The NEW PRA PRES

[gyroplanes]

HI ALL,
I just thought I'd let you all know something about our new president, Rick Marshall.

Rick lives in Indiana and is about a 1 hour drive from Mentone... this is good.

Rick is a businessman and is steeped in aviation.

Rick is a helicopter and gyro pilot and a gyro CFI. Rick also holds an A&P license.

Rick owned and manufactured SnoBird gyros. He currently flies a Magni.

I'd do a more lengthy bio if I had Rick's permission.

I believe Rick will prove to have been a wise choice for the position.

[Brent Drake]

I've talked to Rick. I believe he will do a very good job. Seems to listen to your opinion and answers well.

[All_In]

I could not be more pleased!!!
When Rusty told me he was going on deployment and stepping down, I was crushed!
Thank you Rusty! You left us in very good hands!!!

[mark treidel]

Tom, I think you need to reconsider your avitar........

[Scary Gary]

Why ??????

[gyroplanes]

Tom, I think you need to reconsider your avitar........

Why Mark? I like Chinese food and I'm quite handy with chopsticks.

[StanFoster]

Tom- Thanks for posting about Rick. Rick is about as astounding of an all around individual you can find.


Stan

[Chuck Roberg]

I'm sure Rick will do a great job.

I hope we don't wear him out too fast. :party:

[GyroRon]

I heard Ricks slogan was " Change you can believe in.... " or something like that?

[Dean_Dolph]

Rick, was a good choice and he has Tim O as vice prez so that is some good energetic leadership. I know that Rusty relied on Greg G. to give him a hand when he first became prez so I suspect that Tim will be used also. But, I don't know how much more he can handle since he is involved so much already. We are in good hands so now it is time for the grassroots to go to work and promote the organization.

[dragonflyerthom]

I would like to see how the new leadership uses the chapters so that we can grow.

[Dean_Dolph]

I would like to see how the new leadership uses the chapters so that we can grow.Thom, what I would like to see is the chapters step up and start promoting the PRA.

There was a lot of discussion, led by Rusty, at the Mentone 2009 chapters meeting about changing the culture of the organization from a top down to a bottoms up, or grass roots organization. The chapters don't have to wait on the international leadership and in fact they shouldn't if they want this organization to survive. Rusty was pretty emphatic about that fact. He repeatedly used the phrase ‘We will fail if…’ at both the chapters and life members meeting.

We are in survival mode even though it appears the decline in membership may have bottomed out. But, if it resumes dropping at the 4 - 5% rate it was, then there will come a time when the organization isn't viable any longer and we fold our tent. I don't want to even think about what would happen to the gyro community if that ever happens. Sure, we would have this Forum to continue communication but I shudder to think what would happen without the PRA as a buffer between us and the FAA and the public. The PRA provides legitimacy to our activity but as an individual we each could be seen just as a nuisance to be done away with. I’m talking figuratively of course!! But ya never know……

I’m pretty much an optimist so feel that the projects that the new board is exploring will in fact bring the chapters closer to the leadership. But, that means the chapters will be expected to contribute some effort in growing the organization. We have 26 states in the U.S. that don’t have chapters so there is room for growth in that regard.

I would have liked to see each individual PRA member become a chapter member but never could figure out how to implement that. But, I feel that would strengthen the organization.

I’ve tossed out an idea seed, to consider, of a virtual chapter. This would be a chapter where PRA members, that felt they couldn’t be part of normal chapter for various reasons, could become part of a group that had the same reasons. I never got far enough along in my thinking to determine how this could be implemented.

I’m also optimistic about the impact that ‘All-In’ and his PRA volunteers are going to have on membership growth. If we haven’t turned the corner already then I feel we are very close to doing so.

[PW_Plack]

Dean, I think this forum is now fulfilling all the functions of a "virtual chapter," but without the formal PRA affiliation. If you consider the benefits of belonging to a group of like-minded enthusiasts, they're pretty much all here, thanks to digital cameras and the internet, and without the months-long wait for a magazine getting in the way of each interaction.

It's tough for some people to see the cost/benefit case for joining PRA, and IMHO that's mainly because when the PRA does something to promote the sport, it's pretty much done in secret. The old "Your Organization in Action" idea sounds corny and self-aggrandizing to modest people running an organization, but if members don't see any positive result from their dues, some will bail, and some prospective members won't see the value.

PRA membership to many is now simply a magazine subscription. Witness the stink made when the quality and quantity of the magazines dropped, or ask any life member if he wants to see electronic distribution in lieu of paper. The magazine is considered the focus of the organization, and the sole justification for paying dues.

To some degree, this is an even bigger problem for chapters. Can anyone explain the benefit to an active local group in becoming a chapter? There's nothing available through affiliation that you couldn't get independently. Want some back issues of the magazine to pass out to newcomers at an event? Sorry, you pay the same rate anyone else does.

Rusty has it right. I think there's a big opportunity for local chapters to prove out new ideas which may eventually work their way back up the chain to PRA World HQ. Anyone waiting for the board to drop the green flag has it backwards.

[gyromike]

Dean, I think this forum is now fulfilling all the functions of a "virtual chapter," but without the formal PRA affiliation. If you consider the benefits of belonging to a group of like-minded enthusiasts, they're pretty much all here, thanks to digital cameras and the internet, and without the months-long wait for a magazine getting in the way of each interaction.

It's tough for some people to see the cost/benefit case for joining PRA, and IMHO that's mainly because when the PRA does something to promote the sport, it's pretty much done in secret. The old "Your Organization in Action" idea sounds corny and self-aggrandizing to modest people running an organization, but if members don't see any positive result from their dues, some will bail, and some prospective members won't see the value.

PRA membership to many is now simply a magazine subscription. Witness the stink made when the quality and quantity of the magazines dropped, or ask any life member if he wants to see electronic distribution in lieu of paper. The magazine is considered the focus of the organization, and the sole justification for paying dues.

To some degree, this is an even bigger problem for chapters. Can anyone explain the benefit to an active local group in becoming a chapter? There's nothing available through affiliation that you couldn't get independently. Want some back issues of the magazine to pass out to newcomers at an event? Sorry, you pay the same rate anyone else does.

Rusty has it right. I think there's a big opportunity for local chapters to prove out new ideas which may eventually work their way back up the chain to PRA World HQ. Anyone waiting for the board to drop the green flag has it backwards.


I let my membership lapse this year. I guess I got a renewal and just forgot to send it in. Honestly, I don't even miss the magazine. I guess I'll see what the current leadership does before I decide whether or not to rejoin.

[dragonflyerthom]

Mike

This is just one of the problems. The wait and see itise. It isn't just a magazine either. There is merit in being a member of an organization. The PRA gives us something to belong to. We have our monies invested in it and the PRA also gives us the ability to call someone of like mindedness. You can see how many want to be gyro pilots but we are so small that there has to be a lot of self motivation just to continue the quest for flight in a gyro.

I do like the type of persons that flying gyros brings into our mist and I hope it continues and grows. It is thru the dues that the PRA operates and will grow in the future because with out our financial support we will perish as an organization.

This is probably clear as mud but I sure hope you understand what I am trying to say.

I agree with Rusty that we need to grow at the chapter level. This way new member can be brought into our organization and their individual projects will keep them interested and their dreams can be fulfilled. It is in these experimental builds that we all will profit from.

[Dean_Dolph]

.......I guess I'll see what the current leadership does before I decide whether or not to rejoin.Mike, you are re-highlighting the problem!

First before I go any further, when people talk about the ‘PRA’, what I think they really mean is the leadership or the board.

No one should be waiting on the leadership to lead at the local level. The locals are the ones who have always supplied the energy, talent and finances for the PRA. But, for the most part, the locals just haven't realized it and used it to their, or the organizations, advantage by moving it up the pipeline to the PRA board.

I believe that is what Rusty is getting at; the locals should be steering the organization with the board providing coordination, management and oversight. Individual members and chapters have always looked up rather than within to answer their complaints and provide solutions. For the PRA to regain previous stature and growth this has to change.
The main intent (I think I can safely speak for him) of Rusty’s establishing the annual chapter meeting was to get the chapters to talk to the PRA board and tell them what they wanted and needed from the organization. That is not to say that the board can always provide what is wanted but at least the local needs are identified for help where possible. In the mean time, until the PRA has more resources, the locals need to do their best to help themselves and the organization with what ever resources are available to them. And then offer solutions to other parts of the organization.

Rusty pointed out that we are not the trade organization that was created by Igor Bensen to sell his aircraft but instead, along the way, we became a service organization. A service organization provides a product to a client base which in this case is the membership. But, a service can’t be provided if the client doesn’t express what they want and need. In other words in the case of the PRA, the clients are the ones who should be molding and shaping the organizations services. This places a certain responsibility on individual members and chapters but there is never any pay back without effort.

[Dean_Dolph]

Dean, I think this forum is now fulfilling all the functions of a "virtual chapter," but without the formal PRA affiliationI never thought of it that way but you are right of course. However, I think the PRA and virtual chapter members would be served better if there wasn’t the extraneous ‘noise’ from non-PRA members to deal with. When the members only side of the PRA web site with its forum becomes functional then it will be interesting to see just how much the two PRA forums here get used. ……and without the months-long wait for a magazine getting in the way of each interaction.Yes, timeliness has value!
……. that's mainly because when the PRA does something to promote the sport, it's pretty much done in secret. The old "Your Organization in Action" idea sounds corny and self-aggrandizing to modest people running an organization, but if members don't see any positive result from their dues, some will bail, and some prospective members won't see the value.I hope the board members who visit here see your note! That is because there is an individual or two on the board that has expressed the feeling that pointing out what is being done is ‘grandstanding’. And if I understand what you are saying, then it supports my big complaint of a lack of open and complete communication.……. Rusty has it right. I think there's a big opportunity for local chapters to prove out new ideas which may eventually work their way back up the chain to PRA World HQ. Anyone waiting for the board to drop the green flag has it backwards.I don’t think Rusty is looking for ideas to ‘eventually’ work their way back up the chain; I believe he wants it to happen as quickly as possible. This is a communication issue and the idea of regions and regional reps that is being explored is one way to speed that up. I know not what Rick’s agenda is but Rusty has started something that I think has value even if it still has some kinks to be worked out.

[dragonflyerthom]

The main intent (I think I can safely speak for him) of Rusty’s establishing the annual chapter meeting was to get the chapters to talk to the PRA board and tell them what they wanted and needed from the organization.

Dean

When have we had annual chapter meetings at the convention?? Have I missed something., I was there all week and no one said anything about a chapter meeting.

[Dean_Dolph]

Thom, I know I dropped the ball on having you as the Chapter 6 contact there for awhile. But, prior to Mentone 2009 I sent out a number of notes reminding the chapters of the 2nd annual chapter meeting and asking them to have one of their attending members come to the meeting. And then it was an item in the PRA convention program on page 2 under the Convention Schedule for August 6.

There was a pretty good turnout with I suspect more than half the chapters represented. A chapter count wasn't taken (a next year tweak!) but Rusty did ask for the chapter numbers in attendance. Sorry you didn't get the word!

[PW_Plack]

...there is an individual or two on the board that has expressed the feeling that pointing out what is being done is ‘grandstanding’...

These individuals need to be outvoted by fellow board members who understand that a service organization which delivers no visible service is dead meat. If PRA is to grow, the word also needs to get out to non-members, not just be a footnote in Rotorcraft.

AOPA during the Phil Boyer years reached 414,00 members, or roughly 2 out of 3 licensed pilots in the US. It wasn't by keeping its advocacy work under a bushel. The new regime is more about "grandstanding." There is a difference.

I already have the first item on my next "ask the candidates" list:

"Will you, as a board member, work to better publicize the advocacy work of the PRA?"

[Vance]

I liked the chapter meeting at Mentone.

Rusty is a very dynamic speaker.

I was the unelected, unappointed representative for PRA chapter one.

Thank you, Vance

[Resasi]

Who is the common 'voice' of the gyro community if not the PRA?

Who else would or could represent the gyro community as a whole to the FAA and/or other regulatory bodies apart from any solitary individual who has either fallen foul of them or has to try and deal with them.

Having someone who has a nationwide recognized status in your corner able and willing to go to bat for you as an individual has to be worth having.

But... the PRA would have to be willing to do that.