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[QUOTE=Applehoney;1332560]> the 35 would also include all those who "tried out for a team" and includes the ones that made it and those that didn't as well?

Broadly speaking - yes      The $50 FAI Sporting license is required  of anyone competing in an FAI event - not necessarily a trials for team selection.

> those who choose to do something they have to love doing is somehow a sacrifice and a burden

Who has said it was a sacrifice and a burden?  They pay out quite large sums to attend a World Championships, not only to fly and compete with their peers - the worlds' best - in their chosen field but also to represent Canada on the world scene,  MAAC  and even .. YOU! Assuming you have any interest whatsoever in the achievements of your fellow countrymen in this sport, which on the face of things, seems unlikely.

These people travel to various far flung parts of the world for this purpose. They do it willingly so it's hardly a sacrifice or burden ...  but at least MAAC recognises their enterprise, skills and ability and allocates a sum - some part of which is donated by members who also care - to defray some of their expenses.

Now you and others would rather that not be so - or even that MAAC cease to be a member of the FAI through the Aero Club - so you have no concern that we would lose members of exceptional ability through lack of support and opportunity.  If FAI membership was retained but with no travel subsidy, would the membership recognise and support those representing Canada and MAAC at World level and happily toss  $20 .. $50 .. $100  .. or whatever donation into a fund to assist them to bring a sense of pride and achievement to all for their efforts on behalf of their/your country and organisation?  Would you? Or just not care less because what they do is not your 'thing' ?

I do not fly FAI .. it's not my 'thing' but I have respect for those that do and pride in their achievements, no matter what their discipline might be.    I fly other non-FAI events in the United States several times a year and I do not consider the total expenses of several thousand dollars a burden .. but on the other hand I'm not spending such just to fly solely in one event somewhere in the world every two years, as do those of greater ability than me - and you - and I do not begrudge them the limited financial support that MAAC provides, directly and indirectly.[/QUOTE]

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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-08-2013 08:59 AM

Applehoney

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Losing track of things, Ken?

Almost two weeks ago ... "Past President Resigns" Page 48, Post # 474 dated March 26th.

04-08-2013 07:25 AM

cf100

Re: MAAC Resolutions

I heard passed at the AGM, the past president does not get a vote on the executive, true?

04-05-2013 12:14 PM

MikeCam

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Quote:

Originally Posted by Applehoney

Hey - send every member a cheque for $5.00 and all will be happy !

Problem solved

Yup that cup of coffee analogy never gets old does it.

How about this, the Manitoba/Northwest Ontario Zone spends it's ZD funds on an event. Over the week that event is attended by over 100 pilots and 2500 spectators. Keep in mind this is ONLY one zone, imagine if something like this was accomplished Canada wide. Sorry boys but no competition either, just a whole lot of fun had by a bunch of sport flyers. What this event does to promote MAAC and the hobby is easy to see.

Boy that $46,000.00 spent for the 35 FAI flyers sure promotes the hobby now doesn't it.

04-05-2013 10:34 AM

Applehoney

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Hey - send every member a cheque for $5.00 and all will be happy !

Problem solved

04-05-2013 10:30 AM

MikeCam

Re: MAAC Resolutions

MAAC has a HUGE reserve fund for rainy days. Isn't it about time a couple of pennies of it could be re-directed to some of our more able FAI competitors? I had a look at the FAI expenditures and for 2013 the FAI budget has been reduced from $48,400 (per the 2012 budget) to $46,500. A completely backwards step in my honest opinion. Hence my proposal to modestly increase the FAI funding at the AZM sometime this fall to be effective for the FAI competition season in 2015 after the spring 2014 AGM

MAAC has what 9000 members, of which 35 FAI competitors share this year as you say in $46,000.00. Talk about putting the money where it does the most good. Sorry but I know MAAC could find a better way to spend $46,000.00 to benefit all 9000 members and not just 35.

04-05-2013 01:15 AM

4*60

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjohnson

I do believe that this surplus is real. It was in MAAC's financial report of 2012 that was professionally and independently audited by Beckett Lowden Reid, LLP. You will find confirmation of this in the preamble to the report printed on page 22, March 2013 issue of Model Aviation Canada. I just took the time to run through and add up/subtract all the income/expenditure lists and their numbers are right on the money (pardon the pun). If you say there has been an error, could you please verify exactly where this occured and provide evidence for same.

MAAC has a HUGE reserve fund for rainy days. Isn't it about time a couple of pennies of it could be re-directed to some of our more able FAI competitors? I had a look at the FAI expenditures and for 2013 the FAI budget has been reduced from $48,400 (per the 2012 budget) to $46,500. A completely backwards step in my honest opinion. Hence my proposal to modestly increase the FAI funding at the AZM sometime this fall to be effective for the FAI competition season in 2015 after the spring 2014 AGM.

It is my opinion that MAAC should perhaps get back to it's roots and one of these roots was planted in competition which has been admittedly on the downturn for the last few years. I also have a few more ideas to generate some regional competition but I must consult with some of my competition collegues for the validity of these ideas. Standby for further on this.

Thank you for reading this.

MJ

Where did I say the surplus wasn't real. It was created by errorr and fees were raised beyond where needed. In fact. MAAC is getting actionfor amount of funds. Why not lower fees for the people who created the excess?

04-04-2013 10:43 PM

Sharpy01

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Can you feel the love?

So, as a result of this discussion, I've given serious thought to try and come up with something that avoids the bombshell politics of the two sides, takes advantage of a surplus position, allows access to anyone or any event organizers motivated to justify assistance.

It also has potential to significantly increase available funds while keeping an eye on long term planning.

It may be the wine,but I think I have a framework for something that both sides could live with. I'LL post the first draft on a new thread shortly for discussion.

Seriously, give it the critical eye, but not the usual Sharpe ' s an evil destructive force nonsense.

....standby

04-03-2013 03:53 PM

ronnieo

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Nice goin' guys...positive thinking ......for once...

04-03-2013 01:32 PM

Good Grief

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Likin' all this positive stuff! Zone workshops for all diciplines of RC. Getting the FAI guys rubbin' shoulders with the newcomers (future movers and shakers), without just having to figure it out on their own. May lead to more people feeling the urge to compete.

The costs don't have to be completely covered by MAAC. Heck, i'd drive a few hundred mile to rub shoulders, and learn from someone like Chad, Michi or any of the other folks on our FAI F3A team.

04-03-2013 01:18 PM

mjohnson

Re: MAAC Resolutions

Quote:

Marc's original question still remains unanswered. Is the FAI team fund the most useful use of that money for promoting the hobby in Canada or benefiting the most current members?

Given the MAAC surplus of $147,414 it is my opinion that yes, the money spent on the ACC and FAI was an excellent use of that money.

Just about every FAI international competitor that I know or know of, (which are quite a few) have been very active in their own regions. THEY are the ones putting in countless hours of volunteer work to run regional competitions and be Contest Directors of same which, I can tell you from experience, is a huge effort. These efforts are largely ones you really never hear about in national MAAC news. THEY are the individuals giving back to the local membership in a very large way. This is all above the many, many hours of relentless practise it takes to become a world class competitor. My hat is off to them. The small stipend that is currently provided for their FAI travel is really a pity. All my opinion of course.

Quote:

Unless better uses are proposed, those are the best uses. So how about coming up with fresh ideas to reflect the changing times?

Please see Mr Richard Barlow's post #195 and my post #198. I agree with you. Promotion for competition has become relatively stagnant over the last while and I for one would certainly like to see this change. Call it competition marketing if you will.

Quote:

What if there was a fund for equipment to be used for a summer camp for kids?

What if there was a fund for traveling to schools for demos (or for groups of kids to come to the field)?

Two very good ideas Dan! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.

Quote:

What if there was more support (prizes or trophies) for grassroots competitions outside of FAI events? And regular nationwide standings published online?

This is what I think should happen as well. I absolutely love your idea on posting nationwide standings online and I would go one further and suggest publishing them in our Model Aviation Canada magazine. I think people would get excited about comps if they could see their name up in lights. Only my opinion though. May I use your suggestion to put on my MAAC wishlist?

FAI international competition is an extremely important part of MAAC heritage and I (as you probably have deduced) am very passionate about it. I think it should be made a priority to support and increase funding towards these efforts, not to try and stifle and destroy it as others would prefer.

On the other hand, it is also of my opinion that regional and even club level competition is just as important. For some, it gives a reason and something to strive for within this hobby/sport instead of randomly boring holes in the sky. It will take a bit of work but it is my hope that MAAC can contribute to these just as important activities. Back to the roots of what MAAC was all about in the beginning and why it was formed.

Thanks for the positive ideas.

Cheers

MJ

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