envigorated under his leadership, with actions and financial > support flowing out to juniors, clubs and competitions. > > Ralph has also shown a significant skill in marketing gliding. The 2004 > multi-class nationals demonstrate this though the wide range of sponsors > he has lined up for this event (see http://www.ddsc.org.au/dalby2004/). > > In all of these activities, Ralph is an inclusive and inspiring leader. > He is without doubt a person well capable of refocusing and > reinvigorating our national gliding organisation so that it truly > benefits us, its current members and those lucky people who have gliding > somewhere in their future. > > I urge you all to find out more from the two candidates and request your > state representatives to do so also - and then vote accordingly. > > If gliding is important to you - and it must be, or you wouldn't be here > - then the operations of our peak body are vital to you. This is your > chance to influence your gliding future! > > (PS Alice likes him too :-) > > -- > Robert Hart [EMAIL PROTECTED] > +61 (0)438 385 533 > Brisbane, Australia http://www.hart.wattle.id.au > > _______________________________________________ > Aus-soaring mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To check or change subscription details, visit: > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
