maxtrack-cdn 0 #1 May 16, 2007 Does anyone remember this Canpara Editorial? October 2002 Canpara Editorial (unpublished) Many moons ago I asked our readers to submit letters describing how CSPA could better serve its members and what it would take to have you be a CSPA volunteer. Given there was an opportunity to win a free skydive, I was surprised by the very low response and began discussing this with CSPA members in person, by telephone and by e-mail. I learned many people did not respond as they did not feel it would make any difference. Others felt comments critical of CSPA would not be printed. I also discovered there is a growing lack of respect for CSPA. This may well explain why CSPA membership is declining, and why volunteers are hard to find. How did it get this way? First let me set the stage for this discussion. The following is a fabricated scenario composed of incidents from various CSPA affiliated drop zones: After making his first jump, Mr. Numpty falls in love with skydiving. He buys a drop zone, he acquires some old student gear, leases a skydiving aircraft, complete with an AOC and appropriately rated pilot. He affiliates with CSPA and, voila, Mr. Numpty is a drop zone operator. Mr. Numpty has no experience running a drop zone, yet he dictates what will or will not be done. He finds someone to pack the reserves even after deciding the AADs need not be serviced as per the manufacturers requirements. He also allows un-rated skydivers to work as instructors. Mr. Numpty prominently displays CSPA affiliation on all advertizing media and soon begins dropping students from his aircraft. When CSPA rated instructors confront Mr. Numpty regarding CSPA rule violations, Mr. Numpty asks them to leave his drop zone. The instructors then discover there is nothing to stop Mr. Numpty from running his substandard CSPA drop zone indefinitely. You might be thinking, how could the above possibly happen? It might surprise you to discover, despite the huge investment of volunteer time and economic resources to maintain the Basic Safety Rules and Technical Recommendations, CSPA officially has no desire to enforce the BSRs or Tech Recs. The current CSPA Board of Directors recently confirmed this policy. Based on conversations with current and former members, the fact CSPA makes rules it does not enforce seems to have caused a loss of credibility and respect. This may help explain declining membership and few volunteers. It seems virtually everyone wants CSPA to chart a new course but few know how to promote the changes they desire. There are two ways you can influence the direction of CSPA. One method is to become a Regional Director. An election will be held this coming spring for the Western, Ontario and Eastern regions. (see page x for details) Your next option is to form a member group. A region with 500 members and 5 member groups has less power than a region with 100 members and 20 member groups. British Columbia has strongly influenced CSPA for more than a decade because it brings so many votes to each AGM. It does this with member groups. You only need 5 CSPA members to form a member group and exercise your vote at the next AGM. If you want to see changes in the way CSPA operates, you need to get involved! Stay Healthy Allen Roulston Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #2 May 16, 2007 Sounds like the USPA. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #3 May 16, 2007 Mr. Allen Roulston are you a member of CSPA? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxtrack-cdn 0 #4 May 16, 2007 No Sir, wouldn't consider giving CSPA any of my hard earned money. They have no integrity, they publish volumous rules and when an individual member collides with a DZ working outside the rules, they leave the member hanging out to piss into the wind. Why do you ask? Stay Healthy, ~ Allen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #5 May 16, 2007 Quote Why do you ask? I ask only to show the members and moderators who are not familiar with you, that you are nothing but a troll. Welcome to DZ.com btw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxtrack-cdn 0 #6 May 16, 2007 Well, by that standard all posts are trolls, right? I mean, I offer something up for discussion and someone answers. Communication. Trolling would be somewhat different don't you think? For example, if I were to say DZ XYZ has a pilot who is a Crack Addict, when in fact is was not true, that would be closer to a Troll, right? Stay Healthy ~ Allen YOU WROTE: I ask only to show the members and moderators who are not familiar with you, that you are nothing but a troll. Welcome to DZ.com btw. THX 4 THE WELCOME ~ Allen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imdskydiver 0 #7 May 17, 2007 Man Your venting your anger today , I have 17 messages in my mail box today from you through the CSPA chat list venting the same anger . get over the fact that you were fired as CSPA editor and get on with your life . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #8 May 17, 2007 QuoteDoes anyone remember this Canpara Editorial? October 2002 Canpara Editorial (unpublished) If you want to see changes in the way CSPA operates, you need to get involved! Stay Healthy Allen Roulston I'm confused. If it was "unpublished," then how could folks remember it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #9 May 17, 2007 Quote Quote Does anyone remember this Canpara Editorial? October 2002 Canpara Editorial (unpublished) If you want to see changes in the way CSPA operates, you need to get involved! Stay Healthy Allen Roulston I'm confused. If it was "unpublished," then how could folks remember it? Don't go getting all logical there! I'm guessing we dreamed about it. Your guess?? 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coconutmonkey 0 #10 May 17, 2007 Not like USPA... Their membership is in Canadian $$ so it's only gonna get, like, half the service.... > Hearts & Minds 2 to the Heart- 1 to the Mind- Home of the Coconut Lounge, Spa, & Artillery Range Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrBrant 0 #11 May 17, 2007 Quote Not like USPA... Their membership is in Canadian $$ so it's only gonna get, like, half the service.... > Yeah, but do you guys get a free can of maple syrup with your membership? I didn't think so! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #12 May 17, 2007 t's also a repost from about a day ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
