Recent disciplinary action by the Balloon Federation of America’s Competition Division against two of its members is a symptom of a bigger problem within the BFA- lack of information and control. Either by omission or commission.
While there are differences of opinion as to whether Messrs. Bill Murtorff and Christian Amundin deserved to be punished for being frequent critics of the CD, the message is clear-don’t question the status quo.
As far back as 1971 the BFA suspended members and barred others from membership because they went against the wishes of those who made the rules.
Whether one agrees with the process or not it brings to light fundamental flaws in how the organization operates, lack of accountability, and openness for debate.
The BFA claims to be an organization of volunteers yet the two most visible segments involve people who are compensated. Those two areas are the organization’s periodicals and the Competition Division. That is not to suggest any wrongdoing, or even that those serving in these positions do not deserve the rewards they receive. In fact, the BFA prides itself in these two areas.
But the BFA has more than 30 divisions, committees, or programs. Who can name more than a few? When was the last time the Government Relations committee gave a report to the general membership? The probable NPRM for an instructor rating is officially opposed by the BFA. What has the Government Relations committee been doing to gather facts to support that position?
For the most part these committees are staffed by people who give of their resources to foster an area that they have a passion for. But when their passion dies because of lack of funds, lack of support, lack of help, so dies the momentum of their passion and most of their projects.
In 1995 there will be two "BFA sanctioned" championships that will award $175,000 in prize money. Less than 10% of the organization’s membership will have any chance to partake in these events. Wouldn’t it better to take $100,000 of that money to fund education and safety, membership development, landowner relations, government relations, and an Executive Director? It can’t be done this year, but what about the future?
The BFA is losing members because people do not perceive a real benefit to belonging. It takes a great deal of time and resources to do a job well. The Board needs to take a serious look at what the BFA should be. If that means reinventing itself and reallocating its resources, then do it.
One past president said that he has never seen so many people trying to go down the same road all pulling in different directions. It is time for central leadership and an end to individual fiefdoms that exist.
A recent board action shows a present lack for the desire to communicate. The board voted to allow the secretary to record the meeting to use as a resource for writing the minutes. The tape must then be destroyed. Why? By law, as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) Iowa corporation, the meetings must be open to the public. Anybody can attend and record them. Why not keep the tapes as an Archive? Why not allow other people to hear what was said?
Messrs. Murtorff and Amundin got themselves in trouble because they saw smoke from a trail of bankrupt balloon organizers who staged BFA sanctioned events. They questioned the CD’s involvement. There is little doubt that the entrepreneurs made bad business decisions that caused their own plight. But wouldn’t it be prudent for a tax exempt organization to review its licensing relationships and report to the members?
Messrs. Murtorff and Amundin must make their own choice on whether they will quietly serve their sentences or continue to ask questions. For the BFA it is time to look inward.
