Airnews, December 2010

APATHY MALADY

USUALLY BETWEEN November and February most flying clubs hold their annual meetings and in most, if not all, instances, there is a struggle to recruit new members to serve on the executive committee. It is also a fair bet that most

It is also a fair bet that most committee members due for retirement at the end of their term, will have “their arms twisted” to stay on for yet another term because there is simply no one else willing to step in and devote their time for the benefit of the club. Yet it is these same “unwilling members” who are the first to complain if the club is not running according to their perceived standards.

I am afraid that, to most members of most flying clubs, serving on the committee or becoming an office-bearer, is a burden rather than an honour. In reality, each year the success of the club and, indeed, its very future, is left to “The Few”.

Roger Thomas, chairman of the Algoa Flying Club, in Port Elizabeth, was again faced with this problem a few weeks ago and his “leader” in the club’s recent newsletter says it all. With his permission, I repeat most of what he wrote here, for what he says, came from his heart as he strived to pump more life into the club he loves and leads….

“Once every now and again one has to take the time and reflect as to why are we here? Why do we as a committee put in the time to keep the club going? “With regulatory and administrative requirements becoming more and more onerous on Aviation Training Organisations (ATO) this is placing more burdens on the committee for the club’ flying school to remain licensed.

“Gone are the days where one could have a single aircraft, one instructor and a briefing shed. The systems and infrastructure one has to have in place now are far more extensive. Manuals of procedure, Safety Management Systems, language proficiency testing centres, Exam testing centres..... the list goes on. “Once you have all these in place they have to be kept up to date.

Also be prepared for them to be inspected every six weeks or so. “There is no doubt that in order to guarantee the sustainability of our club, requires an ATO. When faced with these challenges, sometimes I feel we lose sight of our main objective, namely: ‘The objects for which the club exists, and shall be carried on, are to encourage, develop and promote interest in all forms of aviation and good fellowship among its members and to do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.’

“With the current poor attendance at our socials and fly-aways – are we doing everything necessary to meet our objective? Take for instance our trivia evening: We telephoned over half of our local members and sent out approximately five mails and a SMS advertising the event. Our turnout was no better than the previous year when a single mail was sent out,” Thomas pointed out.

He added: “Other events have shown similar trends – like the poker run that was postponed, the George fly-away that was cancelled. They were all mainly owing to poor attendance.

“Hire and fly by our locals is not at the level it could be – granted funds may be tight, but are there other reasons? “Use of our facilities such as the pub is at an all time low. One could argue that it was the no smoking vote that did this – but I don’t believe we had a winning solution in any direction. If the smoking vote won – we would have lost the nonsmokers. There may be ways of getting to a more satisfactory outcome to this problem – but this requires funds that the club simply does not have. “Are we remaining relevant to our local members? We don’t even receive newsletter contributions from our members.”

Then he tackled the question of the committee, saying: “With elections for a new committee only two months away, I am wondering how many will be prepared to put themselves forward? There are four retirees this year, and it is likely that we will require some new blood to replace some of these individuals who have given years of dedicated service on the committee, as some have already indicated they may not be available for reelection.

“Not to discourage, if you are considering it, one needs to at least set aside approximately seven hours a week to perform your duties. The club at present will require a team of dedicated and committed individuals to take it forward.

“I am of the opinion that our committee voting process could be improved a little. Presently we get to the AGM give a show of hands for our mates, and that is it. At the very least, it should be owed to you to ask the individuals that you wish to support: ‘What do you intend to do for our club?’ “If you get an answer – you need to assess if it is in line with our club’s objectives. For me, it is the person with a long term view of the club who gets my vote.

“Perhaps it is time we introduced election manifestos to be published in the newsletter from those who are prepared to put themselves forward,” wrote Roger Thomas.

It makes one think, doesn’t it?

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