PRA as the ASC rotorwing

[Brent_Brown]

The subject is PRA as the ASC rotorwing.

I just read that some gyro guys wanted to start a PRA chapter but didn’t. This is what was posted.

“We had our local get together this past weekend and the vote was overwhelmingly (but not unanimous) to NOT become a chapter.

From what I can tell all you get from becoming a PRA chapter is a lot of paperwork to do and not much else. The only positive thing I can see is that the chapter would be listed on the piss-poor PRA website so people could find you.”

This is sad, but I’m not surprised they feel that why.

Ralph Taggart posted before “Despite all the in-fighting within the PRA, I have worked very hard to avoid having ASC's Rotor Wing viewed as a competitor. In the long run I would like to see the PRA become more closely allied with ASC. Despite being the current Rotor Wing Director, I would love to see the PRA become the Rotor Wing. Given the way ASC works, the PRA could retain its own board, its airport, and its magazine and fly-ins. In return, it would get showcased to a much wider audience and that is where new members will come from. If cost-cutting were required, you could dump the present magazine and commit to providing a significant block of material for ASC Connections magazine each MONTH! If it were done right, the effective amount of real rotorcraft stuff that would come out (again, monthly) would be about the same, costs would be much lower, and you would reach a MUCH larger audience.

I don't think this will happen, but it could. It would, in my biased opinion, be far better then crawling in bed with the Oshkosh crowd ***********!

Ralph”

I agree with Ralph, Lets face it we (the PRA members) are the rotorwing for the ASC, we just need to get together somehow.

I know must of if not all of the BFIs at the PRA fly-ins are holding ASC exemption papers to be BFI or AFIs.

The ASC is working the hard from what I can see to get the Sport Pilot thing working for all type of aircraft gyros to.


I posted before that the ASC will help a ASC wing with fly-ins. www.aerosports.org not a bad web site. The Event kit did change a wing would get 200 dollars to help with setting up the event.

Still not a bad deal.
Notice the 3 free memberships/renewals not to the PRA but to the ASC this is nice.

This is right off the web site.

The ASC event kit has been redefined to be the best in support of your efforts to help the community.
The new ASC Event Kit is made up of valuable ideas and support.
· Event ideas and forms
· Flight Safety ideas
· Competition task ideas
· Competition reporting forms
· 3 free memberships/renewals
· 1 four foot ASC banner
· Magazines
· Patches
· Log books
· Decals
· Guides to becoming a BFI
· Nationals brochures
· ASC brochures

You get this package free. All you have to do is request your package early with all the event information necessary for ASC to help you advertise the event, and report back to ASC about how your event went (with at least two color photos).

Support from ASC, where, when and how you need it.
Decide on your upcoming events and send off to ASC, PO Box 589, Marshall, MI 49068 to get your event kit early.


Don Shoebridge posted about the ASC before.


“the ASC can afford that too since they aren't limited to rotary winged aircraft. It makes their membership base much larger. I went to their national convention this year. I've been there before, and the primary mode of flight in the ASC seems to be swinging toward PPC's. Tim Blackwell, Rich Lidke and myself brought gyro's, but they were all non-flyable (still building). There were a handful of fixed wing UL's and experimentals, but the remaining 90% were all PPC. The reception we received from some of the PPC types was not at all friendly, and a few people were down right rude. But that's another story.

As for the ASC paying chapters to put on a fly-in, Ok. Other than advertisement, there really isn't much to putting on a fly-in, unless you start adding other attractions like carnival rides for the kids. But I have yet to see anything like that at a fly-in.

Even the ASC nationals didn't really have anything of great expense except for a band, but even that was a waste of time because everybody went into town for dinner when the show started. The band wasn't too happy about that either.

But, anyways... As far as I know, the ASC doesn't own an airport either so they don't have that expense.”

I ask you If the PRA was the official ASC rotorwing what would be the PROs and CONs in that?

The advertisement is a PRO.

Another pro is all the other ASC wings would get to know more about gyros and we might get some converts out of that deal.

Another pro both mags could be one fat mag. Get all the PRA stuff and all the ASC stuff in one mag.

Still thinking of a CON.

You can add your thoughts now.

[Dean_Dolph]

I know must of if not all of the BFIs at the PRA fly-ins are holding ASC exemption papers to be BFI or AFIs. Brent, ALL gyro BFIs are holding ASC exemption papers! The ASC is the only organization as far as I can determine, that certifies gyro AFI/BFIs under these exemptions. The EAA and USUA do not provide for gyro AFI/BFIs under their exemptions. The PRA is the only organization that has an exemption that allows CFIs to instruct in experimentals for pay. The AFI/BFI program exemption was set up to provide training for ultralight pilots.

The ASC is working the hard from what I can see to get the Sport Pilot thing working for all type of aircraft gyros to. Hmmm… I guess I must have missed the evidence that indicates that the ASC is pushing anything for gyros. I trust Greg. G. and the PRA leadership to take care of the gyro side of Sport Pilot.

I ask you If the PRA was the official ASC rotorwing what would be the PROs and CONs in that?

The advertisement is a PRO.

Another pro is all the other ASC wings would get to know more about gyros and we might get some converts out of that deal.

Another pro both mags could be one fat mag. Get all the PRA stuff and all the ASC stuff in one mag.

Still thinking of a CON.

You can add your thoughts now. Brent, I guess I would rather the PRA stay independent although I can't really think of any big 'Cons' to becoming an ASC wing. That is other than I don't believe gyros would get as big as a play or as much space in the ASC magazine as in a separate one. The gyro content would also be subject to the ASC mag editors whims. We would also be forced to pay dues to two organizations. I already do but I don't believe that should be a requirement. Now if there were only one magazine then the main PRA expense would disappear but there would still be the expense of the Mentone headquarters. I wouldn't want to give up management of the PRA to the ASC. The possible 'Pros' can be provided by us, the PRA. It doesn't require another organization. It does require that we become more active, thru our chapters, in promoting the organization. I agree that a rotor wing does get the gyro more publicity so I thank Ralph for serving as the ASC Rotor Wing director and serving us in that regard. Individuals like Don, Tim and others who attend the ASC events probably get the gyro as much publicity as any other means the ASC could provide. However, I would hope that the gyros guys, who attend these events, maintain their composure under fire and not try to win any punch outs!

I'm more than a little disappointed in the Okie guys and the Texas chapter that does not want to be associated with the PRA. What that means is that they don't want to be associated with us; meaning you, me, and the rest of the PRA members. The PRA isn't three letters; it is the people that have joined together under the PRA umbrella to share and promote this activity.

This disassociation is just another example of the U.S. society today where the 'I got mine; I don't care about the rest of you and I don't owe you nothin' type of attitude is accepted. These people are ignoring what we, the PRA membership, have done for them in the past and will continue to do for them as the resources permit. They are going to get the benefit of our contributions in time and money even if they don't belong. They forget that without us there wouldn't be any gyro CFIs and without us the gyro wouldn't be included in the LSA/Sport Pilot rule. And without the instructors you can bet there would have been a continued gyro carnage that the FAA would have been forced to stop by making the sport gyro illegal and anyone that flew them an outlaw. I would suggest that we are still under considerable scrutiny by the FAA even though the safety record has, and continues, to improve.

While Dr. Bensen may have created the PRA to promote his business, the organization in fact ended up taking on a life of its own. I think we can thank Ken Brock and the other PRA leaders that followed for that. Without the PRA there would have been no continued promotion or development of the sport gyro. And without that promotion/development then I suspect that this Forum wouldn't exist.

If there isn't a clear cut reason to becoming affiliated with the ASC, and I don't see it yet, then I'll take my chances that the organization will turn things around relatively soon and once again start to grow. Growth will provide more benefits for us; benefits that the Okie guys and the Texas contingent will have an opportunity to turn down, but don't bet on them doing that.

[Brent_Brown]

Why didn't the PRA have a BFI / AFI program?

This disassociation is just another example of the U.S. society today where the 'I got mine; I don't care about the rest of you and I don't owe you nothin' type of attitude is accepted.

Wow not sure where that is going but thanks.

I am just looking at what is going on. I didn't as many gyros as last year. I was told the same was ture for the other events.

We need to look at others who are into flying but are just told by someone who does not fly a gyro that they are Bad Very Bad.

As for getting into a fight over word about gyro is not helping us at all. We need to be ready for this and just try to educate them not fight about it.

And without that promotion/development then I suspect that this Forum wouldn't exist.

where is the PRA forum?

I guess I am just why out there again.

Army of ONE.

[chuter]

Dean,

You said; "I'm more than a little disappointed in the Okie guys and the Texas chapter that does not want to be associated with the PRA. What that means is that they don't want to be associated with us; meaning you, me, and the rest of the PRA members. The PRA isn't three letters; it is the people that have joined together under the PRA umbrella to share and promote this activity."

Just speaking for myself, just because I don't want to start a PRA chapter doesn't mean I don't want to associate with you or any other gyro pilots. On the contrary; I look forward to it. I AM a PRA member.

You also said; "These people are ignoring what we, the PRA membership, have done for them in the past and will continue to do for them as the resources permit. They are going to get the benefit of our contributions in time and money even if they don't belong. They forget that without us there wouldn't be any gyro CFIs and without us the gyro wouldn't be included in the LSA/Sport Pilot rule."

I'm not ignoring what the PRA has done in the past. I certainly appreciate that we have the exemption so we can get training, and the conventions (I've been to two).

I'm just looking at the PRA as-is. My original post was on the thread with all the bickering about he said/she said, the BOD doesn't talk to us, etc. I don't want any part of that. It's really hard to think of going to the work to start a chapter when those at the top of an organization seem so petty and disorganized.

Plus, I asked for info about starting a chapter, where is it? If the PRA wants to have more chapters, you'd think there would be some kind of info packet ready to go. The info on the PRA website about starting a chapter looks as if it hasn't been revised in 20+ years.

If you don't want me around because I don't try to start a chapter, that's your business, but I hope to be attending more flyins when I get flying, unless you put up "No Non-chapter Members Allowed" signs. :(

[PW_Plack]

Interesting argument. Gyros might get less play within the ASC, but that play would reach a much wider audience. What if local chapters just affiliated with both groups? Would it accomplish the same thing?

If your local gyro club affiliates with PRA, you have some extra paperwork, a minimum requirement to have five members of PRA in the club, and a requirement that your officers be members. That effectively raises your local $20 dues to $60 a year for those five members, and limits the pool of potential officers. Especially way out here on the west coast, where most members will never have a fly-in within a day's drive, affiliating with PRA is not the easy choice.

[chuter]

Without knowing a lot of the details, I think the overall idea of being associated with ASC sounds good. It would help us to not be percieved as "outlaws" and seperate from the rest of the aviation community.

[Doug Riley]

I think the ASC merger idea has merit. ASC has the right kind of institutional memory to treat us properly -- ASC was formed by PPC pilots who felt slighted by the FW ultralight crowd. That, of course, is just the way many gyro pilots feel in the company of either FW ultralights or heavier FW planes. For that reason, ASC would be a much better "fit" for PRA than, say EAA.

Jim Stephenson (ASC founder and honcho) has attended Mentone before. In fact, he and Ralph Taggart gave such a convincing sales pitch about the ASC gyro BFI program at Mentone 2000 that I caught the fever and became one!

ASC started out as a group concerned with Part 103 aircraft. With Sport Pilot, however, the distinction between "ultralight" and merely "light" has further blurred. I think gyros fit within the performance envelope of the other craft that are now within ASC's concern.

Any merger could include a stipulation that PRA continue to publish its own magazine. There's enough detailed information that's specific to gyros that we ought not compromise our ability to publicize it (CLT and all that). Gyro articles in the main ASC mag could be more promotional and less technical in nature.

PPC pilots are pretty defensive as a group. They frequently get "disrespected" at aviation gatherings. I would think that we could win them over if we treated them as equals -- just as we prefer to be treated (but often aren't) by the Piper-Cessna crew. PPC pilots wanting to trade up to a faster and more agile craft might well be attracted to gyros if given some positive exposure to them. They are a pool of potential converts! (In fact, I'm finishing training an experienced PPC pilot in the Dominator this coming weekend.)

One benefit of a large organization that's seldom mentioned is event insurance. Flyin publicity kits and the like are small 'taters compared to insurance. EAA offers it to its chapters for their flyins; without it, many flyin venues would be unavailable.

I don't know if ASC offers this benefit to its wings. If it did, that would probably clinch the deal in my mind.

[Vance]

I am a little confused about just what we are talking about. Cross endorsement marketing or some kind of merger? What is the deal we are clinching?

What is the organizational structure of the ASC? Do the have an elected board of directors? What is their corporate structure? Are they a 501.C3? What is their tax structure?

Please, these are questions, not accusations. Information helps me to pounder things in a more productive way. I am trying to be ignorant on a higher level. Thank you, Vance

[Doug Riley]

Ralph Taggart probably knows ASC's business structure. Organizations that lobby (such as EAA and perhaps ASC) can't be 501(c)(3)'s... but federal tax status is a question separate from corporate status. ASC is likely a corporation of some type under the laws of Michigan.

Each state has its own eccentric corporation laws. I'm not sure what kind of corporate beast PRA is under Indiana law. However, assuming it's some kind of corporation, it would be nice for PRA (and its airport-owning subsidiary corp) to remain separate corporations, but to function as subsidiaries of ASC. That would make it easier to "undo the deal" if it didn't work out. The relationship would be less than a complete merger and dissolution but more than mere co-marketing.

A possible sweetener for ASC would be access to the Mentone airport for flyins.

[Vance]

Thank You Doug, I'm confused on a much higher level now. I am still confused about exactly what the proposed deal is. It would seem that all of the benifits could be had with inter organizational cooperation and that a merger would only make things more complex with competing interests getting more traction. Clearly anything that promotes aviation is to our benifit so improving our relationship with all organizinations that promote flying would be a good thing. Thank you, Vance

[Brent_Brown]

Thank You Doug, For the help getting thing going in the right direction. And as far as the DEAL? That is what I was hoping we might know at the end of this thread.

It looks like the PRA mag is a big cost so having all of it in the ASC mag as the rotorwing section shouldn't be hard to do, and save the PRA that part of it That might be part of the Deal with ASC?

kick it around somemore

[Dean_Dolph]

……..I'm just looking at the PRA as-is. My original post was on the thread with all the bickering about he said/she said, the BOD doesn't talk to us, etc. I don't want any part of that. It's really hard to think of going to the work to start a chapter when those at the top of an organization seem so petty and disorganized. Michael, I guess I just get a little tired of the pointless attacks on the organization. Sure there are problems; do you know any organization that doesn't have them? Problems are to be solved and that won't happen unless people stay involved and become part of the solution. The strength of the PRA lies in the Chapters so the more there are the stronger the PRA. Mentone IS NOT the PRA! The individual members and the local chapters are!

The 'bickering' you are seeing here is not from the PRA hierarchy but between disgruntled past board members and other PRA members. The former board members paranoia is a little bewildering and it is hard to tell exactly what their agenda is. But the whole organization shouldn't be painted with the same brush because of these few. Even at that, rather than be upset with the bickering, you, as a PRA member, should be glad that problems, real or imagined, are being highlighted and discussed.Plus, I asked for info about starting a chapter, where is it? If the PRA wants to have more chapters, you'd think there would be some kind of info packet ready to go. The info on the PRA website about starting a chapter looks as if it hasn't been revised in 20+ years. Yeah, there is no doubt that response time and communication out of Mentone needs improving. Then again this might be something that the PRA chapter coordinator handles. Hey, Tom Milton, what's the scoop? And yes the web site is an embarrassment! Everyone from the top down knows it and it was addressed at Mentone '04. Fixing that problem should be given some priority and may be it is but we aren't hearing about it or seeing anything being done.If you don't want me around because I don't try to start a chapter, that's your business, but I hope to be attending more flyins when I get flying, unless you put up "No Non-chapter Members Allowed" signs.Nah, I'm glad you are a member but you and your compatriots need to revisit the reasons for not forming a chapter. The ones given are more than a little weak.

Michael, a side note, to save yourself some typing or cutting/pasting, you can click on the 'Quote' under the bottom right hand side of a note that you want to reply to and the whole note ends up in a replay box. From there you can delete the part of the note you don't want to refer to and add your comments. You will see the open and closing 'Quote' code that you can copy and paste to identify the parts that you are replying too. If you do a preview then you will see what the reply will look like. You can keep making corrections in the reply box and keep previewing until it says what you want it to before you final submit it for posting. You may already know this but we have new people registering all the time and it doesn't hurt to repeat this for their benefit.

[Dean_Dolph]

Interesting argument. Gyros might get less play within the ASC, but that play would reach a much wider audience. What if local chapters just affiliated with both groups? Would it accomplish the same thing? Paul, if I'm not mistaken, PRA Chapter 18 in Illinois has this arrangement. And I don't see or have a problem with it. I don't know what the particulars for affiliating are but I suspect that Ralph Taggert can provide that info.

I'm not sure the ASC would provide the PRA with a wider audience but I don't think there is any doubt that it would reach a different one. However, we have to ask ourselves what the response would be if the ASC PPC guys, and other groups the ASC represents, tried to recruit in our backyard. Would there be a large desertion of gyro enthusiasts? I doubt it so I also doubt that there would be many members of the ultralight groups that would take up an interest in gyros. It is not as if other aviation enthusiasts aren't aware of each other. It is just that certain types of aircraft appeal to different people for various reasons. An argument could be made that an affiliation would give us a different stage to present the gyro in a more favorable light but we already have that thru Ralph Taggert as the ASC Rotor Wing director. I would think that Ralph should be able to secure a place in the magazine to present our views.

The one thing that we can't lose sight of is that the ASC is an ultralight organization; although as Doug has mentioned, the Sport Pilot/LSA rule kind of blurs things. But will the ASC be able, or even want, to accommodate (ESLA) experimental light sport aircraft like the majority of PRA gyros.

If your local gyro club affiliates with PRA, you have some extra paperwork, a minimum requirement to have five members of PRA in the club, and a requirement that your officers be members. That effectively raises your local $20 dues to $60 a year for those five members, and limits the pool of potential officers. Especially way out here on the west coast, where most members will never have a fly-in within a day's drive, affiliating with PRA is not the easy choice. I'm not sure how much paperwork is involved since I was not around when our local chapter was formed. But from what I can see it is not much and is only a one time thing. Dues? Good math!:) I'm not sure what the requirements are for a club to be affiliated with the ASC but the organizations members dues are $40/year just like the PRA. Since the first requirement to form a chapter is five PRA members then the only problem I see is if some of the five don't want to serve as an officer. And then I'm not sure that one individual couldn't serve in more than one role in order to satisfy the requirements.

I guess I don't see having a fly-in to attend as the prime reason to form a chapter. If a local club has been formed then the reason has been found and joining the PRA just means that the local members want to help support the international organization that supports them. I guess the main attraction of being a PRA chapter is the organizations advertising and subsequent direction of potential members to the local chapter. Yes, the advertisement is pretty weak but it is all we can afford at the moment and the PRA web site is a disaster but it is to be fixed. Obviously the main reason to have a strong gyro organization is so that there is some political power to protect our interests. If the PRA hadn't existed then Don Farrington's effort to secure the 5209 exemption would probably have been futile. If the PRA hadn't existed then the gyro wouldn't have been included in the LSA/Sport Pilot rule.

Hey, Brent, sorry for sorta hijacking the thread! It all kind of ties together but we got off the subject some what.

[Dean_Dolph]

Why didn't the PRA have a BFI / AFI program? Brent, why would the PRA need a BFI/AFI program when they already have a CFI exemption?

If you want a private gyro certificate then sooner or later you are going to have to go to a PRA 5209 exemption qualified CFI unless there are other avenues I'm not aware of. I haven't tried to soak up the 'add on' threads so there very well be others.

If you only want to fly ultralight gyros then either will do. I have always believed that we are fortunate to have the ASC AFI/BFI gyro instructors for the simple fact that gyro instructors of any persuasion are far and few between. In my mind if a AFI/BFI is more readily available than a CFI then it makes sense to start out training with the AFI/BFI and then move to the CFI in order to satisfy the dual training requirements for the private ticket. Especially since the real world training hour numbers for newbies appear to be almost twice what is normally stated as being required. As a side note, I think Kerry Cartier's safety article in the latest PRA magazine brought up some relevant and sensitive issues as far as choosing an instructor.And without that promotion/development then I suspect that this Forum wouldn't exist.

where is the PRA forum? When I mention Forum, I'm talking about Todd's Rotary Wing Forums. Whether it is officially blessed or not this Forum serves as a PRA function.

[Brent_Brown]

Brent, why would the PRA need a BFI/AFI program when they already have a CFI exemption?
And them you go on about using them to get training. The why I see it. Getting a BFI/ AFI program would help get more gyros in the air safely. and that is what it is about.
Our by-laws talk about promoting the sport of rotorcraft, and I think that would be one way to do it.

Not just limit it to CFI.

You make a good point for the need for them but the PRA didn't jump at it.

I gald we got a CFI program too.


And you are giving up before it is started, with this "I'm not sure the ASC would provide the PRA with a wider audience " It would have to rearch them we would be in it each month and would read about gyros. If we got the PRA mag in the ASC mag.

And you think we might lose some gyro guys to the otherside ??? maybe.

We might get some new members from them. that would be good.

you say; but we already have that thru Ralph Taggert as the ASC Rotor Wing director. I would think that Ralph should be able to secure a place in the magazine to present our views.

Yes, But he is not the PRA. What if the PRA got to get the full mag cover to cover.
is this something that would help the PRA with the cash needed to run it?

I see it like the PRA chapters we have now.
We would be a wing and have our BOD and do what we do.

If PRA chapter sent stories to the PRA now they get printed in the mag.
the same thing would be now get sent from the PRA editor to the ASC editor for printing as the ASC rotorwing complete.

The gyro content would also be subject to the ASC mag editors whims.
Not if the rotorwing made it a deal it would all be in the mag and why wouldn't it get put in? I get the ASC mag it can use are input.
We would also be forced to pay dues to two organizations.
Now here we need to work on this one.
I am a member of both, it would be nice if dues for one would be good for both not seeing that happen.

just thinking outload

go on hijacker

[PW_Plack]

I think it's naive to believe the ASC wouldn't edit magazine content. That could be a good thing. There are times when the articles in Rotorcraft could use some editing! The overflow and extra pictures could wind up here on the forum.

[Chuck Roberg]

Just received my ASC mag yesterday. Here's an interesting quote from Jim Stephenson.

"I am proud to say ASC grew even in the 2003 season. We grew by over one and one half percent, when others were forced to downsize."

"In 2003, ASC donated over $16,000 to grass roots fly-ins and this Year ASC will donate more than $20,000. That kind of strength give a great deal of lattitude to serve the community"

Hmmm.....maybe hooking up with ASC some how might not be a bad idea.

[gyroplanes]

Our Chapter of the PRA, The Greater Midwest Rotorcraft Club was formed, many years ago, to foster the growth and safety of sport rotorcraft AND support our parent organization the PRA.

To promote experimental aviation in general and to support our voice in Washington our chapter became an EAA Chapter as well.

We never required our club members to belong to either organization.

The EAA sent us a letter several years after we became a chapter of theirs telling us we could not be co-chapters of two organizations and that we had to decide between EAA & PRA. We made the right decision.

Several years ago we became an ASC club. ASC is a strong voice for sport aviation and has generous chapter (club) benefits. ASC is the only organization, other than PRA, that seemed to care about the plight of the gyroplane.

Last month our chapter co-hosted the Shelbyville, IL Regional Sport Rotorcraft Fly-in. ASC lent financial support (as was previously posted above) to the tune of $200.00. Free ASC memberships and the other aforementioned club supplies were also received.

(NOTE it DOES cost money to host a fly-in. Signs, portapotties, contest supplies such as helium, balloons, etc. $200.00 doesn't go very far)

WHY JOIN THE PRA??
This is a good question.
I love to build and fly sport rotorcraft. I want to read everything I can about sport rotorcraft, I want to support anyone who fights for sport rotorcraft rights. I want to support anyone who looks out for the future of sport rotorcraft.

In the beginning there was only the PRA. You paid your dues, sat back and waited and when the PRA had enough money to print the next issue of it's 4 times-a-year magazine, you had the past, present and future of sport rotorcraft in your hands.

I just celebrated thirty years of involvement with PRA and sport rotorcraft. I believe we need the PRA now more than ever. Gyroplanes are becoming more accepted by the general public. Newer and safer designs are coming out. Gyroplanes are being considered for around-the-world flight. We are rapidly approaching our heyday. Factory built LSA gyroplanes are going to become a reality and the lowley gyroplane will finally live up to it's potential as "The safest flying machine available".

To answer the question posted earlier about "Why doesn't the PRA have BFIs and AFIs"
It's the same reason we are not administering our end of the Sport Pilot testing and certification. The PRA is just too darn small and run by volunteers. The ASC, EAA, AOPA, USUA are not run by volunteers. They can afford to spend all day on the phone talking to someone in Washington D.C. over the wording of an NPRM. Thank goodness the PRA has volunteer people like Ralph Taggart and Greg Gremminger spending their time and money fighting for us in the name of PRA.

Lastly, I vow, as Chapter co-ordinator, that the PRA will have strong chapter benefits and support. Promote the PRA membership drive and we wil all reap the rewards.