BJ Clinton was NO leader..

Taxman

That is NOT what I heard Monica is supposed to have said! <g>

Term limits are the proverbial double edged sword. If you do not like the incumbent and are not able to unseat him, they are great. If you like the incumbent they unfairly remove a qualified person from office. Having an informed membership participate in the elections is a better solution, but how is that accomplished. I think most of us would agree that the majority of members join the AMA to have access to a flying field or for the insurance. Those that compete tend to be more involved because they see a connection between the politics and their contests. The majority of sport flyers (and until recently I was included in this group) do not see any relationship between who holds office and their hobby/sport.

I do not have a clue about how to get the majority of members to participate in elections and it seems everyone else is in the same boat. There is a lot of discussion about the low number of votes, but I have not seen any answers to the problem. So in the end, while term limits may not be the best answer, they may be a more viable answer.

Eric

i got an idea how to up member participation in elections.
no one will like it.

offer a 30% dues reduction for each subsequent membership renewal,up to the next valid election cycle for that member, after each election in which one votes.

and you will still need term limits to get new blood to run for office. why?
cause most folk are just plane not interested.

In general I tend to agree with your first paragraph, so it left the quote. However the second paragraph opens an entire new can of snakes, er issues.

Part of the problem with getting more votes (for or against your chosen target) is that unless it is THEIR ox that is being gored, most simply can't be bothered. Look at the threads in this forum, the jet forum, and the 3D forums for a real education on that. Interest has to be created by special issues or direct intervention of the candidates.

As an example, consider all the noise from the jet guys and remember that they represent less than 1% of the entire membership of AMA. Why are they so vocal and loud? Simple, they perceive that it is their ox being gored right now. Similar opinions can be found from any group impacted by the new Safety Code rule #9, I know I got lots and lots of communications on those issues.

I think that the only way an impact on any election can be made is high profile 'on the ground' approaches. This means a VP and or candidate that move around a lot and are seen positively in many places. Face to face contact generates more activity than e-mails, phone calls, and the direct mails some well funded incumbents have used. In other words, if you want to trounce any candidate it takes hard work by you and your candidate. Hard work is not making phone calls, sending e-mails, or snail mail literature! No, hard work is traveling far and wide on a regular basis.