Outgoing president's thoughts/idea's on projects.

Look here for ongoing projects and volunteer opportunities the SHGA is working on. Members may also submit any ideas they have.
Post Reply
User avatar
Chip
Site Admin
Posts: 655
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:20 pm
Location: Sylmar, CA
Contact:

Outgoing president's thoughts/idea's on projects.

Post by Chip »

Ken has a list of projects that he put together. This list has been passed to Joseph. Many of these projects look achievable and need volunteers/project managers (read someone that wants to lead them). Pick one from the list and talk to one of your representatives on the board if you want to get involved to make SHGA even better.

LZ maintenance and improvement
  • 1. Develop gazebo plan, build new gazebo
    2. Put oil on blacktop driveway to preserve it
    3. Replace oleanders
    4. Fix irrigation system for oleanders
    5. Choose and plant shade trees among oleanders
    6. Replace chain-link fence on gate
    7. Build and install a nice looking "Sylmar Flight Park" sign at end of Gridley
    8. Figure out how to make our lawn actually grow
    9. Fertilize lawn every spring and fall
    10. Spread truckloads of compost once per year
    11. Fix the broken sprinklers, and maintain them
    12. Vertical plant committee: get potted trees to block view of Erwin's estate
    13. Install sink-type faucet near the hose for hand washing, water bottle filling
    14. Fix mister that's falling down, improve associated plumbing
    15. Clean up tool storage area
    16. Buy shelving for tool storage area, and install it
    17. Build a corral for shovels, etc., to keep them organized in storage unit
    18. Figure out the status of our lawnmowers, and fix them as necessary
    19. Clean up office
    20. Sort the SHGA records in the filing cabinets in the office
    21. Buy shelving for office, and install it
    22. Understand zoning laws and costs for permanent bathrooms with plumbing
    23. Organize brush clearance before each May 1 for fire safety
    24. Get rid of our gophers
    25. Organize work parties as needed to pull weeds, fill gopher holes, etc.
    26. Maintain streamers and windsocks around LZ as necessary "Being handled by Gsmith"
    27. Maintain the flower gardens south of the gazebo
    28. Design, build, and install a memorial to Bill Bennett "Being handled by Lynn"
    29. Remove the dead palm tree stump near the BBQ
    30. Rearrange the LZ so the trash cans aren't center front
    31. Make LZ more family friendly by installing playground equipment, etc.
    32. Install a water tower and fill it with beer to save trips to the store :o (hey, how does this work with #95?)
Site preservation
  • 33. Write and file a Conditional Use Permit
    34. Keep abreast of the Shablow development project, write letters, etc.
    35. Finish project with Forest Service to reopen Lukens and Big T
    36. Clear launch area at Mt. Lukens
    37. Work with Bill Bogaard to make hang gliding legal in Pasadena again
    38. Find LZs and a means to reopen Mt. Wilson
    39. Find a means to reopen Avenue L
    40. Develop site preservation plan for Avenue S, before it's too late
    41. Reopen Trancas Canyon flying site
    42. Work with USHPA to develop a plan to monitor Federal Register announcements
    43. Assist with site preservation at Santa Barbara, Lake Elsinore, Vista Point
    44. Figure out who owns the land at the base of the dam, and what its future is
Launch maintenance
  • 45. Catch the windsock vandals
    46. Replace windsock, and maintain as necessary
    47. Cut down bushes in front of launch ramp
    48. Work with Forest Service to grade road, prevent further ravine erosion
    49. Organize occasional work parties to clean up illegal dumping
Community Outreach
  • 50. Learn about and contribute to the Sylmar Community Plan
    51. Attend Sylmar Land Use Committee meetings
    52. Develop connections with Sylmar Chamber of Commerce
    53. Coordinate occasional meetings with Forest Service
    54. Build relationships with politicians (the new Cindy Montanez, Alex Padilla)
    55. Plant thousands of California Poppies
    56. Host "Neighbors BBQ" for Gridley, Tibbets
Last edited by Chip on Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:01 am, edited 5 times in total.
User avatar
Chip
Site Admin
Posts: 655
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:20 pm
Location: Sylmar, CA
Contact:

Project/Ideas Continued .......

Post by Chip »

Instruction and Safety
  • 57. Develop a pilot mentorship program
    58. Coordinate ham radio licensing class
    59. Maintain a current list of emergency LZs (Beehives, Big T, Olive View, etc.)
    60. Organize RLF clinics each spring and fall
    61. Organize occasional XC clinics
    62. Organize occasional RLF clinics
    63. Organize a parachute clinic with Betty Pfeiffer
    64. Promote use of passive TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems)
    65. Coordinate clinic about GPS units
    66. Coordinate scooter tow clinic
    67. Organize weather clinic led by Hungary Joe
    68. Encourage reporting of accidents and incidents, write as newsletter articles
    69. Install big marker balls on power lines near Gavina Street Bridge
    70. Maintain first aid kits at launch, in LZ, and sell them to new XC pilots
Communications
  • 71. Write updates to website news every couple days
    72. Improve website to allow members to update their information online
    73. Write flying site information for website
    74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic
    75. Collect photos of all club members for website
    76. Edit and post SHGA meeting minutes to website each month
    77. Develop a "yellow pages" list of pilot occupations
    78. Write a tri-fold handout advertizing SHGA to new pilots, politicians, etc.
Events
  • 79. Spring Air Festival
    80. Dahlsten Cup
    81. Holiday Party
    82. Beach party :D
    83. Father's Day party
    84. Interclub Competition (Sylmar vs. Crestline vs. Elsinore) :idea:
    85. Summer-long Hang2/3 Competition
    86. 4th of July trip to Utah (if Grant Hoag retires from this)
    87. Owens Valley trip in September
    88. Lead day trips to Crestline, Elsinore, Santa Barbara, especially for newer H3s
    89. Hold occasional BBQs in LZ :wink:
    90. Coordinate Hike-Bike-Fly events
    91. Start an annual "Most Extraordinary Flight at Sylmar" award
Operations
  • 92. Keep a supply of day-use-fee forms, envelopes, site rules, etc. in LZ
    93. Update docs: mission statement, conflict of interest, rule enforcement policy
    94. Resolve our slipping enforcement of the "No Dogs" policy
    95. Reduce presence of alcohol in the LZ :evil: , and of questionable drivers heading home
    96. Understand the liability insurance market, and decide what we should buy
    97. Find a more consistent method for collecting day use fees
    98. Develop a plan to eliminate the initiation fee
    99. Create SHGA membership cards, similar to USHPA or Crestline cards
JBBenson
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 9:19 am

Post by JBBenson »

Thanks for posting that Chip. It gives me heart arrhythmia to read the seemingly endless list of projects.

Because I am a compulsive person, I have taken the liberty to group the projects under departments, in a way that makes sense to me. Breaking it down makes it seem more manageable. I have grouped it under Person Overseeing, so there is one person to talk to about any sphere.

I have also taken the liberty of eliminating a few projects: I am sure someone will get angry about that.

Because I cannot make the meeting tomorrow, I will post them here, if it interests anybody. I will also forward it to Joseph.

Feel free to adapt, ignore or trash.

DESIGN DIRECTOR

1. Develop gazebo plan, build new gazebo
7. Build and install a nice looking "Sylmar Flight Park" sign at end of
Gridley
16. Buy shelving for tool storage area, and install it
(includes #15. Clean up tool storage area )
17. Build a corral for shovels, etc., to keep them organized in storage
unit
22. Understand zoning laws and costs for permanent bathrooms with
plumbing
30. Rearrange the LZ so the trash cans aren't center front
31. Make LZ more family friendly by installing playground equipment, etc.
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic

OFFICE MANAGER

19. Clean up office
20. Sort the SHGA records in the filing cabinets in the office
21. Buy shelving for office, and install it
96. Understand the liability insurance market, and decide what we should
buy
97. Find a more consistent method for collecting day use fees
99. Create SHGA membership cards, similar to USHPA or Crestline cards
75. Collect photos of all club members for website
76. Edit and SHGA meeting minutes to website each month
92. Keep a supply of day-use-fee forms, envelopes, site rules, etc. in LZ
93. Update docs: mission statement, conflict of interest, rule enforcement
policy

BOTANICAL DIRECTOR

3. Replace oleanders
4. Fix irrigation system for oleanders
5. Choose and plant shade trees among oleanders
8. Figure out how to make our lawn actually grow
9. Fertilize lawn every spring and fall
10. Spread truckloads of compost once per year
11. Fix the broken sprinklers, and maintain them
12. Vertical plant committee: get potted trees to block view of Erwin's
Estate.
27. Maintain the flower gardens south of the gazebo
55. Plant thousands of California Poppies
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic

DIRECTOR OF DIPLOMACY

33. Write and file a Conditional Use Permit
34. Keep abreast of the Shablow development project, write letters, etc.
35. Finish project with Forest Service to reopen Lukens and Big T
36. Clear launch area at Mt. Lukens
37. Work with Bill Bogaard to make hang gliding legal in Pasadena again
38. Find LZs and a means to reopen Mt. Wilson
39. Find a means to reopen Avenue L
40. Develop site preservation plan for Avenue S, before it's too late
41. Reopen Trancas Canyon flying site
42. Work with USHPA to develop a plan to monitor Federal Register
announcements
43. Assist with site preservation at Santa Barbara, Lake Elsinore, Vista
Point
50. Learn about and contribute to the Sylmar Community Plan
51. Attend Sylmar Land Use Committee meetings
52. Develop connections with Sylmar Chamber of Commerce
53. Coordinate occasional meetings with Forest Service
54. Build relationships with politicians (the new Cindy Montanez, Alex
Padilla)
56. Host "Neighbors BBQ" for Gridley, Tibbetts, Santiago Estates
residents (together with Social Director)
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic
Last edited by JBBenson on Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
JBBenson
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 9:19 am

Post by JBBenson »

LAUNCH DIRECTOR (AKA Catapult Officer)

44. Figure out who owns the land at the base of the dam, and what its
future is
45. Catch the windsock vandals
46. Replace windsock, and maintain as necessary
47. Cut down bushes in front of launch ramp
48. Work with Forest Service to grade road, prevent further ravine
erosion
49. Organize occasional work parties to clean up illegal dumping
59. Maintain a current list of emergency LZs (Beehives, Big T, Olive View,
etc.)
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic

L.Z. DIRECTOR (AKA Landing Signal Officer-“LSO�)

2. Put oil on blacktop driveway to preserve it
6. Replace chain-link fence on gate
13. Install sink-type faucet near the hose for hand washing, water bottle
filling
14. Fix mister that's falling down, improve associated plumbing
18. Figure out the status of our lawnmowers, and fix them as necessary
23. Organize brush clearance before each May 1 for fire safety
24. Get rid of our gophers
25. Organize work parties as needed to pull weeds, fill gopher holes, etc.
29. Remove the dead palm tree stump near the BBQ
69. Install big marker balls on power lines near Gavina Street Bridge
26. Maintain streamers and windsocks around LZ as necessary
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic

SOCIAL DIRECTOR

77. Develop a "yellow pages" list of pilot occupations (together with Office
Manager)
78. Write a tri-fold handout advertising SHGA to new pilots, politicians,
etc.
79. Spring Air Festival
80. Dahlsten Cup
81. Holiday Party
82. Beach party
83. Father's Day party
84. Interclub Competition (Sylmar vs. Crestline vs. Elsinore)
85. Summer-long Hang2/3 Competition
86. 4th of July trip to Utah (if Grant Hoag retires from this)
87. Owens Valley trip in September
88. Lead day trips to Crestline, Elsinore, Santa Barbara, especially for
newer H3s
89. Hold occasional BBQs in LZ
90. Coordinate Hike-Bike-Fly events
91. Start an annual "Most Extraordinary Flight at Sylmar" award
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic

TASK MASTER (AKA Safety Director):

62. Organize occasional RLF clinics
63. Organize a parachute clinic with Betty Pfeiffer
64. Promote use of passive TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems)
57. Develop a pilot mentorship program
61. Organize occasional XC clinics
65. Coordinate clinic about GPS units
66. Coordinate scooter tow clinic
67. Organize weather clinic led by Hungary Joe
68. Encourage reporting of accidents and incidents, write as newsletter
articles
70. Maintain first aid kits at launch, in LZ, and sell them to new XC pilots
74. Write regular columns for newsletter on any topic

WEB MASTER:

71. Write updates to website news every couple days
72. Improve website to allow members to update their information online
73. Write and post flying site information for website
74A. POST submitted columns for newsletter on any topic
76A. POST edited SHGA meeting minutes to website each month

FORGET THESE:

28. Design, build, and install a memorial to Bill Bennett (NOTE: Site itself
is tribute enough. Otherwise under Design Director)
32. Install a water tower and fill it with beer to save trips to the store
(hey, how does this work with #95?) (NOTE: ?)
94. Resolve our slipping enforcement of the "No Dogs" policy (NOTE: I
feel dogs are fine on leash)
95. Reduce presence of alcohol in the LZ , and of questionable drivers
heading home. (NOTE: MADD can’t solve this, how can we?)
60. Organize RLF clinics each spring and fall
(NOTE: Repeat of #62)
58. Coordinate ham radio licensing class (NOTE: pilot responsibility,
license should be requirement for SHGA membership)
98. Develop a plan to eliminate the initiation fee (NOTE: implementing
this list will cost money)
JBBenson
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 9:19 am

Post by JBBenson »

Forgot to add:

Feel free to adapt, ignore or trash this list.
User avatar
Ken Andrews
Site Admin
Posts: 215
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Pasadena

A little explanation of the list

Post by Ken Andrews »

This list was part of an email message that I sent to a few people, and had not intended for the world at large in its current state. I'm sorry that it wasn't better organized or explained, but to begin, let's consider the items that Jesse put in his "Forget These" category.

A couple of the items involve alcohol. The email message from which the list was taken explained that it includes 99 of my highest priority projects, along with one really bad idea, to see if anyone could distinguish it from the rest. This was primarily a ploy to encourage people to look through the list. My really bad idea was item #32, a water tower filled with beer, and I'm relieved to see that it qualified for the "forget these" list.

Seriously, I believe that the presence of large quantities of alcohol is the single greatest threat to our flying site. Imagine that some pilot with a high blood alcohol level were to be involved in an accident while driving home, for example, hitting (or being hit by) one of the kids playing basketball on Gridley street. If anyone were hurt, it is likely that the SHGA would be investigated, and it is also likely that the SHGA would be shut down forever if this were found to be a recurring risk. Since I know how frequent flying accidents are, I must hope that drunk driving is safer than hang gliding, if I expect the club to survive for very many years. There is little solace in that thought.

On the other hand, I also realize that some club members would quit hang gliding if they couldn't have a beer on occasion. Many of them have been in the sport longer than I have, and I must respect that. This is why item #95 is worded the way it is.

Item #28, a memorial for Bill Bennett, came from Rome Dodson, and I think it's an excellent one. Bill was a pioneer of hang gliding, one of the club's few life members, his Delta Wing Gliders shop was located across the street from the LZ, and he employed SHGA members in his shop. I think a sculpture of a Delta Wing glider and Bill's name on it would be appropriate in our LZ.

Item #94, the No Dogs policy, is a tough one. Many members who were involved when this became SHGA rule number 12 will run away screaming if one simply asks about dogs. Item #58, on ham radio classes, is indeed the responsibility of pilots, but encouraging legal ham radio use remains a good idea. I think that possession of a ham license should NOT be a club rule; pilots are perfectly able and welcome to fly without transmitting on a ham radio.

Item #98, phasing out the initiation fee, has been on my wish list for years. I've long felt that charging new pilots an extra $100 is a very unfriendly way to welcome them to the sport. The initiation fee was instituted in order to reduce the club's deficit at the time, and I fear it became policy because the future pilots that it would affect were not present to defend themselves. Today, some members who have paid the initiation fee would feel cheated if future pilots were not required to pay it too. As the club's financial situation has improved, I would readily forgo this modest income source in exchange for lowering the entry cost of our sport. Perhaps the club as a whole will be generous enough to future pilots to make this change.
User avatar
Don
Posts: 512
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 8:58 am

Ken's Wish List

Post by Don »

I thought #32 was the one that would have the LEAST amount of opposition :o

As for Bill Bennett - I'm glad you explained who he was. I didn't have a clue :? and probably many other club members don't either.

#94 - No Dogs. As far as I'm concerned - they are fine - At least until there is a "pile" that doesn't get picked up.

As for the initiation fee - I vote to drop it. Sounds like it has out lived it's initial purpose and YES it does seem a little unfriendly. I also doubt if all of it was being collected from all the new pilots. As for feeling "cheated" - if $100 is my biggest complaint, I'm in financial heaven! :o

Finally, HAM radio license. While you are correct that you don't have to have a license to fly, it is pretty common and there are many, many pilots that are violating this law! I think it is worthwhile for the club to stongly encourage all pilots to have a license.
User avatar
Glenn
Posts: 354
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 2:02 pm
Location: Westchester, CA

#26 LZ Streamers

Post by Glenn »

I will handle # 26 (LZ streamers). I built the orginal ones we have used for the last 3 or more years and will refurbish them like new this week with the wide ripstop nylon streamers listed in the design specs.
Flyyyyy
User avatar
Chip
Site Admin
Posts: 655
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:20 pm
Location: Sylmar, CA
Contact:

Yes ... I didn't ask permission

Post by Chip »

OK, I'm responsible for putting up the list in it's current form. I did it mainly so anyone that cares, can see that Ken has a good sense if humor :P and that he has many great ideas for things that need done and other wish-list items.

It's a testament to how much he cares and I believe by placing these items on the forum more people can see what kind of things are on the BOD's mind. How can that be wrong? If there would have been questionable items in the list, or something that might be too personal I wouldn't have done it. Everything seems reasonable to me. :wink:

Already members are thinking how they can help and what they can do ..... that was the intention.

I also suspect that most pilots can weed out the things that are high and lofty goals, and expect that those same pilots have enough common sense to comment accordingly.

Maybe .... just maybe by placing these ideas and wish-list items on the forum more people might step up and take it upon themselves to start something. :wink:

Being a male, I work well with lists, I think most of us males do. It gives me some sort of accomplishment feeling as I get to cross things off when they're complete. I suspect that may be true for others as well.

Hey while I'm at it I posted the agenda items too! I DID NOT post the December minutes as they still need approved.
User avatar
Lynn McLaughlin
Posts: 297
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:08 pm

Post by Lynn McLaughlin »

RE: #28 Bill Bennett Memorial

I am working with Juan Corrall (designer), Rome and Joe Greblo on this project. At this time, we plan to place the memorial in our rose garden, behind the Gazebo (assuming they don't get moved in the process of the Gazebo revitalization project) Please stay tuned as things develop.

re: The Following:
79. Spring Air Festival
80. Dahlsten Cup
81. Holiday Party

Over the past several years I've coordinated these events and many others. I am still willing to help...
User avatar
Glenn
Posts: 354
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 2:02 pm
Location: Westchester, CA

Post by Glenn »

That's great to hear, Lynn, because you always do a great job with these difficult tasks. Thanks for all the past efforts.
Flyyyyy
User avatar
stebbins
Posts: 649
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:02 am
Location: Palmdale, CA

Post by stebbins »

A few comments:

#28 - Bill Bennet Memorial: Please be sure to wait until the Gazebo project has been finalized. You probably would have, but I just want to make sure.

#98 - Initiation Fee: The original purpose of the Initiation Fee was to pay for the water hook up. We had to pay for that up-front, and it cost a bundle. As much as it seems unfair that newcomers don't pay what we old-timers paid, I think it is time to retire the fee. Maybe we should combine the removal of the fee with a small dues increase to make up the difference. Or maybe it is time to increase the dues anyway. If we are going to do both the Gazebo and a C.U.P. then I think it is time to increase dues.

#94 - Dogs: This is NOT a tough one. Either we enforce the existing rule, or we get rid of it. Having it and not enforcing it is counterproductive and just plain silly. It degrades the respect of the rules we DO enforce. As for getting rid of the rule, there are several reasons not to in order of decreasing importance: 1) We had a dog bite a child in the face a few (ok, more than a few) years ago. Can you say lawsuit? We have far more children in the LZ than we did then too, so it is a bigger problem now than it was then. 2) We'd lose our insurance. Ask Dan Barley about that one. 3) Pilots got tired of having their glider and gear peed and pooped on. And the owners of the very dogs who did it claimed that THEIR dog only went on command. Honest, I heard them say so, right after I saw their dog go on a glider. I might be willing to live with #3, but the other reasons make it clear we shouldn't get rid of the dog rule, as much as we might like to.

#95 - Alcohol: Ken might overstate the risk, but not by much. If you want to continue being able to drink after flying, we have to make it less visible to the neighbors, and we have to police ourselves about the quantity consumed. Nobody should be driving out of our LZ intoxicated. If you can't wait to get drunk until you leave, then you have a problem and should get help. If you have a beer or two after flying, that's not an issue.

Lastly, I think it is great that Chip posted the list. I thank both him and Ken. We should probably have generated such a list for the membership before this. Let's make a new one every year, eh? Hopefully, some items will fall off (be checked off!), and others be placed on the list. And now, the membership can see what needs to be done, and by their actions, vote on what is most important to them. Anyone want to volunteer to do an item or two?
Fly High; Fly Far; Fly Safe -- George
User avatar
Christian
Posts: 238
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:32 am
Location: Pacific Palisades

Post by Christian »

I like dogs and I have one, and at home I patrol my yard picking up the crap. I didn't particularly enjoy the cute little dog this summer who ran over and pissed on my glider as I was packing it up in the LZ. The owners are well regarded club members who let him off the leash only for a moment. Dogs will be dogs.

Dogs are banned from all school playing fields, most parks and Los Angeles County Beaches. It seems unfair, but without such a rule such public places are a world of dog crap, and with kids rolling on the ground and soccer games going on a crap-free environment is preferred by the majority. The down side is Ive got no place to take my dog and let him run without driving six miles.

The LZ is an especially small world of grass on which we lay out our gliders and equipment and selves.

I sincerely hope we keep and enforce the SHGA no-dogs rule.
User avatar
Chip
Site Admin
Posts: 655
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:20 pm
Location: Sylmar, CA
Contact:

List Progress ....

Post by Chip »

Well looks like having a list can help with getting things done as evidenced by a couple of items being taken care of by the membership. However without oversight from the entire club (or some in the "know")we might have lost some historical "perspective" on at least one item.

#29 on the list Remove the dead palm tree stump near the BBQ . We might have taken that a bit too far according to Hungary Joe. Apparently the potted palm tree was a memorial to the people that died in the 1971 earthquake at old Veterans Administration Hospital (now Veterans Park).
Wikipedia wrote:The most spectacular damage included the collapse of structures at Olive View Hospital in Sylmar (which had opened just a month prior to the earthquake) and at the Veterans Administration Hospital at San Fernando, where 49 people died. The earthquake pushed Olive View Medical Center a foot off its foundation, causing the first floor to collapse, killing three patients and a hospital worker. More info here
Last night we successfully removed the stump and then proceeded to remove the pot as well. Turns out the pot is also part of the memorial and was part of an old boiler that was used at the hospital.

Not sure how to prevent this from happening in the future. I believe the item was discussed at the last board meeting but not even the oldest members (longest in the club) had any historical perspective on this item.

Now that we know, I guess we should "re-dedicate" the memorial with a better plaque so we can precluse this from happening in the future.

But it's likely to happen again unless some sort of SHGA historical committee is created (maybe Hungary Joe should be the chairman :? )
JT

Post by JT »

It isn't as if those guys destroyed the pot. Why not have Kate and Katherine work it in to the landscaping they plan. It would make a fine bed for annual flowers; things that must be replaced regularly so that it will not be overgrown and forgotten again.

And I think someone besides Joe knew something. Someone else there told me that the pot had "great historical significance" as Rob was attempting to haul it into the parking lot. I thought the individual was kidding.
User avatar
Chip
Site Admin
Posts: 655
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:20 pm
Location: Sylmar, CA
Contact:

Samo - Samo

Post by Chip »

That's kinda the problem ......... nobody speaks up until something gets done that they don't like. It's no wonder why there's so much apathy in the club (I just wanna fly ....)

I did bring up the re-dedication / restoration thing and Joe just kept on saying how it wouldn't "spiritually" be the same.

I cannot help that. But would like to prevent it in the future (if we can).
User avatar
Lynn McLaughlin
Posts: 297
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:08 pm

Post by Lynn McLaughlin »

Don't feel bad you guys! The "darned" thing needed to be moved and now it can be "renewed" and remembered, as Jim suggested.

I think it's imperative that our memorials be movable. In fact, we are designing the Bennett memorial with this potential need in mind. I do like the idea of placing a plaque somewhere to identify memorials.

When we create a plaque for Bill's memorial, we can have one made for the 1971 Earthquake memorial, too.

I applaude your initiative!

Lynn
User avatar
dhmartens
Posts: 938
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:36 am
Location: Reseda

Post by dhmartens »

It looked like we desecrated the memorial pretty bad. It reminded me of Baghdad when freed Iraqis roped and pulled down the statue of Saddam and towed it through the streets. The pickup truck stalled 10 times trying to pull it out of the ground. It wasn’t until it was unearthed that Hungry Joe remembered it was for the hospital in the 1971 quake. The real desecration was in forgetting the memorial. Now that we have unearthed it the memory has been restored. Historically, the memorial must have been moved to the current landing field from the old one around 1982 when it was closed. So it must have been moved before. Pilots were pretty shocked to find out the boiler lid was a memorial otherwise I think they would have continued and pulled down the gazebo as well.

Ken’s list looks very interesting. It’s amazing how many pilots have come up with some of the same ideas. I’m not sure why so few items were accomplished though. It could be because the fires and floods were distractions. In the school of management you can “POAC� Plan, Organize, Actuate, and Control. As president I would call a vote on each item and document how each board member votes. Ken was a model President and this is a great list. JBBenson has an inspiring group of the items too. Maybe we need a project management methodology or section of the forum. That was then though. Things are moving forward now.

One-handed economist. President Harry Truman wanted a one-handed economist because they kept giving him “on one hand…. But on the other hand�. The club money is the same way. On one hand at nearly $100,000 we can scrimp and try to save for another LZ in 5 to 10 years. But on the other hand: We could end up like the former Soviet Union where they didn’t put any money back into the infrastructure and they eventually collapsed. I read the club was out of money about 10 years ago and maybe that memory still lingers and that’s why the club is so tight about spending the money. I think the club should buy its own Jetbug jet powered hang glider harness and fly it at the Van Nuys air show. I think Chris in Australia said Hang Gliding wasn’t a spectator sport because it wasn’t loud enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elh4djwGrX0&eurl=
problem solved.


Doug Martens
User avatar
Lynn McLaughlin
Posts: 297
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:08 pm

Post by Lynn McLaughlin »

If I recall correctly, one big reason we've so rigorously channeled funds into savings over the years is the Conditional Use Permit, issue.

Under the worst circumstances, IF we needed to move quickly, hire advisors and file paperwork, our savings would literally save SHGA. I'm only eight years in the Club so my memory is relatively young. But I think that is the main motivation for a very healthy savings account.

Lynn
Post Reply