Who, What, Where is the CGKA ?!? What to do with the Port?

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

So here is my rant.. in a fresh new thread, so MAYBE we can get some progress on this stuff before all is lost.

I tried to call out the association in a past thread following the first port/rec meeting.. and got no results. No one even replied..

It is obvious that the elected leaders of the association haven't done Sh!t! If they have, then obviously they have been doing it on their own and not involving the many many users of this forum, who make up a great deal of this kiting community.

We were told you spoke on our behalf?

Who are you?

Where are you?

What are you doing?

How can we work well together if the leadership is vacant from the ongoing discussions on this forum, amongst the community.

We don't have an association of leaders who call us together to discuss options, PRIOR to meeting with the port to represent US.

We don't even have an association who can post the results of the meeting.. instead we have to wait for Sherry to come on and give us the results.

WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG

It is odd that we as a community have more interaction with Sherry form the port on this forum than our own leaders.

This is very frustrating.

I suggest that this community DEMAND an open meeting of the CGKA and DEMAND representation... as it is obvious neither are happening.

Other option would be to start from scratch. Create a new association and fill it with people who are willing and committed to doing something... and having that something representative of the community.

I have bit my tongue for so long, I just can't anymore.

Has anyone else noted that Sherry spews negativity? I have tried to be proactively positive and calm in all of my dealings with her, either in person on on the forum.

Every single post she has ever made is filled with negativity, no's, can'ts, won'ts, etc.

Sorry, but people who are negative all the time never ger anything done or get to celebrate success.

We have heard/see many, many good ideas both at public meetings and in this forum.. all to be met with a 'not likely in the near future', 'too many hoops, etc.'

When Phil asked about power, he didn't say, will you give us power.. he asked what WE would need to do. Rather than outlining the hoops that would have to be jumped through, we were given a negative, not a chance answer.

NOTHING EVER WILL BE DONE WHILE THE PEOPLE INVOLVED CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESS.

Sherry says her position is elected. I guess it is time we find a cantidate. It is very very frusterating to share ideas and have all of them shot down with unreasonable negativity...

Sorry Sherry, this is not a personal attack, but rather a long term observation. If you want to make things happen.. .regardless of how difficult, you need to believe that something can happen.... or you are the wrong person for the job.

Progress is never the reward of someone unwilling to try.

Anything worth doing is usually challenging.

We have a community of kiters filled with doctors, lawyers, engineers, computer specialists, etc, etc, etc. We are excited by the possibilities and willing to BELIEVE that progress is possible.. and willing to work, jump through hoops, raise $, etc, etc to see the fruits of our labor as a community... ie, such as the windsurfing community did to achieve the event site.

I doubt if any of that would have ever happened if the Recreation Committee head and port liason always told them, no, now way, won't wonk, too much work.

CGKA needs new leadership.

This kiting community needs to be proactive and GET INVOLVED (although many have been trying and just need access to the leadership)

The Port needs people who are POSITIVE and OPTIMISTIC to work for them.

Lot's of needs and much work ahead...

Anyone willing and positive?

forrest · Thu Apr 05, 07 7:59 am

F#$kin Aye! Where do I sign up?!?!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

The cgka need open meeting or at least open forums to hear the opinons of the kite comunity.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Shay (CGKA treasurer) mentioned in another thread that there soon would be a public CGKA meeting. We need to make sure we give credit to the leaders who are there. I was at the meeting when they were elected and not many people were jumping at the prospect of taking on all that responsibility.

I especially give credit to Shay because he's definitely done more than just been treasurer and has helped keep us informed of CGKA activities on the forum.

I have a feeling that people could settle down if they felt like they were being heard and that this was a collabortive process. Pepi made the suggestion at one point that the CGKA would have 8 or more directors, with one appointed president. I think that would give more coverage. Maybe 1-2 Portland representatives that could have local PDX meetings.

Realistically though we have the tools right on the forum to make it a much more collaborative process. I think a combination of that with the mailing list would be two big steps in the right direction.

Anyway if the CGKA does call a meeting soon lets not all bring torches and pitchforks, be respectful to the leaders who did step up...

Pepi · Thu Apr 05, 07 8:32 am

A year round committed board of directors could help make this happen.

Right now there are only 2 board of directors that I am aware of that are in town, and they are likely trying their best to get things done in the best manner possible.

I believe that the rest of the board of directors will likely be back in town in May when the tourist season kicks back in.

Pepi (reminder, I am not on the CGKA board of directors)

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

All that even before a cup of coffee.

Just want to point out a couple things.

I have no disrepect for those who have been trying and have no wish to create any.

I was at the same meeting Phil, where people stepped up.. and neither of us did...

Shay has indeed been the best/only contact/representation from the CGKA on the forum. For this we are greatful. I agree that this goes well beyond duties as treasurer. Thanks Shay!

My point in posting is to strike some matches and light some fires.

I have attempted this in past posts, leading up to the recent meeting, with obviously no success, as the meeting happened and this community still feels like we were not adequately represented, nor have access to the association that represents it.

I agree with all of Pepi's wisdom, as he has been around and done this (I would add- SUCCESSFULLY) before, with the Windsurf association.

The key is a board of YEAR ROUND members. We have 1.5.

Everyone who stepped up to be a board member, did so because they had either a personal investment in the sport/access, an ego, or a pure desire to step up and do the right thing (shay).

I know that most everyone who is into this community checks in with this forum, even when we are away. PKH has told me the hundreds of daily visitors NWKite receives.

If this is so, and those members who are not it town really care about CGKA and their place in it, I would surely hope they have been following this and are currently reading this post.....

Now is your time to remind us who you are and wy you are committed.. or very shortly you may be voted off this island....

Guess I drew the short straw... I'll be the most hated today.

I was pretty bummed to learn that after everything, we can't even get pump up on the grass and walk.

Those that 'represented' us obviously haven't been crossing from event site to sandbar very regularly.. as it is deep enough to get you wet to the nipples. I don't mind getting my pumped kite and bar little damp, but getting your bag, pump, uninflated kite wet is a bummer and unnecesary.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1871 Posts XTreme Poster

I both agree and disagree. Let me say that Shay and Cory have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort over the last year--countless hours! I, for one, have done very little since late fall for reasons involving work, fatherhood, yadda-yadda...

In my case, fresh blood would be awesome and I encourage anyone interested in getting involved to do so, and perhaps take over my seat.

I hear you.

Eric

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Guys --I am just as frustrated by this situation as the rest of you. Rebuilding an organization is never an easy process which takes time and commitment. I have been trying to schedule a meeting to no avail for the last two weeks.

The CGKA is suppossed to be representing us as a community, and we now have be active (kind of) for a year.

I propose we have an open meeting on 4/21, 5:00pm in Hood River (at the sandbar for simplicty?) to talk about the effectiveness of the board and the direction we all feel the CGKA is heading.

As Eric suggested, it may be time to put some fresh blood into this organization to make it what we all know what it can and should be. I'd really like see people step up that have good ideas and energy to put into the situation (Forrest & Tekko?).

At this juncture, the BOD for the CGKA needs people that are going to put in the time and energy to make this thing fly.

Ideally the CGKA Board should be diverse and represent all aspects of gorge kiters- Portland & HR people alike.

Nak · Thu Apr 05, 07 10:55 am

There are problems with 5:00 on a Saturday. What if the coast is blowing? Jones Beach? Ideally, the meeting wouldn't conflict with work OR a possibly epic day riding... Attendance would certainly suffer. How about a Wednesday evening at about 8:00 in the Portland area. That would be more centrally located as there are kiteboarders scattered from Hood River all the way to Coast.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I'm open to any suggestions on time and place. There is always the chance of a conflict with wind somewhere. My logic was that a late saturday meeting gives people time to get in a session and then show up.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Apr 05, 07 11:28 am

Hmmm, a shout out to Nak for focusing the light on one of the problems with the CGKA activity. Sorry if a meeting will interfere with your "epic session" but I do believe its called sacrificing for the greater good. I don't mean to diss on you but you need to realize how your message comes across; especially to people who organize these kinds of things.

Kudos to Tekko for the intitial post. I too wondered what the hell happened to the CGKA. I was e-mailing with "shred barbie" about beach cleanups etc. and the legalities of in-water work but things fizzled out. I even talked to the WDFW staff who manage Sauvie's Island and the nudists association about doing beach cleanup or two out there but I only felt comfortable going soo far as I wasn't some kind of official spokesman of the CGKA. I contacted barbie about it twice and she just never replied.

Hood river has its won set of issues but heads up to the portland/sauvie contingent. WDFW is pretty uniformed about kite boarding to say the least. The people I talked to were like,oh yeah, those kite things. If some member of the public gets hurt out there (which I'm sure will NEVER happen because there are ABSOLUTELY no kooks at Sauvie) things could get real grim for Sauvie kiters.

Seems to me that at least one day a month would could all show up at 4:00 and walk from one end to the other bagging trash. Would that be so hard?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Thanks Shay for trying to organize a date, here's a few points I have:

- It doesn't make sense to hold the meeting in Portland, its the Columbia GORGE Kiteboarding Association and the main issue at the time is in HR. Having it at the sandbar or even Event Site is a good idea.

- Any reason we need to wait till the 21st? That's nearly three weeks away... strike while the irons hot, how about a meeting this Saturday/Sunday?

- Meet at noon or earlier before the wind really gets cranking so people can still get a sesh in. 11am?

Anyway just my 2 cents.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I like the idea of an earlier meeting, the reason that I was thinking a couple weeks out was so that people show up and don't say "Dude I totally would of come but I just heard about it yesterday."

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Nak · Thu Apr 05, 07 12:43 pm

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Apr 05, 07 12:49 pm

Pepi · Thu Apr 05, 07 12:49 pm

For meetings, sometimes it is not always better to have more people attend.

Too many people does not allow for a proper consensus group and prevents any ability to make focussed, goal's oriented decisions.

I wouldn't worry about the quantity of people, just focus on the quality of the committed people.

Pepi