Howdy,
The original post has been taken down another road so I thought it best to focus on the issues, not the distractions.

Lack-o-slack and I had some thinking time at Elmer's last weekend.
I've been trying to reduce the situation to the most basic needs of buggiers in the U.S.

Seems to me all we really need right now boils down to three things:
1. An umbrella organization that can provide a legitimate face to buggiers spread across the country.
That foundation can provide a set of standardized rules for racing, basic requirements for organized buggy activities, and an insurance policy for events.
2. The idea of individual insurance provided by an organization is unrealistic. Access to an event policy allows use of public spaces. This allows organized buggy events.
The AKA is our best bet for this to happen.
3. A spokesperson for the buggy community to advise the AKA and represent us to the world at large.
This would also include a data-base of interaction between buggy/kiters and authorities. A knowledge base to support efforts to keep access open and restrictions at bay.

We also noted the need for a manifesto that outlines our buggy sport and sets guidelines for growth and our future.

The idea of a manifesto provides a base of knowledge so the folks empowered to speak and/or act on our behalf have a solid understanding of our specific long-range goals.
Less of an individual agenda and more of a group consensus.

So... Idle thoughts on the playa...
About serious aspects of our game.

Does this get you to thinking?
Any new and insightful comments?

VENT!!!!!!!!!


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

I think you are on the right track Corey. Now the question is who do we have talk for all of us.

Susan

AHA!
That's the real stumper.
No matter who is chosen...
This time or the next time or the time after that...

In the Default World, the "chosen one" (it has been assumed) speaks for themselves and presses their own agenda. Yes, they listen, but in the end, it is often that individual's conclusions that are presented.

By having a manifesto, a written record of our hopes and desires, and the path we want to follow to realize them, we take a major step towards understanding just what we DO want.
And that much easier to be represented accurately.

Right now, I'm supporting the AKA and the eventual restoration of an event insurance policy that will benefit us.

The AKA is also about to undergo a transformation.
We've been blessed in many way as an organization, not the least of which is David and Susan Gomberg and their incredible efforts over the past decade or so, to help keep this gaggle of odd-ducks quacking together.

We're not an orchestra - Not by a long shot.
But I think we sound pretty good out in the garage.




If I'm in another town.



Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama
canine nutritional advisor

That is the point that had us all stumped last weekend my friend.

Who do we elect as our "Voice" for and of the the future?

Good points to be discussed.

I will ponder on this all while I am up meeting the "In laws" this weekend.

May the force be with me.

Ciao for now
Todd "Scooter"

corey...ive, been listening about insurance issue's..so i went to my agent and was able to find us (nabx) our own polices...i have the application here in front of me, but not sure on the information i should put on it.........but maybe this will help on one the issue's

Maybe we (who ever we are) should figure out exactly what it is we want. I agree that a manifesto is a good idea but than again so did the original Hell's Angels. What do we do about the so called 1%er's who insit on doing things there way.

Good points.
Let us know more on the type of insurance coverage and costs.
Are you looking at event coverage or individual coverage?
Strict liability? Amounts?

As to any who don't want to play along...
That's the beauty of living in a FREE country.
We are all free to join together for our mutual benefit if we so desire.
This sport also encourages individual play.

Those who see the long-term benefits, and choose to work towards those goals, aren't doing it for themselves.
All benefit.

That's another part of the beauty.
Our sport doesn't divide us.
The wind unites us.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Upon some further thought...

What about that group that won't join along?
The loners and anti-social types?

And I'm thinking...
Wait... That describes me too.

Then I realize... It doesn't matter.

It isn't about joining a club.
You only do that for other, social, reasons.
It's about helping make a base for kite/buggy activities nation-wide.

If you want to be a part of doing that... Then do it.
If you'd rather buggy and be left alone... That's OK too.
I can feel both in the same day.

Sometimes we can feel so full-of-the-spirit-of-buggying we want to get involved in doing something to help spread the joy.
Perhaps it's about leaving some sort of a legacy.

Whatever. (It's all good if you can do it on a buggy, under power.)


Next thought...

Elect a voice?
Isn't anybody listening?
That's exactly what we don't need more of.

First, I fall into the trap of "electing" someone and then hoping they'll just do it all for me.
I am, however, very quick to complain when the smallest little thing upsets me.
I'm tired of that "default" thinking.
I'm tired of dropping the load on someone.
I'm tired of the expectation that "someone else" will do things for me.

I think its time for us to do the things we want, ourselves.

The idea behind creating a manifesto (look the word up in your dictionaries, boys and girls) is to codify our thinking.
To begin the attempt to put into words some of the ideas and desires behind our sport and the directions we want to encourage growth.

NOT A SET Of RULES!

I reject the default idea of having someone in charge.

Rules should be limited to making organized events and competitions fair and safe.
The wind determines the rest of it.

Yet A Third Thought... (oh my!)

If the AKA can offer a rider on their insurance to cover buggy races at the AKA annual convention, why can't NABX be an AKA-sanctioned event and receive that same coverage?
Am I missing something obvious here?

Finally... (thank gawd)
If we remain silent on this, if we fail to voice our thoughts, if we assume the default position of letting others do...
We'll surely end up with what we deserve.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Has anyone written a manifesto before? Has anyone even read one? After looking up the definition, I think it is a great idea and will help define what it is that this buggy club will be. It will help state publicly our intent as a buggy community and provide guidelines for present and future committee members to follow when making policies. Most of all, it should give us a unified voice, regardless of who is at the helm.

I am not a legal document writer, but I am willing to give it a shot...... if you promise not to laugh at my pedestrian attempt. And of course I will need input, lots of input. Let me work on it another few days and I will post it here for all to see. Then take suggestions/ridicule into account when revising it.

If someone else has one or is working on one, let me know....

9 1/2 months till NABX '07 WOOHOO!!!

Sean Jones
sean DOT jones@cox DOT net
602-319-6656

Damn Son.
That's the way to jump in and start.

I anxiously await the first draft.

It will be a pleasure to work on getting our thought down, to emcompass all the variety of riders.

Promise to laugh only at the funny sh*t.

A ramdom thought over the weekend...
If serious isn't getting the nod...
What about foolish?

The American Kite/Buggy Association of America.
AKBAA - Pronounced AK-Baa
A touching tribute to our New Zealand heritage too.

Our Goal? World Domination!

You're either with us... Or you're road-kill.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama