Thank you for considering me as one of your USPA National Directors. I will briefly outline my experience, then dive right in and bullet point what I’ve accomplished since being elected in November 2021, my overall mission, identify specific areas of improvement, sharing areas of USPA’s work I intent to support, and share feedback from the field.
CONNECT. SUPPORT. REPRESENT.
EXPERIENCE
USPA Member: Since 1994
Jumps: 11,250+
Ratings: AFF/I, IAD/I, Pro Rating
Teams: Highlight Pro Skydiving Team
World Records: 24 Total (in 5 different discipline categories: FS, VFS, VSFS, UFS, WS)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Wrote Sec 6-12 with leaders of the movement community
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MISSION
Continue to work with members answering questions, bringing feedback to the board and being a voice for members on the board
To inspire the next generation to get involved by joining in on meetings, interacting in my FB Group, or running for a board position.
Mentoring interested members to become a National or Regional Director
To continue reaching out to members including DZO’s via my FB Group and in-person,
Sharing ideas from the field with this group and presenting to the board if viable, discuss upcoming agenda items for member feedback, and report as the BOD meetings are happening to keep members engaged and informed.
SPECIFIC AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
JEDI
* Updated competitor code of conduct
* Address Membership Services
* Follow up on 3 motions not passed
Nationals Host Kits
* USPA purchase and provide the following for host DZ’s: Registration software, tuffet, CP supplies, scoring system, guide on scheduling events, guide on hosting award ceremonies, provide spectator’s guide
* Infographic – better “map” of how to bid for nationals
* Welcome letter when a host wins bid, followed up by a welcome kit and the above details, equipment, etc.
Supporting World Level Athletes
* Advocate to hire a grant writer and seek out grants to pay for training, travel, registration, track suits.
* Better social media / blog / newsletter /etc coverage of athletes training for nationals around the country;
Sport Promotion Sub Committee
* To continue finding ways to Inspire, Covert, Support and Perception of sport
* Starter Mag
Update B-D Licensing to be more relevant
* Gathering data over last 10 years for incidents and fatalities
* Break out % of ground, free fall and canopy requirements
* Outline the problems with discipline specific requirements and propose updated and relevant requirements
* Perhaps a working group of canopy pilots, rating centers, AFFI’s, S&TA’s, etc.
Group Membership
* Continue connecting with DZO’s / DZM’s on what they like, do not like, want, etc. to develop kits and/or resources
* Instead of a 2-page listing in Parachutist, have a 1-page ad with a QR code to link of GM DZ’s
MATTERS TO SUPPORT
Support Term Limits or Rolling Elections (Rolling elections was presenting at the last BOD meeting and I will support or pursue one of these paths)
Support Re-Write of the SIM (others interested in pursuing this and I will advocate for it)
Support the Judges Thing Jen & Steve presented
FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD
The following list are the highlights from my time on the road listening to DZO’s, S&TA’s, competitors, and members (the highlights are that I’ve heard this from more than 3 sources, or were great ideas I thought would be valuable to the membership). The following will be discussed in this group if elected to see viability to bring to the BOD.
* For S&TA’s: online portal very cumbersome, time consuming and not intuitive
* Address the medical for tandem (it’s been more than 20 years, is tandem still experimental?)
* Adding options to renew memberships annually, 5-years or 10-years (not including licensing or ratings)
* Discussing and finding solutions for a better way to report incidents
* Employee vs Independent Contractor
* Rolling Safety Day instead of annual, have 3-4x a year
* Discuss USPA’s involvement with the Hall of Fame