US Team Sweepstakes results

All A good effort but with disappointing results. Heartfelt thanks to all who participated, to those that gave generously, and congratulations to the winners. There's no doubt in my mind that the donation count was impacted by the SSA's troubles - too many people couldn't separate the US Team from the SSA when they thought about giving. Particularly disgraceful are those who entered without making a donation - don't know what was going through their minds. In any case, this just points up the need to reach out to the SSA membership non-stop with our message: - US Team Task Force has completely reorganized and strengthened our international efforts - a great effort by competition pilots for competition pilots - The financials of the US Team are handled separately from the SSA - when you give, all of it goes to the Team - Pilots have taken on a very significant portion of the costs of participation under the 'defined benefit' approach - We have many more competitions with many more pilots participating than in the past - the richest, most aviation minded country on the planet should be represented at all - The US Team is committed to giving back the maximum to the sport - the example KS is setting with the 'reverse ranking' contest at Miflin last year, staffed by many current and former Team members, is one of the very best of many initiatives - We've got great Teams going to Poland, to the World Class and to the Juniors competitions this summer - they deserve our support

It is interesting to compare this with the results of a recent mailing in Region 12 to raise funds to cover the expenses of our two Directors. Subtracting out the mailing expenses, the Region 12 effort raised about $3,500, with an average donation of $31 per peson. By comparision, the numbers below indicate that a national fund raising campaign for the US Team made $3,076, with an average donation of $35

Until the SSA truly cleans house its going to get worse and worse.

Can't say I have any sympathy for the SSA until it gets its finger out and replaces the other people directly involved with the latest issues. My regional director wants to sit on the fence till the elections in September. The membership needs to see action now to stop the rot.

Maybe they should rename the eagle fund drive the anvil fund drive. 'Fly like and Anvil....' sung to steve miller

Al

Doug;

I think the economy is having a major impact ; Here in Silicon Valley we've had the worst semiconductor recession in recorded history and we're not out of the woods yet.

'Guilt by association' with the SSA may be a factor , but I think you've got a double whammy going on..

I know my charitable donations have reduced across the board , and our sport does not really register high on the 'moral obligation' clap-o-meter. Just my 2 cents worth.

Best

28% of last year

19.7% of last year. This is the reason. More people gamble when the prize is large. See the action on the lottery when the prize gets large.

Doug, that's a gratuitious and condescending remark.

Here's what was going through MY mind when I opened the solicitation (and responded WITHOUT a donation): 1. Sure, I'd like to have a prize 2. I'm a superannuitant with limited resources 3. I contribute thousands of dollars annually, real money and in-kind, to various activities promoting soaring (no, I'm not talking about my personal machines or fees!) 4. The brochure makes a point that 'no contribution is necessary'. 5. AhA!! I'll treat this like any other unsolicited request for funds that offers some prize.

It is not at all disgraceful to follow the rules . . . and the 'SSA flap' had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Jim Kellett Chief CFI, Skyline Soaring Club Chair, Classic Division, Vintage Sailplane Association Captain, Civil Air Patrol 'If Flying Were the Language of Man, Soaring Would be its Poetry'