Well said Joe!
I have not attended a launch in years, yet I still monitor via mailing list.
I think the Prefecture has been spoiled with Alan’s leadership, he has served
the club graciously and with the a heart of a teacher. I too have benefitted
from his advice, even back to the Whitaker’s days. Whether it was
troubleshooting igniters or tracking projects in rocket eating woods, he has
always been willing to help and I know that will continue post-Prefect role.
He once shared that Prefect was French for trailer packer. HA! Nevertheless,
there are big shoes to fill.
Alan I hope you will enjoy the launches even more going forward. Thank you for
all that you have done for the club and will continue to do for rocketry!
Hope to attend one day soon.
Tim Cherry
On Oct 27, 2020, at 1:15 PM, Joseph Hill <josephmhill16@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Alan,
Thank you so much for all that you’ve done for the club! I’m not sure there’s
a way to show the level of appreciation I have concerning all that you’ve
done as not only prefect, but also as a mentor. A lot of people don’t know
what goes on behind the scenes to ensure a nice, smooth launch, and I don’t
know that I’ve ever heard you complain about it one single time.
I think I speak for most when I say that we’ve all learned a great deal from
you over the years, even before you became prefect. Anyone that has come and
flown with us whether they’re regulars or not, can most likely say they’ve
taken away some sort of knowledge from you, or have had learned something new.
Thanks again for everything!!
-Joe Hill
On Oct 27, 2020, at 12:03 PM, (Redacted sender ez2cdave for DMARC)
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dennis,
Thank you, sir !
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Hill <dhinnc@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ncrockets@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: acwhit@xxxxxxxxx <acwhit@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2020 9:38 am
Subject: [ncrockets] Re: time for a change of leadership at Tripoli East NC
Dave and any interested Battleboro flyers -
I will outline the election procedure in January with the call for nominees
here on ncrockets.org...
Dennis Hill
Secretary, TRA East North Carolina Prefecture (#065)
On Mon, Oct 26, 2020 at 10:05 PM Redacted sender ez2cdave for DMARC
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Alan,
Thank you for your long, faithful dedication to lead the prefecture !
Question : Once all nominees are announced, what procedure are we going to
use for voting ?
Dave Fitch
-----Original Message-----
From: acwhit@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:acwhit@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ncrockets@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ncrockets@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Oct 26, 2020 9:41 pm
Subject: [ncrockets] time for a change of leadership at Tripoli East NC
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Comrades:
The time has come. I have been prefect of Tripoli East NC
since 2006, 15 years, and it is time for me to step down. I have enjoyed
most of my time in this office and met many new friends. But age is
catching up with me. My back and knees hurt all the time, setting up launch
equipment has become a chore, rather than a delight, and I no longer want to
attend every launch on the schedule. Time for new blood.
There are only two statutory requirements for a Tripoli
prefect:
1. Certify new TRA L1 and L2 flyers, make sure all documents get
sent to TRA HQ
2. Receive and act upon all communications from TRA
However, that is clearly not all the work that must be done
to insure the smooth, successful operation of a good prefecture. In my
opinion, the prefect must either do these things or delegate the authority,
and follow up occasionally to make sure the tasks are being done. I have
been very fortunate to have a group of capable, enthusiastic people who have
willingly taken on many of these jobs and made my life much easier.
● collect launch fees and split between landowner and club treasurer.
● maintain good communication with the landowner concerning launch dates,
preferred site for our activities on any given month, and any other item
that comes up
● call in the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) every Thursday afternoon before the
launches
● transport trailer to and from the launch field
● repair/maintain all club equipment, including the club trailer
● deal with all “PR” issues: talk with visitors at the launch site,
reporters, local residents, and represent the club in a friendly,
informative fashion.
● File the waiver with the FAA yearly
● communicate with Cherry Point MCAS 2 hours before and immediately after
every day’s launch
● write launch report
● maintain NAR membership and work with any NAR members who want to
progress through the certification process
● each year, the prefect receives between 10 and 20 requests for assistance
with school, church, and civic groups for assistance with an amazing variety
of programs, demonstrations, science fairs, and things of that nature. This
will require a lot of delegation, or it will drive you crazy
● College and High School teams who are participating in various local or
national competitions or simple academic projects need guidance and
encouragement. During the past 5 years, 2 high school and 6 different
college and university level teams have sought out the Bayboro club for
everything from rocketry coaches to simple use of the field for their
qualifying flights. These students approach their projects with much less
experience than adults working their way through NAR or TRA certification
and require close attention.
● ensure that all news about individual launch events is communicated to
the membership by email notification and posting on the club website in a
timely fashion
As you can see, this prefecture does not run itself.
Looking at the list has made me exhausted, I need to go lie down for a few
minutes. Somebody has to care enough to do the job. The next prefect may
not place the same importance on specific tasks that I do – and that’s fine,
the club must necessarily take on the personality of the leadership.
I will continue to attend most launches, and I will continue
to maintain Tripoli Technical Advisory Panel and NAR L3 Certification
Committee membership, so I will continue to help flyers in either
organization attain level 3 certification. As a TAP and L3CC member, I will
be able to certify new flyers from both organizations in the absence of the
prefect. I will be the first to volunteer to help advise college teams,
that’s one of my favorite things to do. I’ve got a truck and a trailer
hitch, so I can tote the trailer on those weekends that I attend the
launches.
In January, Dennis Hill will open up the voting by asking
for nominations for the next prefect. I would like to put two names forward
for your consideration. Kurt Hesse and Joe Hill. Both of these
gentlemen are regular attenders, very knowledgeable about all aspects of
rocketry, they pay attention to everything that is going on around them at a
rocket launch (no tunnel vision), and on many occasions both of them have
dropped whatever they were doing to help new flyers, visitors, and academic
teams.
Anyone else who would like to be on the ballot, or who would
like to nominate someone should get in touch with Dennis and say so. The
more choices the better. Prefects are obliged to serve for 1 year, and may
choose to pass on the responsibility when they wish at yearly intervals.
I am honored that you have chosen to keep me as prefect of
your club for 15 years. I thank you all for this opportunity, you have
supplied me with a wealth of great memories. You will certainly see me at a
lot of launches in the future, but perhaps not when it’s 32 degrees and
sleeting 😊
With gratitude, Alan
