SSA Leadership after 12/31?

Fellow soaring fans,

Early in the course of the SSA crisis, involving embezzlement and fraud on
the part of the SSA's CFO, the entire Executive Committee committed to
resign before the end of this calendar year (except Phil Umphries, who was
too new to have been tainted by the scandal).

Since they are all honorable people, I'm sure they will follow through with
the commitment they made (unless they choose to act like politicians, who we
all know have never heard of "honor"). It would be disgraceful for them to
stay in their posts.

Anybody know who the next Chair will be? Who else will be stepping into the
SSA leadership vacuum happening at the end of this month?

Apologies to the non-US readers of RAS, for whom this sad saga is probably
of little interest.

Respectfully,
Bullwinkle

Bullwinkle:

At the Board of Directors meeting in Elmira Dianne Black-Nixon was
asked to stay on as Chair to give continuity to the society and the
Board of Director. Fred

On 12/5/07 11:24 AM, in article
,
" wrote:

Bullwinkle:

At the Board of Directors meeting in Elmira Dianne Black-Nixon was
asked to stay on as Chair to give continuity to the society and the
Board of Director. Fred

Thanks for the update.

Like I said: disgraceful.

On Dec 5, 11:35 am, Bullwinkle wrote:


Thanks for the update.

Like I said: disgraceful.

Have you ever been on officer in a national volunteer organization?
Did you run for office?
Are you willing to take on the responsibility?
Are you willing to take on the expense of being an officer?

Then what you say means very little, epically without being willing to
put your name behind it.

Tim

On 12/5/07 12:05 PM, in article
, "Tim
Taylor" wrote:

On Dec 5, 11:35 am, Bullwinkle wrote:


Thanks for the update.

Like I said: disgraceful.

Have you ever been on officer in a national volunteer organization?
Did you run for office?
Are you willing to take on the responsibility?
Are you willing to take on the expense of being an officer?

Then what you say means very little, epically without being willing to
put your name behind it.

Tim

Question 1: Yes, at significant personal expense in both time and money. I
am doing that currently, in my national (indeed, international) professional
organization.

2, 3, and 4: In the SSA? No. I prefer to spend my available soaring time
soaring, but as a dues paying member of the SSA, I think I'm entitled to
express my opinion about the current officers and how they do their jobs.

I hope I'm still entitled to think that someone who pledges to do something
should do so, even if I'm not willing to take their place. And even if you
disagree with me about that.

Not interested in a dogfight: just expressing my opinion. Sorry if I
offended.

Dear Bullwinkle:

It is common for members of the SSA to have strong opinions on this
subject (and many others). Those opinions are often quite different
from member to member. As a matter of courtesy, I believe you are
entitled to your opinion and I believe you have the right to post in
on this forum.

My opinion however, is quite different and I feel the need to post it
behind yours. Dianne Black-Nixon specifically has done an excellent
job in trying to contain the damage done in this situation and she has
my total support. I have communicated that to her personally and I
(like many, many others) have encouraged her (and the ExCom) to remain
in office to see this though. Other members of the ExCom, BOD and
Restructuring Task Force have also put forth their best efforts to
contain, define & resolve the SSA's current financial situation.

Most (if not all) of these people are not disgraceful, nor are they
seflish or self-serving. They (as volunteers) are working hard, long
hours to resolve a bad situation in the hope of creating a strong,
viable SSA for the future. They have not only my support...they also
have my respect and my sincere thanks.

Steve McLaughlin (PSU)

On Dec 5, 3:17 pm, Bullwinkle wrote:
Early in the course of the SSA crisis, involving embezzlement and fraud on
the part of the SSA's CFO

Out of curiosity, what's the back story on this? Sounds juicy!


Dan

Dan G wrote:
On Dec 5, 3:17 pm, Bullwinkle wrote:
Early in the course of the SSA crisis, involving embezzlement and fraud on
the part of the SSA's CFO

Out of curiosity, what's the back story on this? Sounds juicy!


Dan
Hi Dan,

No offense intended, but (assuming your return e-address is real), I
gather you're not an SSA member. Thus (to my way of thinking) sharing
the details would fall more into the category of vicarious gossip than
usable information.

That noted, fairly complete history of/answers to your question can be
found on the members-only portion of SSA's website (LOTS of reading).
If you fly sailplanes in the U.S. I'd encourage you to join SSA for any
of a number of reasons, regardless of how bad or juicy the SSA situation
has been/may be.

Feel free to contact me off-group if you'd like additional insight
regarding why I think the way I do about SSA, soaring in the U.S., how
U.S. soaring relates to NAA/FAI/FAA/etc. Stultifyingly dull stuff, but
of genuine importance for all U.S. soaring participants.

Regards,
Bob - occasionally stultified - W.

INTEGRITY...TRUST...HONOR...ACCOUNTABILITY

Some of you just don't get it. The issue with the retention of Ms
Black is about integrity. The entire board agreed to resign as of
the end of this year. They should be held accountable for this
decision. If they are not, then when is the next time they will not
honor their word? As such, can we now trust any decisions of the
board? Unfortunately, this is a continuation of the original problem.
This is all about keeping your word.

For those who will now flame me for my comments:

I have served the SSA at the national level

I have served the SSA at a local club level

I have made significant contributions and support to local not for
profit organizations

I know Ms Black personally and DO appreciate the true sacrifices she
has made for the SSA and the sport in general and In no way feel that
she has personally acted in other than the best interest of the SSA
(This is not a personal attack)


The original decision was made to provide a clean start for the SSA.
It is now time to execute that plan. No person or persons are that
important to this, or any other organization, that the organization
will cease to exist without them. If you do not believe this, then
you are sending a vote of no confidence to the Regional Directors that
YOU elected.

wrote in message
...
INTEGRITY...TRUST...HONOR...ACCOUNTABILITY

Some of you just don't get it. The issue with the retention of Ms
Black is about integrity. The entire board agreed to resign as of
the end of this year.

I don't know about everyone on the board, but it seems that Ms Black has
overwhelmingly been asked to please not resign. Why would we want to leave the
SSA without any leadership?

Vaughn