The workgroup identified the challenge of addressing a 7.5% attrition rate in membership renewals at a time when there is a 5% organic growth rate (500 pilots/yr) in new pilots joining USHPA. In order to meet the objectives of the strategic plan, it is pointed out that USHPA will need a 15% growth rate, effectively tripling the organic growth through new pilots.

I wonder if this counts the two years that they've already lost. A look further into the minutes says nope. They have moved this target out to 2018. And instead of going from 10,000 to 20,000, it's now a 19,000 membership target.

MOTION: (Steve Kroops/Mark Forbes) To Override the Competition Committee's rejection of the Big Springs Hang Gliding Meet and approve the revised bid for sanctioning delivered by David Glover on March 16, 2008. Steve Kroop speaks in favor of the bid. Connie Locke speaks on behalf of Mike Haley in opposition to a sanctioned meet because it is one week and a considerable distance from the already-sanctioned US Hang Gliding Nationals and the application did not provide complete financial information. Jim Zeiset speaks against the motion due, in part, to incomplete financial information. Following a call for question.

These last two people are complete idiots (and have been for quite a while). Why would they wish to punish competition hang glider pilots and meet organizers who put on the meets for their benefit? There are too many meets? Give me a break. Mike Haley, competition committee chairman and competing meet organizer wrote re the Big Spring Internationals:

Therefore as Competition Committee Chair, I respectfully deny this bid.

Can you say conflict of interest?