NSW Election results are up on the RAAus Website

[Guest Andys@coffs]

http://www.raa.asn.au/2013/08/a-c-t-n-s-w-no-2-group-b-election-results/

 

Well done to those that threw their hat in the ring!

 

Andy

 

 

[DonRamsay]

Congratulations Mick Monck! A well deserved win. RA-Aus is much the better for having a person with your qualifications, experience and skills join the Board.

 

Thanks also to the other candidates for making this a genuine exercise of democracy as opposed to the situations where, too often, Board Members have been returned unopposed.

 

This sets a standard for all regions to emulate: a number of strong candidates offering their services to the RA-Aus membership.

 

Mick, we look forward to hearing from you in future on your progress against the matters you mentioned in your pre-election statement particularly improved communication and good governance.

 

 

[Guest airsick]

Thanks for the congrats Don and Andy, more importantly, thanks to those who nominated and to those who voted. And when I say voted I don't just mean for me. For a long time it has worried me that people weren't interested in the way their organisation was being run but this time round we had some people stand up and voice their need and others vote for the same.

 

There are some notable things that need changing in RA-Aus and some notable things that have already changed. I'm truly hoping that this election is only the beginning of a new future for all of us and we can build a better organisation that'll do us proud for many more years.

 

I also hope to stay in touch and communicate with members via a number of mediums including this forum, email, web and, where possible, in person. And by members I mean anyone that is interested in talking. The way I see it we all have the same interests and passions at heart so no matter where you are or who you, feel free to pick up the phone and have a chat - 0419 244 794.

 

Cheers,

 

Michael.

 

 

[Guest Andys@coffs]

There were still some disappointing aspects to the vote.

 

Firstly 360ish voters......if we assume that roughly proportional representation for NSW which is 3 of 13 board members then roughly 3/13ths of approx. 10,000 members are NSW based. That is approx. 2300 people. If 360 of them voted then that still only represents 15% voter turn out.......I wish it was higher........and I suspect that 2300 for NSW is probably on the low side so 15% may well be optimistic at best.........

 

Secondly even though it is known (but perhaps nots understood) that you need to identify as much as possible from 1 to N on your vote form, it was clear that after the lower runners were removed and votes for those candidates then moved to 2nd or 3rd or 4th preferences that many hadn't actually provided the alternate preferences. At the beginning we had circa 360 voters bothered to enter, of those 25 were informal (perhaps forgetting their membership number??) at the end Mick was first past the post with 144 votes of 285......so we started with 360 but ended with 285.......as a percentage that's a bit unattractive..... 47 valid votes didn't have sufficient 2nd/3rd/4th etc. preferences to still be considered at the end.....Seems a shame to go to the trouble of voting but to have the vote discarded before a determination is made...

 

Still that is better than "elected unopposed"

 

 

[Oscar]

Firstly, great to see Michael Monck elected - new blood, expertise, a good beginning to breaking the 'old boy' paradigm that got us to the situation as at the start of this year. Michael plus the SQ members already elected de facto, (and in this case at least, 'elected unopposed' is no bad thing) bodes well. I'm personally a bit disappointed to see the low number of votes for Barry Wrenford - also a damn good candidate,as anybody who knows Barry would agree.

 

Andy's point about the voter turn-out is worthy of deep consideration. For all the expressions of allegiance to 'democracy' we have had on this forum, it is painfully obvious that 'democracy' is not an issue of concern to the vast majority of RAA members. I believe that the conclusion to be drawn from that is this: what most operators/pilots of RAA aircraft want, is effective and efficient administration of the issues that affect their activities.

 

How many similar expressions of voter concern will it take to dispel the idea that RAA should be some sort of 'super-club' of like-minded aviation enthusiasts, with a metaphorical secret handshake and white silk-scarf insignia? That is the province of the various clubs - of which I am a member of one, not even remotely adjacent to me! Social contact, the provision of good facilities etc. is a Club matter. I value my Club membership - but what I personally want from RAA is the most cost-effective conduit for the processing of all the compliance issues we must meet, because the nature of our activities requires an 'authority' that exercises the exemptions granted by CASA for our activities.

 

The simple conclusion is: RAA needs to be the over-arching body that ensures compliance with the regulations by which we have to abide. The foremost concern of the new Board should be to deliver an organisation that does that - and nothing more, at this stage. Get that aspect right and perhaps there is room for RAA to also be more - but at the moment it has monumentally failed in its primary obligation to members.

 

 

[DonRamsay]

We were certainly spoiled for choice in the NSW/ACT election. This makes it even harder to understand the low voter turnout. I know a lot of members who said that they didn't know enough about the candidates to choose one to vote for. We need to give members a better chance to know the candidates. This means more than half a page of text in the Magazine. Something for the new Board to think about, in time. Not just a question of attracting more and better candidates but giving the members the knowledge to cast a vote with confidence.

 

 

[FlyingVizsla]

We have no means of "contesting" statements. The official candidate statement will read "I'm the best thing since sliced bread, flown everything and been on the board for years", but there is no suitable way for someone to contest that. Waiting for the magazine seems to be wasting time. A direct mail-out is quicker and allows people to start thinking and asking earlier.

 

Maybe we need to give the candidates a budget; one or two mail outs to voters to wage their campaigns? Unfortunately it might get to a "dirty laundry" situation, but might also bring out more voters. An election forum on the Members Only Portal could also achieve better discussion, but I wonder how many people would get on it - there isn't much to bring me back daily or even weekly at present.

 

Sue

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Sue, As highlighted by one of your posts recently, the election statements for the NQ elections are on the members only section on the RAA website, as of last week I believe. There is plenty of time for people to meet and greet the current canidates, prior to making their decision and casting a vote. The statements for the NSW canidates were in a past magazine, and there was also ample time for decisions to be made there. Don't see this being a problem at all , and if it is it's not all the RAAs fault as the canidates have to get their details to them in the first place, by the due date......additionally there was a lot of discussion re the NSW canidates on this forum alone............Maj...

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Most canidates also include their contact details including Email address, so if a voter is interested they are welcome to personally contact the canidate via Email or phone.......The canidates statement doesn't really need to be 'contested'. It is that canidates best shot at presenting himself with his relevant experience. It would not be appropriate for someone else to write it would it ?? Maj...

 

 

[turboplanner]

candidates

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

C-a-n-d-i-d-a-t-e-s......thanks teacher, on the board 100 times ok.......................

 

 

[biggles]

candidates

It's a wonder Dazza 38 didn't get onto that one . !

 

Bob

 

 

[turboplanner]

He must be watching TV

 

 

[fly_tornado]

An election forum on the Members Only Portal could also achieve better discussion, but I wonder how many people would get on it - there isn't much to bring me back daily or even weekly at present.Sue

Would you settle for having your planes flying again? Once the RAA can get back to meeting its basic obligations again no one will care who is on the board.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Would you settle for having your planes flying again? Once the RAA can get back to meeting its basic obligations again no one will care who is on the board.

Ah your negativity knows no bounds FT.....we need to change that to DT.....doubting Thomas.................Maj...

 

 

[fly_tornado]

If you get the rep position for FNQ will you commit to publish detailed voting statistics, to prove me wrong? say from 2008 onwards?

 

 

[turboplanner]

Would you settle for having your planes flying again? Once the RAA can get back to meeting its basic obligations again no one will care who is on the board.

You've told Major this in post #14, yet in #15 you're trying to get his focus OFF the basic obligations and on to some bizarre treasure hunt for detailed voting statistics from 2008 onwards? And he's not your representative, speaking about which the people who represent you have been remarkably silent for some time - maybe you should look them up?

 

 

[facthunter]

With planes when a dire situation presents itself, you do the ESSENTIAL things first, and the others if you have time. Nev

 

 

[dazza 38]

It's a wonder Dazza 38 didn't get onto that one . ! Bob

It is because I have only just logged on and I missed it.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

You've told Major this in post #14, yet in #15 you're trying to get his focus OFF the basic obligations and on to some bizarre treasure hunt for detailed voting statistics from 2008 onwards? And he's not your representative, speaking about which the people who represent you have been remarkably silent for some time - maybe you should look them up?

The treasure hunt is to find why the members don't care about the RAA. I doubt that will change without some effort.

 

 

[facthunter]

Maybe you have convinced them it is a waste of time, as they are beyond help. Isn't that the message? Nev

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

You'll find FT that they care about the RAA when they want something !......no wonder voting was made compulsory in this country, we'd be in a hell of a mess if it wasn't. As far as voter statistics go, I would expect that if somebody had taken the time to file them, then you, as a paid up member should have the right to view them.

 

However, I don't expect that I would have the time or inclination to chase them down just for you FT, I'm assuming there would be way more important things to garnish my attention, even if you were in my area of representation .................Maj...

 

 

[fly_tornado]

The 90% of members in FNQ that don't vote are saying something. You just choose to ignore it.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

We'll hold you to that number FT and see if that's the case this time around...otherwise you'll eat humble pie..and by the way, unlike you, I'm not in the habit of ignoring much............Maj...

 

 

[Oscar]

The treasure hunt is to find why the members don't care about the RAA. I doubt that will change without some effort.

That assumes that the existence, form, substance and rationale of RAA is the primary concern of the vast majority of ultralight aircraft owners. I suggest, with the evidence of the voting statistics, that it is NOT a major concern for most ultralight pilots/operators. What the majority of owner want is the best-priced service available to keep them flying safely and legally. They (and I am amongst them) are not interested if their aircraft can continue to fly because it is backed by a wise, democratic, paternal or whatever organisation.

 

Aero clubs provide a fine 'community' structure. For most owners andpilots, RAA is simply a mechanism to ensure their aircraft can keep flyng. Perhaps this is the essential message that the voter turn-out broadcasts - and RAA needs to listen to that message.