http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12798

Over the years the USHPA EC and BOD have taken actions that have caused concern and often anger among some USHPA members. I ask the question of whether the USHPA would benefit from going back, looking at these incidents and apologizing for them. I suggest that such a review and an examination of the things that were done that shouldn't have been done in the way they were would help the USHPA restore trust with its membership.

I don't think that it serves the interests of the USHPA, EC or BOD, to continue to stonewall, and justify their actions when they have been shown to be, well, let's say, they could have done a better job. All of us make mistakes, and it always does us good to admit them up front. But I have never seen the USHPA EC or BOD recognize this problem (if I am wrong about this, please point out my error). They have always proven to be defensive. See Mark's comments at the thread above.

I have always been a supporter of the USHPA (and USHGA), but I have always asked for reforms. Others want to destroy it. I want just to make it better.

Wouldn't an apology been a first good step?

One big area of concern for me is the attitude of the USHPA EC and BOD toward David Glover, the US's best hang gliding meet organizer. I find the USHPA is very ignorant of competition in general (yes, I am aware that Lisa runs a nice little regional meet at King Mountain) and really has never come to grips with how much good David Glover does for the sport (we don't need plaques, we need real understanding).

The USHPA BOD almost didn't sanction the Big Spring Internationals, this meet. What is up with that? Was it animosity toward David Glover? The fact that the Big Spring Internationals and the Nationals were scheduled one week apart (the USHPA is specifically prevented by its own rules from dealing with competition dates)? What exactly?

They sent Jim Zeiset to the 2007 Worlds to give a very poor speech to "welcome" the Worlds competitors to the US. It was a disgrace. It shamed us all in front of all our friends from around the world.

I would hope that the USHPA would take this opportunity for a little self examination. I do this as a friend of the USHPA (although I doubt that they agree that I am).