Not Interested in Being President

Dear Reader

Two issues: First, various clubs are struggling to find a suitable candidate—whether male or female—to replace their long-serving president upon his or her resignation. Second, we are finding it increasingly difficult to have a “boss” even outside of our professional lives. Both examples stem from a misunderstanding of what associations are, and unfortunately result in many of our model aviation colleagues never joining one. On top of that—and let’s not forget—there are also responsibilities.

Presidents represent their clubs to the outside world—but only to the extent that the board and members stand behind those messages. Club presidents do not have the final say; the members do. Exceptions can only arise in extraordinary situations. With good cooperation with the board, I consider the responsibilities of the president to be interesting and rewarding. However, it’s important to recognize the difference between leading a company and leading a club. Orders cannot be issued. The art lies in motivating and coordinating. This isn’t always possible. Shared goals and agreements, interesting projects, and events are the “lifeblood” of club life.

In my practical experience, board members—including the president—belong not only at meetings but also on the airfield. Setting a good example is just as important as administrative work. Agreements are essential and are implemented collectively. “Policing” roles should be avoided. Unfortunately, the decline of clubs is widespread. This is not a law of nature, but often stems from a lack of willingness to commit to even seemingly insignificant matters. The great opportunity for clubs lies in working together on a voluntary basis. This takes us further than endless barroom chatter and banter. It requires creativity—and vision, too. Good luck.

Alegend
in aviation, Emil Ch. Giezendanner