Leadership - taking a position on an issue

Here is a question I was asked recently and my response.  I asked for his
permission to quote his question and comments to help give the context.


Paul,
This is Dan Creagan the MFR asking - not the 2nd VP.

What are your feelings on increasing the number of competition items in the Aerial Levels for the convention?

Fair dues: Paul knows this discussion is current with the board because the competition committee has given the board their recommendations and Paul has been copied on most of the traffic. It is a loaded question in some ways so I apologize for that part. However, candidates are not allowed to participate in the discussions of the board (only watch) so I figure this would be a good place to put Paul on the spot. ;-} BTW: Not only is this question loaded, it is not an easy one.

Dan is correct about my observing this age old discussion take place.  Dark sky versus enough time for competition and how to reach a good balance on this subject.  Ten years experience on the B-line demonstrates that often when there is available dark sky after competition it is not utilized.

My view with the current data available is to be in favor of the recommended increase of the number of competition items in certain Aerial Levels. 

Based on the dark sky available and the projected time more entries would take, it seems feasible to do the increase and not dramatically alter the amount of dark sky left for open shooting.  Plus the B-line crew is working this year to take another step toward even more efficiency so more shells can be launched even if there is less time.  One continual focus on both sides of this discussion needs to be on always seeking do competition and open shooting more efficiently.  These past ten years great progress has been made in this area but we need to keep evaluating this each convention.  There are variables at play here that will mean more discussion will be needed as the Guild progresses.  Manufacturing on site gives greater potential for more shells to be launched in open shooting.  More people getting into competition due to the shell building classes and a spin off from manufacturing could mean more time needed for competition.   

So should I be elected I expect to be involved in this discussion each year

trying to effectively respond to the requests by each group of the guild

memberships asking for more “More Dark Sky”.