Runciman resigns...AGAIN

[Guest airsick]

The insurance problem has been settled. That said, we are now paying premiums that are roughly twice those of last year so it still doesn't look good for the current (and recent past) executive. Bad management has led to our bill being doubled...

 

 

[Admin]

Ian, are you promoting a Nth QLD candidate.

No I am not promoting or endorsing any candidate and it still remains to be seen who will put their hand up but I do promote that the candidates consider what skills they can bring to RAAus that are so desperately needed not just now but for the next few years

 

 

[Pete Greed]

It seems to me that we need a plan first and that should be extracted from the membership in the form of strategic thoughts. This would then guide what ever board is elected in the appointment of an appropriately skilled staff to manage the organisation. The specialist skills required to run a contemporary business/company can be engaged on a short term basis as required. The strategic plan belongs to RAAus. The contract with CASA is a different animal over which we have limited capacity to change.

 

Pete

 

 

[pmccarthy]

As I have said on other posts, we need people who are members of the Australian Institute of Company Directors or people who are willing to undertake the training courses to become members. It is becoming an expectation of not for profit companies of the size and responsibility of RAAus.

 

 

[turboplanner]

The insurance problem has been settled. That said, we are now paying premiums that are roughly twice those of last year so it still doesn't look good for the current (and recent past) executive. Bad management has led to our bill being doubled...

This is VERY critical information to the future of the Association; how can you confirm this?

 

Are board members leaking information to their mates while keeping the membership in the dark?

 

The critical question is WHAT insurance has been settled.

 

The information that insurance had "run out" related to Professional Indemnity Insurance, and the case it had all gone on was said to be the Sting crash, prior to the current case in which RAA is a defendant. It's been kept very quiet, wrongfully in my opinion, what that action was about, who started it and why and whether it in fact should have been claimed against Public liability, in which case there would still have been plenty of Insurance coverage rather than having to reach into the pockets of the members.

 

Since there has been a veil of silence from the board members, we just don't know whether:

 

(a) The actions of the board were correct

 

(b) RAA should not have become involved

 

© It should have been claimed against a Public Liability Policy

 

(d) Whether RAA has a Public Liability policy and if so for what amount of coverage.

 

These are all normally public information in Associations, often being recorded at AGM's, so there was absolutely no reason for secrecy.

 

The reason I ask these questions is that RAA's future turns on them.

 

(a) If both PI AND PL have been renewed, at double the cost, and RAA is stuck with the first claim as PI to $500,000 only and members fund for the rest,

 

from what I've found in terms of written reports, I would think RAA could cover this from members funds. It finds into unsatisfactory management but that's all.

 

If the Sting claim should have been made against PL, then that should be rectified, and instead of a direct drain on members funds there would be a higher premium which would still cost the members less. If RAA should not have been involved in the first Sting issue, the people who caused the problem should be fired.

 

(b) If RAA doesn't have a PL Insurance cover, goodnight

 

© If it does, then the second Sting Crash case in which RAA is a defendant would be covered, and any incoming cases up to the limit, which I would hope would be

 

at least $30 million have a good chance of being covered, in which case the top priority would be in helping the Insurance Company through that bulge.

 

Otherwise RAA will just be rejected by the Insurance Industry as many others have, and it will be goodnight.

 

When you have a PL Insurance company paying out and supporting you, and you are in a high risk industry, with demonstrated poor risk management processes it's like skipping in a razor blade. Therefore, if a series of PL claims DO come up, (and he board members have not indicated there are any cases coming up) then it is necessary to work beside the Insurance company in something like a levy system until the averages drop back to acceptable.

 

That way, thousands of members have the reassurance that they are trusted by the Insurance company who will prevent their houses being taken off them.

 

 

[turboplanner]

I've tried to outline the present scenario very much in a nutshell.

 

I wouldn't be putting any pressure on Ross one way or another, just pointing out the good and bad possibilities.

 

For those who once again have been posting about fancy corporate models, forget it, you can't feed oats to a dead horse.

 

The first and only step that needs to be taken now is to ensure the survival of RAA; and for that you'll have to stop scratching your balls.

 

 

[facthunter]

We need to ensure that all positions are contested ( as a Principle) so they can't just walk into an empty space.

 

Pilot experience or general industry experience is pretty helpful. I can't see it as a disadvantage. We do have a lot of talent in our ranks I am sure to draw from. Total ignorance of how to run meetings and stick to the law and rules is voluntary. Learning "rules of debate and conduct of meetings and precedence of motions " would take about an hour, I notice most councils don't do it right either, but it is basic and required . They can do it if they want to,(or are made to).

 

Being accountable and open is a practice of choice, not necessarily a result of some education process

 

If you need advice it always has to be the BEST available and should be acted upon faithfully or you have wasted your effort, time and money and are potentially you would be liable for the consequences. Nev

 

 

[terryc]

All of the issues raised above relate to the new GM and his staff not who sits on the board. the skill set you are asking for I don't believe is required but ideal of course. Just say I was on the board, I don't need to be in the insurance industry to instruct the GM to get me quotes from our insurance providers and others so the board can choose the best quote with the best coverage. Why wasn't this done 6 months ago and not left until the insurance was due. Our CEO was out of his depth and the board was leaving it up to the excec because they didn't have the support or the balls to stand up to them. This is only one issue, there are many, does the new GM need a side kick on a twelve month contract to help him sort it all out. Don't drive him into the ground and then say he was no good. The board has failed all of their staff by not being on the ball. The extra money spent will be worth it in the end. So what I am saying is fill the board with willing members with a degree in life experiences, an interest in aviation with the balls to speak up and be counted, instruct them in their obligations and get on with it. Don't let the board get involved in GMs job get him help if he needs it. Bring the operations into the 21 century. Make raa an example of how things should be done. Then the board can get on with it's roll which is how it should be.

 

 

[rhysmcc]

Wasn't there a sub-committee formed recently to look into the insurance issue/options for RA-AUS? I assume it was made up of professionals who could provide the right advice?

 

 

[turboplanner]

Wasn't there a sub-committee formed recently to look into the insurance issue/options for RA-AUS? I assume it was made up of professionals who could provide the right advice?

Good point, if you are a member you would be entitled to know who was involved, what it cost, what they recommended, whether that was accepted, and if not, by whom, and what that recommendation was replaced with. (Special note RAA is flooded with board members)

 

 

[farri]

I do promote that the candidates consider what skills they can bring to RAAus that are so desperately needed not just now but for the next few years

For any candidate to know wheather they have the skills required for the position,they must first know what skills are required.

 

I`ve always though the area rep was there to represent the members of the area.

 

Frank.

 

 

[facthunter]

Most of the matters that come up won't be exclusive to the area the rep comes from. Area representation may be a requirement of the approved constitution. (a s I would suggest it is for many "national" bodies)

 

The principle is OK but maybe not always necessary. I would see no reason to get rid of it even if that were possible. I would see experience in working on committees and experience in our field of aviation as a good start. I think the attitudes of the individual to working with others has been a problem., but attitudes and motives are hard to gauge.

 

We have discussed the structure many times and there is work to be done there. Nev Nev

 

 

[turboplanner]

Nev Nev?

 

 

[facthunter]

Must have thought I was in Wagga. Nev x1

 

 

[turboplanner]

Too true

 

 

[skeptic36]

For any candidate to know wheather they have the skills required for the position,they must first know what skills are required.I`ve always though the area rep was there to represent the members of the area.

 

Frank.

I don't think members of an organization like RAAus needs are much different from one end of the country to the other, area representation was necessary back in the day when communication wasn't as simple as it is today. Rather than area representation, I think category representation would be better, i.e rag 'n tube, plastic fantastic, trikes, pilots wives .................

Regards Bill

 

P.S

 

Should have said pilots spouses

 

 

[turboplanner]

I don't think members of an organization like RAAus needs are much different from one end of the country to the other, area representation was necessary back in the day when communication wasn't as simple as it is today. Rather than area representation, I think category representation would be better, i.e rag 'n tube, plastic fantastic, trikes, pilots wives .................Regards Bill

P.S

 

Should have said pilots spouses

I agree with you Bill,

 

I've worked in an Association which had three lots of representation - equivalent to

 

aircraft type

 

geographic location

 

airfield owners/managers

 

Those with a hidden agenda will always work it unless you get on top of it

 

Most of mine would just switch off when the meeting got on to things which didn't concern them effectively

 

Most decisions were unanimous, because I just delayed decisions while we were arguing - so we got well thought out and debated decisions.

 

As far as your suggestion of the spouses having a representative, this would be good to keep other spouses up to date with what it costs to fly.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

I will be running as a canidate, and I bring to the table 29 years of active ultralight flying, experience, and knowledge, PLUS.... about 30 years of business management experience most of it Aviation related.

 

Once again I will say we don't need a posh over-educated clique-group of professionals to make decisions for our future, just people who are passionate enough to truely represent their areas' members, and have the background and knowledge to be able to do so when required.

 

We are running a recreational sporting organization here, working for, and representing the membership, not an international banking consortium. Obviously one also needs to be able to recognize and repel, any unwarranted external pressure (by anyone !) which would seek to sway a board member from making the correct decisions that he feels are the right ones for the organization and above all the members............................................Maj...

 

 

[pmccarthy]

We need experienced directors. A board can tolerate 20% new or unexperienced directors but a majority must be experienced in corporate governance. Much of he discussion around this topic on various threads assumes RAAus is like a footy club or parents association. It is a deeply challenging business and the governance has been undercooked in the past. Maybe 5% of our members have the background to be board members. That doesn't mean hat the other 95% couldn't learn to do it, but they wold need to spend a couple of years in a well-functioning board, and undertake professional training, to learn he ropes.

 

 

[turboplanner]

We need experienced directors. A board can tolerate 20% new or unexperienced directors but a majority must be experienced in corporate governance. Much of he discussion around this topic on various threads assumes RAAus is like a footy club or parents association. It is a deeply challenging business and the governance has been undercooked in the past. Maybe 5% of our members have the background to be board members. That doesn't mean hat the other 95% couldn't learn to do it, but they wold need to spend a couple of years in a well-functioning board, and undertake professional training, to learn he ropes.

The only ones saying it is like a footy club appear have had little involvement in a board of management, and stars in their eyes, but can't get beyond the basic statements as they try again and again to get straight what someone unrelated to RAA told them.

 

It's not a Board of Directors.

 

It just needs some smart people; in fact Major has already scared the sh$t out of me!

 

 

[kaz3g]

For any candidate to know wheather they have the skills required for the position,they must first know what skills are required.I`ve always though the area rep was there to represent the members of the area.

 

Frank.

Frank

 

They are appointed to the Board on the votes of an area so that everyone has a vote of approximately equal value. Once appointed, they are members of a Board which has a duty to act in the best interests of the whole membership...a collegiate rather than a parochial response.

 

Kaz

 

 

[Spriteah]

Great thread, keep it going. Please read up on directors responsibilities before running. And make sure you have plenty of time to commit to "work". It's not about going to a couple of meetings and having your say. It's what you are trying to achieve between the meetings.

 

Jim Tatlock.

 

 

[Tiger]

Are you running again for Victoria Jim ? You have been doing a sterling job over the past months and we need Board members like yourself there to help guide and mentor the new board members.

 

.Looks like the Major is running for North Qld. so that will mean we are starting to get some balance onto the Board to support you.

 

 

[Bandit12]

I will be running as a canidate, and I bring to the table 29 years of active ultralight flying, experience, and knowledge, PLUS.... about 30 years of business management experience most of it Aviation related.Once again I will say we don't need a posh over-educated clique-group of professionals to make decisions for our future, just people who are passionate enough to truely represent their areas' members, and have the background and knowledge to be able to do so when required.

Best of luck with it Maj, I think you will bring something good to the table if you make it there.

 

Be careful of condemning the "posh over-educated clique" types though, as it isn't education that is going to count. Whether you are a PhD or a brickies labourer, what will really count is passion for the area, and willingness to learn what is needed and to ask for help (from the right people with the right knowledge and experience at the right time) when needed. The person with the right attitude will work to get done what needs to be done. The person with the right corporate experience, or the right flying experience, won't necessarily. Give me someone with the right attitude and none of the experience any day over someone with the wrong attitude.

 

 

[pmccarthy]

B12 I agree that a deep understanding of the business we are in (flying) is important, as is attitude. But don't under-rate training and experience for a directorship. It takes more training and experience to be a good director than it does to become a commercial pilot (for example). There is heaps to learn. That is why the top end of town pays such big bucks to directors. Our board must have a majority of such people, perhaps with a couple of trainees coming on.