Refresh

     Last week I was privileged to sit down with three women who will be assuming the mantles of Registrar and Scoring for the Ohio Chapter. They show a true cross section of the volunteerism we have in our organization. 

     Carol is a wonderful friend, mother and wife. She's been very supportive of her husband and his flying endeavors for many years. She is rock steady, the #1 fan of her husband and consequently has inherited her husband's many aerobatic friends with open arms although her interest lies in the art world.  Robin is also a significant other, and as recently as October 2011 became involved in aerobatics. She is happy to help out, although like many of us, not really sure what she got herself into. She approaches her volunteerism with caution, but with a desire to support the activity. Sheri was a chapter member over 10 years ago and has just gotten back into the chapter. She is wholeheartedly enthusiastic about everything to do with aviation and aerobatics in particular and ecstatic to be back with akronuts!

    I'm am working my way out of the chapter because my husband and I are facing a move to another state.  Many 'hobbies' last about 5 to 8 years for most folks, but aviation is entirely a different animal.  We still see the short timers who shine as bright as stars momentarily with their enthusiasm, but we have a greater tendency to see people hang in for many years.  As with other aviation populations we feel the lack of new blood coming in, but are still cognizant of the fact that we must preserve and pass along our chapter history including the way we run the everyday business of being a chapter and running a contest. 

     So the question is how do we find a few very fine aviation enthusiasts or loving and understanding spouses to step up to lend a hand?  I used to think that taking some of the mystery out of the volunteer jobs would be helpful. But after spending the last two contest seasons traveling around and offering to train people for these spots I'm not sure that is the answer either. Although I try to put an upbeat spin on the tasks, most of the women I talk to look at this whole thing as a burden.  But broken up into small pieces it's really not that bad! Really!  And the more people to help and work together the lighter the load.. Really!

     I have gone back over this blog today and updated some links to documents. I want to say a special word of thanks to Brian Howard for updating the Registrar's guidelines!

Summer is almost over already?

June 2011 - Ohio Aerobatic Open - registration hangout

It is amazing how fast time flies.  I used to think it was sorta pitiful when my grandparents would say such a thing. I imagined that time passed the same for everyone and they were just whining. As I get older and more involved with volunteering my time for one thing and another I totally empathize with them.  There isn't enough time in the day to do all the fun things that I want to do and that 'work thing' sure gets in the way of my fun a lot to and sucks up time I could be having fun!

In June I got to do back to back contests the third and fourth weekends.  The Ohio Aerobatic Open experienced pretty discouraging weather and by far the smallest contest we've had in 5 years.  19 pilots did make it to compete and we did have some fun.  I was running registration as usual and had hoped for some brave soul from our chapter to train with me, but my hopes were dashed.  Had a couple of people help out, for which I was very grateful, but they were not setting their sites on a future in registration, they were only in helping me during a busy time.
See photos from the Ohio Aerobatic Open HERE

Hella Comat and Brenda Bayley, Olean, NY 

It was my pleasure to attend the Olean, NY contest again this year. Only their second and they stumbled upon that tricky weather thing. Unlike the Ohio contest, they did not get a break and couldn't fly. This was my first experience in 8 years of attending a contest that was rained out. We had a lot of fun none the less. Always nice to be with like-minded aerobatic enthusiasts under almost any circumstances.  The wonderful find of the event was securing a new Registrar - Brenda is a jewel!  She learned the ropes very quickly and enjoyed it enough that she will be the Registrar for the Upper Canadian contest August 27-28.
See photos from the Olean Contest HERE

Laura Buescher, Michigan Contest - July 2011

During the weekend following the 4th of July I finally found the sunshine! The Michigan contest held in Jackson, Mi was a great event and lots of fun. Kudos to Don Weaver and Nancy Wright for all their prep work and running a great contest!  I enjoyed being a jack of all trades, but spent most of my time with their Registrar, Laura. She is a delightful person to work with and we spent as much time laughing as lamenting.  One of the "funnest" jobs the registrar gets to do is build the clipboards. I had arrived with some forms left over from the Ohio contest for them to use.  Unfortunately during my sorting process, I inadvertently mixed in some regular Known Advanced forms with our Unknown Advanced forms.  It was quite a surprise to have the chief judge call us up and ask why they had some Bs and Cs for Unknowns mixed in during the Known flight!  Color me red!
See photos from the Michigan Contest HERE

Larry Ernewein, Michigan 2011

So, the next thing - onward to Canada!! I can't say how excited I am to be attending this contest in Hanover, Ontario!  I think I've been asking my Canadian friends for at least 3 years when I can come help them throw a contest in their neck of the woods.  Looking forward to seeing Brenda again and seeing how she does with Registration.  The thing about any contest is always the people. So many wonderful people on both sides of the border!

Learn more about the Upper Canadian Open HERE

Paperwork time!

Jersey Skylands 2010

Time for some paperwork.  Yup, I've been stooging around for some leftovers, but no luck. Lots of chapters seem to share well with others.  :)  So, its time for me to spend some time next to the printer.  If you see this message by June 4th and have some contest paperwork leftover that you want to get rid of - let me know! penn.lorr@yahoo.com

If you need a reminder about where to find directions on paperwork requirements for your contest, there is a lot of information in the Contest Packet  and in particular the Registrar Guidelines.

Hope you have a fantastic contest!

Going Green and other thoughts

                                                                                              Wildwoods 2008

Ever wondered if there was a way to recycle all of the contest paperwork that was left over from your contest? You are not the only one. After reading this blog, Lynn Bowes, current IAC Director and Registrar extrodinaire contacted me to suggest we use the blog to post paperwork left over from contests.  I think this is a great idea! So I have created another page titled: Go Green - Paper Supplies for Contests.  It might take awhile to catch on, but could be very helpful to all the registrars in the later contests. (Sorry - this will have a trickle down effect and the first contests of the year won't benefit much.)
Here's how it will work:
1.Post your left over contest paperwork
2.Someone sees your post and asks for your left overs.
3.The person requesting the paperwork will pay for shipping.  (I noticed you can send Media mail for about $6 or so for up to 10lbs.)  Sender and Receiver can work out how they want to do the money transaction between them.
4. Voila! Printed contest materials arrive at your door!
So, Let's give it a try!


On another subject, I've hit a stumbling block on my training video. The intro piece I made on a little laptop I've been carrying around for a few years and unfortunately the laptop died.  I had not backed up the piece - so I get to rebuild. :(  On the upside, I filmed myself building clipboards last week and plan to move forward with the training video itself. Hopefully I will have something to post on that soon.

I could still use some help with the training video aspect.  Would love to hear suggestions. EVEN more - would love if anyone could send me some video clips.  I'd like a registrar checking in a competitor and some footage of building clipboards and sending paperwork out to the judge's line.  (Depending on video clip size we may have to utilize YouTube and send me the link.)
I have come to realize I wont' be getting this project done for this spring like I hoped, but will keep plugging along and just get it done when it's done.  Oh well...

CONTEST SEASON IS HERE!

                                                        Girls Score! at Michigan 2009

Looking forward to hearing some registration contest stories. Visit the "What Happened at the Contest" page and tell us the good and bad experiences so that we can all learn from them.

At the end of last year, the IAC Board unanimously approved an additional method of earning a Smooth Award by flying with a CFI. That in turn created the need to revise the Achievement Award application.  The applications have been updated on the IAC website: http://www.iac.org/programs/awards/applications.html.
As of today 3.20.11 the new applications had not been updated in the CD packet, but soon will be.  Don't forget to print out the new application for Achievement Awards for your contest and have them available at the registration table.

There has been a suggestion that the CD will want to know from you who is flying for an achievement award and they can be recognized at the contest banquet for their achievement.  Please consider helping with this form of recognition by informing the CD of competitors flying for achievement awards. Thanks!

Photos, Video and rough draft

Finding quite a few photos for the training video - this one is from Wildwoods 2008.  I have a rough draft of the script for the training video now - See it Here. Also made a Windows MovieMaker video as an intro to the training video - this is rough yet and needs lots of work. But comments and suggestions for the training video and anything else related to registration is welcome! penn.lorr@yahoo.com

Registrar Photos

Well, I'm still collecting, so don't forget to send me any Registrar photos if you have them. This photo was taken at the 2010 Kokomo IN contest - their first! Very good contest and lots of eager helpers!
Send me your link or photos: penn.lorr@yahoo.com