Warbird Information Exchange

So we are now 11 days before the CAF general membership vote occurs in Midland, TX to change the CAF bylaws. As outlined in another thread, this is a very contentious topic and it will decide the future and fate of the Commemorative Air Force.

I'm starting this thread not to continue debate on the topic. (You can do that on the other thread.) What I am doing is starting a thread to see how the membership is truly feeling on the subject and whether or not you've requested an absentee ballot or or planning on voting in person during the general membership meeting. So please, just limit your response on this thread to either either "yes" or "no" to the proposal.

Again, if you'd like to debate the topic...please go to the Superbase thread. We can continue discussions there.

I'll start off:

I've requested an absentee ballot to insure I get a vote, and I am voting "NO" to the change.

Why don't you just add a Poll to the other thread? (Or if you can't then to this one.) You are just inviting more debate.

If I can figure out how to do that, I will.

Good luck with your vote and keep those Warbirds in mind.

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Zero Surprise!!...

You should include the by-law changes so people can understand what they are voting on. I haven't been following the other thread, so I don't know precisely what I am to vote on.

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

The bylaws currently state:

Article III – Table of Organization CURRENTLY READS:
1. International Headquarters of the Commemorative Air Force shall be at
Midland International Airport, Midland, Texas, or a suitable location which best supports and promotes the aims and purposes of the Commemorative Air Force, the education of the public, the heritage of military aviation, and the preservation of the aircraft and artifacts entrusted to its care.
Such location to be considered shall be a site approved by nine (9) of eleven (11) members of the General Staff (or by an equivalent percentage thereof) and as approved by three-fourths (3/4) of the General Membership who vote in a referendum called by the General Staff for that purpose, voting to be as prescribed in ARTICLE IV of these Bylaws.

A Yes Vote would change the bylaws to read:

Article III – Table of Organization
1. During the period between October 1, 2013, and October
1, 2014, the Headquarters of the Commemorative Air Force shall be determined and designated by a vote of the General Staff requiring the approval by nine (9) of its eleven (11) members (or by an equivalent percentage thereof). Such location shall be a city which best supports and promotes the aims and purposes of the Commemorative Air Force, the education of the public, the heritage of military aviation, and the preservation of the aircraft and artifacts entrusted to its care.
Any future Headquarters site selection subsequent to that described in the preceding paragraph shall be determined by a vote of:
(a) nine (9) of eleven (11) members of the General Staff (or by an equivalent percentage thereof); and
(b) three-fourths (3/4) of the General Membership who vote in a referendum called by the General Staff for that purpose, voting to be as prescribed in ARTICLE IV of these Bylaws.

Simply put:

A yes vote would allow the CAF General staff to make the decision on whether or not to relocate the headquarters of the CAF.

A No vote, would leave that decision to the membership.

If what you state is correct (which I have no reason to believe is not) then I don't see a reason to be concerned about your results ending up other than in your favor, unless of course your membership suffers from apathy (which I have no reason to believe is the case either) I've never understood why anyone would want to be a member of any organization that wouldn't allow for one to express their opinion, concerns and input on all matters concerning that organization. To not be allowed to contribute to the decision making and welfare of the organization you are a member of seems like a waste of membership dues wouldn't you think? Of course unless you knew signing up that you wouldn't have certain privileges to go along with those dues. Not my idea of big fun. Again best of luck with your vote. It's certainly interesting to follow from the outside.



Whoops! my bad! this a 'vote' only thread?

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Zero Surprise!!...

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Mark: The membership has the ability to elect their leaders every year at the General Staff elections. Each and every member of the CAF has the ability and right to vote in that election. I personally can't imagine being part of an organization where the membership is asked/required to vote on all the decisions. As a member, I will be the first to admit I don't understand all that the CAF is faced with as a business. That is why we elect leaders who are more closely involved to make the big decisions. I wonder how many of those complaining about this issue have voted in a CAF election in the past five years?

Tim you are precisely correct in that most legitimate membership organizations do provide the ability of it's members to vote for their leadership. This practice is of the most importance of any membership organization IMO, but a well run organization also IMO should allow (but not require) it's members voices to be heard regarding any and all decisions pertinent to the overall welfare of that organization. And if that constitutes by membership choice a vote, then that should also be a membership privilege. I agree with you that many folks would rather not be involved with an organization that asks/requires their members to vote on all decisions whether large or small, but those same members have no room to complain if they choose not to make their voices (votes) heard when matters do require a vote. Sounds a bit like our local, state and federal Governments.

BTW this is only generally speaking and not directed towards the CAF's operation.

I've seen this many times with other member organizations which is why this CAF thing is interesting to me. I have no stake in the dealings of the CAF so mine is of a humble opinion only. I only wish the best for the CAF and it's members (and it's airplanes). These are the types of things that cause more harm than good for any group. I hope it all works out well for everyone.

Sorry, Back to your voting.

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Zero Surprise!!...

As of Thursday morning, 500 views yet only 16 votes. Either everyone is just "interested" in the topic and are not members (which begs the question of why not?). Or there's a lot of apathy going on.

Come on folks, don't just look...vote.

Why not? well just take a look at your vote tally so far. Looks like your members can't seem to agree to anything ... (joking)
Seriously your SoCAL wing had a chance at my membership but one dude blew it big time with me. Nothing worth discussing though and nothing against the CAF overall.

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Zero Surprise!!...

Big question... how many CAF members are WIXers? Maybe there aren't enough of them here to make a poll mean something, or perhaps they just haven't seen it yet.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Keep em flying

Question for those in the know... I'm happy to see that CAF is having an Expo at McKinney this weekend. Wish I could go, but school won't permit it. Just curious, is this a feasibility test for the airport? Obviously we know Houston can support a show. Are they going to have something similar at Kelly before the vote? If so, it's more in my neck of the woods and would love to go. Randy? Bill?

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Taylor Stevenson

[quote="Taylor Stevenson"]Question for those in the know... I'm happy to see that CAF is having an Expo at McKinney this weekend. Just curious, is this a feasibility test for the airport?

Same question came to my mind Taylor. Smart money is on there to be the winner of the fair and impartial vote! San Antonio is not planning anything that I know of, as they haven't got a chance anyway.