Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 02:53:41 -1000 From: mgraves@leadingedg.win.net (Michael Graves) Message-Id: <2308@leadingedg.win.net> Subject: AKA in Canada I just recently filled out the AKA election ballot, including the "advisory ballot" concerning Canadian members. This issue concerns me a great deal, as far as I can tell there has been little or no discussion amongst the Canadian membership about what it means. The AKA proposes to include Canada within its region system, mostly for the benefit of those few Canadians who compete in sport kite events. It is very clear that the AKA has to do something about accomodating Canadian members, but I'm not certain that this is the right move. I will attempt to explain my position. Canada is another country. Stop. Think about that a minute. There has long been a debate as to the first "A" in AKA. Does it mean "American" as in US of A, North American, or perhaps all of the Americas? There have been a few well intentioned people who proposed that North American was not out of reach. Those people are wrong. Over the past year there has been a growing recognition that Canada needs an independant national kiting association of its own. The problem is that Canadian fliers as a group are not quite ready for it on the organisational front. We have a few strong provincial groups, but some holes have to plugged before the provincial clubs can band together into a national body. The AKA should not make Canada an exception to the rules when it comes to dealing with foreign countries. Canada should be no different from Japan or Australia. The many Canadian members that I have spoken to this season are united in their desire for a separate, unique identity. Establishing that identity is not a matter for the AKA, nor should it inhibit the formation of such and identity through manipulation of its policies or bylaws. There can be no "exceptions" to the rules. The current situation with Canadian competitors established that fact. At present, and for the past couple years, Canadian members could qualify for competition at the convention both through legitimate competition at events, and by appoinment of the region liaisons (which was Ilene and myself.) Having two methods of qualifying was patently unfair to U.S. members, who did not have those options. Thus when a few Canadians started to place well in competition, a red flag justifiably went up. It is admirable that the AKA wished to do something for its Canadian members. What it should do is to stop interfering in our situation, allow the countries internal pressures to force us into organising ourselves. That time is close at hand. As I see things the real problem is determining how the AKA should deal with all foreign members who wish to fly at the convention. Establish a uniform policy and stick to it. It's really quite silly that all of the fuss is driven by the small percentage of the members who compete. As the AKA board is well aware, there is much more to running a national association than dealing with competitions. I see no reason to base large changes in policy or bylaws on the needs of the few, when the needs of the many go unaddressed. I throw this out as a basis for discussion with all AKA members. It is my hope that the AKAs movement will spur the Canadian membership into action on their own behalf. The AKA has a problem to solve, but annexing Canada is not the answer, it just sets up another problem for later on. Michael Graves -- Michael Graves mgraves@leadingedg.win.net Leading Edge Productions http://www.interlog.com/~lepkites Brampton, Ontario, Canada "Bear in mind, just bears in mind." phone(905)456-9494 fax (905)456-9493 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 02:25:31 -1000 From: doyle@gdc.com (Sean Doyle) Message-Id: <9509071225.AA02267@mailhost.gdc.com> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Re: AKA in Canada Disclaimer: I'm not from Canada. Therefore I'm probably going to piss people off for even commenting but pissed people are more inclined to respond. I like the idea of including Canada in the AKA with the equal representation to areas of the US. On the positive side is the breaking down of artificial barriers. Kiting has little to nothing to do with the Government of the area. The US and Canada are very close in many ways and travel and communication between the 2 countries are nearly as easy as between US states. Why not share the bureaucratic garbage associated with a national kiting organization. There is precedence Canadian teams have joined each of the following US sport leagues: National Hockey League, American League of Major League, National Basketball Association. On the Negative side I see Canadian Nationalism which I am not qualified to comment on. I believe there must be a way to maintain Canada's identity and individualism without having to create an entirely separate organization. Japan and Australia are geographically much different than the US/Canada situation. If/when a world kiting organization is created then things may be different but until then it seems to be a good idea. Sean Doyle, Huntington, CT, USA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 04:07:39 -1000 From: Pierre Audette Message-Id: <42mubb$1oj@crchh327.rich.bnr.ca> Organization: Bell Northern Research Subject: Re: AKA in Canada Excuse my newbie experience and my canadian citizenship, but what does the AKA do for you guys anyway? I've got most of my information on kiting from the net and this newsgroup. What else does a 'national' organisation provide in terms of membership privileges? = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 08:45:15 -1000 From: coreykite@aol.com (Coreykite) Message-Id: <42nejr$ndn@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: AKA in Canada I feel kite organizations should be divided by language. All english speaking kiters in one club, french speakers in another, etc, etc. I am tired of trying to homogonize all of us together. Lets separate and keep the mystery alive. aoxomoxoa coreykite@aol.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 13:31:20 -1000 From: amirault@laraby.tiac.net (Richard Amirault) Message-Id: Organization: The Internet Access Company Subject: Re: AKA in Canada mgraves@leadingedg.win.net (Michael Graves) writes: (snip) >Canada is another country. Stop. Think about that a minute. There >has long been a debate as to the first "A" in AKA. Does it mean >"American" as in US of A, North American, or perhaps all of the >Americas? There have been a few well intentioned people who >proposed that North American was not out of reach. Those people are >wrong. (snip) >It is admirable that the AKA wished to do something for its >Canadian members. What it should do is to stop interfering in >our situation, allow the countries internal pressures to force us >into organising ourselves. That time is close at hand. (snip) >I throw this out as a basis for discussion with all AKA members. It >is my hope that the AKAs movement will spur the Canadian membership >into action on their own behalf. The AKA has a problem to solve, >but annexing Canada is not the answer, it just sets up another >problem for later on. >Michael Graves As a U.S.A. born AKA member with a 100Canadian bloodline, I don't have any solutions to offer, but I would ask Michael if he thinks that the National Hockey League should have not 'annexed' all the U.S.A. cities that it has over the years. -- Richard Amirault N1JDU Boston, Massachusetts USA amirault@tiac.net "Go Fly A Kite" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 8 Sep 1995 18:25:07 -1000 From: Chuck.van.Eekelen@net-engine.nl (Chuck van Eekelen) Message-Id: Organization: NLnet Subject: Re: AKA in Canada coreykite@aol.com (Coreykite) wrote: >I am tired of trying to homogonize all of us together. >Lets separate and keep the mystery alive. Yes ! Divide and rule ! Greetinx, Chuck Go Fly Your Own Flag ! __ ____ / \ / | \ /----- \____\/____ If God created all men equal (excuse me ladies), why do some have buggies ? = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 8 Sep 1995 13:20:32 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: AKA in Canada >There has long been a debate as to the first "A" in AKA. Does it mean >"American" as in US of A, North American, or perhaps all of the >Americas? The current name of the organisation is not valid grounds upon which to base an argument. If the Canadians want to me another AKA region, or set of regions, I can see no reason to stop them. If they want to set up a canadian equivalent to the AKA, we should encourage and support them. If there is no consensus and they want to do both, we should be cool about that too. And the competition scoring anomoly? I'm sure we can work something out, can't we guys? Andrew -- New to rec.kites? START HERE! | To: www@kfs.org send an email message like this->| Subject: service /-\ () >< () |\/| () >< () /-\ | http://www.kfs.org/kites/welcome/index.html Leave the kite jumping to the teddy bears = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 9 Sep 1995 02:05:39 -1000 From: KITEJAG@MOTHER.COM (John A. Gabby Jr.) Message-Id: <42s44a$tib@pa.mother.com> Organization: Mother.COM Subject: Re: AKA in Canada Pierre Audette wrote: >Excuse my newbie experience and my canadian citizenship, but what does the AKA >do for you guys anyway? I've got most of my information on kiting from the net >and this newsgroup. What else does a 'national' organisation provide in terms >of membership privileges? Aside from the bennefits normally associated with joining any club (firends who share common interests and so forth) the AKA doe publish an exllent bi monthy newsletter, extends good liability insurance coverage to members, and offers the opportunity for formal involvement in many aspects of kiing. The annual convention is THE kiting event of the year and I wouldn't miss it no matter where it's held. For twenty dollars a year, the AKA is a bargain. John Think Kindly Thoughts. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =