Warbird Information Exchange

FYI I received this as part of an e-mail Diane sent to all the Wing Leaders I thought the WIX community should hear their praises ,



"Another source of information that many members may not know about is on Warbird Information Exchange.

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... =3&t=36167

Here you will find a lively exchange of dialog, sarcasm, information, rhetoric, thoughts, wisdom, an education, and just about everything in-between. To all you WIXers out there, I would like to thank you for your wonderful website that encourages thought and an avenue to express it."

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Taylor Stevenson

I had a phone call from Taylor's Dad Gordon, ex CAF pres. After discussing the contested museum issues, we talked about Taylor and his being at college.
His dad was proud of Taylor, said he was doing well, but having to spend most all his free time studying.
I didn't let on about my last conversation with Taylor re college when he mentioned the good social life and girls at Vandy.
Maybe he is smart enough to find time for both.
Taylor once talked about going to Rice, and even, God help him, to the home of the barbarians on the Brazos. Fortunately he changed his mind on that.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Was quite a bit perplexed by all of this, and was sorry to see Tami leave the museum. Hopefully all will move forward in a positive way.

Bob Lippincott
Gold Life member 2156

Thanks, Bill. Dad said that he had spoken to you. I hope he was able to she some light on the situation. He is always willing to talk to anyone with questions.

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Taylor Stevenson

You are so right Bob. It is a terrible loss for Tami O’Bannion to leave the museum. She is a rare combination of brains and know how, uncompromising quality coupled with an amazing passion for our mission. It was the passion of a lifetime for her. Whisked away, and the CAF is the loser. How sad, and for what. Wouldn't it be nice if sometimes quality, hard work, energy, trust, and simply the desire to do a good job with proven result would come out on top over…..whatever this is.

Time is running out for CAF members if you haven't requested an absentee ballot for the October elections. Six positions are up for vote this year, so make sure to support the nominees that represent your views for the future of the CAF, whether they be from the nomination commitee or from the floor.

Chunks

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Jack McDonnel

T-6/SNJ Hoarder

Thanks, Chunks. To get an absentee ballot either go online to http://www.commemorativeairforce.org or fill out the following and send it to HQ. The outcome of this election is vital to the longterm success of our organization. I believe the request must be in by Oct. 3rd:


 
 
 
Date:  _____________________
 
To:  Keith Lawrence, VP of Administration
       Commemorative Air Force Headquarters
       P. O. Box 62000
       Midland, Texas  79711
       or e-mail
       klawrence@cafhq.org  and ask for return e-mail confirmation of reciept
       432-567-3006
       fax# 432-563-8046
 
From:   Col.  __________________________
           Colonel # _______________________
            Address: _______________________
                          ________________________
                          _______________________
Dear Keith,
 
I am requesting an absentee ballot for the general staff election to be held Friday,  October 8, 2010.
 
Please mail my ballot to my address listed above.
 
Thank you,
 
Signed _________________________

_________________
Taylor Stevenson

CAF members. Several communications have gone to Wing Leaders recently with the request that they be shared with Wing Members. The communications have included information from former General Staff members, to messages attempting to define some of the current issues that will have to be addressed by the GS and membership in the near future. Some of the Wing Leaders have chosen not to forward the communications, so I will include one of the messages here because I think it contains some interesting information concerning membership levels etc. that is not readily available. I would encourage you to visit http://www.takebackthecaf.com for more communication, educate yourself and above all participate in the election process.

"This year’s general staff election is about the membership regaining control of our organization.

Just as the Tea Party movement has opened the eyes of America, the CAF is being well served by its own Tea Party movement. Major decisions lack the involvement of the membership since our former committee system has been eliminated (you have no voice). We are simply told what changes have been made by the elite few and told it is the best for us. The current general staff is not serving the membership, but serve as representatives of Steve Brown. Voting for floor nominees that pledge to represent YOU will return control of the General Staff to you the member. As many of you have seen, Steve and the General Staff feel it is their right to demand that you vote for their hand-picked nominees that will vote as they are told. Never in the history of the CAF have drastic policy changes been implemented without the membership having the slightest idea until after the fact.

Our aircraft are being sold off at an alarming rate; isn’t our mission to preserve WWII aircraft? When did our mission change to liquidate them, and who made that decision? Was the membership involved in the discussion of which assets will be sold? Of course it makes tons of money to sell off our assets and it makes wings and members very happy to get handed free restoration grant cash they did not have to earn, and it buys Steve Brown much support (sounds like Washington). Why should you care if the JU52, or any of the other planes, are gone forever if your wing’s beloved airplane happens to receive free money? BUT, how do you know if your plane or Unit will be determined to be NONESSENTIAL to, for Steve’s secret goals. Who decided to dispose of them? Was there membership input? They are the essence of what we are. The selling of aircraft should be carefully evaluated by more than an elite few – or is it one. Do you know what the plan is for your unit’s aircraft?

We already know that all the CAF fleet were not invited or encouraged to come to Airsho - the members’ Airsho. The Members O’Club has been hijacked to provide a few people with deep pockets a comfortable place to view the show. Segregation by money, further dissolving “we are all colonels”, and paying to go in our own house. Wasn’t the whole purpose of putting the Commemorative Center where it is to allow the O’Club a view of the flight line?

Steve Brown was charged with balancing the budget. To what ends he has accomplished this has been on the shoulders of the membership by raising membership dues and ANUAC. What was the reason to move heaven and earth to become CEO of the museum?

The CAF website states the membership “was almost 9,000 in 2008” (look under membership). Checking with headquarters this week, the actual numbers are 4,050 regular members and 2,115 life members. Steve tells us on his 9/14/10 president’s blog “membership has leveled out and held steady since 2008 plus or minus 100 colonels”. What happened to 2,835 members since 2008! Are these cadets? Associates? Or is it misinformation. This one example reveals two major problems. #1. We deserve to receive the truth on our website without misrepresentation. #2. Steve’s plan for growing membership is clearly not working.

As for a national spokesman, I can think of no finer example than the touring aircraft. The B29/B24 squadron, Sentimental Journey, all the tours, have done an amazing job out on tour for many years - one town at a time - being our “national spokesman”. You the colonels, and all your blood, sweat, and efforts are our national spokesmen.

The argument will be made that the membership can not micro manage the CAF, that this is the CEO’s job and the general staff’s job. These issues are not micro managing. These issues are huge policy changes that affect who we are and what we value. The membership has not been allowed input into them. Is there some personal vested interest on the part of the general staff to allow this to take place?

As you members choose your next general staff I urge you to take a critical look at glorious statements and flowery words that hold no substance. I encourage you to look at all the chaos and havoc that has been generated over the last 3 years and how that havoc has hurt many only to benefit an elite few. I encourage you to think about Lloyd Nolen. For those who remember him - remember him. For those of you who are too young to remember him you missed much, but you do not have to be old to believe in his values. Lloyd’s wisdom calls for membership input. Lloyd’s wisdom would never harm one entity of the CAF and those who serve that entity to benefit another, and Lloyd would never stand for the removal of good members trying to serve that entity.

This general election vote is extremely important. This election is about values: about critically looking at our past set of values before we throw them out as we make decisions about the future. It is about restoring transparency to the general staff. It is about gaining a staff that will take a critical look at decisions and what is actually good for the CAF rather than simply “drinking the Kool-aide” and blindly going along with an elite few. It is about restoring control of the CEO not “executive limitations” on the CEO, which will return the CAF to the membership.

With the resignation of a general staff member, we now have 6 positions to fill on the general staff. The names of the 6 who are committed to transparency and returning the CAF to the membership will be announced at the general meeting October 8th. Follow http://www.takebackthecaf.com for information. The names of the 6 committed to this cause will be posted on this blog immediately following the meeting. These 6 colonels are providing you with a choice. I encourage you to take it. These colonels will restore integrity and a critical eye on what is going on.

Request your absentee ballot today, before October 3rd, to insure that choice. The information needed to receive an absentee ballot is attached."

Information for obtaining absentee ballots is contained in Taylor's previous post.

Chunks

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Jack McDonnel

T-6/SNJ Hoarder