I agree with everyone's assessment. I fail to understand the Board's actions in light of their fiduciary responsibility to the members It is OUR dues money they're are squandering). I'm at an age where I really couldn't care less about a few more letters after my name but I do care about the profession and what NAFI allegedly stood (past tense!) for. The board's actions are not those of professionals. As an EAA member I have contacted Tom P. and asked that he carefully re-evaluate the relationship with NAFI. As things presently stand I find it to not be in the best interests of EAA to continue the affiliation.
Reprehensible and ludicrous, at best, is this type of behavior by a non-profit organizations board of directors.
How does a Board of Directors become empowered to make decisions on behalf of the organization without the voice of the organization being heard? It is the responsibility of a board of directors to carry out the wishes of it's membership... not the other way around.
How does a Board of Directors become empowered to spend the monies of the members for legal counsel or PR? Provisions for disbursement of funds of any kind should be outlined in the Articles of Incorporation and the By Laws of the organization. Does it allow for legal counsel to be hired... if so it should be directed only for use in the defense of the organization not board members personal liability and if the By Laws are unclear... they must be addressed and changed... the members can call for this action!
Sandy and JoAnn Hill have been the voice,face, and backbone of NAFI. They have exhibited nothing less then absolute professionalism and their dedication to the organization and education of the industry is evident in every lecture, phone call, personal appearance and with the time they spend with each and every pilot that they take the time to greet, answer questions and educate about the organization.
To lose these two would be a very sad event and the impact on the structure of the organization would suffer greatly.
Volunteer boards are just that... volunteer and action from the membership should be able to rectify a board direction and/or replacement ... the responsibility is to that of it's members and the membership should settle for nothing less.
My very best to Sandy and JoAnn.... it is an honor and pleasure to work with you.... and always will be!
Cheryl DeFilippo/Hardy
National FAASTeam Representative of the Year 2007
It is a sad day in the general aviation flight instruction world when two people who have devoted so much time and energy to the industry are forced out of their organization. I am dismayed that the BOD is not being responsive to the membership. I think they will find it very hard to erect the tent at Sun N Fun and Oshkosh without the members and volunteers. But take heart! Life will go on and a new organization will arise.
Jeff Edwards
2003 National Flight Instructor of the Year
