Dick Ripper--Newsletter Editor
Winter Haven, Florida rwripper@verizon.net
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++President--Tom Olson; Vice President -- Luke Bowman;
Treasurer--Warren Krabbe; Secretary----------Ray Mallette
Web Site--Earle Richardson
www.eaa229.org; Young Eagles & Tech Inspection----Mike Bauer (new phone 863-670-0385); Shop Foreman-----Dick Ripper; Membership Chairman--- OPEN----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsletter distribution is via email to each person, an electronic copy on the website and a paper copy on the hanger bulletin board. Target distribution is shortly before the monthly First Saturday meeting. The Newsletter is just
fact, fiction, rumor, a mistake or opinion <G>.NOTICE: Sharing time between the U.K. and Winter Haven, member Peter Davis has volunteered to speak at the First Unofficial 229 Summer Coffee on
Saturday, June 7th at 9am concerning how much better the FAA treats GA in the States versus Europe. Anticipate it to be both interesting and informative. He holds both FAA Commercial Ratings and European (JAA) Instructor and Examiner Ratings."Please reserve a seat (and maybe get a little food treat) by replying to writer. Hopefully we can get dozen or more guys together <G> Another reminder wil be issued near the meeting date.
These are not Minutes but as I heard it from the Last Official Meeting until Fall..
Eighteen members and Jonathan Cook's dad (who suggested a relook at our outside 229 sign) were present. Jonathan won the 50-50 and promptly donated all to the chapter. Warren Krabbe made the treasurer's report and anticipating Mike Bauer's report of this years tiedown sale profit: only $157 (fortunately next year starts with 200 sets paid for already and reduction to 3 carts in order to reduce expenses), suggested the sale of "hillbilly golf" sets which President Tom Olson asked him to demonstrate. A "Graying of the Chapter Membership" comment and the poor tiedown sales caused a lot of bantering back and forth type discussion. As I heard it: Bud Davidson suggested a committee be formed to evaluate imposing a charge (think he said $25-50/month) for extended 229 hanger table/space usage and recommended the current users be "grand fathered". Mike agreed. I believe it was Mel Peck who pointed out how hard it is to evaluate something like a "usage" charge which is very subjective. My comments revolved around using whatever resources or monies are available and keep 229 going as long as they last. Not sure of the context, but my notes indicate a comment comparing the WHPA's flying and financial solvency with 229's inactivity, graying and going broke….Perhaps 229's large overhead and the current volunteers are tired of the continuous, thankless struggle. I know that I am. Somehow Warren became the Study Chairman and is seeking additional committee members beyond Mike, Tom and Jonathan to study the problem and make a report at the next official meeting which would be
10/4/08.Some discussion of membership not belonging to the National was had. After advising that an "associate" membership with no voting or hanger tool/machinery usage (ie: social coffee drinking only) was suggested in previous years, Tom had a concern over insurance and Jonathan agreed to look into it and advise before the Fall meeting. I asked him to advise us in a month or so for the newsletter.
Still lacking a "Membership Chairman" to lighten the load on the treasurer at annual dues time, Mel suggested using the paper slip method of collecting dues and handling new members which he devised years ago as treasurer..
Jack Doke told his story of 9/11 and committed to contacting C. Conner for fresh Compass Rose paints (apparently 4 colors and a special Traffic type). City supplied it the last time. Jack will issue an email later asking for volunteers. Since we helped last time, hopefully new people would step up this time.. Earle Richardson was acknowledged for doing a good job on the website. Jim's wife Ronnie Campbell, sent some more cookies over which disappeared rapidly.