by Dave Weiman
With many of the state aviation conferences being held in the months of April and May, it reminds me of the tremendous amount of “volunteerism” that takes place among sponsoring organizations, and throughout general aviation.
The state aviation/airport conferences are sponsored by state airport manager associations, state aviation trade groups (businesses), state business aircraft owner associations, state offices of aeronautics, and airport consultants and engineers. Each respective organization is generally represented on the conference “planning committee,” and each person on the committee makes a commitment to help organize the event.
Areas of responsibility often reflect areas of expertise, but not necessarily. Conference committee members select the site, solicit and coordinate exhibitors and sponsors, promote the event, contact speakers, select award recipients, and organize and emcee panel discussions.
The motivation to volunteer one’s time to a conference planning committee usually comes from a professional obligation to do so. In the end, every conference committee member and every conference attendee stands to gain from the “networking” and “exchange of information” that take place at the event. “Marketing” is also an important motivator and should be encouraged.
Volunteerism in aviation is also seen on our airport commissions and among our flying clubs. I have never known of any flying club, EAA chapter or civic organization that has sponsored a fly-in breakfast or air show, for instance, that has depended on paid staff. And the smaller the organization and event, the more likely it will be dependent on volunteers. Here, the motivation is to raise funds to support airport or organization goals, such as EAA Young Eagles, or to promote the airport to the local community, which is increasingly important as airports can be easy targets of local government when it comes to cutbacks and increased fees.
If you are currently volunteering your time to any cause within aviation, thank you. If you are not currently a volunteer, I encourage you to become one and make a contribution to aviation.