Nov ’05 President’s Message:

 

Since I can’t make the meeting this month, I will cover what I had in mind here.

But, before I start, I just want to make a comment on the fellowship exhibited by our members. It is something that I hear on a regular basis, especially from new members, and our club is known for it. These same new members generally reciprocate once they become club members. Case in point, a couple weekends ago I showed up in the early afternoon … just in time for hors d’oeuvres. Yes, that is correct, hors d’oeuvres! Venison wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection on the Hubbard grill prepared and served up by our new members Steve and Bret Hangley. It was absolutely delectable and a most selfless gesture, like we’re known for. Thanks guys, but you set a most challenging precedent … yum! J

One of the more important pieces of business is our 3^rd annual Santa Cops Toy Fly-in on Saturday Dec 10^th. Our goal this year is to better our previous successes. Once again, we are doing it in conjunction with our friends at D.E.A.F. and will be starting earlier and running two flight-lines for the whole day. More pilots and more flying should equate to more toys! Encourage your family and friends to support us with a donation (gift or cash).

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have left many families with nothing and the need is greater than it ever has been. We have to show our generosity this year … we are so blessed … the kids need us!

You can bet a part of this by participating in the Fun-Fly as a pilot. Or, you can come as spectator and bring some toys just because you care. Or, you can make a cash donation which we will pool and use to buy even more gifts for the kids. The entry fee is one gift but, hey, you’re most welcome to bring as many as you can carry! Last year Andy Van Vooren brought a large 4 cu.ft. box full of toys! If you can’t make it out on Saturday, Dec 10^th, I will gladly accept your gift at my house or we will come and get it from your house and take it for you. Call me.

Wendell is getting things organized again and will speak more on this at the meeting. Even if you can’t make the meeting, we could still use your help for the event. We need all kinds of help running things during the day and bringing some things that are needed. PLEASE let Wendell know (gwhtoo@sbcglobal.net) that you’d like to help out and he’ll assign you some tasks. Don’t leave it to the last minute as it makes planning very tough when you don’t know whom you can count on. We will need baking, Xmas snacks, music, a sound system, volunteers to man the impound, a volunteer to man the camp stove for coffee and hot chocolate, and folks to man the flight-lines and collect the “entry fees”, to name a few …

Let me once again remind you that the December meeting is our annual elections. Here are the candidates so far:

            ELECTED POSITION CANDIDATES:

President                      Darrell Barabash

            Vice-President              Len Minco

            Secretary/Treasurer      Wendell Hubbard

            Newsletter Editor          Dick Lessard

 

If you have an interest in any of these positions or in participating on one of the many committees, please let me know. It is a great way to get to know more of the members and do a service for the benefit of all members and non-members alike. And, it is fun besides.

The Lease papers are still in the works although we have sent in our fee based on the previous rate. The Corps has been swamped with work due to the hurricanes and I’ve been assured that the revised lease is progressing without issues.

The Trophy Club field is moving along. The Corps has reaffirmed the concept that we had pitched nearly two years ago and the City of Trophy Club has approved the project. I understand from David Vilbig that the property is (or already has) been cleared and will then be surveyed so that the leveling and more extensive clearing can begin.

It is time for your Club renewals again. The waiting list is lengthy so it is imperative that you get your renewal in on time and complete. Consider going “Inactive” if you are a Regular member and cannot fulfill your obligation to participate in running the club. Send in your AMA as soon as your finish reading this and fill out your Club renewal too. A copy of the form is included in this newsletter, is available on the web site and will be available at the meeting.

So that there is no confusion here, if you are late getting in your renewal you are “in arrears” as of Jan 1^st and irrevocably struck from the roster Feb 1^st. These requirements are set forth in the By-laws and we don’t have the latitude to make exceptions to them.

One point of confusion is the Family membership. The Bylaws state that this is only available to Regular members and we missed fixing that when we amended them. While we can’t technically offer a “Family” membership to Associates because of this, we can waive the fee for any other immediate family members that reside in the same household as the initial Associate member. And, that’s exactly what we will do. Check both the “Family” and “Associate” membership boxes if this pertains to you.

Finally, the December meeting is a “Must Attend” event for you and your entire family. Mark it on your calendar and make attending this one meeting a point even if you can’t come to any other club meetings. Besides the elections, we ask everyone to bring Xmas treats or party snacks (hot or cold) or beverages to share with everyone. I will bring the Eggnog as has been the tradition. The feast we have had each year is not to be missed! In addition to the elections we will appoint the new committee chairs, recognize the outgoing members and recognize any new pilots (make sure we know that you solo’d this year!). After the formal part we encourage everyone to just hang around for a bit and visit. We often have (ex)members and folks we haven’t seen in a long time drop in too. So, come one, come all, to the 114^th RC Aero Squadron Xmas meeting and social event, Tuesday, December 13th.