TALESPINNERS - January, 2002

EAA Chapter 174
Chartered since 1966

TALESPINNERS
January, 2002


Fly-out Lunch at Lumberton, Ohio, "68 Family Diner".

From the President

This is the first of at least 12 articles I will be writing in the newsletter in the next year. I should feel lucky. My article will probably be published every month regardless of how bad it is. Bob Porter left some big shoes to fill. I'll try to do my best.

I was encouraged at the Christmas party by the attendance. We had 90 chapter members and their significant family members enjoy the fellowship and festivities. It was also for me a significant day marking the beginning of my term as chapter president. The party has caused me to focus my thoughts on goals for 2002 for chapter 174. We will be discussing some ideas at the board meeting and chapter meeting on January 20. The wide angle view as I see it right now looks something like this: Along with EAA national's push to increase membership, I think we should continue our past trend at building our membership. I have a few ideas in this area and will be seeking help from the chapter. Our chapter finances, although healthy, have not grown over the last two years. Fund raising both large and small scale will be considered and again we will need everyone to pitch in with ideas and hands on activity. There may be a chapter project in our future, as more members are expressing interest in this area and fund raising will probably be necessary. The fly-outs are by every account a success. The goal here is to keep the ball rolling and try to increase participation to include as many members of our chapter as we can. These are truly enjoyable, interesting events and I hope everyone in the chapter understands that it's for all of us, whether you fly or not. Mike Franzago and Lee Jewell are our flyout 'Captains', so let them know if there is a destination you think we should fly to. Our Young Eagles rallys will be planned out over the next couple of months and I encourage everyone to get involved and give the young people who attend our event a memory they won't forget. Gary Collins has always done an excellent job of providing an interesting program at our meetings, but doing so every month can be a challenge as you can imagine. If you have any ideas, particularly if you can do something besides make a suggestion; Gary would like to hear from you.

I am also encouraged by our board of directors. In addition to the chapter officers, Tim Fry, Norm Beaudette, Dave Robertson, and past president Bob Porter, I've asked Mike Franzago, George Elbel, Tom Jenkins, and Todd Winemiller. They all accepted and I think we have a very well rounded group. Board meeting times have not been set yet. The first one will be prior to the first chapter meeting on the 20th at noon. Other meeting times will be decided then or may vary, depending on scheduling conflicts. Any chapter member can attend a board meeting; they just can't participate if there is a vote.
This year could have been disastrous if everyone in our chapter not actively involved in some form of general aviation would have just given up and found another interest after September 11. That's not what happened. Attendance at our meetings and fly-outs has never been better. Let's keep doing what we're doing. This is our country. Owning, building, flying, loving airplanes is our right. Let's not give up our freedom.

Scott Hersha