Hi,

A quick note about our club policies. At Memphis Soaring Society all
memberships are FAMILY memberships. This means that spouses and children
are included in one initiation fee. There is the additional fee for the SSA
memberships of the additional family members, but that is small. Our club
encourages the sport and glider port as a family activity. We have a small
number of youth who are actually flying at this time. In the short time
that I have been a member (2.5 years) there have been no incidents where
youth has been a factor.

With that being said, my spouse has said she has no intent of ever seeing
the gliderport. Oh well.....

I do think this is a great policy for a club to take. Somewhere deep in the
charter of this club it is stated one purpose is to provide flight training
for the lowest cost possible.

Now from my personal viewpoint. I began flying at 15 (power) and only
wish this sort of club had been available. This is an aging sport, we MUST
encourage youth soaring or this sport will wither. The affiliation with CAP
is well meaning, but most kids do not wish to march in uniform to the barked
orders of some wanna-a-be colonel who probably never served a day in his
life. (My apologies to some of the few stellar squadrons out there) I
think that clubs that promote youth flying are clubs that are working to
insure their own futures. (Just a personal opinion) I am going to enclose
the url to our club's website if anyone is interested.

In closing,,, please forgive me for my self-serving promotion of our
club..... To the Ulrich,,, I hope you are able to find encouragement for
your son from your organization, after all, it is in THEIR best interest
also. and btw....send me your mail address email. I think I never sent you
the mylar I promised last year for root seals.

Take Care and Fly Safe,

Joe Hyde


http://www.memphis-soaring.org/



"Ulrich Neumann" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

I need your input on an issue that has led to an ongoing, heated
debate ever since my son joined our soaring club at age 14. He begun
taking lessons and soloed during a youth soaring camp organized by
another club this summer. A small but vocal group of members are
stricktly against youth- and family memberships. Kids under 18 are
considered a liability, a hazard to themself during the operation and
just not desirable members in their minds. All kinds of half-baked
legalities are being cited i.e. that the club could get dragged down
finacially if a minor would get hurt and a suit be filed by the
parents, etc. I can't shake the impression that these guys would like
to have a 'good 'ol boy county club with planes'! (Heck, the golf
carts are already there!)

Therefore my questions: Does your club have a youth/family membership
category with reduced dues and/or waived initiation fees? Does your
club have a youth program? Have there ever been any legal/insurance
issues with minor members in your club? Any input is appreciated. (you
may reply privately, if you don't want to discuss this on the net)

Ulrich Neumann